Madrid

Madrid - Enjoy some free time until the start of the city tour.

04:00 p.m. – Panoramic tour of Madrid. Please note that the this time may vary slightly depending on the arrival times of most group members. The content of the panoramic tour may also vary depending on traffic conditions and the season. The tour will last approximately two and a half hours. You will see: Cibeles, Puerta de Alcalá, Retiro Park, Serrano, La Castellana, Colon Square, Paseo del Prado, the exterior of the Prado Museum, Atocha, and the Royal Palace. It will end in Plaza Mayor area, a traditional spot known for its tapas bars. Our guide will accompany you through the area to show you where the main taverns and restaurants are located.

Note: On some occasions, the city tour may take place in the morning.

Madrid

Free day. We suggest visiting the Prado Museum or to go shopping in the city center. Our guides will also offer an optional excursion to the historic city of Toledo, the former Spanish imperial capital, where you can admire its impressive monumental heritage.

Madrid - Segovia - Pedraza - Bilbao

Total distance covered: 450 km.

Scenery: Tilled hills of the Castile plateau; lush and green landscapes in the Basque Country.

Note: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for walking on the cobblestone streets.

08:30 a.m. - After breakfast, we’ll depart from Madrid, heading into the scenic lands of Castile, with its beautiful mountain landscapes.
10:00 a.m. - Segovia. Upon arrival, we’ll take a scenic route around the city to reach Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos, a viewpoint from which you’ll enjoy the best views of the Alcazar of Segovia, the castle that inspired Walt Disney’s Maleficent’s castle in Sleeping Beauty, along with its impressive walls. We’ll then park near the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia, built in the 1st century and used until 1973, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll have free time to explore the old town, have lunch, and visit the Plaza Mayor, where you can see the cathedral and the Alcazar.

02:00 p.m. - Departure from Segovia. We’ll continue along scenic roads that offer a closer look at the charming villages and landscapes.
02:45 p.m. - Pedraza. Enjoy some time in this village, often regarded as one of the most beautiful in Spain. This well-preserved medieval town boasts cobblestone streets, historic buildings, a charming Plaza Mayor, and a 13th-century fortress.

04:15 p.m. - Departure from Pedraza. We’ll continue our journey toward the Basque Country.
08:30 p.m. - Bilbao. Enjoy free time in the old town, famous for its many taverns and bars where you can try the renowned “pintxos.”

09:30 p.m. - Transfer to the hotel.

Bilbao - Guernica - San Sebastian

Total distance covered: 127 km.Scenery: industrial cities set against beautiful, green, and mountainous landscapes. Traditional Basque farmhouses can be seen dotting the mountainsides.

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country and the region´s primary economic and cultural engine. Situated along the banks of the Nervion River, this modern and dynamic city is a world-class example of urban renewal and contemporary architecture. During our sightseeing tour, we will explore its main highlights, including its wide avenues, elegant buildings and revitalized riverside districts. The tour will conclude at the Guggenheim Museum, where you will have free time to explore, have lunch, or visit the museum.

02:15 p.m. – Departure from Bilbao. After lunch, we’ll continue our journey.
03:00 p.m. - Guernica. Arrival and time for a stroll in this town, the birthplace of the Basque people, but sadly also known for being the site of one of the most tragic massacres of the Spanish Civil War, famously depicted in Pablo Picasso´s painting. Here, you’ll see the Tree of Guernica, beneath whose branches the Basque Country was granted its autonomy during the Middle Ages.

04:15 p.m. - Departure from Guernica. We’ll continue our scenic route through the mountains.
05:30 p.m. - San Sebastián/Donostia. Arrival in the elegant capital of Gipuzkoa. We will go up the hill to Monte Igueldo, from where you will have one of the most spectacular views of the city. Afterward, we´ll head to the city center, and you can enjoy the extensive beach, stroll around its grand boulevards and lively Old Town; a charming network of narrow streets where tradition and culinary culture meet.

08:30 p.m. - At the end of the day, in the Old Town, we will taste some pintxos and drink (included), which are typical of Basque gastronomy.

09:30 p.m. - Transfer to our hotel.

San Sebastian - Burdeaux

Total distance covered: 294 km
Scenery: Green, wooded landscapes in the Basque Country; pine-covered plains in France’s Landes region; vineyards as we approach Bordeaux.

8.30 a.m. - Departure from San Sebastian.09:00 a.m. - Hondarribia. Once we
arrive, you will have free time in one of the most beautiful towns in the
Basque Country, known for its lovely beach, walls, and charming historic
center, striking for the grid-like pattern of its narrow and cobblestone
streets.
11:00 a.m. - Departure from Hondarribia.
11:30 a.m. - Basque Cider Museum (admission and tasting included). Before returning to San Sebastian, we´ll make a stop in this interesting museum where we can learn about this Basque tradition, its history and production process, and the cultural role it has played over time.

12:30 p.m. - Departure from the Museum and we go back to San Sebastian where we will enjoy some free time to have lunch and a last stroll before continuing.

4:15 p.m. – San Sebastián – Departure. We cross into France. After passing through the French Basque Country, we enter the Landes region, with its pine forests and lakes. As we approach our destination, the vineyards of Bordeaux’s renowned wine country await.

7:15 p.m. – Bordeaux – Arrival. Our guide will provide a brief orientation of the city. Free time; we suggest taking a stroll through the city center.

Bordeaux - Lourdes

Total distance covered: 270 km.

Scenery: Picturesque vineyard landscapes.

Take time to savor the center of Bordeaux, which has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. Prepare to be captivated by the "Water Mirror" and explore the historic old town with its charming pedestrian streets and 11th-century cathedral. Later, you´ll have free time to stroll along the Garonne River banks, lined with quaint restaurants perfect for lunch, or if you wish, you can visit Cité du Vin, an impressive interactive museum that delves into the history and production of wine.

02:00 p.m. Departure from Bordeaux. We will continue our journey towards the Pyrenees.
05:30 p.m. - Arrival in Lourdes. Time to visit the Sanctuary. We recommend attending the candlelight procession, typically held at 9 p.m. from late March to late October. Dinner included.

Lourdes - Carcassonne - Narbonne - Marseille

Total distance covered: 580 km.

Scenery: Pyrenees mountain range covered in snow most of the year and Mediterranean landscapes.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Lourdes. We’ll travel to the south of France, passing through the metropolis of Toulouse.
11:30 a.m. - Carcassonne. Arrival at “la Cité”, a medieval walled city. There will be time for lunch and to explore this beautiful town, famous for its medieval walls, impressive castle, and picturesque historic neighborhood.

02:00 p.m. – Departure from Carcassonne.
03:00 p.m. - Narbonne. Time to stroll through this historic Occitan city with a picturesque historic center. Highlights include the grand Narbonne Cathedral and the Via Domitia in the central square, built by the Romans to connect Italy with Hispania.

04:00 p.m. – Departure from Narbonne. We’ll continue along the coast towards the French Riviera.
07:15 p.m. - Marseille. Arrival in the second-largest city in France, located on the French Riviera. We recommend a walk through its vibrant Vieux-Port (Old Port), bustling with life and dotted with charming small restaurants.

Marseille - Arles - Les Baux - Avignon - Lyon

Total distance covered: 380 km.

Scenery: Villages, landscapes, and history—today we’ll see some of the most beautiful places in Provence.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Marseille.
09:15 a.m. - Arles. We´ll stop to visit this World Heritage city, showcasing its Roman and medieval legacy. Its light captivated great painters, such as Van Gogh, who immortalized it in some of his canvases.

10:30 a.m. – Departure from Arles.
11:00 a.m. - Les Baux. We’ll explore this small medieval village and include admission to Carrières de Lumières, an impressive underground show that combines art, image, and sound in its old quarries.

12:15 p.m. – Departure from Carrières de Lumières.
01:00 p.m. - Avignon. Time for lunch and a walk in this small walled city in Provence on the banks of the Rhône. It was the seat of the Catholic Popes, becoming the second Rome until 1791 when it was integrated into France. Its immense Palais des Papes reveals its past.

03:30 p.m. - Avignon. We’ll head towards the interior of France.
06:15 p.m. - Lyon. Arrival in the third-largest city in France, proud of its remarkable historical past. We’ll walk through the Lyon Old Town, declared a World Heritage Site, and include a funicular ride to Notre-Dame de Fourvière, an immense basilica offering a great view over the city.

Note: If tickets for the Carrières de Lumières show are unavailable due to closure or high demand, we will visit the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard instead.

Lyon - Tournus - Beaune - Savigny Castle - Dijon

Total distance covered: 220 km.

Scenery: Burgundy’s wine region with exceptional vineyards.

08:30 a.m. - After breakfast, we will leave Lyon and head towards Burgundy.
10:00 a.m. - Tournus. Time to stroll through this pleasant small town with picturesque alleys, an immense stone gate, and a large abbey, one of the largest Romanesque monuments in France.

11:00 a.m. – Departure from Tournus.
11:45 a.m. - Beaune. We’ll stop to visit and have lunch in the wine capital of Burgundy. You can visit the wine museum or the historic hospice.

02:30 p.m. – Departure from Beaune.
03:00 p.m. - Savigny Castle. In the heart of this wine region, we will visit Savigny Castle, built in the fifteenth century and home to extraordinary museums featuring motorcycles, race cars, airplanes, and helicopters.

04:30 p.m. – Departure from Savigny Castle.
05:30 p.m. - Dijon. Arrival in the capital of Burgundy, with lively streets and a vibrant atmosphere. Once the capital of a powerful duchy in the late Middle Ages, Dijon preserves a rich architectural heritage of medieval and Renaissance buildings, with the Palace of the Dukes standing out as a highlight.

Dijon - Fontenay Abbey - Semur-en-Auxois - Vézelay - Paris

Total distance covered: 387 km.

Scenery: Small villages in the Dordogne with relaxing hill and vineyard landscapes.

08:30 a.m. – Departure from Dijon. We’ll continue touring Burgundy.
10:00 a.m. - Fontenay Abbey. Admission is included to visit this abbey, a masterpiece of the Cistercian order and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

11:00 a.m. – Departure from Fontenay Abbey.
11:30 a.m. - Semur-en-Auxois. We’ll stop to explore this charming medieval town with narrow streets, palaces, and half-timbered houses surrounded by impressive ancient walls that will transport you back in time.

12:30 p.m. – Departure from Semur-en-Auxois. We’ll continue along the interior of Burgundy.
01:30 p.m. - Vézelay. Time for lunch and a stroll in one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its immense basilica was one of the starting points of the Way of St. James.

04:00 p.m. – Departure from Vézelay.
07:00 p.m. - Paris.

Paris

Total distance covered: 80 km.

07:45 a.m. - Departure from Paris.
08:30 a.m. - Versailles. Arrival to the Palace of Versailles (admission not included; please note that there may be long lines to enter due to the large number of visitors). This grand palace, once the residence of French kings, offers a fascinating glimpse into the culture and history of France.

11:30 a.m. - Departure from Versailles. Departure time may vary if there are delays entering the palace. Upon returning to Paris, we’ll head to Montmartre, a bohemian artists’ district where we can admire the Sacré Coeur Basilica and wander through its picturesque square and winding alleys.

03:00 p.m. - We’ll start a two-and-a-half-hour panoramic tour of Paris with a local guide. This tour will take us to iconic landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, La Madeleine, Place de la Concorde, the Opera, the Louvre, the Tour Saint-Jacques, the City Hall, Île de la Cité with Notre-Dame, the Latin Quarter, the Pantheon, the Sorbonne, the Luxembourg Garden, Les Invalides, the École militaire, Champ de Mars, the Eiffel Tower and the banks of the Seine. We’ll have brief stops near Les Invalides and Champ de Mars. After the tour, we’ll return to the hotel, with an optional stop in the city center for those who want to enjoy more free time in Paris.

At the end of this enriching day, the guide will suggest an optional evening outing to a cabaret or variety show, such as the Moulin Rouge or Paradis Latin.

Note: Due to the high volume of tourism in Paris, the order of the services offered in the city may vary.

Paris

08:30 a.m. - Departure from the hotel. We’ll head to the Eiffel Tower, tickets to the second floor are included (please note that extended wait times may occur due to the high number of visitors). The second floor offers the best views; its optimal altitude allows us to admire the city below (which is less visible from the third floor) and a better overall perspective compared to the first floor. From this vantage point, you can see up to 70 km into the distance on a clear day. After descending the tower, we’ll enjoy a scenic boat cruise along the Seine River, offering stunning views of Paris´ iconic monuments and bridges. This journey lasts approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. Afterwards, you’ll have some free time.

Note: If wait times at the Eiffel Tower is too long, we might reschedule the visit to a different time (or on Sunday) for your convenience.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.

Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.