COSMOS Europe: Regional Discovery

Cosmos GRAND TOUR OF SWITZERLAND WITH INTERLAKEN AND "TOP OF EUROPE" TRAIN

Cosmos Tour Code: 6025 Land Price From: $2,559.00
15 days from Zurich to Zurich, or 16 days incl. travel

Discover the wonders of this extraordinary country: unspoiled scenery, majestic peaks, sparkling lakes, and cities with cosmopolitan flair. Begin with an overnight in Zurich, then travel through the hilly landscapes to Appenzell with a stop in the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein. Enjoy pastoral “Heidiland” on your way to glamorous St. Moritz. Marvel at the breathtaking views on the included Bernina Express alpine train that whisks you to Tirano, Italy, then rejoin your motorcoach to arrive on the shores of splendid Lake Lugano. Spend a night in Italy’s Lake Maggiore and cross Simplon Pass to re-enter Switzerland. Overnight in Täsch before joining the included train excursion to car-free Zermatt at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn. Next, journey to Lausanne on Lake Geneva, to Gruyère to visit a local cheese factory, and to the charming Swiss capital of Berne. By way of Lake Thun, arrive in Interlaken, situated in the shadows of towering Jungfrau and where you’ll stay for seven nights. While here, enjoy an included train journey to the “Top of Europe,” which introduces you to some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery, to the longest glacier in Europe, and to the world’s highest rail station at 11,332 feet. Finally, travel to Lake Lucerne for a night, and conclude your adventure with a final overnight in vibrant Zurich.

Cosmos GREECE & THE AEGEAN

Cosmos Tour Code: 6660 Land Price From: $2,169.00
15 days from Athens to Athens or 16 days incl. travel

See the best of Greece’s ancient and modern mainland, then cruise to the beautiful islands of the Aegean and Kusadasi, Turkey. Spend the first two nights in Athens with guided sightseeing that includes the Acropolis and its museum as well as time at leisure. Cross the Corinth Canal and marvel at the perfect acoustics of the Epidaurus Theater and at the fortress of Mycenae. Visit Sparta and see the monument to its king, Leonidas, then travel to Olympia, the legendary home of the Olympic Games. Cross the spectacular Rion-Antirion Bridge, and spend time in mythical Delphi. Marvel at the extraordinary rock-top Meteora monasteries before returning to Athens. Next, embark your cruise ship and set sail for Mykonos with its “Little Venice” district, then Kusadasi, a bazaar town and seaside resort known for the Ephesus archaeological site. In Patmos, stop by the 11th-century monastery; stroll through the charming old walled city and souvenir stalls in Rhodes; see Heraklion in Crete; and marvel at awe-inspiring volcanic Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Return to Athens for time at leisure, the ideal ending to your journey.

Cosmos GREECE & THE AEGEAN IN OUTSIDE STATEROOM

Cosmos Tour Code: 6661 Land Price From: $2,259.00
15 days from Athens to Athens or 16 days incl. travel

See the best of Greece’s ancient and modern mainland, then cruise to the beautiful islands of the Aegean and Kusadasi, Turkey. Spend the first two nights in Athens with guided sightseeing that includes the Acropolis and its museum as well as time at leisure. Cross the Corinth Canal and marvel at the perfect acoustics of the Epidaurus Theater and at the fortress of Mycenae. Visit Sparta and see the monument to its king, Leonidas, then travel to Olympia, the legendary home of the Olympic Games. Cross the spectacular Rion-Antirion Bridge, and spend time in mythical Delphi. Marvel at the extraordinary rock-top Meteora monasteries before returning to Athens. Next, embark your cruise ship and set sail for Mykonos with its “Little Venice” district, then Kusadasi, a bazaar town and seaside resort known for the Ephesus archaeological site. In Patmos, stop by the 11th-century monastery; stroll through the charming old walled city and souvenir stalls in Rhodes; see Heraklion in Crete; and marvel at awe-inspiring volcanic Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Return to Athens for time at leisure, the ideal ending to your journey.

Cosmos GREEK ODYSSEY WITH AEGEAN CRUISE

Cosmos Tour Code: 6510 Land Price From: $2,499.00
15 days from Athens to Athens, or 16 days incl. travel

Greece is a fascinating country with a long history and many fascinating traditions. This vacation features the major sites, starting in Athens with its Acropolis and lively Plaka district dotted with cafés and archaeological findings. Discover Meteora with its extraordinary monasteries built atop rock formations; ancient Delphi, sight of the Delphic Oracle; and Olympia, sight of the first Olympic Games. Test the acoustics at the Epidaurus Theater, and explore Mycenae, where Agamemnon’s golden mask was found. Cross the Corinth Canal and return to Athens before embarking your ship and cruising for seven days to Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey; Heraklion, Crete; and Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, and Santorini. Return to Athens for a last overnight and the finale of your Greek adventure.

Cosmos ITALY & GREECE WITH AEGEAN CRUISE

Cosmos Tour Code: 6485 Land Price From: $2,429.00
16 days from Rome to Athens, or 17 days incl. travel

Discover two vibrant Mediterranean countries on one exciting vacation. Begin in Rome with two overnights and guided sightseeing that visits the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Next, follow the coastline of the Tyrrhenian Sea to marvel at Pisa’s Leaning Tower. Then spend two nights in Tuscany with Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance,” and join the included walking tour of the historical center. In Verona, see Juliet’s famous balcony; in Venice, enjoy a canal boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and marvel at the elaborate architecture. Board an overnight ferry in Ancona and head to Greece. Visit Olympia and the impressive Mycenae archaeological site, and see the Corinth Canal. In Athens, the Acropolis is a highlight of the included sightseeing tour, then embark your ship and cruise among the spectacular Greek isles, including stops in Mykonos; Kusadasi, Turkey; Patmos; and Santorini. Return to Athens for a final overnight and the conclusion of your vacation.

Cosmos ITALY & GREECE WITH AEGEAN CRUISE

Cosmos Tour Code: 6486 Land Price From: $2,489.00
16 days from Rome to Athens, or 17 days incl. travel

Discover two vibrant Mediterranean countries on one exciting vacation. Begin in Rome with two overnights and guided sightseeing that visits the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Next, follow the coastline of the Tyrrhenian Sea to marvel at Pisa’s Leaning Tower. Then spend two nights in Tuscany with Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance,” and join the included walking tour of the historical center. In Verona, see Juliet’s famous balcony; in Venice, enjoy a canal boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and marvel at the elaborate architecture. Board an overnight ferry in Ancona and head to Greece. Visit Olympia and the impressive Mycenae archaeological site, and see the Corinth Canal. In Athens, the Acropolis is a highlight of the included sightseeing tour, then embark your ship and cruise among the spectacular Greek isles, including stops in Mykonos; Kusadasi, Turkey; Patmos; and Santorini. Return to Athens for a final overnight and the conclusion of your vacation.

Cosmos JEWELS OF SPAIN & PORTUGAL

Cosmos Tour Code: 6790 Land Price From: $1,129.00
9 days from Madrid to Madrid, or 10 days incl. travel

This exciting adventure introduces you to the fascinating major cities of the Iberian Peninsula, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Begin with an overnight in the Spanish capital of Madrid. Then, visit fortified Avila and pretty Salamanca, pearls of the Castile region, and cross the Sierra da Estrela into Portugal to reach Coimbra, a charming hillside town that overlooks the Mondego River. Stop in Fatima to see its famous sanctuary, then on to the awesome walled city of Obidos with its towers and bastions. Spend two nights in Lisbon and discover explorer Henry the Navigator’s exquisite city. Travel back into Spain via the Sierra de Aracena for two overnights in Seville, a lively city on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. The city center boasts many stunning highlights, including the cathedral, Alcazar, and Plaza d’España. Admire the Andalusian landscapes on the way to Cordoba with its lovely Mezquita. Travel across Don Quixote’s La Mancha, known for its castles and windmills, and return to Madrid for the final two nights of your vacation.

Notes:

• March 29 Departure - Holy Week in Seville
• April 19 Departure - Feria in Seville

Cosmos NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS & THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

Cosmos Tour Code: 6900 Land Price From: $3,155.00
16 days from Helsinki to Oslo, or 17 days incl. travel

Travel from Helsinki, Finland, to Oslo, Norway, via the breathtaking North Cape. This comprehensive journey crosses the Arctic Circle, and visits the Santa Claus Workshop, a gold museum where you can try panning for gold yourself, a Sámi park to learn about Sami culture and traditions, and the North Cape to see the longest days in the Northern Hemisphere. Other highlights include a coastal cruise to admire the coastline from the water, a WWII museum, and stave churches. You will be mesmerized by pristine nature, never-ending forests, spectacular waterfalls, and enchanting fjords. Enjoy a delightful blend of culture, landscapes, and history on some of the most awe-inspiring routes of the European Nordic countries.

Cosmos THE MAGIC OF THE ITALIAN LAKES

Cosmos Tour Code: 6320 Land Price From: $1,199.00
8 days from Milan to Lake Maggiore, or 9 days incl. travel

Discover the heart of the Italian lakes on this magnificent getaway. Your vacation begins in Milan, one of the world’s fashion capitals and home to the splendid baroque Duomo. Heading east, your first stop on Lake Garda is the spa town of Sirmione at the foot of the Alps. Relax at one of the lakeside cafés and try the fabulous gelato. After two overnights, visit Romeo and Juliet’s Verona and beautiful Lake Como, where you’ll spend two nights. Enjoy free time to relax as well as an included boat trip to picture-perfect Bellagio. On the way to enchanting Lake Maggiore, cross the border into Switzerland for free time in beautiful Lake Lugano, which stretches its borders on both Italian and Swiss soil. Stroll along Lugano’s lakeside promenade, shop on Via Nassa, or explore the Piazza Riforma. Once you reach Lake Maggiore, you may choose to join a boat trip to its islands filled with quaint fishing villages and aristocratic villas.

Cosmos THE SPLENDORS OF ITALY WITH SORRENTO

Cosmos Tour Code: 6405 Land Price From: $1,849.00
13 days from Rome to Rome, or 14 days incl. travel

Italy, a country filled with history, amazing art, delicious cuisine, remarkable architecture, and splendid beauty—you’ll see and feel it all on this affordable tour through Italy. Explore the maze of streets in Venice, and discover hidden treasures and restaurants in their back alleys. Stand in awe as you admire the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a must-see sight in Italy. Did you know the tower was constructed in three stages over the course of 177 years, starting in 1173? Even though it was obvious in 1178 that it leaned, construction continued. You’ll see this architectural wonder as well as many other famous Italian sites.

Have your camera ready as you explore the historical sites of Rome, including the Colosseum, the amphitheater used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles during the Roman Empire. Sit in a café as you admire one of Italy’s most unique squares in Siena. Explore the laid-back town of Sorrento with its beautiful landscapes—high and low hills, azure-seas, majestic mountains, and deep valleys. Enjoy wine tasting in Italy’s Chianti wine region, and shop for local goods in Italy’s Tuscany region.

What do you want from your Italian vacation—amazing architecture, sumptuous food, delicious wine, breathtaking art, historical treasures, or scenic beauty? Whatever it is, this Italy vacation offers it to you!

Note:

• December 20 departure - Christmas lunch in Florence