Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Paris
Meet your Travel Director at St. Pancras Station and board the high-speed Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel to Paris. After settling in, the afternoon is free to wander around on your own. Later, join the group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant in central Paris.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at a local restaurant in the heart of Paris)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- Eurostar train journey from London to Paris via Channel Tunnel
- Welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Paris
Optional Activities
- Afternoon exploration of Paris sights including Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Louvre, River Seine, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Élysées, and Arc de Triomphe
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Notre-Dame Cathedral Louvre River Seine Place de la Concorde Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe 
- Day 2
Paris
Your Travel Director takes you on an orientation tour covering the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace, whether that's sipping café crème at a bistro, wandering through the Marais boutiques, or strolling the Tuileries Gardens. By evening, you can opt to join a cabaret show with dinner if it appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Paris with Travel Director including Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde
Optional Activities
- Visit Louvre Museum to see masterpieces including Mona Lisa and Winged Victory of Samothrace
- Explore Tuileries Gardens
- Browse boutiques in the Marais district
- Visit the Left Bank literary district
- Optional Experience at a Paris cabaret with dinner, live music, and dazzling costumes
Landmarks Arc de Triomphe Champs-Élysées Place de la Concorde Louvre Tuileries Gardens Marais Left Bank - Day 3
Paris - Loire Valley - Bordeaux
Head south through the Loire Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its beautiful gardens on grand estates. You'll see Château de Chenonceau spanning the River Cher, then continue to Bordeaux, an inland port with distinctive 18th-century character and a bustling waterfront.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Gare St Jean, Bordeaux)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Loire Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit Château de Chenonceau
Landmarks Loire Valley Château de Chenonceau River Cher 
- Day 4
Bordeaux to San Sebastián
A Local Expert guides you through Bordeaux's 18th-century architecture, taking in the quaysides, Grand Théâtre, Triangle d'Or, and the Esplanade des Quinconces (part of its UNESCO recognition). Later, travel to San Sebastián for an evening progressive dinner with locals, sampling pintxos (Basque tapas) and local Txakoli wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Progressive dinner with locals in the Old Town featuring pintxos (Basque tapas), a variety of snack-sized treats with regional flavour, flair and presentation, and local Txakoli wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux's historic 18th-century architecture with Local Expert
- Progressive dinner in San Sebastián with locals featuring pintxos and local Txakoli wine
Landmarks Grand Théâtre of Bordeaux Esplanade des Quinconces Old Town, San Sebastián - Day 5
San Sebastián to Madrid
Travel through the mountains and gorges of northern Spain, passing through the Sierra de Guadarrama tunnel to reach Madrid on the New Castile plateau. By evening, drive along the grand avenues and past the spectacular fountains to see the capital lit up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Included Activities
- Coach journey from San Sebastián to Madrid through mountains and gorges
Optional Activities
- Evening drive along grand avenues past spectacular fountains
Landmarks Sierra de Guadarrama - Day 6
Madrid
Your Local Expert takes you through Madrid's Old Town and historic neighborhoods, including the elegant Paseo de la Castellana and Plaza de Cibeles fountain. Walk through the Old Quarter to see where the city began, then visit the Reina Sofía Museum with an art historian to view Picasso's Guernica.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Madrid's Old Town and historic neighbourhoods with Local Expert
- Views of Paseo de la Castellana and Plaza de Cibeles
- Tour of Madrid's Old Quarter with Local Expert
- Visit Reina Sofía Museum with art historian to see Picasso's Guernica
Optional Activities
- Neighbourhood walking tour to discuss social equity empowerment and learn about the history of women's movements in Spain (alternative to Reina Sofía Museum)
Landmarks Paseo de la Castellana Plaza de Cibeles Reina Sofía Museum Old Quarter, Madrid - Day 7
Madrid to Barcelona
Cross the Castilian plain past Zaragoza on your way to Barcelona, the vibrant port city. In the evening, try delicious local Catalan cuisine, then head to the heights of Montjuïc to view the city with lights sparkling from the mountains down to the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Local Catalan cuisine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Labtwentytwo, Barcelona, Torre Melina Gran Meliá, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Coach journey from Madrid to Barcelona
- Evening meal featuring local Catalan cuisine
Optional Activities
- Evening views of Barcelona from the heights of Montjuïc
Landmarks Montjuïc 
- Day 8
Barcelona
Your Local Expert leads you through Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, where you'll see the cathedral and walk through the Roman gate past narrow lanes and old squares. Later, travel along the Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia to see Gaudí's Sagrada Família in the Eixample district.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Labtwentytwo, Barcelona, Torre Melina Gran Meliá, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter with Local Expert
- Visit Barcelona Cathedral
- Walk through Roman gate in Gothic Quarter
- Travel along Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia
- Visit Sagrada Família by Gaudí in the Eixample district
Landmarks Gothic Quarter, Barcelona Barcelona Cathedral Ramblas Passeig de Gràcia Sagrada Família Eixample - Day 9
Barcelona to Nice
Journey around the Mediterranean Sea to reach Nice on the French Riviera. As you arrive, you'll see the Bay of Angels spread out before you. After checking in, stroll along the Promenade des Anglais to take in the atmosphere of the Côte d'Azur.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollinaire, Nice)
Included Activities
- Journey to Nice on the French Riviera
- Stroll along Promenade des Anglais
Landmarks Bay of Angels Promenade des Anglais Côte d'Azur - Day 10
Nice and Monaco
Experience the glamorous Côte d'Azur with a drive along part of Monaco's famous Grand Prix circuit, learning about Formula 1 history since 1929. Choose between the Oceanographic Museum with over 6,000 marine species or the Royal Palace and 19th-century Monaco Cathedral. The rest of the day is yours to relax in the sun.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollinaire, Nice)
Included Activities
- Drive along Monaco's Grand Prix circuit
- Admire Italian Renaissance frescoes and State Apartments at the Prince's Palace
Optional Activities
- Visit Oceanographic Museum of Monaco (Insight Choice option)
- Visit Royal Palace of Monaco and 19th-century Monaco Cathedral, final resting place of Princess Grace (Insight Choice option)
Landmarks Monaco Grand Prix Circuit Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Prince's Palace of Monaco Monaco Cathedral 
- Day 11
French Riviera to Pisa to Florence
Cross into Italy and follow the Italian Riviera before arriving in Pisa. Your Local Expert shows you the Square of Miracles with the Leaning Tower, plus the 11th-century cathedral and baptistery decorated with mosaics and marble. Then continue through Tuscany toward Florence.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Firenze, Florence)
Included Activities
- Visit Leaning Tower of Pisa with Local Expert in the Square of Miracles
- Visit Pisa Cathedral
- Visit Pisa Baptistery
Landmarks Leaning Tower of Pisa Square of Miracles Pisa Cathedral Pisa Baptistery - Day 12
Florence
Walk with your Local Expert to the marble-clad cathedral and baptistery, where Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise are displayed. See Piazza della Signoria, still Florence's political heart and an open-air gallery with Renaissance statues like Neptune and David at the Palazzo Vecchio. The afternoon is free to shop or keep exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Firenze, Florence)
Included Activities
- Guided walk to Florence Cathedral and Baptistery with Local Expert
- View Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise
- Visit Piazza della Signoria with Local Expert
- View Renaissance statues including Neptune and David at Palazzo Vecchi
Optional Activities
- Shopping in Florence
- Further exploration of Florence
Landmarks Florence Cathedral Florence Baptistery Piazza della Signoria Palazzo Vecchi - Day 13
Florence to Rome
Relax as you travel through the Chianti hills and Umbria, passing the Apennine Mountains to reach Rome. The Eternal City combines classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque churches. By evening, toast the journey with Italian cuisine and wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious Italian cuisine and wine toasting the culmination of the Mediterranean journey)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Included Activities
- Coach journey from Florence to Rome through Chianti hills, Umbria, and Apennine Mountains
- Evening dinner featuring delicious Italian cuisine and wine
Landmarks Chianti Umbria Apennine Mountains 
- Day 14
Rome
A Local Expert shows you Rome's grandeur, starting with Vatican City State and the Vatican Museums. You'll see Michelangelo's famous Sistine Chapel ceiling, St. Peter's Basilica with his Pieta, and Bernini's Papal Altar. The afternoon is yours to shop or relax at a sidewalk café.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Included Activities
- Guided orientation of Vatican City State and Vatican Museums with Local Expert
- Visit Sistine Chapel to view Michelangelo's famous ceiling
- Visit St. Peter's Basilica
- View Michelangelo's Pieta in St. Peter's Basilica
- View Bernini's Papal Altar in St. Peter's Basilica
Optional Activities
- Shopping in trendy boutiques
- Relax at sidewalk cafés
Landmarks Vatican City State Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel St. Peter's Basilica 
- Day 15
Rome
Rome is yours to experience today. Take an optional excursion to Pompeii, frozen in time after Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, or shop at Via del Corso, Via Nazionale, or the designer stores near the Spanish Steps.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Pompeii, the ancient town frozen in time by Vesuvius's eruption in 79 AD
- Shopping at Via del Corso
- Shopping at Via Nazionale
- Shopping at designer stores near Spanish Steps
Landmarks Pompeii Via del Corso Spanish Steps - Day 16
Rome
Bid farewell to Italy as your European Grandeur tour comes to an end.
- Meals
- Breakfast
