Dreams of Europe

Check-in at Los Angeles Airport. Depart for Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Amsterdam, the capital city of The Netherlands, a port city of great character and charm, with its network of canals resembling a spider’s web, its tall narrow brick houses with richly ornamented gables. After dinner, we’ll take a stroll around the old town and Red Light District. (D)

Day excursion to the famous village of Giethoorn also known as “the Venice of Holland” or the “Venice of the North”. There are no cars or roads here; tourists leave them out of the village and have to travel by water or on foot over the lovely wooden bridges. The best way to explore Giethoorn and the myriad of canals is obviously by joining a canal cruise. Local skippers will be able to guide you through the place and show you the most important places in this quiet village. (B/D)

Full day in Amsterdam to visit the Reijksmuseum (renowned for its Dutch Masters, particularly Rembrandt’s “Night Watch”). After your tour, embark on a canal cruise. These boats are ready to take you on a tour of this beautiful and unique city. Amsterdam’s canals have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status and we will show you why. (B/D)

Venture to Bruges, a UNESCO Heritage, known as the “Venice of the North” with its picturesque canals.

Arrive in Brussels in the late afternoon. After dinner, take a stroll in the old town and take pictures in front of The Royal Palace of Brussels, deemed by Napoleon as the most beautiful palace in the world. (B/D)

Enroute to Brussels, stop by Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage. Bruges is an outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, which has maintained its historic fabric as this has evolved over the centuries, and where original Gothic constructions form part of the town’s identity. As one of the commercial and cultural capitals of Europe, Bruges developed cultural links to different parts of the world.
Arrive in Brussels in the late afternoon. After dinner, take a stroll in the old town and take pictures in front of The Royal Palace of Brussels, deemed by Napoleon as the most beautiful palace in the world. (B/D)

Take a guided tour of the highlights of Brussels, including the Grand Place (surrounded by the Hotel de Ville, Maison du Roi and Maisons des corporations). Visit Manneken Pis, Atomium and Eglise Notre Dame. Transfer to Cologne. Hotel check-in and dinner. (B/D)

Morning visit at the Cologne Cathedral, Germany. It is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and features immense twin towers that stand 515 feet (157 metres) tall. The cathedral was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Transfer to Munich. Take a guided tour of the BMW Headquarters to discover the fascination of the BMW Group and all its brands. Munich, the capital of the state of Bavaria, Germany and is the capital of the world-famous Oktoberfest. A booze with dark beer and Schweinshaxe, or tender and juicy pork knuckle, is a must-try while visiting Munich. (B/D)

Today, we’ll visit the outside of Neuschwanstein castle that King Ludwig II built in order to hide away from the public. The castle was built on a rugged hill above the Hohenschwangau village, and influenced by the Romanesque Revival style. It was nominated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the world. This castle is so famous that it served as the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle’s design at Disneyland.
Arrive in Salzburg in the late afternoon. (B/D)

Take a guided tour of Salzburg including Mozart’s Birthplace. Salzburg is a delight from the first sight of the outline of the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the symbol of the power of the prince-archbishops. The city’s picturesque streets with their wrought-iron signs, its spacious squares with sculptured fountains and the noble architecture of its buildings inspired by bishops with a passion for construction.
Continue to Hallstatt, a town in the North of Austria which is listed as one of the top 10 beautiful old towns in the world. The town has a 7000-year history. (B/D)

Transfer to Venice. Tonight you will enjoy an Italian dinner at the hotel. (B/D)

Wake up this morning in Venice. Venice is eternally preoccupied with the contemplation of its own beauty. Founded on marshes, it rose to dominate the Adriatic and hold the gorgeous East in fee. At the height of its power in the 16th century, Venice was a wealthy city-republic glorying in feasts and pageants, reveling in the splendor of its painting, sculpture and architecture. Those days of glory are gone, but its art survives and the grace and refinement remain. A visit to Venice will fill your soul. Transfer to the main island of San Marco via a private boat. A morning walking tour includes St. Mark’s Square, with entrance to the incredibly rich Basilica of St. Mark. Embark on a Gondola ride along Venice’s beautiful canals. Lunch on your own. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Venice for some shopping. Dinner in a typical Italian restaurant before returning with private boat to your hotel. (B/D)

Transfer to Verona. Visit the most poetic, yet romantic place in Europe where you can take a walk on the ancient cobbled streets. Make a stop at Juliet’s House, which features the balcony where Romeo promised his beloved Juliet eternal love in Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.

In the late afternoon, we’ll arrive at Lake Como, the most famous of the Italian Lakes. We will spend 3 nights at a hotel by the lake, and dinner will be served at where you can have a nice panoramic view. After dinner, if time allows, you can take a stroll along the lake to soak up its beauty and some late night fresh air. (B/D)

Embark on a Bellagio Water Limousine to behold the spectacular beauty of the surroundings. Lake Como is listed in the top 10 beautiful lakes in the world. It has absolutely stunning views of the majestic mountains with their deep valleys running through them. The clear lake water is mesmerizing and varies in color from light green to dark green/blue. On the rare occasion when the lake is still, it mirrors the magnificent scenery that surrounds it. The towns and villages along the lake shores are very picturesque and each one of them feels like it could be home to any number of celebrities.

Transfer to Lugano, Switzerland, a captivating blend of Mediterranean charm and Swiss efficiency. This enchanting city, situated on the shores of Lake Lugano, boasts a stunning backdrop of lush mountains and a delightful promenade. (B/D)

Transfer to the city of Milan. Milan (called Milano in Italian) is one of the most economically developed cities in Europe. It is also known as a mecca of lifestyle, art, and design of the world. Visit Sforza Castle which was built in the 15th century.
Take pictures in front of Gothic Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), the symbol of Milan. The entire building is made up of pink-hued white marble. Check out the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which is Italy’s oldest active shopping mall and a major landmark of Milan. (B/D)

Board a non-stop flight back to Los Angeles.