Grand Tour of Southern Europe's Gems
Kick off in Paris and wrap up in Lisbon on this 15–day sweep through France, Andorra, Spain and Portugal. You’ll visit Versailles and Montmartre, ascend the Eiffel Tower and cruise the Seine, then continue to the Loire Valley and UNESCO–listed Bordeaux. Expect Lourdes by candlelight, Carcassonne’s walls and Pyrenean scenery en route to Andorra. Ride the rack railway to Montserrat before Barcelona’s modernist icons. Continue to Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences and Alicante’s seafront. In Andalusia, the Alhambra dazzles, while Nerja, Málaga and Ronda impress. Seville delivers its cathedral and a Guadalquivir cruise, then Mérida, Évora and Lisbon round off the journey.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
15 daysHotel Rating
3-4 star hotelsStarts
ParisEnds
LisbonMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in France that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Countries
France, Andorra, Spain, PortugalPassengers
$3,026.00
$400.00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65
Trip Type
Large Coach Tours
Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Large Coach ToursPlaces You'll See
Paris
Tours
Bordeaux
Lourdes
Carcassonne
Foix
Andorra
Montserrat
Barcelona
Peniscola
Valencia
Alicante
Caravaca de la Cruz
Granada
Malaga
Marbella
Ronda
Seville
Mérida
Évora
Lisbon
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Paris
Welcome to Paris. On arrival, we arrange your transfer to the hotel so you can check in and unwind. You’ll have some free time to relax or explore the area at your own pace. In the afternoon, we’ll share details about the start of your tour – either in person or via the information boards at hotel reception.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.
Day 2 - Paris
Today we visit the Palace of Versailles – admission not included – renowned for its magnificent gardens. Returning to Paris, we explore Montmartre, the bohemian neighbourhood long associated with artists, painters and cabarets. We then take a panoramic city tour with a local guide to admire Paris’s grand avenues and iconic monuments before returning to the hotel.In the evening, you can choose to attend an optional variety show.
Day 3 - Paris - Tours
We begin in central Paris with a visit to the Eiffel Tower – entry to the second level is included. Afterwards, we enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Seine lasting around one hour and fifteen minutes. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace until our 5.00 pm departure for the Loire Valley. We arrive in Tours in the evening, where you could take a leisurely stroll and find dinner in the beautiful historic centre. Note: Queues for the Eiffel Tower can be long, so the visit may be moved to a different time – or to Sunday – for operational reasons.
Day 4 - Tours - Bordeaux - Lourdes
We travel south through vineyard country to Bordeaux, whose historic centre is UNESCO World Heritage–listed. You’ll have free time for lunch and to explore – you could visit the Port of the Moon and the Cathedral of St Andrew. We then continue towards the Pyrenees, arriving in Lourdes in the late afternoon. In the evening, you can attend the candlelight procession – held from late March to the end of October – and visit the various places of worship at your own pace. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Day 5 - Lourdes - Carcassonne - Foix - Andorra
We travel across southern France to Carcassonne, where you have time to explore the fortified medieval citadel of La Cité – with its walls and castle – and to have lunch at your leisure. We then continue into the Pyrenees, making a brief stop in Foix, a medieval town overlooked by the Château de Foix. The route leads through high mountain scenery – with snow covered peaks often visible year round – before we cross into Andorra, a small country where Catalan is the official language. En route we pause at Sant Joan de Caselles, a 12th century Romanesque church, then continue to Andorra la Vella, the capital, where you have free time to explore the lively commercial centre or visit Caldea – the largest thermal spa in Europe. Dinner is included.
Day 6 - Andorra - Montserrat - Barcelona
Start the day with free time in Andorra – you can browse the shops or take a leisurely walk. After lunch, we continue into Catalonia and make for the abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat. We take the rack railway up the mountain – included – to enjoy the fantastic scenery, and you’ll have time to explore the sanctuary at your own pace – entrance not included. We then continue to Barcelona, arriving in the late afternoon.
Day 7 - Barcelona
In the morning, we take a panoramic tour of Barcelona – a Mediterranean city celebrated for Gaudí and its modernist architecture, its lively Ramblas and the legacy of its World Expositions and Olympic Games. The tour ends at Maremagnum, the seafront leisure and dining complex beside Columbus Square, where you can stroll along the waterfront. The afternoon is at leisure to explore as you wish, and we return to the hotel at the end of the day.
Day 8 - Barcelona - Peniscola - Valencia
We travel south along the Mediterranean coast, pausing in Peñíscola – a medieval walled town edged by wide beaches – for a stroll. We then continue to Valencia, arriving around lunchtime. In the afternoon we join a local guide for a tour of this historic port on the Levantine coast, with over 2,000 years of history, where monuments from different periods contrast with the striking modern architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences. After the tour, you’ll have free time to explore as you wish. A traditional local dinner is included.
Day 9 - Valencia - Alicante - Guadix - Granada
We continue through the gentle landscapes of the Valencian Community to Alicante, a Mediterranean city of golden sands and a characterful historic quarter dominated by the imposing Castle of Santa Bárbara. You’ll have free time for a stroll. We then cross the arid scenery of Murcia, with a stop en route for lunch. In Andalusia, we make our first stop in Guadix, renowned for its inhabited cave houses – its historic centre blends a Renaissance cathedral, traditional neighbourhoods and views of the Sierra Nevada. We continue to Granada, arriving in the late afternoon – dinner included.
Day 10 - Granada
We spend a full day in Granada. When tickets are included, we visit the Alhambra and its exquisite Generalife Gardens – masterpieces from the Arab era. In the afternoon, you have free time to keep exploring the city; you might visit the cathedral, which houses the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs.Important information: visitor numbers at the Alhambra are strictly regulated by law. To secure entry, tickets are issued once your tour reservation is confirmed – you must provide accurate personal details (full name and passport/ID number) at the time of booking. Ticket costs are non-refundable in the event of cancellation. In rare cases where the Alhambra visit is not possible, we will instead tour Seville’s Royal Alcázar, which offers similar historical and architectural significance.
Day 11 - Granada - Nerja - Malaga - Ronda - Seville
Leaving Granada, we cross the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and follow the Mediterranean along the Tropical Coast – a mild microclimate where guava, mango and avocado are grown, and where sugar cane was once cultivated. We stop in Nerja, a seaside town with striking cliffs, before continuing to Málaga, capital of the Costa del Sol. You will have time for lunch and a stroll in the historic centre. We then head inland through the Andalusian sierras to Ronda – a white town famous for the gorge that divides it – and continue to Seville, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Day 12 - Seville
This morning we take a city tour of Seville, visiting the cathedral with its Giralda, the banks of the Guadalquivir and the popular neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana. After the tour, we board a boat for a leisurely cruise on the Guadalquivir – included – offering panoramic views of the city from the water. In the evening, you can opt to experience a flamenco tablao.
Day 13 - Seville - Merida - Evora - Lisbon
We’ll leave Seville and travel through gentle hills and wide pasturelands en route to Extremadura. In Mérida, we include admission to the Archaeological Ensemble – home to the Roman theatre and amphitheatre – a remarkably well preserved World Heritage Site. You’ll have free time for lunch and a stroll through the pedestrian historic centre. We then continue into Portugal, stopping in Évora – also a World Heritage Site – noted for its whitewashed streets, Renaissance palaces and cathedral. We arrive in Lisbon in the evening.
Day 14 - Lisbon
This morning we take a guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon – the city of seven hills – with its narrow lanes, traditional tiles, Atlantic light and the Portuguese sense of saudade. We also visit the Belem neighbourhood, the departure point for the great navigators of the 15th century. The afternoon is yours – you can wander at leisure or head up to Bairro Alto and its viewpoint – and you could join an optional excursion to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening we return to the hotel, collecting you from the lively Restauradores Square with its bars and cafes.
Day 15 - Lisbon
After breakfast in Lisbon, our journey comes to an end – we hope you leave with wonderful memories of the places you’ve discovered.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post-Tour Accommodation - Lisbon
Pre-Tour Accommodation - Paris
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Confirmation of the hotels used may not be available until 48 hours before the tour departs.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
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