Madrid to Rome: A Journey Through Europe’s Cultural Capitals

You’ll have free time in the morning. In the afternoon, we’ll take a panoramic city tour, visiting the most notable landmarks such as the Royal Palace, the Cibeles Fountain, and Paseo del Prado with its famous museums. The tour will end at Plaza Mayor, where you can enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

Free day. We’ll offer you an optional visit to the historic city of Toledo.

We’ll set off for Castile, traveling through beautiful mountain landscapes. Our first stop will be Segovia, where we’ll take a scenic route around the city to reach Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos, a viewpoint from which you’ll enjoy the best views of the Alcazar of Segovia, the castle that inspired Walt Disney’s Maleficent’s castle in Sleeping Beauty, along with its impressive walls. We’ll then park near the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia, built in the 1st century and used until 1973, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

You’ll have free time to explore the old town, have lunch, and visit the Plaza Mayor, where you can see the cathedral and the Alcazar. We’ll continue our journey on charming little roads that will allow us to appreciate the towns and landscapes on the way to Pedraza, often hailed as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. This strongly fortified medieval town features cobblestone streets, historic buildings, a picturesque Plaza Mayor, and a fortress dating back to the 13th century. 

There will be free time for a walk. In the afternoon, we’ll make our way to the Basque Country, arriving in Bilbao. Here, you’ll have free time to explore the old town, where you can visit the numerous taverns and bars to sample the famous “pintxos.”

After breakfast, we’ll take a guided tour of Bilbao, where the standout attraction is the Guggenheim Museum, famous for its striking exterior architecture, the old town, or the city’s medieval center, with its lively streets and cathedral. 

After, there will be free time for a stroll and lunch. We recommend the La Ribera Market, where you can sample traditional Basque cuisine in a boat-like structure overlooking the river. After lunch, we’ll depart for Guernica, a town known for being the site of one of the most tragic massacres of the Spanish Civil War, famously depicted in Pablo Picasso´s painting. Here, you’ll see the Tree of Gernika, beneath which the Basque Country was granted its autonomy during the Middle Ages. 

We’ll continue to Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía), a picturesque coastal town with beaches, ancient walls, a maritime atmosphere, and a historic center. The grid layout of its narrow, cobbled streets will charm you as you explore the old town and enjoy dinner. We’ll then head to San Sebastian, arriving by the end of the day. Our hotel is usually located atop Mount Igueldo, offering one of the most breathtaking views of this elegant, lit city.

In the morning, we’ll start by enjoying breathtaking views over San Sebastián Bay from Mount Igueldo, followed by a visit to the Miramar Palace and its lovely gardens. Afterward, you´ll have some free time to relax on the city’s large beach or take a leisurely stroll along its boulevards. 

We´ll include a traditional Basque cuisine pintxo experience, accompanied by a drink. Early in the afternoon, we’ll make our way to France, arriving in Bordeaux by evening. We recommend taking a walk through the city center.

We’ll journey through the wine and cognac regions to the Loire Valley, where we’ll visit Château de Chambord, arguably the most spectacular castle in the area (admission included). Enjoy free time for lunch before we head to Paris, arriving in the evening.

We’ll immerse ourselves in the rich history of France at the magnificent Palace of Versailles (admission not included), renowned for its stunning gardens. On our return to Paris, we’ll visit Montmartre, where a cable car (included) will take us up to this charming bohemian neighborhood, famous for its artists, painters, and cabarets. 

To fully appreciate the grandeur of Paris, we’ll embark on a panoramic city tour with a local guide, showcasing the city’s impressive avenues and iconic monuments. Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel. For those interested, there is an optional variety show in the evening. ?

We’ll start our day in central Paris, beginning with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. You´ll have the chance to go up to the second floor of this famous iron landmark (tickets included). Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Seine, which will last approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore the city at your own pace. 

Note: If wait times at the Eiffel Tower are too long, we might reschedule the visit to a different time (or on Sunday) for your convenience.

Today, we’ll journey to the heart of France, passing through the Bourgogne region, renowned for its picturesque vineyards and world-class wines. Our first stop will be Beaune, a charming town in the center of Burgundy known for its flower-filled streets, hospice, and wine museum. After some free time for lunch and a walk, we’ll continue to Lyon, the former capital of Roman Gaul, located on the banks of the Rhône River. 

Lyon´s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll take a cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière, where we can enjoy a stunning view of the city. You’ll have some free time to explore at your leisure. 

Note: In some cases, part of the group will stay in Chambéry, a city near Lyon. In these instances, we’ll travel to Chambéry in the evening for an overnight stay. In the morning, you’ll have time to visit this medieval-style city, the capital de la Saboya, known for its beautiful historic center and impressive castle.

We have a wonderful day planned as we travel to Switzerland. In Geneva, our coach will pass by the Palace of Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations, and the beautiful English Garden, where we’ll see the famous flower clock and the Jet d’Eau, the tallest fountain in Europe. 

After some free time to stroll around this Swiss city on the shores of its lake, we’ll continue our journey toward the Alps, home to the highest peaks in Europe. After, a long tunnel under Mont Blanc will take us into Italy. 

We’ll arrive in Milan in the afternoon, where our guide will lead us to the impressive Piazza del Duomo. You’ll have time to stroll through the historic center.

We’ll depart from Milan, traveling through the lush plains of the Po River. We’ll arrive in Venice around 1:00 p.m. and take a boat to the St. Mark´s area. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Venice. For a complete experience, consider an optional gondola ride. We’ll be staying in the Mestre area.

After crossing the picturesque landscapes of the Apennines, we’ll arrive in Florence. Our first stop will be Piazzale Michelangelo, which offers a breathtaking view of the city. You´ll have free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we´ll include a guided tour of the city center with a local guide, seeing iconic sites like the Ponte Vecchio, Duomo, and Piazza della Signoria. This city is truly an open- air museum. Enjoy some additional free time to explore at your leisure.

We’ll travel to Siena, where we’ll have the chance to see the stunning Piazza del Campo and its beautiful cathedral. Next, we’ll head to Assisi for an included visit to the Basilica with a local guide or a Franciscan monk. Free time for lunch. Arrival in Rome in the evening.

In the morning, we’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Italy’s capital, the Eternal City, one of the oldest and most influential cities in Western civilization. We’ll combine a walking tour with a panoramic bus ride. During the walking tour, we´ll admire the Arch of Constantine, the Colosseum (from the outside), and the impressive Imperial Forums. 

After that, we’ll continue by bus, exploring this open-air- museum city with majestic basilicas and churches, passing by Tiber Island, Lungotevere Avenue, and Castel Sant´Angelo. The tour will finish at Vatican City, an independent state within Rome and the center of the Catholic Church. The afternoon will be free.

Free day. Today, we suggest an optional excursion to Naples, Capri, and Pompeii.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.