Paris, Lourdes and Madrid

Duration

10 Days

Physical rate

Moderate

Starting city

Paris

Available

April 2024 / March 2025

Cities to visit: Paris; Tours; Bordeaux; Lourdes; Carcassonne; Foix; Andorra; Barcelona; Peniscola; Valencia; Madrid

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.

Day
Welcome to Europamundo! Transfer to a hotel and free time. You will receive information for the beginning of your tour in the afternoon, or through the information signs, located at the hotel reception.
IMPORTANT:
- Remember that hotels check-in time is usually at 14:00 hrs. If you require more hours of room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.
- 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.

Total distance covered: 80 km
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.
Total Distance: 240 km Scenery: green hills along the Loire Valley.
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 (in some cases 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.
17.30 hrs- Departure from Paris and travel to the Loire Valley.
20.30 hrs- Tours - Arrival in the beautiful provincial capital of the Loire. We recommend going out for dinner and a stroll in the beautiful old town area.
Note: in some cases the waits to go up the Eiffel Tower are long. Thus the climb may take place at a different time (or on Sunday), if it is considered convenient for organizational reasons.
Total distance covered: 615 km.
Scenery: Beautiful French countryside.
08:00 a.m. - Departure. We’ll continue our tour, heading to the south of France through vineyards.
12:00 p.m. - Bordeaux. Its town center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll have time for lunch and to explore. We suggest visiting the Port of the Moon and the Cathedral of St. Andrew.
02:30 p.m. - Departure from Bordeaux, continuing south towards the Pyrenees.
06:00 p.m. - Lourdes. Arrival in the late afternoon. Our guide will introduce you to this beautiful mountain town, renowned worldwide as a Catholic pilgrimage site due to the Marian apparitions at its Sanctuary. We recommend attending the candlelight procession, which typically takes place at 9:00 p.m. (until the end of October) and visiting the various places of worship. Dinner in the hotel is included for all travelers.
Total distance covered: 447 km.
Scenery: Pyrenees mountain range and snow-covered high peaks.
8:30 a.m. – Departure from Lourdes. We’ll travel to the south of France, passing through the Toulouse Métropole.
11:30 a.m. – Carcassonne. We’ll have time for lunch and a walk in this beautiful town, famous for its medieval walls, impressive castle, and picturesque historic district (La Cité).
02:00 p.m. – Departure from Carcassonne. We´ll continue towards the Pyrenees.
03:30 p.m. – Foix. Brief stop to stroll through this medieval town renowned for the Château de Foix.
04:30 p.m. – Departure from Foix. We’ll continue through the Pyrenees, with their snowy peaks visible year-round, and arrive in Andorra, a small country in the Pyrenees between Spain and France, where the official language is Catalan. On our route, we´ll make a short stop at Sant Joan de Caselles, a small Romanesque church from the 12th century.
07:00 p.m. Andorra la Vella. Arrival in the capital of Andorra. You´ll have free time to explore the city with its bustling commercial life or visit Caldea, the largest thermal spa in Europe. Dinner will be included.
Total distance covered: 225 km.
Scenery: Picturesque mountain landscapes with stunning views around the abbey of Montserrat.
Important: Have your passport ready, as there may be occasional border checks.
We’ll spend the morning in Andorra, where you can explore this modern city nestled in the mountains or shop in its large, low-tax shopping centers. Lunch will be at your leisure.

02:00 p.m. - Departure from Andorra. We’ll cross into Catalonia and make our way to the beautiful area where the Benedictine Abbey is located.
04:15 p.m. - Arrival at the foot of Montserrat Mountain. We’ll take a rack train (tickets included) to the abbey, enjoying breathtaking views on the way up.
04:45 p.m. - Arrival at the abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat. You’ll have time to admire the views and visit Santa Maria de Montserrat, the abbey of the patron saint of Catalonia.
06:30 p.m. - Departure from Montserrat by bus.
07:30 p.m. - Arrival in Barcelona.

09:00 h. - City tour with our guide or the local guide of Barcelona, famous for Gaudí and its modernist architecture. We will see the Columbus monument, Plaza de Cataluña, Paseo de Gracia, Diagonal, Sagrada Familia, Montjuich with the Olympic facilities and Plaza de España. We finish at the Ramblas area. You can have a walk in the historic center - Gothic quarter. After the city tour our guide will offer you optionally the visit to the Gaudí´s masterpiece and emblem of the city, the Sagrada Familia. Free time in the afternoon.
18.30 hrs- In the evening we include a transfer to the Maremagnum , a modern leisure center and restaurants facing the sea, next to Plaza Colón, where you can stroll through this lively area and dine.
20.30 hrs- Return to hotel.
Total distance covered: 725 km.
Scenery: We’ll follow the Levantine coast, traveling between the Mediterranean Sea and landscapes dotted with orchards, citrus groves, and rice fields, before arriving in Valencia. The journey also takes us through the arid lands of the peninsular interior.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Barcelona. We’ll travel to the Valencian Community along the Levantine coast.
10:45 a.m. - Peniscola. Dominating the sea with its imposing walls, this historic center, with its steep streets, white houses, and medieval castle, tells tales of popes and pirates. Peniscola is one of the most beautiful villages on the Spanish Mediterranean. You’ll have time for a walk.
12:30 p.m. - Departure from Peniscola.
02:30 p.m. - Valencia. Free time in the center for lunch. We suggest visiting the Lonja and the Cathedral. Why not try an authentic Valencian paella?
04:30 p.m. - Departure from Valencia. After passing through the avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences, we’ll continue towards Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid.
09:00 p.m. - Madrid. As a way of welcoming you to the city, we’ll include a transfer to the Plaza Mayor. Our guide will show you around the area and recommend places to eat.
Notes:
-In some cases, the journey from Valencia to Madrid might be carried out by train.
-In some cases, the transfer to Plaza Mayor may take place the next day, after the panoramic tour.
The day starts around 08.30 hrs with a city tour through the centre of Madrid, including Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, the Gate of Alcalá, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor.
We will visit Retiro Park , an oasis in the city centre, where we will see the lake and the Glass Palace. Entrance to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the football stadium of Real Madrid. We get to know the areas reserved for the players as well as the public areas and the small museum about this team, considered by some as the best in the world.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
At the end of the evening, we will return to the hotel.
After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.

Map Tour

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From AUD 2,189