lisbon to Rome

In the morning we have a sightseeing tour with a local guide (note: explanations may be given by our guide if the group has fewer than twelve people). We visit traditional neighbourhoods, which take in the Belem district, the birthplace of the great Portuguese navigators who sailed the oceans in the Fifteenth Century. We will look around the Monument to the Discoveries, Belem Tower, and the beautiful Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the city independently. In the late afternoon, we transfer to the Restauradores Square, a public square with restaurants and cafes. We suggest you ride the Elevador Da Gloria funicular that takes you to the viewpoint of San Pedro with beautiful views over Lisbon and the Bairro Alto. Return to the hotel.

Today we travel to the north of Portugal and visit FATIMA, an important sanctuary (a pilgrimage site). We will continue on our way through the green lands of the centre, passing into Spain, and over grasslands we cross the North of Extremadura. Lunch included en route in a regional food restaurant. Continuing to MADRID, arriving at the end of the day. Then we include transportation to Plaza Mayor where you can enjoy at some typical taverns.

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 thebest-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.

In the morning we will travel to BURGLEN, the tiny village where William Tell was born, we will visit the chapel of the XVI century with paintings illustrating his life. Afterwards continue to the enchanting little town of MORCOTE, with its houses made of stone and covered with flowers. Next, we enter Italy and make a stop in Como, on the shores of a lake. The city highlights a Gothic Cathedral. On to MI- LAN, where our guide will take you to the impressive Du- omo Square. Time for dinner at one of the restaurants of- fering a wide range of international cuisines. After dinner, transfer back to the hotel.

Today we continue our journey towards PISA. On a lit- tle tourist train we will travel to the Piazza Dei Miraco- li (Square of Miracles), where there will be time to admire one of the most alluring and beautiful art complexes in It- aly, including the well known Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then, we continue to Rome, arriving at the end of the afternoon.

In the morning, we will have a tour of the city, which will be a great introduction to “The Eternal city”. We enter the tiny state of the Vatican. The Vatican City is a principal centre of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. We will also enter the Roman Colos- seum (admission price included), the principal symbol of Rome. This impressive construction dates back 2,000 years and will transport us in time so that we can learn about ancient society in the Roman Empire. In the evening we will transfer you to the Via Cavour area, where you will find many international restaurants to enjoy your din- ner at. After dinner return to the hotel.

After breakfast, end of our services.