Duration
13 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Start city
Madrid
Available
April 2025 / October 2025
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
Dear Traveler: thank you for choosing us to perform this Tour! We hope you enjoy your trip.
Here we give you a guidance on their tour with the information that we believe may be of your interest. The information is indicative, may exist variations on designated hours.
TRANSFER from the airport, if you have it included or purchasing. Our transfer will be waiting for you with a poster on behalf of Europamundo or its name to the output of the custom (after collecting your luggage)..
Remember to inform us by phone if you lost your connection flight or expected delay of their arrival, in your VOUCHER figure the phone of the transfer.
IMPORTANT: If you had additional nights upon arrival the hotel will have your reservation, but his travel guide normally will not be until the night before the start of the tour.
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.
Scenery: Basque Country, with industrial cities set against beautiful, green, and mountainous landscapes. Traditional Basque farmhouses can be seen dotting the mountainsides.
After breakfast, we’ll embark on a guided tour of Bilbao and its estuary, where the striking architecture of the Guggenheim Museum, the old town and the medieval center stand out. There will be free time for lunch and a stroll in this city, full of vibrant streets and a cathedral. We recommend dining at La Ribera Market, offering stands with traditional Basque cuisine in a boat-shaped structure along the river.
02:30 p.m. – Departure from Bilbao. After lunch, we’ll continue our journey.
03:15 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 Gernika, beneath which the Basque Country was granted its autonomy during the Middle Ages.
04:45 p.m. - Departure from Guernica. We’ll continue our scenic route through the mountains.
06:15 p.m. - Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía). We’ll stop in one of the most beautiful towns in the Basque Country, known for its beaches, ancient walls, maritime atmosphere, and historic center with its unique grid-patterned cobblestone streets. You’ll have free time to explore and enjoy dinner in the old town.
08:45 p.m. – Departure from Hondarribia.
09:15 p.m. - San Sebastián / Donostia. Arrival in the elegant capital of Gipuzkoa. Our hotel is usually located atop Monte Igueldo, offering one of the most breathtaking views of the illuminated city below.
Scenery: Lush, wooded areas in the Basque Country transition to the vast pine forests of France´s Landes region, eventually giving way to vineyards as we approach Bordeaux.
In the morning, after soaking in the stunning views of San Sebastián Bay from Mount Igueldo, we’ll head to the Miramar Palace and its lovely gardens. You’ll then have some free time to relax on the large beach, stroll along the boulevards, and enjoy lunch in the old town, famous for its lively “pintxos” bars and vibrant atmosphere—a hotspot for food lovers, where each of the bars has its own speciality and style. We´ll include a traditional Basque cuisine pintxo experience, accompanied by a drink.
04:15 p.m. – Departure from San Sebastián. We’ll cross into France through the Basque Country, traveling through the Landes region with its pine forests and lakes. As we near Bordeaux, we’ll be welcomed by the region’s renowned vineyards.
07:15 p.m. - Bordeaux. Our guide will give a brief introduction to the city. You’ll then have free time to explore, and we suggest taking a walk through the city center.
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.
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.
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 instead transfer to the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard.
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.
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.
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.