Paris to Madrid by Rail
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an unforgettable multi-day tour through the heart of France and Spain, where history, culture, and culinary delights await. Begin your journey in the romantic city of Paris, exploring its iconic neighborhoods and landmarks. Travel south to Nimes, a city steeped in Roman history, before crossing into Spain to experience the vibrant energy of Barcelona. Conclude your adventure in Madrid, where the rich tapestry of Spanish culture unfolds before you. With guided tours, delicious meals, and ample free time, this tour offers the perfect blend of exploration and relaxation. Join us for an extraordinary journey through two of Europe's most captivating countries.
Included
6 breakfasts, 1 dinner
All Intrepid group trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader takes care of logistics, will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.
At Intrepid we also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Paris - Hidden Montmartre Urban Adventure
Visit Pont du Gard (Museum, Bridge and Swimming Time and Free Time for Lunch)
Sagrada Familia Admission
Churros Stop
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION:
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
CHECK-IN TIME:
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION:
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
FACILITIES:
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Hotel (7 nights)
hotel: 7 night(s);
TRANSPORT IN EUROPE:
Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.
Train , Public bus , Metro , Taxi
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Paris
- Paris - Arrival day
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- Parc de Noisiel
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Welcome to the enchanting city of Paris, where your adventure begins with a warm reception at your hotel (or similar) at 6 pm. Meet your fellow travelers and trip leader before indulging in a delightful welcome dinner at a charming local restaurant. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through the nearby neighborhoods, soaking in the romantic ambiance that makes Paris so captivating.
Day 2 – Day 2: Paris
- Paris
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- Louvre Museum
- Sacré-Cœur
- Eiffel Tower
- Musée de Montmartre
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Begin your day with a delicious breakfast before venturing to Montmartre, a historic and artistic district in Paris. Enjoy an Urban Adventure tour, starting with a buttery croissant, and explore the homes of famous artists like Van Gogh and Picasso. Visit the Sacre-Coeur Basilica and the last vineyard in Paris. In the afternoon, explore Paris at your leisure, perhaps visiting the iconic Louvre or ascending the Eiffel Tower for breathtaking views.
Day 3 – Day 3: Paris to Nimes
- Nîmes
- Paris
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- Jardin de La Fontaine
- Obélisque d'Arles
- Arles Amphitheatre
- temple of Diana
- Porta Augusta
- Museum of ancient Arles and Provence
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After breakfast, bid farewell to Paris and board a fast train to Nimes, a city renowned for its Roman heritage. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time for lunch before embarking on a guided walking tour. Marvel at the Arena of Nimes, a stunning Roman amphitheater, and visit the Maison Carree, a beautifully preserved Roman temple. Stroll through the lively Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle and pass by Nimes Cathedral, Jardins de la Fontaine, and Place d'Assas.
Day 4 – Day 4: Nimes
- Nîmes
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- Pont du Gard
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Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a day trip to the Pont du Gard. This awe-inspiring Roman aqueduct bridge offers stunning views of the Gardon River and the surrounding landscape. Explore the museum to learn about its historical significance, and if the weather permits, enjoy a swim or rent a kayak for a unique perspective. Return to Nimes in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 5 – Day 5: Nimes to Barcelona
- Barcelona
- Nîmes
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- Palau de Maricel
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This morning, board a fast train to the vibrant city of Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. Upon arrival, enjoy a group dinner at a local tapas restaurant, where you'll savor a variety of delectable small plates that showcase the essence of Spanish cuisine. Share these delightful dishes with your fellow travelers and locals, embracing the communal spirit of tapas culture.
Day 6 – Day 6: Barcelona
- Barcelona
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- Torre del Palau
- Sabadell History Museum
- Sagrada Família
- Can Deu
- Casa Batlló
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After breakfast, embark on a guided walking tour of Barcelona, exploring the city's iconic landmarks. Visit the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, a masterpiece by Antonio Gaudi. Discover other Gaudi creations like Guell Palace and Casa Batlo. For a deeper insight into Gaudi's life, visit the Gaudi House Museum in Parc Guell. Conclude your day with a traditional sip of red wine from a porro.
Day 7 – Day 7: Barcelona to Madrid
- Madrid
- Barcelona
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- Spain Gate
- Puerta de Alcalá
- Market of San Miguel
- Casa de la Entrevista
- Royal Palace of Madrid
- Main Square
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After breakfast, travel by train to Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain. Upon arrival, embark on an orientation walk to discover the city's iconic landmarks. Visit Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and the bustling Mercado de San Miguel. Admire the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, and stroll along the lively Gran Via. In the evening, join your group for a farewell dinner at a recommended local restaurant.
Day 8 – Day 8: Madrid
- Madrid - Departure day
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Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel as your tour concludes. With no further activities planned, you have the option to continue your journey independently. Consider taking a train to another exciting Spanish destination or extending your stay in Madrid. If you wish to explore further, consult your booking agent for additional arrangements.
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