Duration
12 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Starting city
Rome
Available
April 2024 / March 2025
Video Gallery
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
This tour is part of our flexible coach touring range, guaranteed with a minimum of 2 people. Once the tour is booked, it is guaranteed so it will definitely go ahead, and will never cancel.
This tour is guided in English only. Please note if English speaking attendance numbers are low, the tour can become bilingual either accompanied by two tour leaders, one for each language, or a single tour leader providing explanations in both languages.
The tour offers flexibility, allowing you to customize it to your preferences. By clicking 'Quote or Book,' you will have the choice to select your desired start and end dates and destinations within the tour's defined parameters. Given this flexibility, it's important to note that the same people, tour guides or drivers may not be on your entire journey.
- IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS upon arrival at the hotel, you would have your room booked, but your trip guide would normally contact you at the beginning of the included activities. At the reception you can also find an informative sign, indicating the telephone number and hours of assistance of our staff. YOUR TIME THEREFORE BEFORE THIS MOMENT IS FREE. The hotel staff can help you with all the information you need.
Note: The schedules that you will find in this itinerary are indicative. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the trip, may adjust the schedules.
WELCOME TO ROME!
Transfer from the airport to the hotel. You will receive information for the beginning of your tour in the afternoon or this will be on the informative signs in the hotel reception.
19:00 h. - Transfer to the Via Cavour area , a great introduction to Rome, where you will find restaurants serving Italian, Indian, Chinese and international food. Return to the hotel.
18.30 hrs. - In the evening we provide a transfer to Trastevere area. A stroll in the narrow cobbled streets of the Trastevere district reveals hidden treasures to us, such as some modest medieval churches, small shops with the most peculiar objects or scenes of daily life. Many trattorias (informal Italian eating establishments) and osterias (inns) imbued with the Italian spirit will be ready to serve you local dishes. Other restaurants serving Indian, Chinese and international food can be found in this area.
20.30 hrs. - Return to the hotel.
07.30 hrs.- Rome -departure-. We travel to the north of Italy, beautiful scenery en route. Stop at freeway service area.
12.00 hrs.- Pisa -Arrival-. We include a little train from the tourist parking to the monumental site or Field of Miracles where the popular Leaning Tower is located. Lunch included.
13.30 hrs- Pisa. Departure. The stage that follows is of extraordinary scenic beauty.
15.00 hrs- Sestri Levante- Short stop to enjoy this small tourist town by the sea.
16.00 hrs-Sestri Levante- Departure. Continue to the French Riviera.
21.00 hrs. - Nice -Arrival. Lodging (sometimes accommodation can be provided in a nearby town on the Côte d´Azur).
Note: In some occasions, if the number of travelers is very limited, a part of the tour can be done by train.
Scenery: Today we visit the Côte d´Azur and the Mediterranean in France.
08.30 hrs- We visit the center of Nice, either by coach or with time to walk, through its famous Promenade des Anglais, Place Massena as well as other points of interest.
10.00 hrs- Nice, departure. We travel among spectacular landscapes that characterize the region of Provence with its aromas of fields of olive trees, cork oaks and pines.
11.30 hrs. - Saint Maxime. Arrival at this delightful coastal town where you can stroll and get lost in its narrow streets and enjoy its magnificent architecture of art Deco, Provencal and modern styles. In its center, be sure to approach the "Square Tower" of the sixteenth century.
12.30 hrs (approx)- Saint Maxime. From the port, we will take a tourist boat that will allow us to contemplate the magnificent views of the gulf until we reach the beautiful city of Saint Tropez. The time of boarding may vary slightly depending on the times of the season.
13.00 hrs.- Saint Tropez, Arrival at one of tourism’s jewels, on the coast that has received countless famous people but nevertheless maintains its traditional charms. In this old fishing port we can contemplate some of the most luxurious yachts in the world. Time for a walk and lunch.
15.00 hrs- Saint Tropez, departure.
17.15 hrs- Marseille . Arrival in the second city of France after Paris, port city of Provence of great contrasts. Here you can stroll through its high part, nostalgic and decadent, the great
nineteenth-century avenues or the beaches. We recommend that you get to visit the vibrant "Vieux port" (old port).
Scenery: Villages, landscapes, and history, today we see some of the most beautiful places in Provence.
08.00 hrs. Marseille, departure.
09.15 hrs.- Arles . Stop to visit this World Heritage city that shows us its legacy of Roman and medieval times. Its light captivated great painters, such as Van Gogh, who immortalized it in some of his canvases.
10.30 hrs- Arles Departure.
11.00 hrs- In Les Beaux , we get to know this small medieval village and we will include the entrance to Carrieres de Lumiere , an impressive show of art, image and sound underground, in some of its old quarries.
12.15 hrs- Lumiere carriers, departure
13.00 hrs.- Avignon - A time to have lunch and walk in this small walled city of Provence on the
banks of the Rhône that was the seat of the Catholic Popes, becoming the second Rome, until in 1791 when it was integrated into France. Its immense Palace of the Popes reveals its past.
15.30 hrs- Avignon. Departure to the interior of France.
18.15 hrs. Lyon , Arrival in the third city of France, with a remarkable historical past preserved that make it proud. We will be able to walk through the old quarter declared a World Heritage Site and we will include a funicular ride to climb to Notre Dame de Fourviere, an immense basilic from where we have a great view over the city.
Note: When due to closure or influx of public it is not possible to obtain tickets for the show of Carrieres de Lumière, as an alternative there will be a transfer to the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard.
Scenery: Burgundy’s wine region with exceptional vineyards.
08.30 hrs.- After breakfast, we will leave Lyon and go towards Burgundy .
10.00 hrs.- Tournus . Time for walking throughout the pleasant small town with picturesque alleys behind an immense stone gate and its large abbey, one of the largest Romanesque monuments in France.
11.00 hrs- Tournus, departure.
11.45 hrs- Beaune . Stop to visit and have lunch in the wine capital of Burgundy. You can
visit the wine museum or the historic hospice.
14.30 hrs- Beaune, departure.
15.00 hrs- Savigny Castle – In the center of this wine region, we will visit the Savigny Castle, built in the fifteenth century, and where some extraordinary museums are located (such as motorcycle, race cars, airplanes and helicopters museums!).
16.30 hrs- Savigny Castle, departure.
17.30 hrs- Dijon , arrival in the capital of Burgundy, with lively streets and atmosphere. This city that was the capital of a powerful duchy at the end of the Middle Ages, it preserves a great
architectural heritage of medieval and Renaissance buildings where the palace of the dukes stands out.
Scenery: small villages in the Dordogne among relaxing landscapes of hills and vineyards.
08.30 hrs- Dijon, departure. We continue touring Burgundy.
10.00 hrs- Abbey of Fontenay. We include an entrance to visit this abbey, masterpiece of the Cistercian order, today a Unesco World Heritage Site.
11.00hrs- Fontenay, departure.
11.30 hrs. Semur in Auxois. Stop to get to know this charming medieval town of alleys, palaces and half-timbered houses surrounded by impressive walls that will make you travel back in time.
12.30 hrs.- Semur in Auxois. We continue touring the interior of Burgundy.
13.30 hrs.- Vezelay . Time for lunch and stroll in one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its immense basilica was one of the starting points of the Way of St James.
16.00 hrs.- Vezelay. Departure. 19.00 hrs- Paris. Arrival.
07:45 hrs. - Paris – departure.
08:30 hrs. - Versailles – Arrival to the Palace of Versailles (admission not included, long waits for tickets due to influx on some occasions). Immense Palace that belonged to the French kings; a good way to get acquainted with the culture and history of France.
11:30 hrs. - Versailles – departure - (the departure might be later in case of a long wait to enter the palace). Upon returning to Paris we head to Montmartre and taking a small cable car (included) we go up to this bohemian artists´ neighborhood to see the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and take a walk through its square and alleys.
15:00 hrs. - With a local guide we will begin the city tour of Paris lasting 2 and a half hours. During the visit you will be able to see the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées, Madelaine, Place de la Concorde, Opera, Louvre Museum, Tower St. Jacques, town hall, Ile de la Cite with the Notre Dame cathedral, Latin quarter, Pantheon, Sorbonne, Luxembourg gardens, Invalides, Military School, Champ de Mars-Eiffel Tower, banks of the Seine. We will make brief stops near the Invalides and the Champ de Mars. At the end of the city tour, we will return to the hotel, making a stop in the city center, so that people who still want to take advantage of their free time in Paris can get off the bus.
In the end of this very complete day, optionally, the guide will suggest you attend a cabaret or variety show in the evening, the Moulin Rouge or the Paradis Latin.
Note: due to the tourist complexity of Paris, the order of the services offered in the city may vary.
Scenery: Extensive plains of northen France. Rouen.
08.30 hrs.- Departure from the hotel. We go to the EIFFEL TOWER , we include the ticket to go up to the second floor of this impressive metal monument (sometimes there are long waits to gain access due to massive influx). The second floor is considered to be the one with the best view, due to the optimal altitude in relation to the buildings below (on the third floor, they are less visible) and the general perspective (obviously more limited on the first floor). When the weather permits, it is estimated that it is possible to see up to 70 km away. After descending the tower we include a boat trip along the Seine River . Magnificent views of the main monuments and bridges of Paris on the majestic river. Journey of approximately an hour and a quarter.Free time later.
16.00 hrs.- Paris –we will leave for Rouen.-
18.15 hrs.- Rouen – Arrival and free time to walk and have dinner in the historic center of the capital of Normandy, an active city, whose origins date back to Roman times, with charming medieval architecture and an impressive Gothic cathedral.
20:45 hrs.- Transfer to the hotel and accommodation.
Note: Sometimes the waits to climb the Eiffel Tower are long, the climb may take place at a different time (or on Sunday), if it is considered convenient for organizational reasons.
Scenery: interesting ferry crossing, green hills in England. Stroll alongside Tower Bridge.
Note: Remember to have your Passport ready, you will need it to cross the British border. -We recommend wearing warm clothing during the crossing. -It is necessary to set your watch back one hour when entering the UK. - The UK currency is the Pound; we recommend you change your currency on the ferry.
08.00 hrs- Rouen. Departure, we travel to the north of France.
11.00 h. Arrival to the port of Calais where we take the ferry to the UK followed by customs and border formalities. The ferry crossing takes one hour and a half. The ferry is modern and equipped with all commodities (restaurants, bars, areas in which to relax, games rooms, foreign exchange facilitles, shops).
13.30 h. (14.30 hrs. in France): Dover – arrival (approximate schedule due to availability of ferries), we disembark and set out for Canterbury.
14.15 hrs- Canterbury- arrival. Free time to stroll around the religious capital of England with a very attractive historic centre.
15.45 hrs- Continuation to London.
17:15 hrs. - London- On arrival in London, before going to the hotel, there will be time around Tower Bridge to see it lip up, to see the modern buildings of the city and have dinner in one of the restaurants of the area.
18.30 hrs. - Transfer to the hotel and accommodation.
Afternoon at leisure.
18.30 h . In the evening, a stroll through Leicester Square, China Town and Soho , with its atmosphere, its theaters and its entertainment. Sit down for dinner at your preferred restaurant (Indian, Chinese, Thai, international, and so on) in the lively district. Return to hotel.
At lunch time we will take a transfer to the CAMDEN neighborhood, a district famous for its shops and markets, where we can see objects from cultures from all over the world and where you can have lunch in one of the many small restaurants or food stands of this popular neighborhood.
Free time in the afternoon.
Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night. Our guide will advise you on the best public transportation for your transfers.
If you need to book an external service (like a plane or train) on the last day of your tour, which includes activities, please note that the detailed itineraries are based on "planned" schedules and could be affected by various factors such as traffic, customer delays, mechanical issues, etc. It´s advisable not to book a flight or train with a tight schedule without considering these factors. Always allocate extra time in your schedule for unexpected events.