Day 01 TUE : Madrid - Arrival
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Evening transport to the Gran Vía district. Welcome to Madrid! Upon arrival at the airport, we shall be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Our guide will be ready to welcome you and will provide the necessary information. Towards the end of the day, we provide transfers 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 02 WED : Madrid
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Madrid city tour. Visit to the Plaza de Toros de las Ventas bullring. Stroll through the Retiro Park. This morning, experience the city on a guided tour, which showcases the city’s vibrant centre, the beautiful Plaza Mayor (Main Square), its broad and magnificent avenues and its many fountains. Our tour includes a visit to see inside the Plaza de Toros de las Ventas, a fine-looking building. Here we learn about the tradition of “corridas” in the Bullfighting Museum. Also the day includes a walking tour of the beautiful Retiro Park, enhanced by the lake and Crystal Palace. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon. If you wish, there is an optional visit to the ROYAL PALACE. At sunset we provide transfer to the Plaza de Oriente in the historic centre of Madrid, opposite the Royal Palace. In this area there are many restaurants serving different exquisite cuisines (Indian, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Spanish, International). Return to hotel.
Day 03 THU : Madrid - Zaragoza - Poblet - Mont - serrat - Barcelona
TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: Basílica del Pilar, visit to medieval monastery. Ride on a rack train. We depart early in the morning from Madrid. Heading towards Aragón, we pause our journey in ZARAGOZA. Our guide will join the group to Basílica del Pilar. We visit this impressive sanctuary. Directly afterwards, the group will have free time in the city centre. Later, we make our way to Cataluña to the Monastery of Poblet, surrounded by walls in a beautiful setting, this is one of the best preserved medieval monasteries in the world (entrance and guided tour included). We then go on to the Monastery of Montserrat where we include a ride on the rack train for the fantastic views this gives. Continuation to BARCELONA, arrival in the late afternoon. Important note: in the winter months, from November to March (included), due to the shorter days, the Monastery of Poblet will not be visited (so that we can reach Montserrat in the daylight).
Day 04 FRI : Barcelona
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Barcelona city tour. “Spanish Village” visit and evening transfer to Las Ramblas district. Today we will get to know Barcelona, an impressive city right on the Mediterranean Sea. Our visit includes 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 also visit the city’s historic central area with its Gothic neighbourhood dating back to the Middle Ages. We will visit the area where the Olympic Games took place. It will be possible to see and photograph La Sagrada Familia basilica; the masterpiece designed by the architect Gaudí. Subsequently, we include the entry ticket to “Poble Espanyol” (meaning “Spanish Village”). This open air architectural museum is situated in one of the most emblematic areas of Barcelona. Be delighted by the best Spanish craftsmanship and discover the architectural styles, traditions and folklore of the different communities in Spain. Free time to explore the city on your own. In the evening we provide transfer to Las Ramblas and Plaza Catalunya area, where you can select from a great variety of restaurants (including Indian, Chinese, Halal, International and regional Spanish cuisine). Return to hotel.
Day 05 SAT : Barcelona - Paris
TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: We will travel on a high-speed train. After breakfast we arrange a transfer (included) to the train station. We travel on a high-speed train. (Note: A guide will only travel on the train ride if the group is over 15 passengers.) The train is quite comfortable and it is an enjoyable trip through wonderful landscapes. On several occasions our train will reach speeds of around 300 km/h (186 m/h). The train journey takes 6½ hours. Arrival in Paris and transfer to the hotel. At the end of the evening, we provide transfer to the Montmartre district. This neighbourhood is known for its painters, artists, and its cabarets- Sit down to dinner and enjoy a magical night. You can choose between Indian, Chinese, French and American cuisines. We will ascend by funicular to the hill and admire the spectacular view of Paris from the top. Return to hotel.
Day 06 SUN : Paris
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: City tour in Paris. Boat ride along the Seine. Climb to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Evening transfer. A scenic guided tour to discover the history, main boulevards and the breath-taking monuments of Paris. We end the visit at the Eiffel Tower area. You will have the opportunity to climb up to the second floor of this remarkable metal monument. End your visit with 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. At sunset enjoy dinner in “Quartier Latin”, a very picturesque area of the historic centre where a wide variety of international cuisines await you. Return to hotel.
Day 07 MON : Paris
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Free time in the City of Light. We go to the centre of Paris, to the area of the Louvre Museum. Free time. If you wish we can accompany you to Benlux, one of the most complete and best-known perfumeries in Paris. Rest of the day free.
Day 08 TUE : Paris - Noyers - Beaune - Lyon
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Vineyards in Beaune and Bourgogne region. We travel to the centre of France to the Bourgogne region, famous for its wines. A stop in NOYERS, a small mediaeval town classified amongst the prettiest places in France. After this we will visit BEAUNE in the centre of the Bourgogne region where its streets full of flowers, its hospice and its wine museum can be reminders of your trip. Time for lunch. LYON - Arrival mid-afternoon -, the capital of Roman Gallia on the banks of the Rhône, its historic centre has been declared a World Heritage site. Free time.
Day 09 WED : Lyon - Geneva - Zurich
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Swiss Landscapes. Centre of Geneva We have a beautiful stage. We travel to Switzerland. GENEVA, arrival. With our guide, go to the Palais des Nations (the United Nations headquarters in Europe) and then to the beautiful “Jardin Anglais” with its flower clock, and admire the “Jet d’Eau”, the tallest fountain in Europe. After lunch, we will continue through Switzerland passing the beautiful Leman and Neuchatel Lakes (note: depending on the number of travellers from Geneva to Zürich, this trip might be done by train).
Day 10 THU : Zurich - Rapperswil - Zurich
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Boat trip across Zurich Lake. Journey by train. With our guide, we will stroll in the most populated city of Switzerland, the financial and cultural capital of the country. The city of banks 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 lasting almost two hours on Zurich Lake. The boat makes brief stops, allowing us to admire the villages on 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 centre, next to the lake, where you can dine at your favourite restaurant (Indian, Oriental, Italian, International, Swiss, etc.).
Day 11 FRI : Zurich - Interlaken - Grindelwald - Lu- cerne - Zurich
TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: Admire the fantastic landscapes. Cable car included to Grindelwald first. Lunch included. Today´s stage has beautiful landscapes with high mountains and lakes. Take a stroll through INTERLAKEN and follow to GRINDELWALD where we will have time for a coffee before taking the cable car (ticket included) up to Grindelwald first. We will walk along the path (30 minutes) in which we shall be able to take the ¨footbridge over the empty¨ among the fantastic scenery enjoying glaciers around us. Lunch included (vegetarian option available). After that we continue to LUCERNE, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. Returning to the heart of Zurich, enjoy an evening at the city’s most popular restaurants (Indian, Oriental, Middle Eastern, Swiss, etc.).
Day 12 SAT : Zurich
After breakfast, end of our services.
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