Ancient Greece was the founding culture of Western civilisation. Western democratic and rationalist culture are often attributed to Ancient Greece.[74] The Greek city-state, the polis, was the fundamental political unit of classical Greece.[74] In 508 BCE, Cleisthenes instituted the world's first democratic system of government in Athens.[75] The Greek political ideals were rediscovered in the late 18th century by European philosophers and idealists. Greece also generated many cultural contributions: in philosophy, humanism and rationalism under Aristotle, Socrates and Plato; in history with Herodotus and Thucydides; in dramatic and narrative verse, starting with the epic poems of Homer;[76] in drama with Sophocles and Euripides, in medicine with Hippocrates and Galen; and in science with Pythagoras, Euclid and Archimedes.[77][78][79] In the course of the 5th century BCE, several of the Greek city states would ultimately check the Achaemenid Persian advance in Europe through the Greco-Persian Wars, considered a pivotal moment in world history,[80] as the 50 years of peace that followed are known as Golden Age of Athens, the seminal period of ancient Greece that laid many of the foundations of Western civilisation.
Animation showing the growth and division of Ancient Rome (years CE)
Greece was followed by Rome, which left its mark on law, politics, language, engineering, architecture, government and many more key aspects in western civilisation.[74] By 200 BCE, Rome had conquered Italy and over the following two centuries it conquered Greece and Hispania (Spain and Portugal), the North African coast, much of the Middle East, Gaul (France and Belgium) and Britannia (England and Wales).
Expanding from their base in central Italy beginning in the third century BCE, the Romans gradually expanded to eventually rule the entire Mediterranean Basin and Western Europe by the turn of the millennium. The Roman Republic ended in 27 BCE, when Augustus proclaimed the Roman Empire. The two centuries that followed are known as the pax romana, a period of unprecedented peace, prosperity and political stability in most of Europe.[81] The empire continued to expand under emperors such as Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, who spent time on the Empire's northern border fighting Germanic, Pictish and Scottish tribes.[82][83] Christianity was legalised by Constantine I in 313 CE after three centuries of imperial persecution. Constantine also permanently moved the capital of the empire from Rome to the city of Byzantium (modern-day Istanbul) which was renamed Constantinople in his honour in 330 CE. Christianity became the sole official religion of the empire in 380 CE and in 391–392 CE, the emperor Theodosius outlawed pagan religions.[84] This is sometimes considered to mark the end of antiquity; alternatively antiquity is considered to end with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE; the closure of the pagan Platonic Academy of Athens in 529 CE;[85] or the rise of Islam in the early 7th century CE. During most of its existence, the Byzantine Empire was one of the most powerful economic, cultural, and military forces in Europe.[86]
BEST OF EUROPE TOUR ( 6 DAYS)
Day 1: London – Calais – Brussels
This morning cross the English Channel by ferry or Eurotunnel. Visit the capital city of Belgium, Brussels. On arrival start with a photo stop at the most iconic structure of Brussels, The Atomium followed by the famous Mannekin Pis Statue and the Grand Place.
Day 2: Black Forest - Rhine Falls – Lucerne
Drive to the Black Forest region in South Germ any; home to the well-known Black Forest gateau and the world famous cuckoo clocks. Enjoy a demonstration on how the cuckoo clocks are made and have an opportunity to purchase one, along with other souvenirs. Later, travel to Switzerland and walk around the largest waterfalls in Europe, the Rhine Falls. Later, drive to Lucerne; here view the Lion Monument and one of the oldest wooden bridges in the world, the Chapel Bridge.
Day 3: Mt.Titlis – Interlaken – Geneva
Ascend 10.000ft to the summit of Mt. Titlis. Take the world's first revolving cable car, the Titlis Rotair. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of su rrounding Swiss landscapes. At Mt. Titlis have free time to play in the snow, visit the ice caves or take a professional photo in traditional Swiss costumes. After, continue to Interlaken; where you can enjoy a walk on the main street and admire breathtaking scenery. Later depart for Geneva, to see the United Nations building, Flower clock and the Jet d'Eau (weather permitting).
Day 4: Geneva - Paris
Depart early for Paris (approximate drive time will be six hours). On arrival enjoy a cruise along the River Seine. The cruise is perfectly designed to discover and admire the rich architecture such as the Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral and more. Later, have a short orientation tour to admire the amazing architecture of Paris. Enjoy the famous illuminations of Paris during your night tour. This panoramic tour will cover the impr essive 'Eiffel Tower', the world famous 'Champs Elysees', the beautiful 'Arc de Triomphe' and many other historic buildings.
Note: The "Paris by Night" tour may be conducted on day five.
Day 5: Disneyland® Paris or City Tour with Versailles Gardens
Tour Code: BEST: Disneyland® Resort Paris
Today depart for the world famous Disneyland® Resort Paris. Here enjoy a fun and adventurous day out; choose between Disneyland® Park; which explores five themed lands filled with Disney classic stories and fairytales or Walt Disney Studios® Park; the behind-the scenes destination sensation allowing you to experience movie and cinema sets coming to life.Tour Code: BEST: City Tour with Versailles Gardens
The tour will start with a visit to the renowned Versailles Gardens, a fine example of 17th century French landscaping covering an area of more than 800 hectares. Use this free time to take mesmerising photos, souvenir shopping or simply relax on the Royal Lawns. Then visit the famous 'Louvre Museum' and have the opportunity to view the renowned painting of 'Mona Lisa' (entrance not included). Later, visit Fragonard perfume museum to purchase some unique French fragrances, soaps, candles and more. During the orientation tour, cover the exclusive 'Champs Élysées', 'Arc de Triomphe', 'Place de la Concorde' and 'Opera Garnier'.
Day 6: Paris – Calais – London
This morning depart for Paris to embark on a journey to the top floor of the Eiffel Tower for a breathtaking bird's eye view of Paris. Followed by free time at the Avenue des Champs Élysées, the most prestigious avenue in Paris; with its cinemas, cafés, and luxury specialty shops (duration is time permitting). In the early afternoon, drive back to Calais for the channel crossing, then it is time to say farewell to the group before arriving at your drop off point.
PRICE INCLUDES
*Return transportation by deluxe AC coach from selected pick-up point
*Return channel crossing via Eurotunnel or Ferry
*5Nights accommodation in ¾*hotel with breakfast
*Tour Code :BEST : 5 INDIAN DINNERS & 4 VEGETARIAN LUNCHES
*Tour Code :BEST : 5 Indian dinners & 5 vegetarian lunches
*Entrances & sightseeing as mentioned in tour highlights
*All tips and service charges
*Premium service of a Star Tours representative
*ABTA Legal Protection