Enchanted Landscapes – 15 Days
From € 2,088
Departure Dates: Saturday All Year
Itinerary:
Day 1: Paris Arrival | Saturday
- Welcome to Paris! On arrival at the airport we shall be waiting to transfer you to the hotel. You can enjoy your free time until the tour starts, information about the meeting place and start time can be found on the information boards in the hotel reception area.
Day 2: Paris | Sunday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Transfer to Versailles Palace. Funicular ride included to Montmartre district. City tour in Paris.
- Early in the morning, we will leave for Versailles, the immense palace of the kings of France. After that, we will return to Paris at lunch time where we provide a transfer to the Montmartre district. We will ascend by funicular to the hill and admire the spectacular view of Paris from the top. This neighborhood is known for its painters, artists, and its cabarets… Sit down for lunch and enjoy a magical atmosphere. Then, a scenic guided tour to discover the history, main boulevards and the breathtaking monuments of Paris will take place. Return to hotel.
Day 3: Paris | Monday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Eiffel Tower and boat cruise in the City of Lights.
- We go to the center of Paris, starting by the Eiffel Tower area. You will have the opportunity to go up to the second floor of this remarkable metal monument (ticket included). Then, we enjoy a boat cruise along the River Seine, which divides the north of Paris from the south. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore as you choose.
Day 4: Paris – Semur – Beanu – Lyon | Tuesday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Vineyards in Beaune and Bourgogne region. Funicular ride in Lyon.
- Today we travel to the center of France, to the Bourgogne region, famous for its wines. Making a stop in SEMUR EN AUXOIS, a small medieval town listed surrounded by impressive walls. After this we will visit BEAUNE, located in the center of the Bourgogne region, with its streets full of flowers, hospice and wine museum all points of interest. Time for lunch. Continuing on, we will arrive to LYON in the mid-afternoon, the capital of Roman Gallia on the banks of the Rhône (its historic center has been declared a World Heritage site). We include a funicular climb to Notre Dame de Fourvière where we have a great view of the city. Enjoy some leisure time to walk around.
Note: Sometimes, due to events or congresses, accommodation may be provided in a city near Lyon (normally Chambery)
Day 5: Lyon – Geneva – Neuchatel – Zurich | Wednesday
TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: Scenic tour around the lakes and vineyards of Switzerland.
- A beautiful stage awaits us as we set off for Switzerland. Arrival in GENEVA. The guide will take us to the Palais des Nations (the European headquarters of the United Nations), the beautiful “Jardin Anglais” (with its quaint flower clock), and the “Jet d´Eau”, the tallest fountain in Europe. After lunch, we will continue travelling through Switzerland by the beautiful Leman, Neuchatel and Biel lakes. We will drive the scenic road alongside the three large lakes, with their magnificent vineyards overlooking the mountains. We will stop in NEUCHATEL, where you can enjoy a walk by the lake, the historic town center or visit its beautiful, 10th century castle. We will then head to ZURICH. Arrival in the late afternoon.
Note: depending on the number of passengers travelling from Geneva to Zürich, this part of the trip might be done by train – in which case, there will be no stop in Neuchatel.
Day 6: Zurich – Rapperswil – Zurich | Thursday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Boat trip across Zurich lake. Journey by train
- We start the day with a stroll in the most populated city of Switzerland, Zurich, the financial and cultural capital of the country. Zurich has twice been declared the city with the best quality of life in the world. After this we will board a boat for a trip on Zurich lake, this will\ last about two hours. The boat makes brief stops, allowing us to admire the villages along the way. We get off in RAPPERSWIL, a small and highly picturesque village overlooked by its medieval castle. We return to Zurich by train and will see the efficiency and punctuality of the Swiss Railways. Enjoy an evening in the historic center next to the lake, here you can dine at one of the many restaurants offering a wide range of different cuisines.
Day 7: Zurich – Grindelwald – Lucerne – Zurich | Friday
TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: Admire the fantastic landscapes. Cable car included to Grindelwald. Lunch included.
- Today´s journey has beautiful landscapes with high mountains and lakes. Breathtaking scenery in the region of Interlaken. We will stop in GRINDELWALD where we will have time for a coffee before taking the cable car up to mountain. We will walk along the winding path which will lead us to the ¨footbridge over the empty¨. Dare to walk along the bridge amongst the fantastic scenery enjoying glaciers all around us. We will take lunch up the mountain (included) before heading back down. We continue to LUCERNE, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. In the evening we have time to stroll around, enjoying the city and taking dinner before we return to the hotel in Zurich.
Day 8: Zurich – Lugano – Morcote – Milan | Satuday
TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: Spectacular alpine landscapes, quaint villages and lakes.
- We will leave Zurich early in the morning and cut across the Alps in order to reach the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Alongside the route we will get to see beautiful lakes and snow-capped mountains. LUGANO. Arrival in the cosmopolitan capital of the Italian Switzerland built next to its beautiful lake. Time to have a stroll and grab lunch. Next, we will reach the enchanting little town of MORCOTE famous for its flowery stone houses. We will then travel to Italy. Arrival in MILAN where the guide will take us to the impressive Duomo Square. Here you will find a variety of local and international restaurants to have dinner at. Transfer to the hotel.
Day 9: Milan – Pisa – Rome | Sunday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Coast of Liguria, Leaning Tower of Pisa.
- Today we continue our journey towards PISA. On a little tourist train, we will travel to the Piazza Dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), where there will be time to admire one of the most alluring and beautiful art complexes in Italy, including the well-known Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then, we continue to ROME, arriving at the end of the day.
Day 10: Rome | Monday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: City tour of Rome. Roman Coliseum (admission price included). Evening transfer to the Trastevere area.
- In the morning, we have a scenic tour, which will be a great introduction to “The Eternal city”. We will visit the tiny state of the Vatican, the epicenter of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. We have included admission to the Roman Coliseum, the symbol of Rome. This impressive construction dates back 2,000 years and will transport us in time so that we can learn about ancient society in the Roman Empire. At the end of the evening we arrange a transfer to Trastevere area for a stroll in the narrow cobbled streets of the district with hidden treasures, such as some modest medieval churches, small shops with the most peculiar of 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. Return to hotel.
Day 11: Rome – Madrid | Tuesday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Flight Rome – Madrid. Evening transfer to the Gran Via District.
- After breakfast a transfer takes you to the airport to take your flight at around 11.00 to Madrid. Upon arrival we will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Towards the end of the day, we provide transfer to the Egyptian Debod temple, Plaza de España and Gran Via; a vibrant district where you can dine at your preferred restaurant, Indian, Chinese, Spanish and Middle Eastern are some of the options.
Day 12: Madrid | Wednesday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Madrid city tour. Stroll through the Retiro Park. Visit to the Las Ventas bullring. Evening transfer.
- The morning starts with a comprehensive tour through the center of Madrid including the Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, the Gate of Alcalá, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor. We then will visit Retiro Park, an oasis in the city center, where we will see the lake and the Glass Palace. A visit to Las Ventas Bullring (admission included) is next. This is one of the most famous bullrings in the world where we will learn about the tradition of the “corridas” at the Bullfighting Museum. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your own leisure. At sunset we will provide a transfer to Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace, an elegant and bustling area with many restaurants serving different cuisines, such as local Spanish food, international and Chinese. Enjoy a pleasant dinner of your choice. At the end of the evening we will return to the hotel.
Day 13: Madrid – Zaragoza – Poblet – Montserrat – Barcelona | Thursday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Monastery of Poblet, rack train to Montserrat.
- In the morning we leave for Aragón over the lands of Castile. In ZARAGOZA we stop briefly to see the Pilar Basilica. We continue to the Monastery of Poblet, surrounded by its walls in a beautiful site that is one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world (entrance included). We then proceed to the Monastery of Montserrat where you will go up the mountain on a rack train to see its fantastic scenery. Following this we will continue to BARCELONA, arriving in the late- afternoon
Note: In some cases, depending on the timetable of the rack railway, the ascent to Montserrat can be done in our coach.
Note: During the winter, from November to March, due to the shorter days, we will not visit the Monastery of Poblet in order to reach Montserrat during the daylight.
Day 14: Barcelona | Friday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Barcelona city tour. “Spanish Village” visit and evening transfer to Las Ramblas district.
- Today we will explore Barcelona, an impressive city right on the Mediterranean Sea. Starting by an informative city tour with a local expert (note: If the group has fewer than fifteen people, explanations can be given by our guide.) We will also visit the city’s historic central area with its Gothic neighborhood dating back to the Middle Ages. We will visit the area where the Olympic Games took place. We will also get the chance to see La Sagrada Familia Basilica, the masterpiece designed by the architect Gaudí. Following this, we include the entry ticket to visit ‘Poble Espanyol’ (meaning ‘Spanish Village’). This open-air architectural museum is situated in one of the most emblematic areas of Barcelona. Enjoy the Spanish craftsmanship and discover the architectural styles, traditions and folklore of the different regions that make up Spain. You will then have some free time to explore the city at your own leisure. In the evening we provide a transfer to Las Ramblas and the Plaza Catalunya area for dinner, where you can choose from a wide variety of restaurants. We will return to the hotel in the late evening.
Day 15: Barcelona | Saturday
- After breakfast, end of our services.
Includes:
- Includes arrival transfer
- Boat: River Seine in Paris, Zurich lake.
- City tour in : Paris, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona.
- Evening Transfer: Trastevere in Rome, Plaza de Oriente in Madrid, Ramblas and Plaza de Catalunya in Barcelona.
- Transfer: Montmartre District in Paris, Versailles Palace in Paris (entrance not included).
- Ticket admission: 2nd floor Eiffel Tower in Paris, Coliseum of Rome, Las Ventas bullring in Madrid, Poblet Monastery, Poble Espanyol in Barcelona.
- Train: Rapperswil / Zurich, Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, Montserrat.
- Funicular: To Montmartre district in Paris, Lyon, Cable Car to Grindelwald First.
- Flights included: Rome – Madrid Economy class and transfers.
- 1 Lunch or Dinner Included in: Grindelwald.