Duration
17 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Starting city
Paris
Available
April 2024 / March 2025
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.
IMPORTANT:
-Please note that hotel check-in time is usually at around 02:00 p.m. If you require earlier room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.
-If you requested additional nights, your room will be ready upon arrival at the hotel, but your trip guide will only contact you when the included activities begin. At the reception, you will find an information board with our staff’s telephone number and hours of assistance. Until then, you have free time to enjoy at your leisure. The hotel staff can assist you with any information you need.
Note: The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.
07:45 a.m. - Departure from Paris.
08:30 a.m. - Versailles. Arrival to the Palace of Versailles (tickets not included; please note that there may be long lines to enter due to the large number of visitors). This grand palace, once the residence of French kings, offers a fascinating glimpse into the culture and history of France.
11:30 a.m. - Departure from Versailles. Departure time may vary if there are delays entering the palace. Upon returning to Paris, we’ll head to Montmartre. We’ll take a cable car (included) up to this bohemian artists’ district, where we can admire the Sacré Coeur Basilica and wander through its picturesque square and winding alleys.
03:00 p.m. - We’ll start a two-and-a-half-hour panoramic tour of Paris with a local guide. This tour will take us to iconic landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, La Madeleine, Place de la Concorde, the Opera, the Louvre, the Tour Saint-Jacques, the City Hall, Île de la Cité with Notre-Dame, the Latin Quarter, the Pantheon, the Sorbonne, the Luxembourg Garden, Les Invalides, the École militaire, Champ de Mars, the Eiffel Tower and the banks of the Seine. We’ll have brief stops near Les Invalides and Champ de Mars. After the tour, we’ll return to the hotel, with an optional stop in the city center for those who want to enjoy more free time in Paris.
At the end of this enriching day, the guide will suggest an optional evening outing to a cabaret or variety show, such as the Moulin Rouge or Paradis Latin.
Note: Due to the high volume of tourism in Paris, the order of the services offered in the city may vary.
Scenery: Rolling green hills of the Loire Valley.
08:30 a.m. - We’ll depart from the hotel and head to the Eiffel Tower, where tickets to the second floor are included (please note that there may be long waits due to the high number of visitors). The second floor offers the best views, providing an optimal altitude for seeing the city below (which is less visible from the third floor) and offers a better overall perspective compared to the first floor. From this vantage point, you can see up to 70 km on a clear day. After descending the tower, we’ll enjoy a scenic boat trip along the Seine River, offering stunning views of Paris´ iconic monuments and bridges.
05:30 p.m. - We’ll leave Paris and begin our journey to the Loire Valley.
08:30 p.m. - Arrival in Tours, the picturesque capital of the Loire region. We recommend taking the evening to enjoy dinner and a leisurely stroll through the charming old town.
Note: Due to potential long wait times, our visit to the Eiffel Tower may be rescheduled for another time or day (possibly Sunday) to best fit our schedule.
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.
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.
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.
06:30 p.m. - In the evening, we’ll include a transfer to Maremagnum, a modern entertainment and dining center by the sea, near Plaza de Colón. You can explore this lively area and enjoy dinner.
08:30 p.m. - Return to the hotel.
Scenery: Following the Levantine coast between the Mediterranean Sea and arid landscapes dotted with orchards, citrus groves, and rice fields, we’ll arrive in Valencia.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Barcelona. We’ll travel to the Valencian Community along the touristy 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. Time for lunch. Why not try the authentic Valencian paella? In the afternoon, you’ll go on a guided tour of this port city on the Levantine coast, with more than 2,000 years of history, showcasing monuments from various periods that contrast with the architectural avant-garde of buildings like the City of Arts and Sciences. We’ll visit the historic center, the fish market, the cathedral and the modern neighborhoods where the avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences is located. Free time.
Scenery: Sea views, green valleys, semi-deserts, and mountains in Andalusia.
08:30 a.m. - Departure from Valencia. We’ll head south. You’ll see the colors of the Mediterranean along the way.
10:45 a.m. - Alicante. Enjoy time to explore this very nice city with a lively marina, restaurants, a historic center, and a castle overlooking the city. Time for a walk and lunch.
02:00 p.m. - Departure from Alicante. We’ll head to the Murcia and Andalusia regions. Palm trees, orchards, and prosperous agricultural regions give way to arid lands and watchtower castles, that will remind us of ancient wars between Muslims and Christians.
04:00 p.m. – Caravaca de la Cruz. Free time to visit this charming town, recognized as a Holy City by the Roman Catholic Church. The church here holds a relic of the Cross. We’ll include a ride on the tourist train to the historic area.
05:30 p.m. - Departure from Caravaca. Between beautiful mountain ranges, through forests and white villages, and with glimpses of distant medieval fortresses, we’ll enter Andalusia.
08:30 p.m. – Granada.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTES:
-The number of visitors allowed into the Alhambra is strictly regulated by law. To ensure your admission, tickets will be issued upon confirming your tour reservation. It´s essential to provide accurate personal details (full name and passport/ID number) at the time of booking. Please be aware that ticket costs are non-refundable in case of cancellation. In rare cases where the Alhambra visit is not possible, we will instead tour the Royal Alcázar of Seville, which offers similar historical and architectural significance.
-To access the Alhambra, you must present the document used to confirm your reservation (passport or ID).
Scenery: Beautiful landscapes by the sea. Mountains and white villages.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Granada. We´ll travel towards the Mediterranean Sea.
10:00 a.m. - Malaga. We´ll have time to walk through the historic district, famous for its cathedral.
11:30 a.m. – Departure from Malaga. We´ll follow the coastal highway next to the sea.
12:30 p.m. - Puerto Banús. We’ll spend some time in this exclusive area of Marbella, in the heart of the Costa del Sol. Time to stroll along its marina and shopping streets.
03:00 p.m. – Departure from Marbella. We´ll leave the coastline and journey towards the Andalusian mountains, passing through beautiful towns with great views along the way.
04:30 p.m. – Ronda. A magical and peaceful white town, known for its alleys and the deep canyon that divides it. We´ll have time to walk, explore and take in the views.
06:00 p.m. – Departure from Ronda. We´ll continue through beautiful landscapes of hills and white villages.
08:00 p.m. – Seville. Arrival in the evening.
A local guide will enrich our experience with insights into the history and culture of Andalusia´s capital, starting our journey around nine in the morning. Highlights include the Cathedral and Giralda, Santa Cruz neighborhood, the Guadalquivir riverbanks, Torre del Oro, Maestranza Bullring, Cartuja Island (former Expo site and home to Isla Mágica amusement park), and María Luisa Park with its stunning Plaza de España. The tour, lasting approximately 3 hours including the boat ride, will conclude with free time in the afternoon. Optionally, the guide will offer the opportunity for those interested to visit the cathedral and attend a flamenco performance at a tablao in the evening.
Scenery: Attractive landscapes featuring whitewashed villages, mountain ranges, and castles.
Note: Remember to set your watches back one hour when entering Portugal.
09:00 a.m. – Departure from Seville. We’ll travel through pleasant landscapes of gentle mountains and vast pastures toward Extremadura.
11:30 a.m. - Mérida – Arrival in the capital of Extremadura. Admission is included to the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This site includes the largest Roman Theater and Amphitheater in the Iberian Peninsula, known for its excellent preservation and as a testament to the importance of entertainment in ancient Rome´s provinces. Mérida has a lively pedestrian historic center with many places to enjoy lunch.
03:30 p.m. – Departure from Mérida. We’ll pass through beautiful landscapes of large meadows as we cross into Portugal and enter the Alentejo region.
04:30 p.m. (Portuguese time) - Évora. We’ll arrive in the capital of Alentejo; one of Portugal´s oldest cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take time to stroll through the historic center, characterized by its whitewashed streets, cathedral, and old churches, offering a taste of southern Portugal.
06:30 p.m. – Departure from Évora.
08:00 p.m. - Lisbon - Arrival and accommodation.
08:30 p.m. - We’ll return to the hotel from the lively Restauradores Square , filled with vibrant bars and cafes.
Scenery: Forests, small mountains, walled villages, Castilian hills.
Note: There is a one-hour time difference between Spain and Portugal. When it´s 11:00 in Portugal, it´s 12:00 in Spain.
07:30 a.m. – Departure from Lisbon. We’ll cross the beautiful region of Alentejo.
09:45 a.m. – Estremoz. A charming town with a medieval castle, cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, and a peaceful atmosphere that embody the Portuguese identity.
10:30 a.m. – Departure from Estremoz. We’ll cross into Spain, passing through pastures as we enter Extremadura.
01:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. in Portugal) – Cáceres. Time for lunch and a walk through its historic center, one of the best-preserved medieval and Renaissance urban complexes in the world.
04:00 p.m. – Departure from Cáceres.
08:00 p.m. - Madrid - Arrival and transfer to Plaza Mayor, bustling with restaurants and lively atmosphere.
We´ll then visit Retiro Park, a serene oasis in the heart of the city, where we’ll see the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Our next stop will be the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the iconic home of Real Madrid. Here, we’ll explore the areas reserved for players, the public sections, and a small museum dedicated to the team, often hailed as the best in the world.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
In the evening, we will return to the hotel.
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.