Madrid to Zurich

The morning starts with a comprehensive tour through the centre of Madrid including Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, the Gate of Alcalá, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor. We then visit to Retiro Park, an oasis in the city centre, where we will see the lake and the Glass Palace. A visit to Las Ventas Bullring (admission included) is next, this is one of the most famous bullrings in the world where we will learn about the tradition of “corridas” in the Bullfighting Museum. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. At sunset we provide a transfer to Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace, an elegant and bustling area with many restaurants serving different cuisines such as local Spanish food, international, and Chinese. Enjoy a pleasant dinner of your choice, then return to hotel together.

In the morning we leave for Aragón over the lands of Castile. In ZARAGOZA we stop briefly to see the Pilar Basilica. We continue to the Monastery of Poblet, surrounded by its walls in a beautiful site that is one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world (entrance and guided tour included). We then proceed to the Monastery of Montserrat where you will go up the mountain on a rack train to see its fantastic scenery. Following this we will continue to BARCELONA, arriving in the late afternoon.

In the morning we enjoy a city tour, its Ramblas, the works of Gaudí, and memories of the Olympic Games. Time at leisure. At the end of the afternoon we will go to the north of Catalonia. A stroll in GIRONA and its very beautiful historical centre. Its colourful houses stand out, as well as the old Jewish quarter and Cathedral.

We leave for France, crossing Provence. We stop in ARLES, a small world heritage city where we will remember Van Gogh; and can see its Roman theatre and small Romanesque churches. Time for a stroll and lunch. We carry on and include admission to CARRIERES DE LUMIERE, an impressive show of art, image and sound underground, in former quarries. And at the end of the afternoon, a stop in LA GARDE ADHEMAR, a typical, magnificently conserved village of Provence, with great views of the Rhone valley. CHAMBERY, arrival and accommodation in the charming capital of Savoie, a medieval city with a beautiful old town and great castle.

Today we travel to GENEVA, Switzerland. Our guide will take you to visit the Palace of Nations (the headquarters of the United Nations in Europe), the pretty English Garden with its clock made of flowers, and the Jet d’Eau, the tallest fountain in Europe. After this we continue to CHILLON CASTLE (entrance included), this medieval castle built in the waters of a lake. Moving on to the picturesque walled village of GRUYERE, famous worldwide for its cheese. Nearby are a few of the main chocolate factories in Switzerland (NESTLE amongst them), we will visit the Cailler Chocolate Factory, with tasting included! Travelling along small roads surrounded by mountainous countryside and picturesque wooden villages, we will reach the pretty little village of GSTAAD.

Today’s journey takes us through beautiful high mountain scenery. We pass Interlaken and go around its beautiful lake. We arrive in GRINDELWALD, time for a coffee before taking the cable car up the mountain, Grindelwald. Walk around freely enjoying the stunning views, experience the bridge into the void, an ideal place to be seduced by the Swiss Alpine scenery surrounded by its glaciers and mountains. After lunch (included) we continue to LUCERNE, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. Continuing to ZURICH, where there is time for a stroll in the centre before going to the hotel.

After breakfast, end of our services.