Absorb the unique Gallic atmosphere and traditional sights of the romantic city that is Paris. Move on to Interlaken with the chance to ski, snowboard or paraglide. Then venture on to the Italian cities of Tuscany, Florence and Rome next.Take the opportunity to practise your Italian and don't forget to sample the traditional winter fare. All this variety in just a week!

Paris. Orientation Tour/Free Day. On our coach orientation tour we will see the Notre Dame Cathedral, Musee d’Orsay, the Louvre, Place de la Concorde (where the original guillotine stood during the French revolution), the Champs Elysee, the Arc di Triomphe and the Eglise du Dome (where Napoleon is buried), all offer incredible photo opportunities, for which we will stop along the way so you can start filling up those memory cards.Now that you are familiar with the city, and have decided what you would like to see, you will free time to explore Paris. Perhaps you could visit the Eiffel tower or see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo at the world’s most famous art gallery - the Louvre or shop ‘til you drop, taste the local cuisine in the Latin Quarter, head up to the heights of Montmartre’s artist quarter… the list is endless!

Dinner is not included tonight so you can sit down to a traditional French meal or just grab a baguette on the go!

This evening, if possible, your guide may be able to offer you the chance to see the energetic Can-Can at an ooh-la-la French Cabaret show!

Interlaken - Coach Free Day. Picturesque landscapes in the stunning Swiss mountains provide a backdrop to various adventure pursuits today. For a full day trip we recommend you enjoy an exciting ride aboard Europe’s oldest cog railway, the world’s highest, to the peak of the Jungfrau. Soaring to 3454 metres (11,333 feet) snow, ice and breathtaking scenery is guaranteed! This inimitable train journey begins in Interlaken, and meanders upwards through small Swiss villages that are dotted along the train tracks, passing cows with giant bells and flower filled meadows. The climax of this excursion is the journey through the inside of the Eiger mountain from Kleine Scheideg to the Jungfraujoch. Once you reach the purpose built visitor center perched on the top of the Swiss alps, you can ride the space age lift, blasting you up to the highest point of the visitor center. Take in the Sphinx observation terrace and later walk through the impressive Ice Palace (caves that run right through the center of a glacier).

Throw a snowball and make snow angels on the open plateau of snow and ice. Weather permitting, (seasonal and at extra cost) you might be able to ski on a bunny hill ride or toboggan down the glacial slopes. After a few hours of fun, we will board the train back down the valley.On our return, we will stop off at the beautiful town of Lauterbrunnen or weather permitting, return to Interlaken and take part in a tandem paraglide/hang glide with an experienced pilot. You can even get the photos to prove you did it! An exhilarating bungee jump is also available for the true adrenaline junkie. Alternatively, you can spend your day hiking, biking or rafting. If it all sounds like too much hard work then simply relax in the scenic countryside around Interlaken and visit the crystal clear lakes.

Dinner is not included this evening.

Florence Day Trip. Today we will start by driving up to the Piazzale Michelangelo where you will get an astonishing panoramic view over the scenic city of Florence. Your Tour leader will then walk you down the hill into the center of Florence where we will meet a local guide for a walking tour. This is included in your tour cost and is a good chance to learn some local history. The local guide will take you to the Piazza della Signoria - which is an outdoor sculpture gallery, which includes a replica of Michelangelo's statue of David. They will then lead you down to the famous Ponte Vechio bridge and escort you up through the main streets to see the Duomo Cathedral The tour will end at Leonardo's Leather Works, a reputable leather workshop where you will receive a demonstration of how to pick quality leather from poor imitations - don't say that we didn't warn you! There are lots of leatherworks and jewelers shops, the latter especially on the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge). It is always important to ensure that what you buy is genuine, as this cannot always be guaranteed when shopping in the market. After the leather demonstration we have free time to go and see the original David at Galleria dell Academia and the Uffizi Gallery, or simply to meander around the streets and piazzas of Florence.

Dinner is not included tonight.

Note: If you wish to visit Michaelangelo's Statue of David at the Accademia: due to an increase in visitor numbers, we recommend that all passengers wishing to visit the statue pre-book tickets at least one month in advance. Passengers also wishing to visit the Uffizi Gallery should pre book tickets to avoid long queues. Tickets to both can be booked online at: www.weekendafirenze.com. As a guideline, the morning's activities will finish at approx noon. Any tickets should therefore be booked after 1.00pm and no later than 4.30pm. To see both, book a ticket for the Uffizi for around 1.00pm and the Academia for around 3.00pm.

The estimated time of departure from Florence back to the hotel is 6.30pm.

NOTE: Kumuka cannot be liable for any necessary changes to the tour schedule that may in turn affect your museum reservations.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs smoothly.As you will have read there are coach free days written into the itinerary. The reason for this is that EU law dictates that coach drivers are restricted to the number of hours they can drive in any one day and that they must have at least one day off in seven. Due to this and also for your convenience we try to get hotels that are close to public transport and centrally located. Public transport in Europe is of a good standard.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Europe trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides you with visa information. Please consult your relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. Visas cannot be obtained once you have started your tour, and during the peak summer months it can take longer than normal to get visas, please allow extra time to do this.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Please note:  If you require a Schengen visa, please ensure that you obtain a double entry visa for Germany.

Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com.

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.

How much should I take?

• Because of limited luggage space on coaches and Eurostar, we must limit each passenger to ONE main suitcase or frameless backpack the size should be no more than 75cm x 45cm x 25cm and one day bag.
• Your main bag must not weigh more than 20 kg’s.
• A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles.
• A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards Travellers Cheques etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission.

It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installations.

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. It will always be clean, comfortable and of a very high standard. All accommodation is in superior tourist class hotel. We guarantee accommodation in a twin room for every passenger on mainland European departures.

Please note: On all our European Coach tours Triple rooms are not available.

In Europe tipping is a way of life and very much expected. For many tipping is a means of supplementing their wage and is a normal part of payment for goods and services. Be sure to keep small denomination notes or coins on you to avoid embarrassment. Sales and service taxes are imposed in some restaurants and bars.

Kumuka endeavours to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Whereas, Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka can not be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by third parties.

Below is a list of extra excursions, museums and monuments available at your expense on your European tour. Please note that these are intended as a guide only, prices and availability cannot be guaranteed and some activities are subject to conditions. Prices are in Euros. Your tour leader will assist you in planning and organising any optional excursions.  The list below is by no means comprehensive. There will be many other optional activities available. We strongly advise if you are entitled to a student card that you obtain one prior to departure - many museums and galleries in Europe offer substantial student discounts.

PARIS - Eiffel Tower €10 - Museums and Art Galleries-from €7 - The Louvre €7.50 - Arc de Triomphe €3.50 - Picasso Museum €7 - Hotel d’Invalides €6 - The Palace of Versailles & Gardens €7.50 - INTERLAKEN - Cable Car to Schilthorn €55 - Funicular to Skiing/Hiking Resort €8 - ½ day pass to Jungfraujoch & Ice Palace €90 - Summer Skiing/Snowboarding €25 - Bungy Jumping from €100 - Train to Interlaken €10- - FLORENCE - Cathedrals, Museums, & Galleries €4-7 - Uffizi Gallery €8 - Accademia Gallery €6.50 - Cathedral Dome €6.50 - Bell Tower €6 - Palazzo Vecchio & Campanile €6 - Pitti Palace & Gardens €6.50 – ROME - Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel €10 - Colosseum €8 - Roman Forums €6 - Catacombs €6–