Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll get transferred from the airport to your hotel and have time to settle in. Check with the hotel reception about the evening welcome meeting details. Later you head to Plaza Mayor and La Latina, Madrid's neighborhood known for its nightlife and tapas scene. There are restaurants with Indian, Chinese, Spanish, or Middle Eastern options to choose from for dinner.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Praga)
Optional Activities
- Dinner at Plaza Mayor or La Latina restaurants (Indian, Chinese, Spanish, or Middle Eastern cuisines available)
Landmarks Plaza Mayor La Latina 
- Day 2
Madrid
A full day exploring central Madrid begins with a comprehensive tour covering Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcala, Plaza de Colon, and Plaza Mayor. After that you'll head to Retiro Park to see the lake and Palacio de Cristal. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, is the main highlight. By afternoon you have free time to explore before returning to the hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Praga)
Included Activities
- Comprehensive tour of central Madrid including Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor
- Visit to Retiro Park with views of the lake and Palacio de Cristal
- Admission to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Landmarks Paseo del Prado Cibeles Neptuno Puerta de Alcalá Plaza de Colón Plaza Mayor Retiro Park Palacio de Cristal Santiago Bernabéu Stadium 
- Day 3
Madrid - Zaragoza - Poblet - Barcelona
You start early heading through Castile toward Aragon to visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza. Then travel to Poblet Abbey, a well-preserved medieval monastery. The route continues south to Barcelona with arrival in the evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ac Hotel Som By Marriott)
Included Activities
- Visit to Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza
- Visit to Poblet Abbey with admission included
Landmarks Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar Poblet Abbey 
- Day 4
Barcelona - Girona
Spend the morning in Barcelona exploring the city, with time to see Gaudí's architecture, the Ramblas, and sites from the Universal Exposition and Olympics. In the evening you travel north into Catalonia and walk through Girona's historic center, seeing colorful houses, the old Jewish quarter, and the cathedral before checking into your hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Best Western Premier Cmc Girona)
Included Activities
- Tour of central Barcelona including Gaudí's modernist architecture and the Ramblas
- Walking tour of Girona's historic center including the old Jewish quarter and cathedral
Landmarks Ramblas Sagrada Familia Girona Cathedral Girona Old Town 
- Day 5
Girona - Arles - Carrières des Lumières - Chambéry
You head into France through Provence, stopping in Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage city connected to Van Gogh. Visit the Roman theater and Romanesque churches before lunch. The highlight is Carrieres des Lumieres, an underground art experience in an ancient quarry with art displays and sound. End the day in Chambery, a medieval-style capital of Savoy with a historic center and castle.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kyriad Chambery Centre)
Included Activities
- Visit to Arles including Roman theater and Romanesque churches
- Visit to Carrières des Lumières underground art experience
Optional Activities
- Alternative visit to Pont du Gard (famous Roman aqueduct) if Carrières des Lumières tickets are unavailable due to high demand
Landmarks Roman Theater of Arles Carrières des Lumières Pont du Gard 
- Day 6
Chambéry - Geneva - Gruyères - Chillon - Leysin
Travel into Switzerland and arrive in Geneva. With your guide you visit the Palais des Nations, walk through the English Garden with its flower clock, and see the Jet d'Eau fountain. Next explore Gruyeres village, famous for cheese, and visit the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory for tasting. Chillon Castle sits on Lake Geneva's shore before you arrive in Leysin, a holiday village with Rhone Valley and Mont Blanc views. Dinner is included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alpine Classic Hotel Leysin)
Included Activities
- Visit to Palais des Nations in Geneva
- Visit to English Garden and Jet d'Eau in Geneva
- Visit to Gruyères walled village
- Admission to Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory with tasting experience
- Admission to Chillon Castle
Landmarks Palais des Nations English Garden Jet d'Eau Gruyères Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory Chillon Castle 
- Day 7
Leysin - Glacier 3000 - Interlaken - Lucerne - Zurich
Pack winter clothes for mountain scenery today. You'll take a cable car up to Glacier 3000, one of Switzerland's top spots with ice and snow year-round. Walk on the suspended bridge between peaks, explore the Ice Cathedral, or visit the Fun Park. Stop in Interlaken for lunch then continue to Lucerne. Arrive in Zurich by evening with time to explore the center before the hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Harrys Home Wallisellen)
Included Activities
- Glacier 3000 cable car ride and access to Ice Cathedral, suspended bridge, and Fun Park
Landmarks Glacier 3000 Interlaken Lucerne 
- Day 8
Zurich - Bellinzona - Como - Milan
Leave Zurich early crossing the Alps to reach Italian-speaking Switzerland. First stop is Bellinzona with its three medieval castles that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, sitting on hills above the city. Explore the streets at your leisure. Enter Italy and stop in Como for lunch, known for lakeside gardens and a cathedral. Continue to Milan visiting Piazza del Duomo with time to wander before the hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Belstay Milano Assago), Hotel (Ih Milano Lorenteggio)
Included Activities
- Visit to Bellinzona with its three medieval UNESCO World Heritage Site castles
- Visit to Como town and cathedral
- Visit to Milan's Piazza del Duomo
Landmarks Bellinzona Castles Como Cathedral Piazza del Duomo 
- Day 9
Milan - Pisa - Rome
Head south toward Rome today. In Pisa you'll take a small tourist train to Piazza dei Miracoli, where you have time to see the famous Leaning Tower and the art complex there. Afterward continue to Rome, arriving later in the day.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ergife)
Included Activities
- Small tourist train ride to Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa
- Visit to Piazza dei Miracoli complex including the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Landmarks Leaning Tower of Pisa Piazza dei Miracoli 
- Day 10
Rome
A three-hour guided tour combines walking through Imperial Rome with a bus ride. You'll see the Arch of Constantine, the Colosseum exterior and Imperial Forums, Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Pyramid of Cestius, and Castel Sant'Angelo. The tour ends around 11:00 a.m. at Vatican City where your guide offers an optional Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel visit. Later you're transferred to Trastevere for restaurants and lively atmosphere, returning around 8:30 p.m.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ergife)
Included Activities
- Three-hour guided tour of Imperial Rome including walking tour and panoramic bus ride
- Views of Arch of Constantine, Colosseum exterior, Imperial Forums, Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Pyramid of Cestius, and Castel Sant'Angelo
Optional Activities
- Visit to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Landmarks Arch of Constantine Colosseum Imperial Forums Circus Maximus Baths of Caracalla Basilica of Saint Mary Major Pyramid of Cestius Castel Sant'Angelo Vatican City Trastevere 
- Day 11
Rome to Florence
Leave Rome early in the morning and head north through rolling countryside toward Florence. When you arrive, go straight to Piazzale Michelangelo to take in the view of the city spread out before you. From there, walk down into the historic center and grab lunch at one of the local spots. After lunch, join a guided walking tour where your local guide will show you around Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Piazza della Signoria. The rest of the afternoon is yours to wander on your own and see what catches your eye. By evening, find a restaurant in the area for dinner and settle in for the night.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nilhotel)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Florence historic center with local expert
- Visit Ponte Vecchio
- Visit the Duomo
- Visit Piazza della Signoria
- Transfer to Piazzale Michelangelo
Optional Activities
- Lunch at restaurants in historic center
- Dinner at restaurants with international cuisines
Landmarks Piazzale Michelangelo Ponte Vecchio Duomo (Florence Cathedral) Piazza della Signoria 
- Day 12
Florence - Venice
Cross the Apennines on your way to Venice through mountain landscapes. Upon arriving you take a boat across the Giudecca Canal to Venice. With a local guide you visit St. Mark's Square. Then tour the Murano Glass Factory to see the techniques behind this ancient glass art. You have some free time to explore the city on your own. Accommodation is in the Mestre district.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Mestre Castellana)
Included Activities
- Boat transfer across Giudecca Canal to Island of Venice
- Visit to St. Mark's Square with local guide
- Tour of Murano Glass Factory
Landmarks St. Mark's Square Murano Glass Factory 
- Day 13
Venice - Innsbruck - Kitzbühel - Salzburg
Depart Venice heading to Austria and arrive in Innsbruck with time to stroll the historic city center and have lunch in Austria's Tyrolean capital. Then travel along scenic mountain roads to Kitzbuehel, a village famous as a ski resort where snow is available most of the year. Explore this spot before continuing to Salzburg, arriving by end of day.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Salzburg Nord), Hotel (Harrys Xl Salzburg)
Included Activities
- Time to explore Innsbruck historic city center
- Time to explore Kitzbühel village
Landmarks Innsbruck Historic Center Kitzbühel 
- Day 14
Salzburg - St. Wolfgang - Traunsee - Vienna
Get to know Austria better today. Morning exploration of Salzburg, Mozart's city, shows Renaissance and Baroque architecture under a grand castle. Travel through lakes and mountains to St. Wolfgang, a pilgrimage site. Head to Traunkirchen beside Traunsee Lake where you board an included boat cruise to see four of the lake's castles before going to Gmunden. Then continue to Vienna, arriving in the evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rainers Hotel Vienna)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Salzburg including Mozart's city and historic center
- Visit to St. Wolfgang pilgrimage site
- Boat cruise on Traunsee Lake to view four castles
Landmarks Salzburg St. Wolfgang Traunsee Lake 
- Day 15
Vienna
A panoramic tour of Vienna with a local guide covers majestic avenues, palaces, large parks, and the vibrant city center. Afternoon brings free time to explore on your own. In the evening you're transferred to Grinzing district, an old wine-growing village with traditional taverns. You have free time to dine in the area.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rainers Hotel Vienna)
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of Vienna including majestic avenues, palaces, parks, and city center
Landmarks Vienna Center Grinzing 
- Day 16
Vienna - Budapest
After about three hours of travel you arrive in Budapest, Hungary's capital. First stop is Vaci utca, a lively area where you have free time for lunch. Then kick off exploration with an included Danube River boat trip seeing historic Buda on one bank and cosmopolitan Pest on the other. A panoramic tour of the Queen of the Danube follows with some free time afterward. Evening offers an optional Magyar show with dinner included.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Danubius Arena), Hotel (Radisson Budapest Budapart)
Included Activities
- Boat trip on Danube River in Budapest
- Panoramic tour of Budapest
Optional Activities
- Magyar show with dinner included
Landmarks Váci utca Danube River Buda Pest 
- Day 17
Budapest
After breakfast your journey comes to an end, leaving you with lasting memories of this trip.
