Itinerary for: Highlights of France & Spain (FRSP)
| Paris | Loire Valley |
| Tours | Lyon |
| Nice | Granada |
| Monte Carlo | Barcelona |
| Madrid | Toledo |
Day 1 - Arrive Paris (2 nights)
Welcome to Paris, the elegant capital of France! After check-in you are free to explore this beautiful city or just relax. Later, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and meet your fellow travellers.
Hotel: Oceania
Day 2 - Paris sightseeing and at leisure
Today’s sightseeing tour with a local guide includes the ascent of the Eiffel Tower to its second level for wonderful views over the city. Other highlights include views of Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde and the Champs Élysées before we enjoy a visit of Les Invalides with its golden dome. As part of the Army Museum, its most important relic is the tomb of France’s most influential ruler, Napoleon Bonaparte. For the rest of the day you may choose to stroll through the Luxembourg gardens, visit the Palace of Versailles or relax over a ‘café au lait.’ (Buffet breakfast)
Day 3 - Paris – Loire Valley Chateaux – Tours
First we drive to Chartres – famous for its mighty Cathedral with its blue stained glass windows. Built on a ley line, this spot has always been said to have mystical power! Then down to the valley of the quiet River Loire with its many beautiful villages and resplendent castles, home to French royalty over the centuries. We’ll stop at Chambord to see the impressive château, and then visit fairytale Chenonceau, straddling the River Cher. Then we continue to our hotel and tonight we enjoy a special dinner of mouth-watering specialities in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / 'Be My Guest' Dinner)
Hotel: Mercure Tours Nord
Day 4 - Tours – Bourges – Lyon
Today’s journey takes us through the very centre of France. First we stop in Bourges, to see the Palais Jacques Coeur, the Cathedral of St. Stephen and the delightful archbishop’s gardens. Then into the very centre of the ‘hexagon’, as the French often call their homeland, to stop at the village of St. Amand Montrond. We continue via the volcanic hills around Clermont Ferrand and on to Lyon – a gourmet’s paradise on the Rhone and Saône Rivers. A walking tour of the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, reveals the city’s rich and cultural past. It is the largest Renaissance district in
France with its narrow streets, inner courtyards and ‘traboules’. We will also drive up the Fourvière hill to admire awe inspiring views over the city. Then on to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Novotel Porte du Valvert
Day 5 - Lyon – Châteauneuf du Pape – Avignon – Nice (2 nights)
Our first stop this morning is in the wine village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape where we stop to see the amazing vistas from the ruined fortress and visit one of the Côte du Rhone wine cellars to sample some of the delicious wine. Then on to Avignon, where we see the Papal palace and famous ‘Pont’ (bridge) over the Rhone. Finally we arrive in Nice where an orientation drive shows us the Promenade des Anglais and the Place Massena, before we continue to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel: Massena
Day 6 - Nice – Excursion to Monte Carlo
A free morning to relax and perhaps take a stroll along the Promenade or shop in the trendy boutiques! Later this afternoon we will enjoy a scenic drive along the Côte d’Azur to visit Monaco and Monte Carlo. Here we’ll see the beautiful casino built by Charles Garnier in the 19th century and our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure as we explore the Principality. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 7 - Nice – Cannes – Barcelona (2 nights)
A short drive to ‘la Croisette’ in glamorous Cannes where we have time to admire the yachts in the marina and go celebrity-spotting! We’ll see the Film Festival Centre before re-joining the highway to drive through Provençal landscapes reminiscent of Van Gogh paintings. Then on past the Camargue National Park and to the border with Spain. We cross over the foothills of the Pyrenees and are soon in the region of Spanish Catalonia. Past olive groves and vineyards we approach the ‘avant-garde’ city of Barcelona – a cosmopolitan port on the Mediterranean. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Tryp Apolo
Day 8 - Barcelona sightseeing and at leisure
Our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide takes us on a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter with its impressive cathedral. We also see Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia plus many of his other eccentric architectural masterpieces. Later, we will view the Columbus Monument and the Ramblas. Afterwards enjoy time at leisure or perhaps take an optional excursion to mystical Montserrat to see the Black Madonna? (Buffet breakfast)
Day 9 - Barcelona – Madrid (2 nights)
We start our day with a drive through the arid Aragon hills to the city of Goya’s birth – Zaragoza on the River Ebro. It is here where the Virgin Mary met St. James, leaving the pilar as testimony to the event – hence the name of the cathedral dedicated to him – El Pilar. We will visit this pilgrimage church and see the ancient Cathedral of La Seo before continuing into the heart of Spanish Castille and Spain’s capital, Madrid. Tonight maybe try out one of Madrid’s many open air restaurants and enjoy the night time atmopshere of this vibrant capital city. (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel: Rafael Ventas
Day 10 - Toledo excursion and Madrid sightseeing
First we enjoy an included excursion to Toledo, capital of Castile. Here sightseeing with a local guide includes a visit to the synagogue, the Church of Santo Tomé and a steel workshop. Then we return to Madrid where our guided tour shows us the Plaza España, the Puerta del Sol, the Cibeles Fountain and Gran Via. Later we join our newly made friends and Tour Director for a Farewell Dinner with wine in a typical restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)
Day 11 - Depart Madrid
This morning after breakfast it is time to bid farewell to Madrid and Tour Director and fellow travellers as our tour of France and Spain comes to an end. (Buffet breakfast)
Free airport transfers:
Transfers on Day 1 at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport will operate at 08.30, 11.00 and 13.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Madrid airport at 07.00, 09.00 and 11.00.
ESP8 - BARCELONA. Flamenco Spectacular with Dinner
We start off this evening with a fabulous dinner, drinks included. Then
sit back and enjoy a superb flamenco spectacular. This modern
interpretation of Spain’s most famous entertainment really offers the
best show in town!
76 (€)
ESP4 - BARCELONA. Montserrat
Leaving Barcelona, we head for the sacred mountain of Catalonia.
Ascending this staggering rock formation we admire its spectacular
panoramic views before arriving at the ‘Basilica Real’. Here,
newly-weds pledge their vows to the mystical Black Virgin.
35 (€)
ESP1 - BARCELONA. Pueblo Espanol* & the Picasso Museum or Olympic Stadium
The Spanish village was built for a world fair as a living exhibition
of the great buildings and regions of this spectacular country. Our
guided visit allows us time to admire and maybe shop for handicrafts in
the many artisans workshops. Afterwards, we head downtown to the
Picasso Museum. Among the many famous exhibits of Spain’s greatest
modern painter, we can particularly admire those from his early years.
When the museum is closed, we will visit the Olympic Stadium. (* on
certain departures the incredible works of Antonio Gaudi in the Guell
Park or the Casa Mila will be included instead of the Pueblo Espanol)
35 (€)
F1 - FRENCH RIVIERA. Eze Village Lunch or Dinner at ‘Le Cheval Blanc’
An early afternoon or evening excursion to one of the oldest fortified
villages on the Riviera, perched above the coastline like an eagle’s
nest. Take a slow walk up to the top to see a fantastic collection of
Mediterranean cacti and admire the view. Afterwards, enjoy lunch or
dinner in the local village restaurant “en famille” with the owners!
Drinks are included.
60 (€)
F3 - FRENCH RIVIERA. St. Paul de Vence & Perfumery Visit
We drive into the hills behind the fabulous Riviera coastline to the
ancient towns celebrated for perfume distillation. We visit one of the
perfumeries, where, besides seeing how perfume is made, we shall have
the opportunity to purchase at factory prices. From there we drive up
to the medieval hill town of St. Paul de Vence, a photographer’s
paradise, home of artists and the famous.
20 (€)
F46 - FRENCH RIVIERA. St. Paul de Vence, Corniche Drive, Perfumery and Dinner
First to the medieval hill top town of St. Paul de Vence to visit this
artists’ paradise. We continue along the Riviera to travel along the
‘Basse’, the ‘Moyenne’ and the ‘Grande’ corniche roads with their
spectacular views to visit a local perfumery. Finally, to a
characteristic restaurant for a delicious meal including drinks.
77 (€)
F26 - FRENCH RIVIERA. St. Paul de Vence, Eze Village, Perfumery and Lunch or Dinner
On certain departures, for operational reasons, F1 and F3 excursions
will be combined omitting the Botanical Gardens. To be operated at
lunch or dinner
74 (€)
F20 - FRENCH RIVIERA. The Three Corniches, Lunch or Dinner
We take a scenic excursion along the Riviera of the Three Corniche
Roads, enjoying spectacular views along perhaps the most beautiful
coast in Europe. We reach the ‘Grand Corniche’ - the highway which
follows the ancient Aurelian Way. There, the Emperor Augustus erected a
Roman ‘Trophy’ - a dazzling white sacrificial temple to mark the border
between Rome and Gaul (modern-day France). We continue to our
restaurant where we will enjoy a typical meal of specialities from the
French Riviera. (Drinks included).
65 (€)
ESP7 - MADRID. Fountains and Plazas of Madrid with Dinner
This introductory evening tour offers us the chance to admire the
elegance of the new city, with its wide, tree-lined avenues and
decorative fountains, before we experience the flavour of the old. Join
the locals in a little idle chat and “people-watching” as they sip an
aperitif before dinner in the old quarter of the city, drinks included.
51 (€)
F9a - PARIS. Dinner & Montmartre or Seine Cruise. Bon appetit!
Enjoy dinner and drinks in a typical Parisian restaurant, then visit
Montmarte, the old artists’ quarter made famous in the paintings of
Toulouse-Lautrec and Utrillo. Dominated by the brilliant white dome of
the Sacre Coeur Basilica, its fascinating narrow streets and outdoor
cafés, give a real flavour of Parisian life. Alternatively, after
dinner, we will enjoy a floodlit Seine Cruise.
62 (€)
F38 - PARIS. Dinner and Cabaret
Dinner with wines included at one of the most prestigious cabaret shows
in town! Enjoy an evening of exciting acts, stunning tableaux and
wonderful entertainment - including, of course, the world famous
Can-Can. A night in Paris that you will never forget!
113 (€)
F8 - PARIS. Illuminations and Dinner
After an unforgettable dinner in typical Parisian style, drinks
included, we take a drive through the city. By night, Paris is a city
transformed - no other city has such striking illuminations, such
glamour or romance. Amongst the splendours we see the Place de la
Concorde, Arc de Triomphe, Cathedral of Notre Dame, Champs Elysées and
the Eiffel Tower.
62 (€)
F10a - PARIS. Illuminations and the Seine Cruise
No other city has such striking illuminations, best appreciated on our
guided sightseeing night drive. We take in the Place de la Concorde,
Champs Elysées, Arc de Triomphe and of course the famed Eiffel Tower
from the Trocadero. Finally we embark on the ever-popular riverboats
along the Seine for a leisurely cruise under the bridges of Paris.
32 (€)
F39 - PARIS. Le Grand Louvre or Musee D'Orsay
The Louvre - the biggest and bestknown museum in the world was once the
palace for the kings. Follow the expert guide through the sumptuous
maze of galleries to see the main attractions including Leonardo da
Vinci's masterpiece - the 'Mona Lisa'. Alternatively, explore the world
of the Impressionists in the prize winning converted railway station of
the Musee d'Orsay. Our visit will be enhanced by the effective use of
our excellent audio system.
39 (€)
F55 - PARIS. Moulin Rouge Cabaret and Dinner
An unforgettable evening of French entertainment at Paris’ most famous
Cabaret, ‘Le Moulin Rouge’. Dinner, wine and Champagne will be included.
144 (€)
F12a - PARIS. The Louvre and Les Invalides or Montmartre or Seine Cruise
We start with a conducted tour, enhanced by our excellent audio system,
of one of the finest Art galleries in the world – the Louvre. A chance
to admire the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo amongst the many
thousands of exhibits in this former Royal Palace. Alternatively, we
will visit Les Invalides – the church in the army museum where Napoleon
Bonaparte is buried OR take a funicular ride up to the artists' quarter
of Montmartre, OR take a cruise along the Seine in one of the
ever-popular riverboats.
45 (€)
F13 - PARIS. Versailles - The Palace and Gardens
We leave the bustle of the city for the splendour and magnificence of
Versailles. Created by the “Sun King” Louis XIV, the palace becamethe
envy of every other European ruler. Our guide takes us through the
State apartments, including the famous Hall of Mirrors. All of this
enhanced with the use of our excellent audio system. Afterwards, take a
stroll through the meticulous tree-lined gardens.
58 (€)