Untitled - EF Educational Tours

15 or 17 DAYS
European Carousel
The Netherlands • Germany • Austria • Italy • Switzerland • France • England
london (2 or 4) amsterdam (2)
Windsor
Eurostar train
paris (2)
heidelberg (1)
alsace Region (1)
Munich (1)
lucerne Region (2)
Mt. Pilatus
Innsbruck
Verona
Venice (2)
Number of overnight stays in parentheses. This tour may also be reversed.
Picture-perfect Notre Dame Cathedral took more than two centuries to build, and most of its architects and sculptors remain anonymous.
Program Fee includes:
n Round-trip airfare
n 13 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
(15 with extension)
n European breakfast and dinner daily
n Full-time EF Tour Director
n 5 sightseeing tours led by licensed local guides:
Amsterdam • Munich • Venice • Paris • London
n 3 sightseeing tours led by your tour director:
Heidelberg • Lucerne • Colmar
n 2 walking tours: Paris • London
n 1 orientation tour: Amsterdam
n 5 visits to special attractions: Anne Frank House
Heidelberg Castle wine barrel • Doges’ Palace
Glass-blowing demonstration • Notre Dame Cathedral
n Eurostar high-speed train
Optional: Volendam and Zaanse Schans
Mount Pilatus • Versailles • Windsor Castle
With extension: All of the above PLUS:
n 1 sightseeing tour led by a licensed local guide:
Stonehenge and Bath
n 2 visits to special attractions:
Stonehenge • Bath
Day 1 Flight
Overnight flight to the Netherlands • Spend the
night flying across the Atlantic.
Day 2 Amsterdam
Arrival in Amsterdam • Land in Amsterdam,
capital of the Netherlands. After clearing customs,
you are greeted by your EF Tour Director, who will
remain with you throughout your stay.
Orientation tour of Amsterdam • Your tour
director introduces you to Amsterdam. The capital
of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is also an important
commercial, historic, cultural and artistic center.
Amsterdam was once home to Rembrandt, whose
residence remains open to visitors today, and boasts
friendly cafés and world-class museums, including
the van Gogh Museum and the Jewish History
Museum. Step into a fairy tale as you marvel at this
city of 1,200 bridges and 160 canals.
Day 3 Amsterdam
Guided sightseeing of Amsterdam • A local
guide shows you Amsterdam’s most famous sights
on a walk through the city. Pass the Westerkerk
(West Church), where the remains of Rembrandt
and his son are buried. The church also held the
wedding of Queen Beatrix in 1966. Continue to
lively Dam Square, a dam around the Amstel River
created in the 13th century to prevent the Zuiderzee
Sea from flooding the city. Now this bustling tourist
area boasts the impressive Koninklijk Paleis (Royal
Palace), once the home of the Dutch Royal Family;
the National Monument; and the Nieuwekerk (New
Church), where members of the Dutch Royal Family
are officially inaugurated. See the Begijnhof, a lovely
14th-century courtyard, built as a sanctuary for the
Begijnhofites, a Catholic sisterhood. Walk across the
lifting bridge to Waterlooplein. Marvel at the views
of the Amstel River as you cross the Magere Brug
(Skinny Bridge). Although “magere” means skinny
in Dutch and the bridge was quite thin when built,
rumor says the bridge was actually named for the
Magere sisters, living on opposite sides of the river,
who built the bridge to make it easier to visit each
other. Finally, you will see Rembrandtplein, a square
packed with terrace cafés, diamond shops, nightclubs
and hotels.
Visit to the Anne Frank House • Visit the Anne
Frank House, where the young girl hid with her
family from 1942 to 1944—and where she penned
the poignant diary that has been translated into
dozens of languages worldwide.
Optional excursion to Volendam and Zaanse
Schans • Discover the heart of the Dutch
countryside in the picturesque fishing village of
Volendam and the living and working neighborhood
of Zaanse Schans, re-created to look like a 17th- or
18th-century Dutch village. Make your way down
the cobblestone streets, past charming shops and
crooked houses. Stop in cheese- and clog-making
shops before returning to Amsterdam. (Please
note: This optional is available March 15-September
30.)
Day 4 Amsterdam • Heidelberg
Transfer to Heidelberg • Arrive in Heidelberg,
one of the most lovely towns in Germany.
Tour director-led sightseeing of Heidelberg
• Become acquainted with Germany’s oldest
university city—the university dates back to 1386.
See Heidelberg’s 700-year-old Schloss (palace) and
its famous Fass (wine barrel), the world’s largest.
From the castle’s historic battlements, you’ll enjoy
a stunning view of the Neckar Valley, where Homo
heidelbergensis roamed 500,000 years ago. You’ll
also see the town’s medieval streets and Marktplatz,
where witches were once burned at the stake.
Writers as diverse as Mark Twain (who once floated

down the Neckar on a raft) and Goethe (who was
inspired by the view from the Schloss) have long
praised Heidelberg’s enduring beauty.
Day 5 Heidelberg • Munich
Transfer to Munich • Continue on to Munich,
the Bavarian capital.
Guided sightseeing of Munich • Your guided
tour takes you past the Olympic Stadium, BMW’s
headquarters, and the fashionable Schwabing
district. You’ll also pass the Residenz (once
home to the Wittelsbach dukes of Bavaria), the
Deutsches Museum, the university, and the Alte
Pinakothek. Your tour concludes at Marienplatz,
Munich’s medieval heart, home of the city’s famed
Glockenspiel.
Day 6 Munich • Venice
Transfer via Innsbruck • On your way to Italy,
stop in Innsbruck, the capital of the Austrian
province of Tyrol and the site of two Winter
Olympics (1964 and 1976).
Arrival in Venice • Arrive in magical Venice.
Day 7 Venice
Guided sightseeing of Venice • Begin your
tour of La Serenissima (the city’s nickname meaning
“the most serene”) at St. Mark’s Square, “the finest
drawing room in Europe,” according to Napoleon.
Allegedly buried under the altar of the basilica are
St. Mark’s remains, which, in the 11th century, were
smuggled out of Alexandria in a barrel of salt pork
to prevent a thorough search by the city’s Muslim
guards. Also see the Grand Canal and the 324-foot
Campanile (Bell Tower), whose steps were originally
built so that a noble could ascend on horseback.
Look for the clock where two bronze figures have
been striking the hour for more than 500 years.
Venice is also famous for its glassware—you’ll see
why during a glass-blowing demonstration.
Visit to Doges’ Palace • Visit the grand 14thcentury,
pink-and-white Doges’ Palace, from which
mighty Venetian dukes once ruled. Here, you’ll
stroll over the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the palace
and its prison. As they crossed the bridge, prisoners
supposedly sighed with perfect sadness as they
regarded their beautiful city for the last time.
Casanova made a daring escape from this prison in
1756.
Day 9 Lucerne Region
Tour director-led sightseeing of Lucerne •
The majestic Alps provide a stunning backdrop
to your tour of Lucerne, where composer Richard
Wagner wrote several of his major works. You’ll view
the captivating Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), a
sandstone statue commemorating the Swiss Guards
slain in the 1792 Paris storming of the Tuileries.
According to Mark Twain, it is “the saddest and
most compassionate piece of rock on earth.” Stroll
down narrow, winding streets and across the
Kapellbrücke, a covered bridge whose history dates
back to medieval days—the murals lining its walls
are nearly identical to those painted in the 14th
century. Be on the lookout for the colorful handpainted
façades along the cobbled streets of the Old
Town.
Optional excursion to Mount Pilatus
• This exciting half-day adventure takes you to
the top of Mount Pilatus, the majestic mountain
dominating the Lucerne skyline. In the summer
months, travel to the foot of the mountain by
boat across the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne),
then ride the famous Pilatus cog railway—the
steepest in the world—to the top. During the
other seasons, you’ll journey to the mountain
base by motorcoach before ascending by cable
car. After 45 spectacular minutes and 6,387 feet,
you’ll reach the summit and be rewarded with a
panorama of Lucerne, its lake and the glorious
snow-capped Alps. On a clear day, you can see
for more than 200 miles! (Summer season: June 2–
September 30. Winter season: October 1–June 1.)
Day 10 Lucerne Region • Alsace Region
Transfer to the Alsace region • Journey to the
Alsace region, known for its fascinating blend of
French and German culture.
Gondolas are not only an efficient way to get around Venice, they’re extremely stylish too!
Tour director-led sightseeing of Colmar •
Colmar is a quaint town in the region of Alsace
and often considered the most beautiful. Stroll
among half-timbered houses, well-kept gardens and
winding roads. See Martin Schongauer’s Virgin in
the Rosebush painting in the Eglise des Dominicains
or the Musée d’Unterlinden’s Isenheim Altarpiece.
This evocative folding altar screen by Grünwald is
one of the most talked about German works of art.
Day 11 Alsace Region • Paris
Arrival in Paris • Arrive in Paris, one of the world’s
most cosmopolitan cities.
Walking tour of Paris • Your walking tour of
Paris centers around the Île de la Cité, considered
the birthplace of Paris. This island surrounded
entirely by the Seine has been inhabited since
the 3rd century B.C. and was the political and
religious center of France for centuries. Île de la Cité
houses three of Paris’ most important buildings:
Notre Dame Cathedral; the Conciergerie, Paris’
first prison; and St. Chapelle, the Gothic Catholic
church.
Visit to Notre Dame Cathedral • Built between
1163 and 1361 over the remains of an ancient
Roman temple, it was here that Napoleon crowned
himself emperor in 1804. Victor Hugo once
described the sculptured façade of Notre Dame as
“a vast symphony in stone.” However, had it not
been for the creation of his famous hunchback,
Quasimodo, the cathedral might never have returned
to its former glory. Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of
Notre Dame helped inspire a 23-year restoration
of the cathedral that began in 1841. Step inside to
admire the stained-glass rose windows and seemingly
weightless vaulted ceilings.
Day 8 Venice • Lucerne Region
Transfer via Verona • Transfer by way of Romeo
and Juliet’s Verona, known for its couplets and
Capulets. Here, you can see the town’s Roman
Arena, which dates back to the 1st century. You’ll
also see a bronze statue of Juliet, standing below the
balcony said to be the one where she called to her
Romeo.
Transfer to Switzerland • Encounter the majestic
Alps as you journey to Switzerland.
Overnight in the Lucerne region • Visit the land
of legendary folk hero William Tell as you spend the
night in the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne) region.

Day 12 Paris
Guided sightseeing of Paris • Discover the city
on the Seine, beginning with the imposing Arc de
Triomphe, commemorating Napoleon’s Grande
Armée. Take a drive down the elegant Champs-
Élysées 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 centerpiece for the 1889 World’s Fair. You’ll
hear the story of how this impressive—but once
highly controversial—symbol of Paris was spared
the wrecking ball in 1909. Pass the Opéra Garnier,
where the famous Phantom of the Opera haunted his
dear Christine, and marvel at Église de la Madeleine,
designed as a temple of glory for Napoleon’s army.
Continue past the geometric gardens of the Tuileries
as you make your way to the Place Vendôme, a vast
square surrounded by elegant 17th-century façades.
Optional excursion to Versailles • Join an
optional excursion to Versailles, the elaborate palace
of Louis XIV. 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, tour the State
Apartments of the King himself, walk through the
historic Hall of Mirrors and admire the ornate decor
of the State Apartments of the Queen. (Please note:
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. Please also note that Versailles is closed on
Mondays. Participants must enroll in this excursion
no later than 50 days prior to departure.)
Day 13 Paris • London
Transfer via Eurostar from Paris to London
• In Paris, board the high-speed Eurostar train
that runs through the tunnel connecting Britain to
continental Europe. Then arrive in London.
Walking tour of London • Stroll through the
heart of London on a walking tour, which begins
along the banks of the River Thames. 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 considered to
be London’s geographic center; all measurements
of distances to London end here. Enter Trafalgar
Square and pause at Nelson’s Column, built to
commemorate his 1805 victory in the Battle of
Trafalgar. 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, where you’ll enjoy
watching street performers (or “buskers”) amuse the
lively crowds. (The exact walking route may vary,
depending on your hotel location and the day’s
other activities.)
Day 14 London
Guided sightseeing of London • A local guide
leads you on a panoramic tour of London. Begin in
Grosvenor Square, which is sometimes called “Little
America” because it’s the site of the U.S. embassy and
the house where Eisenhower once lived. 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. 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 for an orientation of 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).
Optional excursion to Windsor • Opt to visit
Windsor Castle for a guided tour of the Royal
Family’s retreat. Built by William the Conqueror
in 1070, the castle has undergone many changes
over the past 800 years, as each new monarch
added a tower here or a wing there. Priceless objects
are found in the State Apartments, ranging from
paintings by Rubens and Holbein to Henry VIII’s
sword and suit of armor. You will also see Queen
Mary’s Dolls’ House and St. George’s Chapel, final
resting place of many monarchs including Henry
VIII and Charles I. (Please note that St. George’s
Chapel is closed on Sunday mornings for church
services. On the rare occasion that Windsor Castle is
closed, you’ll instead visit Henry VIII’s extravagant
retreat at Hampton Court. Participants must enroll
in this excursion no later than 50 days prior to
departure.)
Day 15 Home
Return home • Your tour director assists with the
transfer to the airport, where you’ll check in for your
return flight home.
EXTENSION
Day 15 London
Full-day excursion to Stonehenge and Bath •
This full-day guided excursion takes you through the
English countryside to visit two historical landmarks
that together span 4,000 years of English history!
First, visit Stonehenge, England’s most mysterious
landmark. The origin and purpose of this ring of
stones, which dates from the Neolithic period, is
unknown, though most believe it was a temple and
observatory. Before returning to London, you’ll also
visit Bath, famous for its Georgian architecture,
a lasting reminder of the world described in so
many Jane Austen novels. In her novel Northanger
Abbey, Austen wrote, “I really believe I shall always
be talking of Bath. ... I do like it so very much. ...
Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath” This spa was
a favorite vacation spot of early Romans and 18thcentury
English aristocracy alike; former residents
include Queen Victoria and Lord Nelson. Visit the
acclaimed Roman baths, built by the Romans in the
1st century to enjoy the hot springs, and today these
baths remain the finest Roman ruins in Britain.
Day 16 London
Free time in London • Take some time to explore
London on your own. Perhaps you would like to
visit the Tower of London. The Tower buildings
have had many uses over the years; perhaps the most
infamous was as a jail for political prisoners, not
to mention two of Henry VIII’s wives. The most
famous exhibits at the Tower are the British Crown
Jewels. Alternatively, head to Greenwich and see
the observatory, home of the Prime Meridian Line
and Greenwich Mean Time. At this point, you can
stand in both the eastern and western hemispheres
simultaneously by placing your feet on either side
of the line.
Day 17 Home
Return home • Your tour director assists with the
transfer to the airport, where you’ll check in at the
airport for your return flight home.
For complete financial and registration details,
please refer to the Booking Conditions.
ITN0309EUC/D
Itinerary subject to change.
Discover the Global Classroom
Enrol at eftours.ca/student
or call 1-800-263-2806
(in Quebec: 1-866-750-2550)
2010/Fall