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. 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. Part of the groups will be accommodated in Chambery, a city near Lyon. In these cases, we will leave at the end of the afternoon for CHAMBERY and accommodation. We will then have some time early in the morning to visit the capital of Savoy, a medieval-style city with beautiful historic center and a large castle.
Day 04 – 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 and Neuchatel 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 05 – Zurich
TODAY’S HIGHTLIGHT: Zurich. Cruise on the Lake Zurich. Train. With our guide, we will have a tour of ZURICH, the most populated city of Switzerland, and the country’s financial and cultural capital. The city of the banks has twice been declared the city with the best quality of life in the world. Afterwards, we will include a cruise of almost two hours on Lake Zürich. The boat makes brief stops to allow us to see the villages on the way. We get off in RAPPERSWILL, a picturesque little village overlooked by its mediaeval castle. We go back to Zurich by train and appreciate the efficiency and punctuality of the Swiss railways. Note: Depending on the number of travelers, the transfers to the center and from the station may be made on public transport.
Day 06 – Zurich – Lucerne – Zurich
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 suspended bridge. Dare to walk across the bridge amongst the fantastic scenery enjoying glaciers all around us. We will have lunch up in 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. Return to ZURICH and free time in the city before going to the hotel. Note: The guide will offer you the possibility of a full day optional visit, leaving in the morning and, after some free time to discover Lucerne, we take a rotating cable car to reach the top of Mount Titlis. At the alpine summit, at over 3000m above sea level, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the glacier and the Alps.
Day 07 – Zurich, Lugano, Morcote, Milan
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 08 – Milan, Pisa, Rome
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 09 – Rome
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: City tour of Rome. Imperial Forums (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 include the entrance to the Imperial Forums, an impressive architectural complex formed by monumental buildings and squares, center of the political activity of Imperial Rome.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.Note: on many occasions during the low season, as well as in some specific dates of the rest of the year, instead of the entrance to the Imperial Forums, we will enter the Roman Colosseum, symbol of Rome.
Day 10 – Rome – Madrid
At the time informed by the guide, we will make a transfer to the airport to catch a domestic flight included in your trip. On arrival at destination we will give you another hotel transfer. Your guide will contact you at the end of the afternoon or you can consult the information in your hotel reception. Note: remember that on domestic flights, the luggage normally allowed is one suitcase of up to 20 kg in the hold. Passengers must pay for all excess luggage directly to the airline.
Day 11- Madrid
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 12 Madrid, Saragossa, Poblet, Montserrat, Barcelona
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. From November to March, due to the shorter duration of the days, we will neither be ascending nor stopping in Montserrat.
Day 13 Barcelona
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Barcelona city tour. “Spanish Village” visit and evening transfer to the Magic Fountain of Montjuich.Today we will explore Barcelona, an impressive city right on the Medi¬terranean 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 include transportation and will attend the show of The Magic Fountain of Montjuïch, with its combination of lights, colors, water and music. You will have time to dine in this area. Note: in case of having the transfer to the Magic Fountain a day that for maintenance or any other reason the show is not performed, the night transfer will be given to the Maremagnum, avant-garde leisure center with restaurants by the sea and to the Plaza Colón. return to the hotel in the late evening.
Day 14 Barcelona
Departure
Today after breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to the airport to catch the flight for onward connection.
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