Duration
16 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.
04:00 p.m. – Panoramic tour of Madrid. Please note that the start time may vary depending on the group´s arrival times. The sights visited during the tour will also depend on traffic conditions and the season. The tour will last approximately two and a half hours. You’ll visit Cibeles, Puerta de Alcalá, Retiro Park, Serrano, La Castellana, Plaza de Colón, Paseo del Prado, the exterior of the Prado Museum, Atocha, and the Royal Palace. The tour will end in Plaza Mayor, an area famous for its tapas bars. Our guide will accompany you through the area and share tips on where to find the best restaurants.
Note: On some occasions, the city tour may take place in the morning.
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: Vineyards in the renowned Bordeaux and cognac regions, complemented by the picturesque landscapes of the Loire Valley.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Bordeaux.
02:30 p.m. - Chambord. You´ll have free time to explore this magnificent castle by the Loire River.
03:30 p.m. - Departure from Chambord.
06:00 p.m. - Paris. Enjoy free time for the rest of the evening.
07:45 a.m. - Departure from Paris.
08:30 a.m. - Versailles. Arrival to the Palace of Versailles (tickets 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. We’ll take a cable car (included) up to this 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.
Note: If wait times at the Eiffel Tower are too long, we might reschedule the visit to a different time (or on Sunday) for your convenience.
Scenery: Enjoy the pleasant landscapes of central France and picturesque villages.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Paris. We’ll head to the heart of France, passing through the Burgundy region, renowned for its picturesque vineyards and world-class wines.
12:15 p.m. - Beaune. We’ll arrive in this charming village in the Burgundy wine region, known for its flower-filled streets, historic hospice, and wine museum. You´ll have free time to explore.
02:30 p.m. – Departure from Beaune.
04:30 p.m. – Lyon, located on the banks of the Rhône River. We’ll arrive in France´s third-largest city that was once the capital of Roman Gaul. The city´s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We´ll take a cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière, offering spectacular views of the city. You´ll have free time to explore Lyon.
Note: In some cases, part of the group will stay in Chambéry, a city near Lyon. In these instances, we’ll travel from Lyon at 7:00 p.m. to Chambéry, with arrival at 8:30 p.m. for an overnight stay. In the morning, you’ll have time to visit this medieval-style city, the capital of Saboya, known for its beautiful historic center and impressive castle.
Scenery: Spectacular mountain landscapes with the peaks of the Alps covered in snow all year.
Note: Remember to bring warm clothes, as snow is common from November to April. Keep your camera ready, and if there´s snow by the road, we´ll make a brief stop so you can enjoy it. Also, keep your passport handy; it may be required when entering Switzerland.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Lyon. We’ll head into mountainous areas as we make our way to Switzerland.
10:00 a.m. - Geneva - We’ll arrive in this vibrant city on the shores of Lake Geneva, the capital of French-speaking Switzerland and home to the European headquarters of the United Nations, the International Labor Organization, the Red Cross, and many other international organizations. We’ll pass by the Palais des Nations (UN headquarters in Europe) and our guide till take us to visit the beautiful English Garden with its famous flower clock and the Jet d´Eau, the tallest fountain in Europe. You’ll have free time to explore the city center, featuring its impressive lake.
12:00 p.m. – Departure from Geneva. The landscapes will become even more picturesque as we drive through the Alps. We’ll stop for lunch at a service station. We’ll enter Italy through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, so keep an eye out for the stunning glaciers.
05:00 p.m. - Milan. We’ll head to the Piazza del Duomo with our local guide and tour the historic downtown. After some time exploring, we’ll transfer to our hotel, located outside the city center.
Scenery: Northern Italy.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Milan. We’ll travel across the Po Valley.
12:45 p.m. - Venice. We’ll proceed to the Tronchetto terminal to board a private boat for a journey through Giudecca Canal to Venice. Upon arrival, you’ll have time for lunch, followed by a guided city tour. We’ll walk around St. Mark’s Square, taking in the Basilica and Campanile. We’ll also visit a renowned Murano glass workshop to learn about the techniques used by skilled glass artisans. Free afternoon at your disposal to discover the nooks and crannies of this special city. If you wish, the guide will arrange an optional gondola ride in the afternoon.
07:30 p.m. - Return by boat to the Tronchetto port and then transfer to your hotel in the Mestre/Marghera area.
Scenery: We’ll travel through the Apennines Mountain Range.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Venice.
11:15 a.m. - Florence. We’ll stop at the Michelangelo viewpoint for one of the most beautiful views of the city. You’ll have free time for lunch. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a city tour with a local guide in Florence, one of the world’s most renowned cities for art and history. The tour will be a walking tour through the historic downtown area and will last approximately 2 hours.
After the tour, you’ll have free time. We recommend exploring the artistic downtown, including the Ponte Vecchio with its shops and the city´s majestic squares.
Scenery: Enchanting landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria, picturesque villages along the road, and historical cities.
Note: Please bear in mind that proper attire is required when visiting the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Florence.
09:15 a.m. - Siena. Enjoy free time to explore this historic city, its shell-shaped square, and its Duomo.
11:45 a.m. - Departure from Siena.
01:30 p.m. - Assisi. Free time for lunch. Following lunch, we´ll visit the Basilica of Saint Francis with a tour led by either a Franciscan monk or a local guide.
04:15 p.m. - Departure from Assisi.
06:45 p.m. - Rome.
By bus, we’ll pass by Circus Maximus, the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin with with the Bocca della Verità (the Mouth of Truth), the Republican Temples, the Baths of Caracalla, the Aurelian Walls, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the Minor Basilica of Saint Mary in Domnica alla Navicella, the Pyramid of Cestius, the San Paolo Gate, Tiber Island, Lungotevere Avenue with its Babylonian-style Jewish Synagogue, and Castel Sant´Angelo.
This tour will conclude around 12:00 p.m. at Vatican City. Our guide will offer an optional visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel in greater detail. The afternoon will be free.
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.