Best of France & Spain
9 days, Paris to Madrid
Itinerary
Day 1Paris
Arrive at any time. After a welcome briefing, set off with your CEO on a orientation walk to explore Paris at night on the way to an optional dinner out.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Paris Orientation Walk by Night
Join your CEO on a short walk through the streets of Paris at night. With the buildings illuminated and the daytime tourist crowds out of the way, you're free to photograph the French capital from her best possible angles. The leisurely nighttime route takes you past Opera Garnier, the Champs Elysees, Les Invalides, and much more.
Day 2Paris
Set off by public transport this morning for a trip to Montmartre, where artists thrive and city views are abundant. Sample a mouth-watering croissant or pain au chocolat, then take to the streets with a CEO-led walking tour. Once oriented, explore however you wish with a free afternoon - perhaps book onto a river cruise to see the city from a different perspective, visit the colossal Louvre, or get your blood pumping with a walk up the Eiffel Tower.
Due to lines and wait times we recommend purchasing tickets in advance for popular landmarks that you wish to visit on your own.
Montmartre Walking Tour
Take in the Abbesses Métro Montmartre Line 12 station and enjoy Hector Guimard's Art Nouveau entrance; one of only three remaining original métro constructions in Paris. Move onward to Picasso's studio, where Cubism was born, and finish up at Toulose Latrec's last address.
Free Time
There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore. Tick the Eiffel Tower off your bucket list, scan the scenery from a boat cruise, or sit at one of the Parisian cafes and watch the world go by.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Eiffel Tower Visit
16EUR per personVisit the most famous landmark in France, the Eiffel Tower. Opt to climb the stairs or take an elevator to the top for a stunning view over the city. Hang out at dusk and watch the tower light up.
The Louvre Visit
12-16EUR per personExamine the massive collection at the Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa and the Winged Venus. While it might take a lifetime to view everything in the museum, one of the largest in the world, make the most of the time you have and try to spend at least a few hours wandering around.
Bateaux Parisiens cruise from Eiffel Tower
Climb aboard and set sail, enjoying the stunning Parisian architecture by water.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Paris/Lyon
Enjoy a leisurely morning for any last sightseeing before boarding a local train bound for Lyon. Check into your hotel and then set off to explore some of the city's highlights on a CEO-led walking tour, culminating at the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière for great views over the city. The rest of the evening is free to choose from a breadth of amazing restaurants in the city for dinner.
Lyon is considered to be an economic and cultural hub in France and is home to several historical landmarks; ancient Roman theatres, the Medieval-Renaissance District of Old Town, etc. Picture cobblestone streets, secret passage ways called 'Traboules', and picturesque viewpoints.
Free Time
Take in any last-minute sightseeing in Paris this morning before boarding the train to Lyon.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and watch the world go by.
Lyon Walking Tour
Set out on foot exploring Lyon and take in the historic Roman and Renaissance architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Finish up at the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière where you can enjoy a beautiful viewpoint.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Lyon
Take advantage of a free day to explore Lyon. Wander the picturesque streets and visit some of the historic landmarks of the city, take an optional food tour or just relax at one of the many quaint cafes and watch the world go by. Lyon has become famous as a gastronomical capital of not only France, but of the world.
Free Time
There's plenty to see and do in Lyon. Now is the time to explore. Sample local flavours with a local food tour, visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, or sit back and enjoy the view on a river cruise. There's something for everyone.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Lyon/Nîmes
Depart Lyon for the Occitanie region of France and to the city of Nîmes, known as the "French Rome." Drop off your bags at the hotel, then set out on a walking tour of the old part of the city. Marvel at the Roman amphitheater, stroll around the UNESCO World Heritage monument of Maison Carrée and observe the Tour Magne, a vestige of Gallic Nîmes overlooking the Jardins de la Fontaine. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and watch the world go by.
Nîmes Old City Tour
Embark on a walking discovery of Dualism: a dialogue between past and present. Explore the Roman ruins, including the Arena of Nîmes, while simultaneously appreciating the thriving street art and architecture scene. A true French experience.
Free Time
There's plenty to see and do in Nîmes; now is the time to explore. Wander through the Jardin de La Fontaine or dive into the culture at the Museum Romanité.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Nîmes/Barcelona
Head out on a drive from Nimes to the magnificent Pont du Gard. Standing at an impressive 49 meters tall, this is the highest Roman aqueduct bridge in the world and is the only example of an ancient three-tier bridge still standing today. Later, stop for a delicious farm-to-table lunch in a small village before returning to Nîmes in time to catch the train to Barcelona.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a taxi.
Pont du Gard Visit
Dive into Roman history and engineering as you explore the highest Roman aqueduct ever built, aptly named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take in views of the Gardon River and learn about how this feature once supplied water to the city of Nîmes.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Foodie Moment: Farm-to-Table Lunch
Savour a delicious farm-to-table lunch from a traditional French restaurant near the Pont du Gard, prepared from fresh and local ingredients.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and watch the world go by.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Barcelona
Set off on foot with a local guide on a walking tour of Barcelona, enjoying the sights and sounds of this iconic and vibrant Spanish metropolis. The rest of the day is free for individual exploration of the city's many museums, parks and plazas before regrouping in the evening for an optional dinner out.
Due to lines and wait times we recommend purchasing tickets in advance for popular landmarks you may wish to visit on your own.
Barcelona Walking Tour
Discover the enchanting Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, a maze of narrow, winding streets filled with medieval architecture, hidden plazas, and ancient Roman remnants. Stroll past the majestic Barcelona Cathedral, charming shops, and cozy tapas bars, while soaking in the history that dates back over 2,000 years. A captivating journey through the city's oldest and most atmospheric neighbourhood.
Free Time
There's plenty to see and do in Barcelona; now is your chance to explore. Check out the iconic Sagraga Familia, Parque Güell, or wander down Las Ramblas.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Montjuïc Visit
5EUR per personClimb to the top of Montjuïc hill for fantastic city views and a visit to a 17th-century fortress, once used as a prison and execution site.
La Sagrada Família Visit
17-37EUR per personVisit Gaudí’s most famous life work, the cathedral of La Sagrada Familia, an inspiring, yet, bizarre testament to the artist’s unique vision.
Las Ramblas Visit
See and be seen on Las Ramblas, a large tree-lined pedestrian boulevard perfect for people watching and window shopping that ends at the harbourfront facing the Mediterranean Sea.
Parque Güell Visit
10EUR per personGet away from it all with a visit to the imaginative Parque Guell. The fantastical works of Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) are scattered throughout Barcelona, a grouping of these including Parque Guell, Casa Mila, and the Crypt of La Sagrada Familia were established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Stroll the tree-lined paths and admire Gaudi’s creative genius at play.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Barcelona/Madrid
All aboard! Settle in and watch the world go by on a train ride from Barcelona to Madrid. Enjoy free time to explore the city upon arrival.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Free Time
There's plenty to see and do in this cultural hub; now is your time to explore.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Reina Sofia Museum
12EUR per personThe Reina Sofia is Spain's national museum of 20th-century art, and currently boasts an art collection of over 21,000 works.
Plaza Mayor Visit
FreeEnjoy some spectacular people watching with a visit to the Plaza Mayor, the true heart of the city. Enjoy a coffee in one of the plaza’s many cafes and watch the world go by.
Gran Vía Visit
FreeShop, stroll, and people watch on the capital's most exciting street, Gran Via. Go early or late, the street stays awake all hours.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Madrid
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.