France And Spain

Following breakfast at the hotel we will begin a full day guided tour of the city visiting Ile de la Cite’, Notre Dame cathedral, Sorbonne and St-Germain-de- Pres. In the afternoon we continue the guided tour taking in Place Vendome, Place de la Concorde, exterior of Les Invalides, Eiffel Tower, the beautiful Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe before returning to the hotel. You can choose to enjoy an optional dinner in a typical restaurant in Montmartre. Overnight in Paris.

Following breakfast, we will visit the sumptuous “chateau” of Versailles. You will spend the morning appreciating the fabulous State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s Apartment. The Grand Apartment, where Luis XIV held court, consists of 6 gilded salons, all of which are fine examples of baroque craftsmanship. The Queen’s Apartment includes the Queen’s bedroom where royal births took place in full view of the court. We will then return to Paris where you can enjoy the afternoon at your leisure or take an optional guided tour of the Louvre. It may no longer be the centre of French power, but the Louvre exerts its presence both as a grandiose palace within the city and a symbol of cultural Paris. It is arguably the most famous museum in the world, in fact it is many museums in one; a palace whose medieval origins were discovered during the Grand Louvre project, it encompasses architecture from every era. The main attractions are its paintings and sculptures, most of which are housed in the vast Denone wing. Here the Mona Lisa has a new home, in the Salle des Etats, it is complemented by 52 works on the Venetian Renaissance, including paintings by Titian and Tintoretto. In the evening choose to see an optional show at the well-known Moulin Rouge. Overnight in Paris.

After breakfast, commence a full day guided tour of some of the most famous castles in the Loire Valley. Known as ‘the Garden of France’, the Loire Valley is an enchanted land of vineyards, flowers and rolling green hills dotted with more than a thousand chateaux being the favourite residence of the Kings of France during the Renaissance period .They surrounded themselves with the greatest artists and architects of this era. We will have a shor visit in Amboise. We will also visit Chambord castle, the most famous and majestic castle in the Loire Valley. It combined the dream of King François I with the imagination of Leonardo de Vinci and the result is a grandiose creation :440 rooms ,a fabulous double staircase and a unique roof terrace. Enjoy lunch at your leisure. Overnight in Tours.

After breakfast we will travel all the way to Bordeaux where will stop for an overnight. Free lunch on route. Overnight in Bordeaux.

After breakfast we will depart to Lourdes. In the afternoon we visit the City of Lourdes together with the local guide. Since 1858 it is known for its Christian pilgrimage. We climb through a path that starts from the Basilica and ends at the summit of the hill, where we meet the 14 Stations of the Cross. Overnight in Lordes.

After breakfast we will travel from Lourdes to Barcelona. We will arrivate late in the afternoon in the second biggest Spain’s city. Overnight in Barcelona.

Following breakfast at the hotel, take a morning tour of Catalonia’s capital including Park Guell with its amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and fascinating buildings. Get a thorough overview of this modern and rich city with its elegant neighbourhoods. Afternoon at leisure to explore the city on your own like the ‘Barrio Gothic’ , up to the Santa Maria del Mar church, symbol of Catalonia for mariners, La Ramblas : a busy street of sights, colours and people. Overnight in Barcelona. Optional dinner: Typical Catalan menu.

After breakfast we will take our transfer to Barcelona railway station to boarding the Renfe train to Madrid. This fast train travels between the 2 cities in about 03h30. Arriving at Madrid railway station and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Madrid

After breakfast, we will take a guided tour of the city to visit the most important places in Madrid including its fountains, Cibeles and Neptun, view of the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen Bournemitza, Atocha Liberty railway station and one of Madrid’s symbols: Puerta d’Alcala. We will go on to Plaza de Toros, the Paseo of the Castellana and exterior of the Royal Palace and Opera. Enjoy free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit Toledo, a World Heritage sight, the Mudejar Cathedral, the church of Saint Tome’ with its famous El Greco painting, then a short walk in this open air museum. Optional: in the typical dinner in a tapas restaurant or you can take an optional visit to see flamenco. Overnight in Madrid

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then depending on the flight departure time, visit the city on your own for shopping or sightseeing. Transfer from the hotel to the airport and return to your original departure city