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2008 Itinerary & Costs |
European Adventure
This is the final itinerary.
Go to www.EFTours.com
Tour #: 957724
Tour Leader: David Kinberg
A private tour designed by David Kinberg, in conjunction with EF Customized Tours
Requested departure date: Thursday, June 19, 2008
(Dates below are subject to change. Required date flexibility of 4 days on either side of requested departure date)
Visit and explore the following Rick Steves website before, during, and after you investigate our itinerary:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/plan_menu.htm Rick Steves guide to everything Europe. Great articles, advice, and links. Here are some of the most important ones to read:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlist.htm Packing ideas.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/298scam.htm Typical tourist scams. BE SAFE!
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/0600wc.htm How to find a toilet (You"re a"peein").
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneytip.htm Money 101.
http://www.callineurope.com/ Cell phone information.
Board your ove
Arrival in London
“Sound drums and trumpets and to London all”-(Shakespeare, King Henry VI part II). Ranging from the North Sea in the east to the playing fields of Eton in the west, London covers an area of some 620 square miles and is home to over 8 million people. Prepare to observe the stunning architecture, vibrant street life and royal majesty of this bustling metropolis.
EF walking tour of London
Stroll through the heart of London on our EF walking tour, which begins along the banks of the River Thames. As you walk along the ancient embankment, note that these shadowy waters gave the city its name, which derives from Llyn-Dyn, Celtic for “city of the lake.” Walk along the Strand and see the spot from which all distances to London are measured. Enter Trafalgar Square, where you’re sure to meet the world’s most famous pigeons, and pause at Nelson’s column, a symbol of Britain’s once unrivaled naval power. Continue on to Leicester Square, where duelists once fought to the death. Then saunter through London’s tiny Chinatown. Your walk ends at chic Covent Garden,
Overnight in London
Guided Sightseeing of London
A local guide leads you on a panoramic tour of London. Begin in Grosvenor Square; site of the U.S. embassy and the house where Eisenhower once lived, this area is sometimes called “Little America.” Continue to Hyde Park Corner, located at the southeast corner of Hyde Park, one of London’s largest parks. At bustling Piccadilly Circus, the intersection of five busy streets, check out the bright lights and big city displays, before heading to Trafalgar Square, site of Nelson’s Column, built to commemorate his 1805 victory in the Battle of Trafalgar. Pass Speaker’s Corner, where anyone with something to say is invited to speak his mind. Snap a photo of the Houses of Parliament and continue along London’s South Bank for views of the famous Tower of London and London Bridge. Stroll across the Millennium Bridge and see St. Paul’s Cathedral, the magnificent 17th-century Baroque church designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Finally, witness a London tradition-the Changing of the Guard (subject to scheduling).
Free afternoon in London
Enjoy free time in London. You might wish to visit the original Hard Rock Café or Madame Tussaud’s Chamber of Horrors, take a cruise down the Thames, or browse through the countless stores along Oxford Street. Attend a Shakespearean drama at a replica of the Globe Theatre, or visit the fascinating, hands-on exhibits of London’s Natural History Museum.
Overnight in London
Day 4 Thursday, June 19, 2008
Free day in London
Tower of London http://www.historicroyalpalaces.org/webcode/content.asp?ID=34
British Museum http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/index.html
Westminster Abbey http://www.westminster-abbey.org/
Harrod"s (shopping) http://www.harrods.com/Cultures/en-GB/VisitingHarrods/
The Tate Gallery http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/
Beatles - Abbey Road http://www.britainexpress.com/London/abbey-road.htm
http://www.londontown.com/ A great website for anything and everything in London.http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=london@91 Fodor"s guide to London.
Optional excursion to Windsor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsor_Castle A good wikipedia article on Windsor Castle.
This half-day guided excursion to the town of Windsor features a visit to Windsor Castle. Founded
Overnight in London
Transfer to Normandy via Canterbury
Head southwest to Canterbury, where you will visit the acclaimed cathedral. From here, continue to Dover to board a ferry and cross the English Channel-the 22-mile stretch of water is the shortest point between England and continental Europe. Look for the famous White Cliffs of Dover behind you as you leave the English shore. Upon arrival in Calais, France, you will head for Normandy.
Tour Director led sightseeing of Canterbury
Your tour director will show you historic Canterbury, including the town’s magnificent Gothic church, Canterbury Cathedral. The headquarters of the Church of England is the burial place of King Henry IV and Edward the Black Prince. It’s also famous as the site where four of King Henry II’s knights murdered Archbishop Thomas à Becket in 1170 for his refusal to obey the king. Pilgrims eventually flocked to Canterbury to visit Becket"s shrine, inspiring Chaucer to write The Canterbury Tales in 1387.
http://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/history/index.aspx Read the link on the history of the Canterbury Cathedral and the link about its stained glass.
Transfer to Normandy
Transfer to Normandy, location of many of the battles that turned the course of World War II. Despite its connection with major military events, Normandy is also a region of scenic beauty with elegant landscapes and patchwork fields as well as the majesty of its two major towns-Caen and Rouen.
Overnight in Normandy Region
Normandy Beaches
http://www.britannica.com/dday A great site to learn about the D-Day invasions with pictures, maps, videos, and amazing links. Know before you go!
At daybreak on June 6, 1944, the Allies’ D-Day landings took place, sparking the largest sea-borne invasion in military history and one of the bravest acts of World War II. As you walk on the same shores that witnessed so much courage and sacrifice over half a century ago, you can still see shelled out craters on the rocky cliffs alongside the occasional remains of German bunkers.
American Cemetery
Visit the final resting place of 9,386 American military dead, most of whom gave their lives during the landings and ensuing operations of World War II. The site also includes a memorial commemorating the soldiers and a chapel bearing the poignant words: “These endured all and gave all that justice among nations might prevail and that mankind might enjoy freedom and inherit peace.”
Visit to Caen Mémorial: Museum of Peace
Pay tribute to WWII troops who fought on the beaches of Normandy as you visit the Caen Mémorial. You’ll see a short film about the D-Day invasion, followed by a slide show on WWII. A third audio-visual presentation recounts the wars in Korea, Afghanistan, and Vietnam, as well as the continuing quest for world peace. Afterwards, tour the museum and see displays that depict pre- WWII Europe and trace the events that eventually led to the outbreak of war. Take time to walk through the Nobel Peace Prizewinners’ Gallery, a gallery that highlights the accomplishments of the men and women who struggled for peace.
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=normandy@247 Fodor"s guide to Normandy.
Transfer to Paris
Arrive in Paris
Welcome to Paris, cosmopolitan City of Light. Over the centuries, Paris has grown to become the undisputed center of France, and one of the world’s most important cities both culturally and politically. Equally famed for its high fashion, awe-inspiring museums and elegant cuisine, Paris has also been a center of theater, literature and philosophy throughout the ages.
Tonight is Summer Solstice and in Paris there will be a city wide music festival http://fetedelamusique.culture.fr/page.php?arbo=30&id=115 Very fun!
Overnight in Paris
Guided sightseeing of Paris
Discover the city on the Seine: from the imposing Arc de Triomphe, commemorating Napoleon’s Grande Armée, to the Île de la Cité, birthplace of Paris. Take a drive down the elegant Champs- Elysées to the Place de la Concorde. Pass the Conciergerie, where prisoners of the Revolution spent their final days, and see Les Invalides, Louis XIV’s grand retirement home for wounded soldiers. You’ll also see the École Militaire, where Napoleon graduated to Lieutenant and was told he’d go far if circumstances allowed. Next, make a photo stop at the Eiffel Tower to marvel at the 6,000-ton
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=paris@117 Fodor"s guide to Paris.
http://www.paris-tourisme.com/places/index.html Popular sights to see in Paris.
Overnight in Paris
Walking tour of Paris
Join our walking tour of the chic Opéra district and the haute couture boutiques of Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré. Stroll through Place de la Concorde, the city’s largest public square, built to honor Louis XV. The next Louis was not so lucky-he was beheaded here during the Revolution, along with Marie Antoinette. Continue through the geometric gardens of the Tuileries as you make your way to Place Vendôme, a vast square wrapped in 17th-century façades. Pass the Ritz hotel at no. 15, a favorite
Guided Sightseeing of the Louvre
Built to defend the city in the 13th century, the Louvre safeguards one of the world’s greatest art collections. Enter the museum through world-renowned architect I.M. Pei’s 1989 modernist glass pyramid. Inside, discover priceless antiquities from Asia, Greece, and Rome. You’ll also see precious objects from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as well as paintings by European masters, including the Mona Lisa.
http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en The Louvre is giant and can be overwhelming. Check out this site and know what you want to see before we get there.
Overnight in Paris
Free day in Paris
http://www.paris-tourisme.com/museums/index.html A great guide to the links for all the great museums in Paris.
Optional Excursion to Versailles
Step back into le grand siècle as you experience the opulence of Versailles, the elaborate palace of Louis XIV. Built to be the envy of all Europe, France’s most extravagant château continually threatened to bankrupt the national treasury. Here the Sun King held court in the most lavish style imaginable. At one point, 1,000 nobles were attended by 4,000 servants inside the palace, while 15,000 soldiers and servants inhabited the annexes. Stroll through the elegantly landscaped gardens, designed by André Le Nôtre. You’ll also tour the State Apartments of the King himself and walk
through the historic Hall of Mirrors, where France, Spain and England officially recognized the independence of the United States in 1783, and where the Treaty of Versailles, which ended WWI, was signed. You’ll also witness the ornate decor of the Queen’s State Apartments, furnished for Marie Antoinette. Because of the extreme popularity of Versailles, guided visits of the interior cannot be guaranteed during peak seasons. In this case, your group will hear a presentation from your guide before entering the palace.
Enjoy free time for your own explorations of Paris. You might wish to visit the Musée d’Orsay, the Picasso Museum, or the futuristic exhibits of the Pompidou Centre. Other possibilities are a visit to the Sacré-Coeur, where you can watch artists at work in the streets of Montmartre below, or a stroll through the Latin Quarter. Or take part in the timeless Parisian tradition of people-watching over a cup of café au lait at a sidewalk café.
Overnight train to Florence
Arrival in Florence
Set deep in the heart of Tuscany is one of Italy’s jewels. The city of Florence has delighted visitors for centuries with its remarkable architecture. Whether sitting by the River Arno, strolling the beautifully housed streets or viewing the renaissance masterpieces that fill the city’s churches and museums, one can only be astonished by the feeling of true beauty.
Guided sightseeing of Florence
Fall under the spell of the powerful Medici family on your guided tour. See Giotto’s Bell Tower and the imposing marble cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo. Stand before Ghiberti’s legendary Gates of Paradise (so dubbed by Michelangelo), and pass the classical statues of the Piazza della Signoria-here you can see where Michelangelo’s David originally stood. Later, watch local artisans at work at a local leather workshop.
Free afternoon in Florence (time permitting)
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=florence@63 Fodor"s guide to Florence.
Overnight in Florence
Transfer to Rome via Siena
Guided Sightseeing of Siena
http://www.aboutsiena.com/ All about what to do and see in Sienna.
Starting in the Piazza del Campo where the famed Palio (a thrilling bareback horse race) takes place each summer, you will also see the city hall building. From here walk along cobbled streets to the Duomo, which houses major works by Donatello and Nicola Pisano. Your tour ends at the church of San Domenico.
Arrival in Rome
Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City. The city is an incredible mix of archeological gems, Roman genius, Renaissance art and religious treasure. As Italy’s capital, it is also the bustling heart of this exciting country. With its fashionable shopping and café-culture, Rome really is a unique European experience.
Overnight in Rome
Guided sightseeing of Rome
Your guided sightseeing of ancient Rome takes you past the ancient Forum Romanum, once the heart of the Roman Empire. You will also visit the Colosseum, where gladiators once battled for their lives in front of 50,000 spectators. During a guided walk, stroll through the Piazza Venezia and view the Pantheon, the temple to "all the gods." End at the Trevi Fountain, a favorite meeting spot for tourists and locals alike.
Free afternoon.
http://www.greatbuildings.com/places/rome.html Aguide to the architecture and monuments in Rome. They are everywhere so know what you are looking at.
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=rome@130 Fodor"s guide to Rome.
Overnight in Rome
Guided sightseeing of Vatican City
The world’s largest dome is located in the world’s smallest country. See both as you tour St. Peter’sBasilica, erected in Vatican City on the site where the saint was martyred. Enter the basilica under the watchful eyes of the brightly dressed Swiss Guard. Inside, admire Michelangelo’s Pietà and try to find the artist’s signature (it is the only sculpture he ever signed). Then continue on to the Vatican Museum, where elaborate galleries packed with one artistic masterpiece after another lead you directly to the Sistine Chapel. Between 1508 and 1512, Michelangelo painted some of the world’s finest pictorial images on the Chapel’s ceiling. This was his first attempt at working in fresco, which he did by standing up and craning backwards from a scaffold.
Free afternoon.
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/CSN/CSN_Main.html A guide to the art of the Sistine Chapel.
Overnight in Rome
Transfer Brindisi
Night ferry to Greece
In Brindisi you will board a ferry that will take you through the night across the Adriatic and on to the Ionian Sea. Arrive the next day in Igoumenitsa.
Overnight on ferry to Igoumeista, Greece
Transfer to the Meteora Region
Pass through the shadow of Mount Olympus as you head South toward the majestic vistas of the Meteora region. More than 20 monasteries are nestled among these black mountains.
Guided sightseeing of Meteora Monasteries
A local guide introduces you to the Meteora region, home to many examples of Byzantine art and architecture. Renowned for its many cavelike monasteries built directly into the hillsides, Meteora draws visitors and missionaries yearning for a glimpse of the ancient life of the pious recluse.
http://www.greecetravel.com/meteora/monasteries.html About Meteora.
Overnight in Meteora
Guided sightseeing of Delphi
As you tour Delphi, ponder the mysteries of what lies in your future, as did Greece’s ancient military leaders, who left gifts for the Oracle in hopes of good fortune in battle. Then visit the Temple of Apollo where, according to legend, the god communicated with mortals. Your visit concludes with a stop at the Delphi Museum, whose collection boasts many artifacts dating back to 550 B.C., reminiscent of the mythical past of ancient Greece.
http://www.magicaljourneys.com/Delphi/index.html About Delphi.
Transfer to Athens via Delphi
Nestled among mountains on the Attic plain, Athens is the Cradle of Democracy and birthplace of Western civilization. A modern city with a strong connection to its ancient history, Athens has been a center of culture, politics, and history for thousands of years. The great philosopher Socrates lived here, offering to fellow Athenians his views on virtue and knowledge.
Overnight in Athens
Guided sightseeing of Athens
An expert local guide introduces you to the antiquities of Athens. Climb the Acropolis to view the majestic Parthenon, perhaps the world’s greatest architectural feat. See the Temple of Athena Nike, which once housed a gold statue of the goddess (her wings were clipped to keep her from ever deserting the city). Athens is named after Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom. After seeing the Presidential Guard in their traditional costumes, pass the stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, as well as lively Omonia and Syntagma Squares.
Free time time in the Plaka area.
http://www.athensguide.com/ Great website dedicated to everything Athens.
Optional Greek Evening
Tonight, opt to experience Greece’s unique and colorful culture during an evening of traditional entertainment and cuisine. Enjoy an authentic meal composed of typical dishes at a specially selected taverna in or near the famous old Plaka district of Athens. Watch an enthralling belly-dance performance, and witness the fancy footwork and twirling bravado of traditional Greek dancing while musicians perform on bouzoukis, stringed instruments unique to Greece. Musical instruments, which date from the Bronze Age in Greece, have long played a central role in Greek tradition, as have regional dances. Experience firsthand this thrilling element of Greek culture!
Overnight in Athens
Saronic Gulf cruise
Journey through the islands of the Saronic Gulf. Your first port of call is ancient Aegina, already wellknown in the days of the pan-Hellenic Games. Then it’s on to Poros, site of the Temple of Poseidon. Here, Demosthenes, a Greek orator who led the Athenian opposition toward Macedonia, escaped a death sentence by committing suicide. Last stop is Hydra, whose inhabitants figured prominently in the Greek War of Independence (Greece was a part of the Ottoman Empire until 1821). You’ll also enjoy an included lunch during the cruise.
http://www.athensguide.com/aegina.html A brief description of the islands we will be visiting.
Overnight in Athens
Transfer to the airport for your return flight
Your tour director assists with your transfer to the airport, where you’ll check in for your return flight home.
Itinerary subject to change.
For complete financial and registration details, please refer to the Booking Conditions at
www.eftours.com/bc.
Tour Highlights and Details
Overnight stays:
London (3)
Normandy Region (1)
Paris* (2)
Night train Paris-Florence (1)
Florence (1)
Rome (3)
Night Ferry Brindisi-Igoumenista (1)
