European Tour
For SINGLE TRAVELLERS 45 years and over
15 August - 3 September 2010 (20 days)
Itinerary
Operated by: Insight Vacations
ENGLAND ~ BELGIUM ~ HOLLAND ~ GERMANY ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ SLOVAKIA ~ HUNGARY ~ AUSTRIA ~ ITALY ~ SWITZERLAND ~ FRANCE
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Tour Pace
This is a well paced tour with two-night stays in the eight key cities, allowing time for sightseeing, exploration at your own pace or optional excursions if you wish. The travelling days have been well planned with plenty of stops both for refreshment and photo opportunities. Plus when you choose an Insight Vacations Premium Escorted Tour there are the added benefits of small group touring and this departure is a Preferred Departure.
Fellow Passengers
There is the comfort of knowing you’ll be sharing the tour with other singles as within this tour departure we have a special group booking ‘for singles’.*
There are 15 places on this trip reserved for A Rendezvous for Singles community and therefore the trip is not exclusive to A Rendezvous for Singles members & guests. The trip may also confirm more or less than 15 people from the A Rendezvous for Singles community subject to demand and availability. There will be travellers from other channels booked on this trip and they may be single, partnered or otherwise travelling as friends. Whoever the guests on the tour, everyone in the group will have the touring spirit and this trip generally appeals to persons of 45 years and over.
Pre-Departure Contact Service
As a friendly gesture to everyone in our special group, we offer a pre-departure contact service. With your permission, we share your first name, state and email (or other preferred contact method) to the rest of our guests prior to departure. It's a popular choice with many travellers especially as the majority of our guests book solo. It provides the opportunity to get in touch with others prior to departure and especially from your city of departure in Australia. This list is provided after bookings close, about eight weeks prior to departure.
Small Group Advantage:
Many tour operators imply 'fewer passengers' but don't tell you that nothing has really changed. Their seating remains at 49 or 53. With an Insight premium tour, they carry an average of just 35 passengers with touring coaches configured for a maximum of 40; creating less congestion when boarding and disembarking and up to twice as much leg room.
Room Mate Matching
For people travelling alone, you can be matched with someone of the same gender on the tour, so you don't have to pay the single room supplement. If a match is not possible, a single room will be provided at no extra cost. Please note there is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms.
Additional Visa Requirements
Special visas are required for most Eastern European countries and we recommend they are obtained in advance. For Hungary & Czech Republic immigration at destination to determine number of entries and length of stays. Visa not required for stays of up to 90 days in the Schengen area.
As of 21/12/07 the following countries are member states of the Schengen: agreement: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland (from 12/12/08)
PREMIUM HIGHLIGHTS
· Embark on a scenic Rhine Cruise past sleepy villages, leafy vineyards and cliff-top castles
· In Vienna, walk in the steps of royalty with your local guide as you visit Schonbrunn Palace
· Enjoy a fascinating gondola ride along the romantic canals in Venice
· Admire the art treasures of the Popes on your visit to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
· Explore the wonders of ancient Rome as you overlook the Forum and visit the Colosseum
· Enjoy an exhilarating ride by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of Mount Pilatus
· Ascend by elevator to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower for a panoramic view of Paris
London Airport Transfers: Can be purchased. This service is offered through the tour operator, Insight Vacations, providing the following conditions have been met:
- You provide detailed flight information to us no less than 30 days prior to departure.
- You must stay at the London Group Hotel on the night of your arrival and the night prior to your departure date and book these nights with your tour package.
- In the event of flight delays outside of Insight Vacation's control, the transfer will be deemed to be cancelled.
- All transfers are based on a group shuttle. No refund is therefore available for missed transfers.
- In the event of unforeseen events Insight Vacations will not be responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
- For passengers flying into London's Gatwick Airport, Insight recommends the Gatwick Express see website at www.gatwickexpress.com.
Departs from and returns to London
Departs from the Park Plaza Victoria hotel, the recommended pre/post tour hotel.
Day 1 - LONDON - BRUSSELS Drive to Dover and bid farewell to the white cliffs as you cross the channel to France. Continue to medieval Bruges. Follow the picturesque canals and cobbled streets to the Market Square, with its octagonal bell tower. Then it’s on to Brussels with its gilded buildings in the Grand Place and Mannekin Pis statue. During your stay your Tour Director will introduce you to the world of Belgian beer! Handy to know at tonight’s Welcome Drink. Day 2 - BRUSSELS - AMSTERDAM Drive to Amsterdam and pass Dam Square and the Mint tower en route to a demonstration of diamond cutting. Visit the fishing village of Volendam and learn how clogs and cheese are made before returning to Amsterdam. Day 3 - AMSTERDAM - WÜRZBURG Head into Germany to see Cologne’s soaring Gothic cathedral. Continue via Bonn to the scenic Rhine Gorge to join your Highlight cruise.Glide past vineyards and medieval castles to see the Loreley Rock before continuing on to Würzburg with its Baroque Residenz palace, Marienberg fortress and statue-lined bridge. Day 4 - WÜRZBURG - PRAGUE Stop in Nuremberg to see the charming blend of stone and timbered dwellings and the massive town ramparts before continuing east to the Czech border. Pass Pilsen, known for its beer, to reach the ‘golden city’ of Prague. Day 5 - PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING A local guide introduces the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St Vitus’ Cathedral before descending to the Old Town Square, with its Astronomical Clock. Later, there is time to shop for fine Bohemian crystal. (BB) Day 6 - PRAGUE - BUDAPEST Drive through the wine-producing area of South Moravia into Slovakia and stop in its fortified capital, Bratislava. After free time to explore, cross into Hungary and follow the River Danube to Budapest. Day 7 - BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING With a Budapest guide, climb up to the old Castle District. See the murals in Matthias Church beside the Fisherman’s Bastion, which affords a grand view over the Danube and the Parliament. See the Royal Palace of Buda, then cross over to Pest to visit Heroes’ Square. Spend the afternoon at leisure. (BB,D) Day 8 - BUDAPEST - VIENNA Heading out of Budapest, survey the bridges over the Danube from the lofty citadel atop Gellert Hill. Continue through peaceful farmland, dotted with orchards and vineyards to the austrian border and Vienna. Day 9 - VIENNA SIGHTSEEING A Premium Highlight visit takes you inside the fabulous Schönbrunn Palace. On a guided city tour, see the Parliament, Winter Palace and Opera House along the Ring Road . Finish with an explanation of the history and culture of the Viennese café. (BB) Day 10 - VIENNA - VENICE Cross over the Semmering Pass and across the border into Italy. Arrive at your hotel on Venice’s fashionable Lido. Day 11 - VENICE SIGHTSEEING Cruise by private launch to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St Mark’s Basilica, followed by a Venetian glass-blowing demonstration. Enjoy a fascinating Highlight gondola ride along the canals. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB) Day 12 - VENICE - ROME Head south into the Apennine Mountains and follow the course of the Tiber to the Eternal City of Rome. As night falls, join your fellow passengers for a Dine-Around evening of local cuisine offered from a selection of restaurants. Enjoy a short group tutorial on the wines that compliment your evening meal. Day 13 - ROME SIGHTSEEING Join a local guide to visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, complete with a Tour of St Peter’s Basilica to see Michelangelo's the Pieta. Now cross the Tiber to visit the Colosseum and see the Forum. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB) Day 14 - ROME - FLORENCE Head north into the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany, driving to Piazzale Michelangelo for views over Florence. After a leather-work demonstration, spend the afternoon exploring this beautiful city. Day 15 - FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING A local guide takes you to Santa Croce Basilica to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo. Continue to the lofty Cathedral where Giotto's 14C Campanile is said to be the most beautiful bell-tower in the world. See the ' Gates of Paradise ' on the Baptistry and visit Signoria Square with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculpture . (BB) Day 16 - FLORENCE - LUCERNE Head north through the scenic Italian Lake District, glimpsing Lake Como as you cross into Switzerland. Enjoy magnificent mountain scenery as you travel on to lake-side Lucerne. Day 17 - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING Walk with your Tour Director to the emotive Lion Monument, carved into a cliff to commemorate the Swiss Guards who lost their lives during the French Revolution. Spend time shopping or strolling along the Chapel Bridge to the richly ornate Jesuit Church. Embark on a Premium Highlight excursion to the summit of one of Switzerland’s most famous mountains, Mount Pilatus. Admire the views over the snow-capped Jungfrau and Eiger peaks before returning to Lucerne. (BB,D) Day 18 - LUCERNE - PARIS Leave Switzerland and skirt the Jura Mountains into the Burgundy wine region before continuing on to Paris. Day 19 - PARIS SIGHTSEEING Sightseeing with a local guide shows you the highlights of the city. See the Gothic Notre Dame cathedral, then drive past the immense facades of the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde, its centre occupied by a giant Egyptian obelisk. Continue along the elegant Champs Élysées to Napoleon’s Arc de Triomphe. Now ascend the Eiffel Tower for fine views over Paris. The afternoon is at leisure; perhaps some shopping or visit the superb Louvre museum? (BB) Day 20 - PARIS - LONDON Cross the battlefields of World War One en route to Calais and your voyage back to Dover. The tour ends after a short drive back to London, arriving to London in the late afternoon early evening. AIRPORT TRANSFERS LONDON Flight information must be provided to us no less than 30 days prior to departure in order that our agent can provide this information in a timely manner to Insight Vacations so that your transfer can be confirmed. Once transfers are booked they cannot be changed. You must stay at a London hotel booked with your Insight Vacations tour package on the night of your arrival and the night prior to your departure date. National Express Dot2Dot will pick up and drop off in time to meet all flights to/from London's Heathrow Airport. For guests arriving at the Dot2Dot desk after 22.00 please make use of the courtesy phone to arrange your transfer to your Insight hotel. See below for transfer condition
Hotel: Royal Windsor Grand Place.
Hotel: Moevenpick City Centre. (BB)
Hotel: Maritim. (BB,D)
Hotel: Diplomat. (BB,D)
Hotel: Hilton West End. (BB)
Hotel: Hilton Plaza. (BB)
Hotel: Grande Albergo Ausonia & Hungaria. (BB,D)
Hotel: UNA Hotel Roma. (BB,DA)
Hotel: Cosmopolitan. (BB,D)
Hotel: Astoria. (BB)
Hotel: Pullman Paris Bercy. (BB)
The exact time return time is is undeterminable due to many factors such as traffic, ferry schedules and loading...etc. It is for this reason that it is advised against arranging flights out of London on the last day of the tour. An overnight stay in London is recommended.
(BB)
Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the airport and your central London tour hotel, so Insight Vacations has negotiated rates with National Express Dot2Dot from London Heathrow to allow you to arrange your own airport transfers before travelling, thus saving time and hassle when you arrive. Prices for Dot2Dot shuttle transfers between London Heathrow Airport and your Insight London hotel are A$40 per person, each way.
A Rendezvous for Singles © 2010