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European Whirl Trip by Trafalgar Tours. OMG!

European Whirl Trip by Trafalgar Tours. OMG!

Old Jul 10th, 2010, 11:10 AM
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European Whirl Trip by Trafalgar Tours. OMG!

I saw this and just had to post it. Total Insanity! Could the person who designed this have ever been to Europe or any of the cities they are passing through? Talk about "drive-by sightings."

DAY 1 DEPART USA
Overnight flight to London.

DAY 2 ARRIVE LONDON
After checking into your Trafalgar hotel, the rest of your day is at leisure to relax or to start to explore this exciting capital city.

DAY 3 LONDON SIGHTSEEING AND AT LEISURE
Many major sights are included on our morning guided sightseeing tour, including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. Your tour will finish in central London, so the rest of the day is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 4 LONDON – AMSTERDAM
Greetings from our Tour Director as we drive to the coast. Admire the White Cliffs of Dover before our Channel crossing to Calais in France. Then into Belgium and across Flanders fields to Holland and meadows of turning windmills. Soon we arrive in friendly Amsterdam where we see Dam Square and the Mint Tower. Then we have the opportunity to take a canal cruise in a glass topped boat before continuing later to the hotel where we enjoy a Welcome Drink together. (CB)

DAY 5 AMSTERDAM – RHINE CRUISE – MANNHEIM
This morning we drive via Arnhem – scene of the Bridge, which was too far – into Germany where we follow the Ruhr and Rhine valleys to Cologne – dominated by its fine gothic Cathedral. Then via Bonn we drive to the pretty resort of Boppard on the shores of the Rhine where we embark on our scenic Rhine cruise. We glide past vine-clad hills topped with crumbling castles before reaching St. Goar, where we see the Lorelei rock and re-join our coach for the onward journey to our hotel. (BB D)

DAY 6 MANNHEIM – HEIDELBERG – MUNICH – INNSBRUCK
This morning we are off to Heidelberg to view the red sandstone castle towering above the city of ‘Student Prince’ fame. We continue via the Swabian hills to fun-loving Munich, where an orientation tour shows us the Olympic Stadium, the City Hall and the Marienplatz. A scenic drive brings us into Austria and the valley of the River Inn, where we stop in the Tyrolean capital, Innsbruck. Maybe enjoy dinner and traditional entertainment at a Tyrolean Folklore show tonight? (BB)

DAY 7 INNSBRUCK – BRENNER PASS – VENICE
Orientation of this picturesque mountain ringed resort this morning shows us the Golden Roof and the Hofburg. Time to shop for souvenirs before an exhilarating drive across the alpine Brenner Pass into Italy. Spectacular scenery continues as we travel through the Dolomite Mountains to the Adige Valley and the landscapes of Shakespeare’s theater as we pass by Lake Garda, Verona and Vicenza. On arrival in Venice we will savor the city’s unique sights and sounds on an included canal cruise by private motor launch to St. Mark’s Square, viewing the Bridge of Sighs and Doge’s Palace. After a visit to a traditional glass-blowing factory, time is your own to do as you please. We will enjoy dinner at our hotel this evening. (BB D)

DAY 8 VENICE – ROME
Today we head south along the Autostrada del Sole, across the Veneto plain, bypassing the University city of Bologna to cross over the Apennine hills and into the cradle of the Roman Civilisation, the Lazio region. Then past golden stone landscapes to the Eternal City of Rome. (BB)

DAY 9 ROME SIGHTSEEING AND AT LEISURE
Our morning sightseeing with a local guide, audio system included, features a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City where we see Michelangelo’s moving masterpiece, the Pieta. Then we cross the River Tiber to ancient Rome where we overlook the Forum, see the mighty Colosseum, scene of gladiatorial combat, and finally have a view across the vast Circus Maximus where the Ben Hur style chariot races once took place. The rest of your day is free to maybe window-shop in the exclusive streets near the Spanish Steps, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel or maybe just relax in a café and watch the world go by in this Roman setting. (BB)

DAY 10 ROME – FLORENCE
Today we start the northward journey of our European circuit and drive into the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany. We are soon descending into the valley of the River Arno and reaching Florence, where a walking tour with a local guide shows us the main monuments and squares of this impressive Renaissance city including the Cathedral, Baptistery, Signoria Square and a visit to the Santa Croce Basilica, where the tombs of Italy’s great men throughout history are to be found. Then free time to sightsee further or to shop for fine leather goods or beautiful 18-carat gold jewellery. Tonight we will enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local specialties in a Florentine trattoria. (BB HD)

DAY 11 FLORENCE – GOTTHARD DRIVE – LUCERNE
This morning we drive northwards passing by the sprawling commercial capital, Milan. Then we drive into the area of the Italian Lakes and soon cross the border into Switzerland. First we cross through the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino and have splendid views of the lakeside resort of Lugano, renowned for its mild year round climate. Soon we are climbing towards the scenic Gotthard alpine highway, which leads us into the heart of German speaking Switzerland and the beautiful lakeside town of Lucerne. (BB D)

DAY 12 LUCERNE ORIENTATION AND AT LEISURE
This morning our orientation tour shows us the poignant Lion Monument, which commemorates the heroism of the Swiss Guards during the period of the French Revolution, and we have time to walk along the wooden Chapel Bridge across the rushing River Reuss. Then maybe take an exhilarating mountain excursion and still have time to shop for Swiss watches and delicious chocolate! (BB)

DAY 13 LUCERNE – BASEL – PARIS
Traveling through picturesque scenery we head towards Basel and the French border. Entering France we pass vestiges of the Maginot line at Belfort as we travel into Burgundy resplendent with vineyards, castles and picturesque villages. Later we arrive in the capital city, Paris, where tonight you may well wish to enjoy a tour of the illuminations, which really provides a wonderful introduction to this beautiful city. (BB)

DAY 14 PARIS SIGHTSEEING AND AT LEISURE
This morning our sightseeing tour with a local guide features a drive along the Champs Elysées from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. Then we will see spectacular monuments such as Notre Dame Cathedral and also ascend the Eiffel Tower to the second level by elevator for stunning views over the city. Then free time to perhaps take an excursion to the Palace of Versailles, shop in the chic boutiques or maybe just relax in a café and watch Paris go by! Later tonight we will get together with our Tour Director and our traveling companions for a Farewell Dinner in a local bistro – a wonderful way to complete our tour of Europe! (BB FD)

DAY 15 PARIS – USA
Today time to bid farewell to our fellow travelers and Tour Director. There is an airport transfer available, conditions apply. (BB)
Sassafrass is offline  
Old Jul 10th, 2010, 11:13 AM
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Now you know why some think they can "do" Europe in 2 weeks -- looks like more than a few itineraries posted on here
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 11:20 AM
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I have known more than one couple that have taken an European Tour through this very company, Sass.

For some strange reason that really did't know where they had been, what they had seen and they returned home looking like death warmed over.
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 11:25 AM
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Early in our traveling days, we took a tour to Europe for 2 weeks that included London, Paris and Amsterdam. That's all. Three cities in 2 weeks. With traveling days, we still had time to catch our breath.

When we lived in Vienna, we took a 1 week tour of Norway. It was busy, but not insanely so. Of course, we were much younger.
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 11:36 AM
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I think they should take a night away from Rome so they can do the Amalfi Coast
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 11:42 AM
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Well with my typing you would think I had just returned from one of those tours, lol.

..they really didn't know..
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 01:06 PM
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LOL. Thanks for making my day.

They forgot Spain. And maybe a couple other places.
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 01:12 PM
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>>Soon we arrive in friendly Amsterdam"
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 01:32 PM
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CW, Perhaps they were told there are no "must sees" on the AC.

PatrickL, you are right, and by the time they get there, they also won't care how friendly Amsterdam is. The "opportunity" for a boat trip after being on the bus all day, is actually funny.

Love Italy, I've heard good things about the company in general and some of their tours seem okay, but this one just floored me. It is so nuts.
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 01:32 PM
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Oh. My. God.

It is obvious where some posters here get the inspiration for their own itineraries from.
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 04:35 PM
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Hello again, Sass, I have never taken a tour and never will so I know absolutely nothing about that tour company except for the "trip reports" we heard from couples that did use the company, many countries over a two week time period. Up quite early, suitcase in the hallway outside the hotel room quite early as I recall and than on the bus to whiz by the next locations.

Bettyk's tour trip sounds reasonable and a whole different ballgame.

Anyway, thanks for the good chuckles, but I so feel for those that sign up for a tour as described.
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 04:45 PM
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"For some strange reason that really did't know where they had been, what they had seen and they returned home looking like death warmed over.""

LOL!

I did take Globus Tour of Turkey once and while it was "up early" etc it was much more reasonably paced There are places tours are good options, but this one sounds like it's really trying to do too much in too short a time.
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 05:42 PM
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I've taken several tours - with students, and they were fast paced, but nothing like the one above.

Quokka, I guess when people see something run by a tour company, they figure the company must know what they are doing. It also appeals to people who want to "see everything" and "get as much out of the trip" as possible, and those who think they will "never get there again."

If people would only check the distances, and figure how many hours a day they will be on a bus, a tour like this would not make sense. There are good tours. This isn't one of them.
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 06:12 PM
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Did you actually type all of that? Couldn't you just have copied and pasted the brochure? Besides that, it does sound awful since we like to take our time when we travel. People actually pay money for that?
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 06:30 PM
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Good grief!
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 06:34 PM
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I didn't even read past Day 6 - too tired.
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 08:13 PM
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What's wrong with the tour? You get to London, Amsterday, Rome, Paris....they don't claim that you're going to see all of anything......to some people, it's worth it to get a taste of all of these places. The coaches of today are air conditioned, the highways as good as highways elsewhere in the world. There are many activities each night in each city that some might find interesting.
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 08:45 PM
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Wait a minute, day 9 in Rome has about 15 minutes of leisure time. I'm in!!
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 08:59 PM
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On Day 8, all they seem to do is travel from Venice to Rome. That's a 4.5-hour train ride, but according to Google Maps, about a 5.5-hour car ride. At any rate, I hope they don't spend the whole day on that, because there aren't any stops listed. (They do say they "bypass the University city of Bologna", so why mention it at all?) Nor are there any activities listed on arrival. But maybe a chance to rest, after all.

However, if someone paid for this tour for me, and I had enough vacation time, I would happily do it. I'd chill out and read on the bus parts, and I can get a lot of enjoyment out of a city in a few hours. I've been to most of the places already, though, so that might alter my judgment.
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Old Jul 10th, 2010, 09:19 PM
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It's a darn shame they couldn't have worked Ireland in there
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