Classical Spain and Paris

Welcome to Madrid. Upon arrival at the airport, we will transfer you to your hotel, where you’ll have some free time before the tour begins. Please check the information boards in the hotel reception for details about the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers. In the evening, we provide a transfer to Plaza Mayor and La Latina, Madrid’s most renowned neighbourhood for nightlife and tapas. You can choose to dine at a restaurant of your preference, with options including Indian, Chinese, Spanish and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour.

We begin the day with a detailed tour of central Madrid, visiting key landmarks such as Paseo del Prado, the impressive Cibeles Fountain, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. Next, we explore Retiro Park, a peaceful green space in the heart of the city, including its lake and the striking Palacio de Cristal. Admission to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid, is included—offering a chance to experience one of the world's most renowned football clubs. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. In the evening, we provide transfer back to the hotel.

We depart Madrid early, heading south through the plains of La Mancha. Our first stop is Puerto Lápice, a traditional Manchego village closely associated with Don Quixote. We then continue into Andalusia via the Despeñaperros pass, arriving in Granada for lunch, which is included. In the afternoon, if you have selected the option to visit the Alhambra, we will tour the remarkable Alhambra Palace and its Generalife Gardens with a local guide. These were built during the Arab period and are outstanding examples of Moorish architecture. Please note that entry to the Alhambra is strictly regulated by law, so tickets are issued upon confirmation of your booking. Providing accurate personal details at the time of reservation is essential, and ticket costs are non-refundable if you cancel. In the unlikely event the Alhambra visit is not possible, we will explore the Royal Alcázar of Seville instead, which offers similar historical and architectural significance.

Today we leave the Sierra Nevada mountain range behind as we travel along the Mediterranean coastline known as the Tropical Coast. This area enjoys a mild microclimate all year round, allowing the cultivation of tropical fruits such as guavas, mangoes and avocados, and historically sugar cane. Our first stop is Nerja, a charming seaside town famous for its dramatic cliffs. We continue to Málaga, the vibrant capital of the Costa del Sol, where you’ll have time for lunch and a stroll through its lively historic centre. Afterwards, we head inland to the Andalusian sierras, arriving in Ronda – a striking whitewashed town renowned for the deep gorge that divides it. Our day concludes in Seville, where we arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner included at the hotel.

We begin the day with a panoramic tour of Seville, taking in key sights such as the cathedral and its renowned Giralda tower, the banks of the Guadalquivir River, and the vibrant neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana. Following the city tour, we enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the Guadalquivir, offering a unique perspective of Seville’s landmarks from the water. In the afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the station to board the high-speed train departing around 4.30 p.m., which covers the 850 km journey to Zaragoza in just under four hours. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Please note that this train journey will be without an accompanying guide.

We begin the day with a guided panoramic tour of Zaragoza, led by a local expert. Our first visit is to the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, an important religious site. We will also explore the works of the renowned painter Goya, viewing some of his masterpieces. The tour continues to the Roman theatre and a Renaissance palace before a stroll around the Aljafería Palace, a fortified medieval residence. After lunch, we travel to Catalonia to visit Poblet Abbey, one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world, set within picturesque surroundings (admission included). Later, we continue to Barcelona, arriving in the evening to conclude the day’s journey.

We begin the day with a panoramic tour of Barcelona, one of Europe’s most captivating capitals. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, the city is famed for Gaudí’s distinctive modernist architecture, its vibrant La Rambla boulevard, and landmarks from past World Expositions and the Olympic Games. The tour concludes at Maremagnum, a modern seafront complex located beside Columbus Square, where you can enjoy a stroll through this lively area. The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure before we return to the hotel at the end of the day.

We’ll transfer you to the station for your high-speed train from Barcelona to Paris. The journey takes just over six hours in comfortable, modern trains included in your trip. Upon arrival in Paris, a transfer will take you to your hotel. Your guide will be in touch during the evening, or you can find details about the next day on the information boards at the hotel reception. Please note the train journey is without a guide.

We begin the day with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, famous for its grand architecture and extensive gardens (admission not included). After returning to Paris, we explore Montmartre, a charming bohemian district known for its artistic heritage and vibrant cabaret scene. To conclude, we embark on a panoramic city tour with a local guide, taking in Paris’s grand avenues and iconic landmarks. We then return to the hotel, and for those interested, there is an optional evening variety show to enjoy.

We begin the day in central Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower, including tickets to ascend to the second floor of this emblematic structure. Afterward, we’ll take a leisurely boat cruise along the Seine lasting around one hour and fifteen minutes, offering unique views of the city’s landmarks from the water. The afternoon is yours to explore Paris at your own pace; please note that return transfers to the hotel are not included. Should wait times at the Eiffel Tower be excessive, we may adjust the visit to a later time or to Sunday for your convenience. This marks the conclusion of our journey, leaving you with memorable experiences. Please check your flight schedule as you may require an additional night’s accommodation.