Madrid, Basque Country, Lourdes, Provence and Burgundy with Paris
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating 13-day journey through the heart of Europe, exploring the rich history, diverse culture, and stunning landscapes of Spain and France. This multi-day tour offers an immersive experience, taking you from the vibrant city life of Madrid to the historic city of Toledo, the picturesque landscapes of Castile, and the architectural marvels of Bilbao. Traverse the French border to the elegant city of Bordeaux, the spiritual town of Lourdes, and the medieval city of Carcassonne. Marvel at the beauty of Provence, the charm of Lyon, and the grandeur of Paris. This tour is a perfect blend of guided visits to iconic landmarks, free time for personal exploration, and optional excursions for a deeper dive into local culture and history. Accommodation in comfortable hotels, delicious meals, and the services of an experienced tour guide are included for your convenience.
Included
Includes arrival transfer
Transfer: Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Viewpoint of the Pradera de San Marcos in Segovia , Montmartre district and Palace of Versailles in Paris (admission not included)
Basic travel insurance included.
Breakfast buffet
1 Dinner Included in: LOURDES
City tour in: MADRID, BILBAO, PARIS
Excursion: Versailles in Paris (entrance not included)
Ticket admission: Vizcaya Bridge in Portugalete, Vizcaya Bridge in Portugalete , Cité du Vin in Bordeaux , Carrieres de Lumiere show , Savigny Medieval Castle , Fontenay Abbey , 2nd Floor Eiffel Tower in Paris
English speaking tour in: MADRID, BILBAO, PARIS
Please note also that your tour guide might be changed once or several times during the tour. On some tours, according to the number of passengers, the service may be provided in bilingual (usually in English and Spanish), either accompanied by two tour leaders, one for each language, or a single tour leader for smaller groups explaining in both languages.
MADRID
: PRAGA or CHAMARTIN THE ONE or BARCELO BILBAO NERVION
BILBAO
: NH LA AVANZADA or MERCURE MONTE IGUELDO or MERCURE BORDEAUX LE LAC
BURDEOS
: APPARTCITY CONFORT BDX CHARTRONS or BB BORDEAUX BASSINS A FLOT or HOTEL ALBA
LOURDES
: LE MEDITERRANEE or IBIS MARSEILLE CENTRE EUROMED or NOVOTEL SUITES MARSEILLE EUROMED
LYON
: SAPHIR LYON or TRIBE LYON CROIX ROUSSE or HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS DIJON
Dijon
: IBIS DIJON CENTRE CLEMEANCEAU or NOVOTEL P. D´ITALIE or MERCURE PARIS PTE VERSALLES EXPO
PARIS
: MERCURE PORTE D´ORLEANS
We know how important hotels are on your trip. The hotels have been selected taking into consideration quality, price and location. They are located in the cities we visit, most of them not in the city center but all of them with easy access to public transportation nearby. Our accommodation is not based on luxury hotels. Please keep in mind that standards, bed sizes and room dimensions can vary between hotels of the same class in different locations. All rooms are equipped with private bathroom and TV. Some of them also offer a mini-bar, safe box, and hair dryer. Many hotels, mainly in North Europe, do not have air conditioning or local legislation establishes limited dates of use.
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Madrid City Tour
- Madrid - Arrival day
- More
- Complutum Roman city
- Royal Palace of Madrid
- Plaza Mayor
- More
Begin your journey in the vibrant city of Madrid. Enjoy some leisure time in the morning before embarking on a city tour in the afternoon. Visit the majestic Royal Palace, marvel at the iconic Cibeles fountain, and stroll along the Paseo del Prado, home to some of the city's finest museums. End the day at the bustling Plaza Mayor, where you can immerse yourself in the city's vibrant nightlife.
Day 2 – Day 2: Optional Visit to Toledo
- Madrid
- More
Enjoy a free day in Madrid or opt for an excursion to the historic city of Toledo. Known for its rich history and cultural diversity, Toledo offers a wealth of attractions including its medieval old town, the stunning cathedral, and the Alcazar fortress.
Day 3 – Day 3: From Madrid to Bilbao via Segovia and Pedraza
- Madrid
- Segovia
- Bilbao
- More
- Alcázar de Segovia
- Aqueduct of Segovia
- More
Leave Madrid behind and journey through the beautiful landscapes of Castile. Arrive in Segovia, where you'll have the chance to admire the Alcázar and the ancient Roman aqueduct. Continue your journey to the medieval town of Pedraza, known for its cobblestone streets and historic buildings. In the afternoon, arrive in Bilbao, where you can explore the old town and sample the famous 'pintxos'.
Day 4 – Day 4: Exploring Bilbao and the Basque Country
- Bilbao
- Portugalete
- More
- Vizcaya Bridge
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
- Hondarribiko hondartza
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Spend the day exploring the Basque Country, starting with a visit to Portugalete and the UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge. Back in Bilbao, admire the striking architecture of the Guggenheim Museum and explore the old town. After lunch, head to Guernica, a town known for its historical significance, and Hondarribia, a charming seaside town. End the day in San Sebastian, the elegant capital of Guipúzcoa, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant food scene.
Day 5 – Day 5: From San Sebastian to Bordeaux
- Bordeaux
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- Monte Urgull
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Start the day with a visit to Mount Igueldo for panoramic views over San Sebastian. Visit the Miramar Palace and its beautiful gardens, then enjoy some free time to explore the city. In the afternoon, cross the French border and head to Bordeaux, arriving in the evening. Take a stroll through the city center and soak up the ambiance of this vibrant city.
Day 6 – Day 6: Bordeaux to Lourdes
- Lourdes
- More
Explore Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage city, and visit the Cité du Vin, an interactive museum dedicated to the history of wine. Enjoy some free time for lunch by the Garonne River before continuing to Lourdes, a spiritual town known for its sanctuaries. Attend the candle procession for a truly memorable experience. Dinner is included.
Day 7 – Day 7: From Lourdes to Marseille via Carcassonne and Narbonne
- Lourdes
- Carcassonne
- Narbonne
- Marseille
- More
Travel through the south of France, stopping at Carcassonne, a city known for its impressive medieval walls. After lunch, continue to Narbonne, an historic Occitan city with a picturesque old town. Arrive in Marseille in the late afternoon and explore the vibrant 'Vieux Port', full of life and small restaurants.
Day 8 – Day 8: From Marseille to Lyon via Provence
- Marseille
- Arles
- Avignon
- Lyon
- More
- Arles Amphitheatre
- Lyon Zoo
- More
Experience the charm of Provence, starting with a visit to Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage city with a rich Roman and medieval heritage. Continue to Les Baux, a medieval village where you'll visit the Carrieres de Lumiere, an impressive art and sound show. After lunch in Avignon, head to Lyon, where you'll explore the old town and take a cable car to Notre Dame de Fourviere for panoramic city views.
Day 9 – Day 9: From Lyon to Dijon via Tournus and Beaune
- Lyon
- Beaune
- Dijon
- More
- Châteauneuf Castle
- The Owl of Dijon
- More
Leave Lyon and head to the Burgundy region. Stop at Tournus, a quaint town with an imposing stone gate and a large abbey. Continue to Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, where you'll have time for lunch and exploration. Visit the Castle of Savigny, a 15th-century castle housing several museums, before ending the day in Dijon, the capital of Burgundy.
Day 10 – Day 10: From Dijon to Paris via Fontenay Abbey, Semur en Auxois, and Vezelay
- Dijon
- Vézelay
- Paris
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- Fontenay Abbey
- Parc de l'Auxois
- Vézelay Abbey
- More
Leave Dijon and visit Fontenay Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue to Semur en Auxois, a medieval city with impressive walls, and Vezelay, one of France's most beautiful villages. In the afternoon, head to Paris, the City of Light, where you'll arrive in the evening.
Day 11 – Day 11: Exploring Paris
- Paris
- More
- Palace of Versailles
- Musée de Montmartre
- More
Immerse yourself in the history of France with a visit to the Palace of Versailles and its beautiful gardens. Return to Paris and head to Montmartre, a bohemian neighborhood known for its artists and cabarets. Take a cable car up to this hilltop neighborhood and enjoy a city tour with a local guide. Optionally, you can attend a variety show in the evening.
Day 12 – Day 12: Paris Sightseeing
- Paris
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- Eiffel Tower
- More
Start the day with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower, where you'll have the chance to ascend to the second floor for panoramic city views. Enjoy a boat cruise along the River Seine, which offers a different perspective of the city. Spend the rest of the day exploring Paris at your own pace.
Day 13 – Day 13: Departure
- Paris - Departure day
- More
After breakfast, your memorable 13-day tour of Spain and France concludes. We hope you've enjoyed your journey and look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure.
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