One Week in Switzerland

• Choose your own adventure with two free days in the Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps. You can take these days as relaxed or as thrill-seeking as you want from your hotel homebase surrounded by mountain views.
• Find out why the Swiss are known around the world for their cheese and chocolate, with opportunities to sample both in La Gruyere region.
• Your locally based group leader will provide expert advice on how to make the most of your free time, as well as giving you orientation walks around each place so you can get your bearings.
• Take in the breathtaking alpine views from the summit of Mt Pilatus with your small group, reached via the steepest cogwheel railway in the world.
• With plenty of free time to explore at your own pace in Bern, you’ll discover why this city is considered one of the most beautiful and laidback capital cities in the world.

• Travel along the Rhine for the holiday season
• from Basel to Köln and Düsseldorf aboard ms Inspire
•  both perfect ways to capture all the magic of Christmas Markets in Germany and France. Along with all the inclusions that are part of every Tauck river cruise
• Tauck's Christmas market experience wows you with special holiday touches like an onboard tree-trimming party... glühwein and other treats aboard the riverboat
• decorated in a festive seasonal theme... a traditional European Christmas dinner with all the fixings... special evenings of onboard holiday-themed entertainment... walking in the footsteps of celebrities at the Kurhaus casino in Baden-Baden... a lecture on Alsatian storytelling traditions in Strasbourg... a cookie-making demonstration and a visit to the fanciful Siegfried's Mechanisches Musikkabinett in Rüdesheim... a traditional German lunch in Heidelberg and much more!

• Visit Cathedral of St. Paul's, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park
• Explore London and Paris
• Discover small city Zurich in the Swiss Alps
• Explore history of Rome
• Visit the Tower of London, Eiffel tower
• Discover Louvre museum

• Discover Basel, Luzern, Zürich, Geneva
• Visit Ballenberg Open-Air Museum
• Explore Montreux, St. Gallen, Locarno and Lugano
• Visit famous Rhine River

• Have a change to hike Mount Pilatus.
• Visit the cultured cities Bern, Thun, Brienz, Interlaken.
• Have a great trip with famous rail journey.
• Visit some of the finest museums in Switzerland.
• Experience the nature by visiting Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, Lake Luzern etc.

• Rhineland: On this Be My Guest experience you’ll Connect With Locals over dinner at the family-owned Weingut Wehweck vineyard. Currently headed up by the third generation of the family, Herr Philipp Wehweck.
• Black Forest: Watch as skilled craftsman capture the distinctive sound of the cuckoo demonstrating the centuries' old craft of clock making in the Black Forest.
• Amsterdam: Cruise along the old waterways with your Travel Director and fellow travellers. Discover the architectural gems of the old city, including mansions dating from the Golden Age of the 17th Century.
• Rhineland: Cruise beneath the semi-ruined castles and terraced vineyards. Sleepy villages slip by as you saunter upstream to the Lorelei Rock where the enchantress lured sailors to their doom.
• Heidelberg: See the magnificent castle built in red sandstone, overlooking the Student Prince’s town.
• Rhine Falls: See these spectacular falls.
• Switzerland: Marvel at the Alpine landscape as you drive past breathtakingly beautiful mountains and valleys.
• Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
• Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
• Explore Paris with a Local Specialist
• Discover Amsterdam and Lucerne
• Visit the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen and a cuckoo clock factory in the Black Forrest
• View the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
• See the Lorelei Rock and the vineyards of Burgundy
• Scenic Cruise along the canals of Amsterdam and the Rhine River

• Rome: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, including Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, scattered throughout the city.
• Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you through vibrant backstreets, showing you how modern life takes place around ancient treasures.
• Florence: Join a Local Expert to view the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square. See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods.
• Cinque Terre: Led by your Local Expert, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site with dedicated time to explore two of the five charming fishing villages.
• Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit.
• Lucerne: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
• Paris: Explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris. See famous landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the facades of the Louvre. Stroll the banks of the River Seine and admire romantic bridges, and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
• Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.
• Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit. Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 & 15: Affordable and Clean Energy & Life on Land.
• Rome: Enjoy dinner at a uniquely Roman restaurant, the perfect exploration of Lazio's typical flavors.
• Cinque Terre: Savor authentic Italian cuisine made from traditional recipes as you dine for a sea-to-table lunch.
• Lucerne: Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening and hand-pick your preferred ambience, cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience.
• Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
• Paris: Rendezvous with your friends at a typical French bistro for a rousing dinner with wine. Bon Appetit!
• Optional - Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Optional - Paris: We walk up and down the "quartier" and we see the school, the food stores, the housing situation, the heritage landmarks, the sports facilities and the theaters, in this car-free, pedestrianized, neighborhood. Landmarks will include passages couverts, perhaps also Patrick Blanc's spectacular jardin vertical 'oasis d'Aboukir', the Napoleonic "Egyptian" district etc.
• Optional - Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.

• Rhineland: On this Be My Guest experience you’ll Connect With Locals over dinner at the family-owned Weingut Wehweck vineyard. Currently headed up by the third generation of the family, Herr Philipp Wehweck.
• Black Forest: Watch as skilled craftsman capture the distinctive sound of the cuckoo demonstrating the centuries' old craft of clock making in the Black Forest.
• Amsterdam: Cruise along the old waterways with your Travel Director and fellow travellers. Discover the architectural gems of the old city, including mansions dating from the Golden Age of the 17th Century.
• Rhineland: Cruise beneath the semi-ruined castles and terraced vineyards. Sleepy villages slip by as you saunter upstream to the Lorelei Rock where the enchantress lured sailors to their doom.
• Heidelberg: See the magnificent castle built in red sandstone, overlooking the Student Prince’s town.
• Rhine Falls: See these spectacular falls.
• Switzerland: Marvel at the Alpine landscape as you drive past breathtakingly beautiful mountains and valleys.
• Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
• Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
• Explore Paris with a Local Specialist
• Discover Amsterdam and Lucerne
• Visit the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen and a cuckoo clock factory in the Black Forrest
• View the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
• See the Lorelei Rock and the vineyards of Burgundy
• Scenic Cruise along the canals of Amsterdam and the Rhine River

• 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
• 8 Breakfast (B)
• 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
• 1 Dinner (D)
• 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
• Bourg-en-Lavaux: Enjoy Swiss hospitality and the flavours of local wines, cheeses and breads with the owner of a local vineyard overlooking Lake Geneva.
• Brienz: Learn about Switzerland's wood-carving heritage at the Jobin wood sculpture museum in Brienz.
• Zürich: During an orientation, your Travel Director will show you some of the highlights of this beautiful lakeside city.
• Bern: Explore Switzerland's capital and see the Cathedral of St. Vincent, clock tower and Ogre Fountain.
• Chillon Castle: The beautiful fortress of Chillon Castle, set on a rocky islet on Lake Geneva, is widely regarded as one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe. Following his walk through the dungeons in 1816, Lord Byron wrote the poem 'The Prisoner of Chillon'. Look out for his name, which he carved into a pillar.
• Bernina Express: Board the famous Bernina Express train and travel through stunning landscapes en route to St. Moritz.
• Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
• Bern: Make a stop for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at an inclusive café.
• : Discover Zürich and Lucerne
• : Visit Bern, Chillon Castle, Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Interlaken and Brienz
• : View the Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument in Lucerne, the Jungfrau and Matterhorn mountains (weather permitting), Lake Maggiore and Lake Como
• : Scenic Train Ride from Tirano to Pontresina
• : An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
• : Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
• : All porterage and restaurant gratuities
• : All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
• : Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
• : Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
• : Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
• : Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
• : Train from Tirano to Pontresina
• : Optional Experiences and free time

• 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
• 7 Breakfast (B)
• 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
• 1 Dinner (D)
• 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
• Florence: The Pazzi and de Medici feud is brought to light in this visit to the 12th-century Castle of Trebbio where you will enjoy a traditional Tuscan Be My Guest buffet, explore the cellars, and indulge in olive oil and wine tasting.
• Rome: During an orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches scattered throughout the city.
• Vatican: Visit Vatican City and tour St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist. Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.
• Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you past the city's most iconic sites.
• Tuscany: View the stunning landscape of Tuscany on your drive today.
• Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
• Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
• Switzerland: Marvel at the Alpine landscape as you drive past breathtakingly beautiful mountains and valleys.
• Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
• Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
• Venice: Learn about the history and ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing, playing your role in ensuring the survival of this traditional craft through your visit.
• : Explore Rome, Florence, Paris and London with a Local Specialist
• : Discover Venice and Lucerne
• : Visit St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and a glassblowing factory in Venice
• : View the Colosseum and other ancient sites in Rome, St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the White Cliffs of Dover, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament in London
• : See the Tuscan countryside, the vineyards of Burgundy and the Somme Battlefield in France
• : Scenic Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice
• : An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
• : Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
• : All porterage and restaurant gratuities
• : All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
• : Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
• : Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
• : Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
• : Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
• : Ferry across the Channel from Calais to Dover
• : Optional Experiences and free time

• Rome: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, including Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, scattered throughout the city.
• Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you through vibrant backstreets, showing you how modern life takes place around ancient treasures.
• Florence: Join a Local Expert to view the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square. See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods.
• Cinque Terre: Led by your Local Expert, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site with dedicated time to explore two of the five charming fishing villages.
• Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit.
• Lucerne: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
• Paris: Explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris. See famous landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the facades of the Louvre. Stroll the banks of the River Seine and admire romantic bridges, and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
• Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.
• Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit. Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 & 15: Affordable and Clean Energy & Life on Land.
• Rome: Enjoy dinner at a uniquely Roman restaurant, the perfect exploration of Lazio's typical flavors.
• Cinque Terre: Savor authentic Italian cuisine made from traditional recipes as you dine for a sea-to-table lunch.
• Lucerne: Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening and hand-pick your preferred ambience, cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience.
• Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
• Paris: Rendezvous with your friends at a typical French bistro for a rousing dinner with wine. Bon Appetit!
• Optional - Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Optional - Paris: We walk up and down the "quartier" and we see the school, the food stores, the housing situation, the heritage landmarks, the sports facilities and the theaters, in this car-free, pedestrianized, neighborhood. Landmarks will include passages couverts, perhaps also Patrick Blanc's spectacular jardin vertical 'oasis d'Aboukir', the Napoleonic "Egyptian" district etc.
• Optional - Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.

• Rome: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, including Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, scattered throughout the city.
• Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you through vibrant backstreets, showing you how modern life takes place around ancient treasures.
• Florence: Join a Local Expert to view the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square. See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods.
• Cinque Terre: Led by your Local Expert, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site with dedicated time to explore two of the five charming fishing villages.
• Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit.
• Lucerne: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
• Paris: Explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris. See famous landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the facades of the Louvre. Stroll the banks of the River Seine and admire romantic bridges, and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
• Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.
• Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit. Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 & 15: Affordable and Clean Energy & Life on Land.
• Rome: Enjoy dinner at a uniquely Roman restaurant, the perfect exploration of Lazio's typical flavors.
• Cinque Terre: Savor authentic Italian cuisine made from traditional recipes as you dine for a sea-to-table lunch.
• Lucerne: Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening and hand-pick your preferred ambience, cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience.
• Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
• Paris: Rendezvous with your friends at a typical French bistro for a rousing dinner with wine. Bon Appetit!
• Optional - Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Optional - Paris: We walk up and down the "quartier" and we see the school, the food stores, the housing situation, the heritage landmarks, the sports facilities and the theaters, in this car-free, pedestrianized, neighborhood. Landmarks will include passages couverts, perhaps also Patrick Blanc's spectacular jardin vertical 'oasis d'Aboukir', the Napoleonic "Egyptian" district etc.
• Optional - Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.

• Rome: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, including Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, scattered throughout the city.
• Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you through vibrant backstreets, showing you how modern life takes place around ancient treasures.
• Florence: Join a Local Expert to view the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square. See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods.
• Cinque Terre: Led by your Local Expert, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site with dedicated time to explore two of the five charming fishing villages.
• Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit.
• Lucerne: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
• Paris: Explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris. See famous landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the facades of the Louvre. Stroll the banks of the River Seine and admire romantic bridges, and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
• Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.
• Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit. Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 & 15: Affordable and Clean Energy & Life on Land.
• Rome: Enjoy dinner at a uniquely Roman restaurant, the perfect exploration of Lazio's typical flavors.
• Cinque Terre: Savor authentic Italian cuisine made from traditional recipes as you dine for a sea-to-table lunch.
• Lucerne: Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening and hand-pick your preferred ambience, cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience.
• Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
• Paris: Rendezvous with your friends at a typical French bistro for a rousing dinner with wine. Bon Appetit!
• Optional - Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Optional - Paris: We walk up and down the "quartier" and we see the school, the food stores, the housing situation, the heritage landmarks, the sports facilities and the theaters, in this car-free, pedestrianized, neighborhood. Landmarks will include passages couverts, perhaps also Patrick Blanc's spectacular jardin vertical 'oasis d'Aboukir', the Napoleonic "Egyptian" district etc.
• Optional - Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

• From the Three Countries Bridge to Holland, discover a unique blend of nature and culture
• Discover:
  • Colmar and the Unterlinden Museum(1)
  • Haarlem, the golden age of the 17th century

Highlights

• A unique experience
• The grandiose scenery of the snow-capped Alps
• ALL EXCURSIONS INCLUDED
• THE MUST-SEES:
  • Strasbourg, the European capital with an exceptional architectural heritage
  • Colmar, its picturesque half-timbered houses and the Hansi Village and its museum

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

• From Holland to the Three Countries Bridge, discover a unique blend of nature and culture
• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
  • Amsterdam and its unique atmosphere
  • Delightful scents and springtime colors at the Keukenhof floral gardens(1)
  • Haarlem, the golden age of the 17th century
  • Colmar and the Unterlinden Museum(2)

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

• From the Three Countries Bridge to Holland, discover a unique blend of nature and culture
• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
  • Colmar and the Unterlinden Museum(2)
  • Amsterdam and its unique atmosphere
  • Delightful scents and springtime colors at the Keukenhof floral gardens(1)
  • Haarlem, the golden age of the 17th century