Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
After arriving in Madrid, you'll check into your hotel and have some time to settle in before meeting your guide. Later in the evening, a transfer takes you to Plaza Mayor and La Latina where you can grab tapas and dinner at whatever restaurant appeals to you.
Optional Activities
- Dine at a restaurant in Plaza Mayor or La Latina (cuisine options: Indian, Chinese, Spanish, or Middle Eastern)
Landmarks/POIs Plaza Mayor La Latina - Day 2
Madrid
Start the day with a city tour hitting Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. From there you'll head to Retiro Park to see the lake and Palacio de Cristal. The afternoon includes a visit to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid. You'll have free time to wander around on your own, then a transfer back to your hotel in the evening.
Included Activities
- Comprehensive tour of central Madrid (Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, Plaza Mayor)
- Visit Retiro Park and see the lake and Palacio de Cristal
- Admission to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Landmarks/POIs Paseo del Prado Cibeles Puerta de Alcalá Plaza de Colón Retiro Park Palacio de Cristal Santiago Bernabéu Stadium - Day 3
Madrid to Barcelona
You'll travel through Castile to Zaragoza for the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. After that, continue to Poblet Abbey, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval monasteries. Later you'll head on to Barcelona, arriving in the evening around 75°F/24°C.
Included Activities
- Visit Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza
- Visit Poblet Abbey (admission included)
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar Poblet Abbey - Day 4
Barcelona to Girona
This morning you'll see Barcelona's Gaudí architecture, walk through the bustling Ramblas, and check out the city's history. In the evening, you'll travel north into Catalonia for a walking tour through Girona's old center with its colorful houses, the old Jewish quarter, and the cathedral.
Included Activities
- City tour of Barcelona
Landmarks/POIs Sagrada Familia La Rambla Girona Cathedral - Day 5
France: Arles to Chambéry
Head into France through Provence and stop in Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage city with connections to Van Gogh. You'll see the Roman theater and Romanesque churches with time to grab lunch. Next you visit Carrières des Lumières, an underground art space in an ancient quarry. By evening you arrive in Chambéry, a medieval city with a nice historic center and castle.
Included Activities
- Visit Arles
- Visit Carrières des Lumières (or Pont du Gard if unavailable)
Optional Activities
- Visit Roman theater in Arles
- Explore Romanesque churches in Arles
Landmarks/POIs Arles Carrières des Lumières Pont du Gard - Day 6
Switzerland: Geneva to Leysin
Travel to Switzerland and reach Geneva. You'll explore the Palais des Nations, the English Garden with its flower clock, and the Jet d'Eau fountain. From there head to the walled village of Gruyères, known for its cheese. Tour the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory with a tasting, then continue to Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva's shores. You'll arrive in Leysin, a holiday village with views of the Rhône Valley and Mont Blanc.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Palais des Nations in Geneva
- Visit English Garden and see the Jet d'Eau fountain
- Visit charming village of Gruyères
- Admission to Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory with tasting experience
- Admission to Chillon Castle
Landmarks/POIs Palais des Nations Jet d'Eau Gruyères Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory Chillon Castle - Day 7
Swiss Alps: Glacier 3000 to Zurich
Experience alpine scenery by ascending to Glacier 3000 via cable car to walk on the suspended bridge between peaks, check out the Ice Cathedral, or visit the Fun Park. During lunch you'll stop in Interlaken. Travel to Lucerne, one of Switzerland's most beautiful cities. By evening you arrive in Zurich with time to explore the center.
Included Activities
- Cable car ride to Glacier 3000
- Access to Glacier 3000 attractions (suspended bridge, Ice Cathedral, Fun Park)
Optional Activities
- Walk on the suspended bridge between mountain peaks
- Explore the Ice Cathedral
- Visit the Fun Park at Glacier 3000
Landmarks/POIs Glacier 3000 Interlaken Lucerne - Day 8
Zurich to Strasbourg (via Basel & Colmar)
Depart Zurich for Basel, a key city on the Rhine where Germany and France meet. You'll explore the old town, Town Hall Square, and cathedral. Then move into Alsace, a French region with German dialect and Germanic architecture. Stop in Colmar for its colorful wooden houses and charming canals with lunch on your own. See Riquewihr, a medieval town with cobblestone streets. Arrive in Strasbourg in the evening.
Optional Activities
- Explore Basel's old town and Town Hall Square
- Visit Basel Cathedral
- Explore Colmar with lunch and a leisurely walk
- Visit Riquewihr medieval town
Landmarks/POIs Basel Basel Cathedral Colmar Riquewihr - Day 9
Strasbourg to Baden-Baden (via Black Forest)
Start in Strasbourg, capital of Alsace, exploring the medieval streets, Gothic cathedral, and canals. Take a boat trip through Petite France's canals. Cross into Germany through the Black Forest. In Freiburg, have lunch and see this university city. Continue to Triberg for its cuckoo clocks and Germany's highest waterfalls. Photograph Gengenbach's charming central square. Arrive in Baden-Baden, an elegant spa town, by evening.
Included Activities
- Boat trip through canals of Petite France in Strasbourg
- Admission to Triberg Waterfalls (Germany's highest waterfalls)
Optional Activities
- Explore Strasbourg's medieval streets and Gothic cathedral
- Lunch and walk through Freiburg
- Visit Gengenbach
Landmarks/POIs Strasbourg Cathedral Petite France Freiburg Triberg Waterfalls Gengenbach Baden-Baden - Day 10
Baden-Baden to Frankfurt (via Speyer & Heidelberg)
Start with free time in Baden-Baden for a relaxing walk through its parks. Travel to Speyer to see its grand Romanesque cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and old quarter. Head to Heidelberg and take a cable car up to the castle with views over the city. You'll explore the castle's gardens, wineries, and apothecary museum. Have lunch and walk through the old town including Marktplatz. Arrive in Frankfurt for traditional German beer tasting with Frankfurt sausage and sauerkraut at a beer garden in Römerberg Square.
Included Activities
- Cable car to Heidelberg Castle (tickets included)
- Access to Heidelberg Castle gardens, wineries, and apothecary museum
- Beer tasting with Frankfurt sausage and sauerkraut at beer garden in Römerberg Square
Optional Activities
- Explore Speyer Cathedral and old quarter
- Lunch and leisurely walk through Heidelberg old town and Marktplatz
Landmarks/POIs Speyer Cathedral Heidelberg Castle Römerberg Square - Day 11
Frankfurt to Paris (via Luxembourg & Reims)
Travel to Luxembourg, a small country blending Luxembourgish dialect with French. Arrive in Luxembourg city and explore the old town (UNESCO World Heritage Site), fortifications, Grand Ducal Palace, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. After lunch, head to the Champagne region and stop in Reims for its Gothic cathedral, the historic site of French royal coronations. You'll arrive in Paris by end of day.
Optional Activities
- Explore Luxembourg city's old town, fortifications, Grand Ducal Palace, and Notre-Dame Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Luxembourg City Grand Ducal Palace Reims Cathedral - Day 12
Paris
The tour ends after breakfast in Paris, leaving you with wonderful memories of your European journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
