Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Paris
Meet your Travel Director and head to London's St. Pancras Station to board the high-speed Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel to Paris. After arriving, the afternoon is yours to wander around the city at your own pace. Later, join your Travel Director for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant in the heart of Paris.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at 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
- Orientation drive: see Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Louvre facades, River Seine bridges, Place de la Concorde obelisk, Champs-Élysées, and Arc de Triomphe
- Welcome dinner at local restaurant in Paris
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Notre-Dame Cathedral Louvre River Seine Place de la Concorde Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe 
- Day 2
Paris
Your Travel Director introduces you to Paris with an orientation tour covering the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde. The afternoon is yours to spend however you'd like, whether that's relaxing at a pavement bistro, browsing the Marais boutiques, strolling through the Tuileries Gardens, or checking out the Louvre. In the evening, there's an optional cabaret experience if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- Orientation tour with Travel Director: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde
Optional Activities
- Visit the Louvre Museum to view the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory of Samothrace
- Explore the Marais district boutiques
- Stroll through Tuileries Gardens
- Explore the Left Bank literary heart
- Evening cabaret experience with dazzling costumes, live music, and sumptuous dinner
Landmarks Arc de Triomphe Champs-Élysées Place de la Concorde Louvre Marais Tuileries Gardens Left Bank - Day 3
Paris to Bordeaux
Head south towards Châteaux Country on a scenic drive through the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Jardins de France. You'll visit the Château de Chenonceau, an elegant French château spanning the River Cher, then continue to Bordeaux, the bustling inland port with unique 18th-century character.
- 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, including the quayside facades, Grand Théâtre, Triangle d'Or, and Esplanade des Quinconces. From there, continue to San Sebastián and enjoy an evening progressive dinner with locals, sampling pintxos and local Txakoli wine in the Old Town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Evening of pintxos, dining with locals in Basque tradition. Delicious dinner includes variety of finger food delicacies, each with regional flavour, flair and presentation, plus local Txakoli wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux with Local Expert: quayside facades, Grand Théâtre, Triangle d'Or, Esplanade des Quinconces
- Progressive dinner in San Sebastián Old Town: pintxos with locals, local Txakoli wine
Landmarks Grand Théâtre Esplanade des Quinconces San Sebastián Old Town - Day 5
San Sebastián to Madrid
Continue through the mountains and gorges of the north, then emerge from the tunnel in the Sierra de Guadarrama onto the plateau of New Castile and into Spain's elegant capital, Madrid. In the evening, take a drive along the grand avenues and past the spectacular fountains to see the city lit up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Included Activities
- Evening drive through Madrid: grand avenues and spectacular fountains
Landmarks Sierra de Guadarrama - Day 6
Madrid
Join your Local Expert for a sightseeing tour of Madrid's Old Town, the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, and Plaza de Cibeles fountain. You'll explore the historic neighbourhoods and Old Quarter to discover how the city began. Later, visit the Reina Sofía Museum with an art historian to see Picasso's Guernica.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Riu Plaza España, Madrid)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Madrid with Local Expert: Old Town, Paseo de la Castellana, Plaza de Cibeles, Old Quarter
- Visit Reina Sofía Museum with art historian to see Picasso's Guernica
Landmarks Paseo de la Castellana Plaza de Cibeles Reina Sofía Museum - Day 7
Madrid to Barcelona
Cross the Castilian plain past Zaragoza and continue to the vibrant port city of Barcelona. In the evening, enjoy delicious local Catalan cuisine and head up to Montjuïc for views of the city with lights sparkling from the mountains to the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious local Catalan cuisine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Evening local Catalan cuisine dinner
- Evening view of Barcelona from Montjuïc heights
Landmarks Montjuïc 
- Day 8
Barcelona
Join your Local Expert to walk through the heart of the Gothic Quarter, seeing the cathedral and Roman gate while touring the narrow lanes and old squares. Travel along the Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia through the Eixample district to see Gaudí's extraordinary Sagrada Família.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Guided tour with Local Expert: Gothic Quarter, cathedral, Roman gate, narrow lanes and old squares
- Travel along Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia through Eixample district
- Visit Sagrada Família
Landmarks Gothic Quarter Barcelona Cathedral Ramblas Passeig de Gràcia Sagrada Família - Day 9
Barcelona to Nice
Journey around the Mediterranean Sea to the elegant French Riviera and arrive in Nice. Experience viewing the Bay of Angels, then stroll along the Promenade des Anglais to soak in the atmosphere of the Côte d'Azur, one of Europe's popular cosmopolitan playgrounds.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stroll along Promenade des Anglais
Landmarks Bay of Angels Promenade des Anglais - Day 10
Nice to Monaco
Wake up ready to explore the glamorous Côte d'Azur, long favoured by artists, aristocrats, and film stars. You'll enjoy a drive along part of Monaco's famous Grand Prix circuit where Formula 1 cars have raced since 1929. Choose between the Oceanographic Museum or Royal Palace and Monaco Cathedral, then spend the rest of the day soaking up the sun-drenched elegance of the French Riviera.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollinaire, Nice)
Included Activities
- Drive along Monaco's Grand Prix circuit
- Wander old town with Travel Director to see Royal Palace and yacht-filled harbour
Optional Activities
- Visit the Oceanographic Museum (founded by Prince Albert I in 1910, home to over 6,000 marine species)
- Visit the Royal Palace of Monaco
- Visit 19th-century Monaco Cathedral (final resting place of Princess Grace)
Landmarks Grand Prix circuit Royal Palace of Monaco Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Monaco Cathedral 
- Day 11
Monaco to Florence
Cross into Italy and follow the arc of the Italian Riviera before arriving in Pisa. Stop at the Square of Miracles to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa with a Local Expert, plus the splendid 11th-century cathedral and baptistery decorated with mosaics and marble designs. Continue through Tuscany to Florence.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Leaning Tower of Pisa with Local Expert at Square of Miracles
- Visit 11th-century 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 have been recreated in all their glory. Visit Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces, including statues of Neptune and David at the Palazzo Vecchio. The afternoon is yours to shop or continue exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Firenze, Florence)
Included Activities
- Guided walk with Local Expert to Florence Cathedral
- Visit Florence Baptistery
- Visit Piazza della Signoria with statues including Neptune and David
- View Palazzo Vecchio
Landmarks Florence Cathedral Florence Baptistery Piazza della Signoria Palazzo Vecchio - Day 13
Florence to Rome
Relax and enjoy the grand landscapes of the Chianti hills and Umbria, then pass the Apennine Mountains to arrive at Rome, the Eternal City filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque churches. In the evening, toast the culmination of your Mediterranean journey with delicious Italian cuisine and wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious Italian cuisine and wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Included Activities
- Evening Italian cuisine and wine dinner
Landmarks Chianti Hills Umbria Apennine Mountains 
- Day 14
Rome
A Local Expert introduces the grandeur of Rome, starting with Vatican City and the Vatican Museums full of priceless treasures. You'll admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, then visit St. Peter's Basilica to see Michelangelo's 'Pietà' and Bernini's Papal Altar. The afternoon is yours to shop or relax at a café before an exclusive after-hours visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Included Activities
- Guided tour with Local Expert starting at Vatican City
- Visit Vatican Museums
- Visit Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo's ceiling
- Visit St. Peter's Basilica to see Michelangelo's 'Pietà' and Bernini's Papal Altar
- Exclusive after-hours visit to Basilica of Saint Praxedes
Landmarks Vatican City Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel St. Peter's Basilica Basilica of Saint Praxedes 
- Day 15
Rome
Enjoy Rome at your own pace today. Take an optional experience to Pompeii, the town frozen in time by Vesuvius's 79 AD eruption, or spend time shopping in boutiques along the Via del Corso, Via Nazionale, or near the Spanish Steps.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Optional Activities
- Optional experience to Pompeii (town frozen in time from 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius)
- Shop in Via del Corso boutiques
- Shop in Via Nazionale boutiques
- Shop near Spanish Steps boutiques
Landmarks Pompeii Via del Corso Via Nazionale Spanish Steps - Day 16
Departure
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy as your European Grandeur tour concludes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
