Contrast of Europe And Paris

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.

Today we will leave Rome, heading north. This route has beau- tiful landscapes. Arriving in FLORENCE, we head straight to the impressive Piazzale Michelangelo. In the evening we take a tour with a local expert, walking through the historic centre, taking in places such as the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Plaza della Signoria. This city is truly an outdoor museum. Enjoy some leisure time to explore. In the evening you will have time for dinner, as, in this district you can find many restaurants serving international cuisine.

Today we enjoy stunning mountain landscapes while crossing the Apennine Mountains. We will arrive in VENICE and take the boat and cross the Grand Canal to the Island of Venice. With a local guide, we will visit the marvellous St. Mark´s Square and enter the Basilica (entrance included). After- wards, we will visit the Murano Glass Factory. It is fascinating to see the technique of how this ancient glass is made. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore. Accommodation in the Mestre district.

We will depart from Venice, travelling to Austria! Arrival to INNSBRUCK, time to stroll in the historic centre and have lunch. After this, we travel along a very pretty scenic road be- tween the mountains to KITZBÜHEL – Arrival and time to see this picturesque little village, a famous ski resort where we can enjoy the snow for a large part of the year! Free time. Dinner included (vegetarian option possible).

Departing in the morning, we include a cable car ride up to the high mountains that surround Kitzbuhel, with snow 9 months a year, fantastic scenery; in summer, those who wish may visit the “alpine flower garden”. We will continue to explore Austria, traveling between the mountains, and arriving in SALZBURG. Our guide will accompany us through the beautiful streets of this city’s historic centre, declared a World Heritage site. We make our way between lakes and mountains in the next stage. Our next stop is in ST. WOLFGANG, a famous place of pil- grimage in Austria. We continue to TRAUNKIRCHEN with its beautiful Traunsee Lake, where we take a cruise to see four castles, disembarking in GMUNDEN. After this we continue to VIENNA, arriving in the late afternoon.

Today we take a scenic visit around this impressive city with a local expert. Here we experience its majestic avenues, its palaces and the vibrant city centre. Then we head directly to Schönbrunn Palace, where visitors can stroll around and enjoy its beautiful gardens. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon of leisure in the city centre. In the evening we will go to the City Hall Square to enjoy the nightlife in the neighbouring streets. Here you will get the opportunity to take dinner.

We have an approximately three-hour journey to BUDA- PEST, Hungary. Arriving at around 11:30, we will discover Bu- dapest (known as the “Queen of the Danube”) on a boat tour along the river. Budapest is divided by the Danube River, with historic Buda on one side and cosmopolitan Pest on the op- posite side. Time for lunch, followed by a scenic tour of the city. After the tour enjoy some leisure time. At the end of the day we finish in the lively area of Vaci Utca, where there are lots of opportunities to take your dinner.

We will leave Budapest for BRATISLAVA, the capital of Slova- kia and a city alongside the Danube. With an attractive historic centre, take time to see the city and enjoy lunch. After lunch we will continue our journey to the Czech Republic, PRAGUE. Arriving in the evening, we will make our way to the Old Town Square. This central location provides a great introduction to Prague, full of energy and touristic activities. You can take your dinner at one of the restaurants offering international cuisines, including Czech, Chinese, Indian and Italian. Return to hotel.

Today we will visit the capital, Prague, the Baroque jewel of Europe. Our local expert will provide an informative city tour, which will include outstanding monuments. During the visit we walk through Prague Castle (admission included). Subse- quently, we shall take a boat tour on the Vltava River. In the afternoon enjoy some free time to explore the city. In the even- ing, we will enjoy more time in the historic city centre and there will be an opportunity for you to take dinner. Return to hotel.

We leave for Germany. In the region of Bavaria, we will see LAUF AN DER PEGNITZ, a picturesque little village which stands out because of its busy Market Square and Castle. After this we will carry on to WURZBURG, with time for lunch and to see this Bavarian city on the banks of the Maine River, a former bishopric centre and now a very busy university city. Our journey continues to FRANKFURT. Explore the historic city and choose one of the many international restaurants. Go to the hotel.

Today we will take a small Cruise on the Rhine, between the villages of RUDESHEIM and ST. GOAR, undoubtedly the river’s most picturesque section. After this we will travel to COLOGNE, a city which stands out for its immense gothic ca- thedral. Then on to the Netherlands. Arriving to AMSTERDAM in the late afternoon.

Today we have a very exciting day in the Netherlands. We will go to Zaanse Schans with its mills, canals and its typical houses. Next VOLENDAM, a very picturesque fishing village. A short boat trip from Volendam, will take us to MARKEN (an island that was joined to the mainland by a fixed dike), where the houses there are built on stilts. After this, we travel to AM- STERDAM where we will enjoy a panoramic visit of the city to see its narrow canals, its official buildings and parks. We will also see the technique of diamond cutting. A large part of the visit will be done on foot, the information will be given through headphones. Time for dinner in Rembrandtplein, an area with many restaurants from all corners of the world and near the red-light district with its liberal values. Go to the hotel.

Today we will leave for BRUSSELS, taking time in the Grand Place and making a stop to photograph the Atomium. Continu- ing to BRUGES, the marvellous Flemish city known as the Ven- ice of the North. Time for lunch. Our journey will take us to France. Arriving in PARIS at the end of the day.

Today we take a guided tour to discover the history, main boulevards and the breathtaking monuments of Paris. We end the visit at the Eiffel Tower. You will have the opportunity to climb up to the second floor of this remarkable metal monu- ment (ticket admission included). End your visit with a boat cruise along the River Seine, which divides the north of Paris from the south. Enjoy an afternoon of leisure to explore and relax! At sunset enjoy dinner in the Latin Quarter, a very pic- turesque historic area where a wide variety of international cuisines await you. We will then return to hotel.

We will start the day by going to the centre of Paris, to the area of the Louvre Museum. Enjoy some leisure time to explore. If you wish, we can accompany you to Benlux, one of the most complete and best-known perfumeries in Paris. End of our services. Check the time of your flight in case you need an additional night.