Howdy folks! Today is Day 0 of my 36 day jaunt in Europe. I'll be boarding a plane around 11:30am to depart from DFW to ATL, where I'll be spending 2.5 hours waiting for my connection to the Netherlands. I'll arrive approximately 8:25am (Friday) local time in Amsterdam. Yeay! I've booked myself a dodgy hostel for the night, and I'll hook up with my tour group the following Saturday afternoon. There I'll spend the next 21 days roaming around Europe.
Here is my route:
Here's my tour itinerary so far:
Day 1: Welcome to the Netherlands
Your room should be ready by 2 p.m. at the hotel in Haarlem (30 minutes by train, bus or taxi from the Amsterdam airport). Plan on attending an informal group meeting at the hotel around 5 p.m. Join us afterward for a get-acquainted walking tour and dinner. Sleep in Haarlem (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.
Day 2: Progressive, Artistic Amsterdam
We'll take the train into Amsterdam this morning, and begin with a walking tour of Amsterdam’s historic core, including Anne Frank's House. After lunch, we'll see masterpieces from the remarkable Rijksmuseum. You'll have free time late this afternoon to see the Van Gogh Museum or stroll along the canals. Later, we'll return to Haarlem for a free evening. Train 1 hr. Walking: strenuous.
Day 3: Dutch Treats and Rhine Views
We'll work our way down to Germany’s castle-studded Rhineland. Along the way, we'll stop in Arnhem to visit the Netherland's first and largest open-air museum. We’ll enjoy dinner together at our hotel tonight. Sleep in Bacharach on the Rhine (2 nights). Bus 7 hrs. Walking: light.
Day 4: Rhine Castles and a River Cruise
This morning we'll take a walking tour of Bacharach with a local guide. Then we'll head to St. Goar and hike up to the mighty Rheinfels castle, overlooking the Rhine. We'll tour the castle, cruise the Rhine, and have free time to do some exploring on our own before dinner. Bus ½ hr. Walking: strenuous.
Day 5: Medieval Rothenburg
After an early start, we'll arrive in Rothenburg, Germany’s cutest medieval town, just before lunchtime. The afternoon is yours to see Riemenschneider's altarpiece (the best woodcarving in Germany), walk the medieval wall, tour the Crime and Punishment Museum, or hunt down the best apple strudel in town. Sleep in Rothenburg (1 night). Bus 4 hrs. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 6: Dachau and Austria’s Tirol
Today we'll make a 21st century pilgrimage to Dachau concentration camp near Munich. Later, depending on the day of the week, we'll have a lunch break in Munich or Andechs. We'll then drive south into Austria, toward the Alps and Reutte, our rural and tranquil Tirolean home base. Eat dinner (included) and sleep in or near Reutte (2 nights). Bus 6 hrs. Walking: light to moderate.
Day 7: Neuschwanstein Castle and the Luge
It's a short drive and a half-hour walk to "Mad King" Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle. After lunch, we'll look for a summer luge to barrel down (weather and season permitting), and find free time to stroll in the woods or relax at our peaceful hotel before dinner (included). Bus 1 hr. Walking: moderate to strenuous.
Day 8: Italy’s Incomparable Venice
We'll drive all day to Venice, where we'll leave the bus and board a boat to our hotel in the historic heart of this seductive city. After dinner, we'll take an orientation walk to magical, moonlit St. Mark's Square. Sleep in Venice (2 nights). Bus 8 hrs. Walking: light.
Day 9: The Art of Wandering in Venice
You are free all day to tour St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Accademia art gallery - or shop, explore the alleys, cruise the canals, and "crawl" the pubs. No bus (too much water). Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 10: Florence and Michelangelo’s David
After checking into our hotel, a gelato-fueled orientation walk will wind us through the historic core of Florence. In the evening we’ll get acquainted with Michelangelo's David at Florence’s Accademia. Sleep in Florence (2 nights). Bus 3 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 11: Wonders of Renaissance Florence
We'll begin our day with a tour of the masterpiece-packed Uffizi Gallery. Then you'll be on your own for the rest of the day to discover the wealth of historic churches, museums, street markets and cafés. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 12: A Walk through Caesar’s Rome
This morning we'll drive straight to the heart of Rome, where we'll spend the afternoon uncovering Ancient Rome (visiting the Colosseum, Forum and Pantheon) with a local guide. Tonight let's celebrate la dolce vita, with a fountain-splashing, after-dinner stroll through the heart of the city. Sleep in Rome (2 nights). Bus 4 hrs. Walking: strenuous.
Day 13: Renaissance Rome
Today we'll focus on Renaissance (Catholic) Rome, spending our morning touring the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, and our early afternoon in St. Peter's amazing cathedral. You'll have the rest of the day free to take a siesta or explore more of the Eternal City. No bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 14: To Italy’s Cinque Terre
We'll drive all day to reach the sun-drenched beaches of Italy’s hidden Cinque Terre: five perfectly preserved fishing villages, surrounded by vineyards and the sea. On the way, we'll take time to visit one of Italy’s enchanting hill towns. At the coast, we'll leave the bus and take a 15-minute train ride into the Cinque Terre, where we'll sleep (2 nights). Bus 7 hrs. Walking: light to moderate.
Day 15: Free Day in the Cinque Terre
Ahh, time for a 'vacation from your vacation.' You couldn't see a museum here even if you wanted to! This is simply traditional Italy, with nothing to do but hike through the hillside vineyards that connect the five villages, take in the breathtaking scenery, hang out on the beaches, swim, and lounge around the town like a local. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 16: To the Heart of the Swiss Alps
Today we'll catch an early train back to our bus, then head into the heart of the Swiss Alps. After a breathtaking drive, we'll arrive at our hotel located in the magnificent Lauterbrunnen Valley. Sleep in our creaky old chalet in the Lauterbrunnen Valley (2 nights). Bus 9 hrs. Walking: light.
Day 17: Free Day to Hike in the Alps
The day is all yours. If the weather is good, you may want to ride a gondola up to the Schilthorn at 10,000 feet, loiter in the thin air, and hike part way down. Or just lie low and play Heidi. For more Alpine thrills, ride trains and lifts to hikes at the foot of the majestic Eiger and Jungfrau peaks. Bad weather options include Trümmelbach Falls, valley hikes, or just relaxing in the mountain air. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 18: A Hearty Taste of Burgundy
Today we'll say "Auf Wiedersehen" to the Alps and "Bonjour" to la belle France. We'll drive into profoundly French Burgundy for a look at small-town France. After an orientation to town and some free time, we'll gather for a sampling of this region's most famous product, Burgundian wine. Sleep in or near Beaune (1 night). Bus 5 hrs. Walking: light.
Day 19: Historic and Neighborhood Paris
After breakfast, we'll drive into Paris. Our driver will drop us off at our hotel, a croissant's toss from Paris' greatest sights. This afternoon we'll visit the stunning Nôtre Dame cathedral, the brilliant stained glass windows of Ste. Chapelle church and take a walking tour of our neighborhood. Sleep in Paris (2 nights). Bus 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 20: Parisian Masterpieces
This day provides a busy, star-studded finale for our tour. After a practical Metro subway lesson, we'll visit the Louvre with a local guide. Your Paris Museum Pass will help you pop painlessly into such legendary museums as the Orsay and Rodin. This evening we'll share a final dinner together. No bus. Walking: moderate to strenuous.
Day 21: Tour Over After Breakfast
If you're staying on in Paris, today would be a great day to hop on the train and tackle the sprawling palace and grounds at Versailles.
