DAY 1
REIMS, FRANCE
We leave our UK departure points early this
morning for a mid-afternoon channel crossing
to Calais. We will then head towards our first
overnight hotel near Reims, making a suitable
break for dinner on the way. Reims is located
in the Champagne-Ardenne region and its
famous Cathedral was the traditional site for the
crowning of the Kings of France.
DAY 2
REIMS TO LYON
After breakfast you can either visit Reims with
its magnificent cathedral or head for one of the
famous Champagne Houses that Reims is famous
for. There are 250km of cellars in the Champagne
appellation area with many well-known names
such as Veuve Clicquot, Lanson and Taitinger.
Once you have tried a drop of the bubbly stuff we
head to Dijon for our lunchtime stop. Dijon was
largely spared during the Franco-Prussian War
and the Second World War, despite the city being
occupied. Therefore, many of the old buildings
such as the half-timbered houses from the 12th -
15th centuries are undamaged. Dijon, of course, is
known to many for its mustard. We then continue
our journey through the south of France for our
overnight stay near Lyon, making a break for
dinner on the way in Lyon Old Town.
DAY 3
LYON TO BARCELONA
We leave the hotel after breakfast this morning
and go to Avignon. The historic centre, which
includes the Popes Palace, the cathedral, and
the Pont d’Avignon, became a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1995. During the Avignon Papacy,
seven successive popes resided in Avignon and
in 1348 Pope Clement VI bought the town from
Joanna I of Naples. Papal control continued
until 1791 when, during the French Revolution, it
became part of France. The town is one of the
few French cities to have preserved its ramparts.
We then cross the border with Spain and continue
our journey south along the Costa Brava, also
known as the Wild or Rugged Coast, before we
reach our hotel just outside Barcelona.
DAY 4
EMBARK ON SHIP
Today we arrive in Barcelona to board your
cruise ship. After checking in you might like to
have a look around before sail away. With its
grand boulevards and exquisite architecture, the
Catalonia capital of Barcelona provides a vivid
mix of ancient and modern. It is probably best
known for the bizarre Art Nouveau architecture
of Antonio Gaudi, in particular the iconic Sagrada
Familia, Europe’s most extraordinary and still
unfinished cathedral. Barcelona’s Old Port area
is a thriving area of cafés and restaurants. From
there, it is an easy stroll up the famous Rambla
to the old town. Las Ramblas is thronged with
street entertainers, stalls and bars. Not to be
missed is the La Boqueria food market with its
extraordinary displays of fish, meat, fruit and
vegetables. Some of the best food in Spain can
be found in the city where paella is a speciality.
DAY 5
MARSEILLE, FRANCE
The ship sails into Marseille on The French
Riviera or Côte d’Azur. A health retreat in the
18th century, the area later attracted aristocrats,
artists and the 1960s “jet set.” Today it’s an
established holiday destination, with paths
connecting many coastal villages and towns.
Marseille is one on the most visited cities in
France with many museums and galleries, along
with ancient buildings of historical interest.
DAY 10
LEISURE AT SEA
There is plenty of time today to acquaint yourself
with your cruise ship whilst spending a day at sea.
Perhaps you’re still finding your bearings or have
already picked out a favourite spot. There’s lots
going on for you to join in with or you can perfect
the act of doing absolutely nothing.
DAY 11
BARCELONA, SPAIN
After disembarking this morning we leave
Barcelona and travel first along the coast of Spain
before heading north into France. We cross the
famous Milau Viaduct, the tallest bridge in the
world, often called The Bridge Above the Clouds.
Designed by English architect Norman Foster, it is
the tallest structure in France and is consistently
ranked as one of the great engineering
achievements of all time. We skirt past the edge
of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Park as we
head to our overnight hotel near Vichy.
DAY 12
PARIS, FRANCE
After breakfast we head to Sancerre, a medieval
hilltop town overlooking the Loire River that is
noted for its wine and its goat’s cheese. We leave
the vineyards behind us and make our way to
Paris and our last overnight hotel. After time to
freshen up we head into Paris for our included
evening sightseeing trip. There will be time
allowed for your evening meal at the beginning
of the excursion. Then we will have a guided tour
of the some of the most famous sights, including
a photo stop at the Eiffel Tower before heading
back to the hotel late this evening.
DAY 13
PARIS TO THE UK
After making our way around Paris’s infamous
Boulevard Peripherique we make our way
towards Calais and our mid-afternoon crossing
to Dover. We then start our drops off as we
make our way back up north with the last
disembarkations being late evening.
DAY 6
NICE, FRANCE
Right in the middle of the Cote d’Azur, Nice
has long attracted writers and artists with
its famously clear light. Arm yourself with
a scoop of lavender and vanilla ice cream
and join the locals strolling the legendary
waterfront Promenade des Anglais.
DAY 7
LA SPEZIA, ITALY
La Spezia provides ready access to the
Cinque Terre region, you can either take
a shore excursion to Florence or to the
Leaning Tower of Pisa. Or enjoy La Spezia’s,
spectacular collection of cathedrals and the
art-nouveau-style villas.
DAY 8
ROME, ITALY
On arrival in Civitavecchia today why not
take an excursion to the “Eternal City” of
Rome. There are a breathtaking array of
monuments, palaces and churches, quite
unlike any other European city. You could
visit the Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain,
Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Sistine Chapel?
Rome simply oozes Italian culture and
history but is also a modern, bustling city
with designer shops and chic boutiques
to be found in the many pedestrianised
shopping streets, while restaurants and
cafés spill out onto piazzas offering
authentic Italian dishes and sensational ice
cream. There is so much to do you really
should throw that coin into the fountain to
ensure you return.
DAY 9
NAPLES, ITALY
Today we reach Naples, home of the pizza.
Also famous for the sleeping volcano, of
course. You might want to get up early
as cruising into Naples is a memorable
experience as you catch your first sight of
the imposing medieval Sant Elmo castle.
Pompeii is the big draw here for possibly the
most famous excavation in the world. Or
you might fancy the swish cliff-top resort of
Sorrento or a trip to the Island of Capri.
WESTERN EUROPE DISCOVERY
12 NIGHTS | 11 MAY 2017 | FREEDOM OF THE SEAS®
COACH TOUR &
INTERIOR CABIN
COACH TOUR &
PROMENADE CABIN
COACH TOUR &
OUTSIDE CABIN
COACH TOUR &
BALCONY CABIN
£1,099
PP
£1,299
PP
£1,529
PP
£1,599
PP
Discover the delights of Western Europe on this 12 night Tour & Cruise Exclusive
Itinerary. With so many iconic cities visited, it really is a fantastic opportunity to
uncover many unexpected gems that Europe has to offer. Begin with a tour through
the French heart-land, visiting traditional villages, steeped in history and drenched
with the finest Champagne before embarking on Freedom of the Seas in Barcelona to
cruise through the French Riviera and Italy.
FREEDOM OF THE SEAS®
Let your imagination run free! This
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INCLUDES HOTEL
STAYS IN FRANCE,
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FABULOUS ONBOARD
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ENTERTAINMENT
PICKUP POINTS IN
MANCHESTER, KNUTSFORD,
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VATICAN, ROME, ITALY
BARCELONA, SPAIN
PARIS, FRANCE
MARSEILLE, FRANCE
FLORENCE, ITALY
BALCONY CABIN
INCLUDES 7NIGHT
FULL-BOARDCRUISE
INCLUDES 6 DAY
COACH TOUR
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