France, Spain, PortugalEssential France, Spain & Portugal
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.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Mama Shelter Paris East
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.
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 2Show
Accommodation
Mama Shelter Paris East
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.
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.
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.
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.
Accommodation
Hotel AA Viladomat Barcelona
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.
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 7Show
Accommodation
Hotel AA Viladomat Barcelona
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 8Show
Accommodation
Hotel Europa
Today is yours to explore however you wish. Check out some of local museums and art galleries, explore how the nobles lived, or spend time people watching and sampling local flavours at one of the countless restaurants and cafes.
Free Time
Madrid is a vibrant city known for rich culture and history, a vibrant art scene, and world class tapas. Now is your time to explore.
Optional Activities - Day 9Show
Accommodation
Hotel Europa
Get ready for a full travel day. Journey to Porto, including a quick lunch stop in charming Salamanca. Arrive in Porto by the early evening.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Ibis Porto Centro São Bento
Enjoy an orientation walk of Porto with the rest of the day free to explore. Opt take a cruise down the Douro River. In the evening, visit a port wine cellar and raise a glass to the day. Head down Allies Avenue to see the French-inspired buildings. Bargain at the Bolhão Market. Wander the city's World Heritage-listed Ribeira district, visit São Francisco church, the palatial former 19th-century stock market Palácio de Bolsa or head to the Clerigos Tower for a panoramic view of the city.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Take the day to explore this picturesque coastal town.
Your Hands-On Moment: Port Wine Cellar Visit
Finish off the day with a tour of the cellars of the region's famed export - Port wine. Learn about the art of Port making and the processes that render its rich taste. Indulge in a tasting and raise a glass to a day well spent. Saúde!
Optional Activities - Day 11Show
Accommodation
Ibis Porto Centro São Bento
Journey to Portugal's capital city, Lisbon, and take in your surroundings on an orientation walk.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Lisbon Orientation Walk
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Get out and explore.
Optional Activities - Day 12Show
Accommodation
Hotel Roma Lisbon
Free day to explore Lisbon. Opt for a day trip to nearby Sintra. In the evening enjoy a Fado night and traditional Portuguese dinner in one of Lisbon's oldest neighbourhoods. Opt to take a day trip into the foothills of the surrounding mountains to Sintra. Get lost in the city's winding streets lined with pastel coloured houses, palaces, majestic gardens and lush forests. It doesn't get more postcard-worthy than this.
Free Time
Opt to explore the town or take a day trip to nearby Sintra.
Fado Night with Traditional Portuguese Meal
Sit down to a traditional meal and lend your ears to the sound of a performance by Portuguese folk music artists.
Optional Activities - Day 13Show
Accommodation
Hotel Roma Lisbon
Travel to Evora in the heart of the Alentejo region. Enjoy an included tour to the haunting, but mesmerizing Chapel of Bones. Opt to visit Diana's Temple, one of the best preserved Roman temples in the Iberian Peninsula.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Chapel of Bones Visit
Visit the most famous sight in Évora, the Capela dos Ossos, or Chapel of Bones. Take care if squeamish – built in the 1500s by a Franciscan monk, the walls are covered with human skeletons as a reminder to fellow monks that life is fleeting.
Free Time
Take a wander around this historic town.
Optional Activities - Day 14Show
Accommodation
Hotel Ibis Evora
Journey to the Algarve coast to the small fishing village of Olhão. Explore its bustling fish market, active waterfront and white washed laneways. Continue to Seville and enjoy an orientation walk on arrival.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Take the morning to wander around this quaint town.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Optional Activities - Day 15Show
Accommodation
Cool Sevilla Hotel
Spend a day enjoying this city and its Moorish influence. Opt to explore the district of Santa Cruz and the Alcazar Palace before joining the group in the evening for a dramatic flamenco performance. Take the time to see all this great city has to offer. Opt to explore the interiors and gardens of the Alcázar, a magnificent palace dating from Moorish times, or the true heart of Seville, the Santa Cruz quarter— a charming area with winding alleys, picturesque lime-washed houses, flowery patios, and small squares. Seville is home to the world’s largest gothic cathedral — climb the adjoining tower for great views of the city. Other attractions include the Museo Arqueológico, the Casa de Pilates and the Parque de María Luisa, which has a maze of paths, garden beds, pretty little patios, fountains, and shaded lawns.
Free Time
Spend time in Seville exploring Moorish monuments, parks, and gardens, getting a feel for Seville's energetic pulse. Opt to savour some tapas at the city's many bars and cafés.
Flamenco Show
Enjoy a flamenco performance in the city known for the energetic dance. Be swept away by the flamenco's passion, fire, and grit!
Optional Activities - Day 16Show
Accommodation
Cool Sevilla Hotel
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.
