Essential Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and France

TOUR ITINERARY:

DAY 01: USA / CANADA – LISBON                                 

Today you will make your own way to your select gateway airport for your international flight to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Enjoy inflight meals and services onboard.

Overnight Onboard the Flight

DAY 02: LISBON ARRIVAL  (-/-/-)

Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival in Lisbon, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, spend some time at leisure to explore the city at your own pace or unwind in your hotel. Overnight in Lisbon

Note: Kindly check the information posters in the hotel reception area. These include all the details regarding your tour, such as the meeting time and place, along with the guide’s name

DAY 03: LISBON (B/-/-)

In the morning you will embark on a sightseeing tour of Lisbon. Accompanied by a local guide, you will discover the traditional neighborhoods of the Belem district, the birthplace of the great Portuguese navigators who sailed across the oceans in the 15-century. You will get to see various monuments and architectural structures in the city, such as the Belem Tower and the beautiful Jeronimos Monastery, a World Heritage Site dubbed by UNESCO. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore this incredible city at your own pace. At the end of the afternoon, you will be transferred to Restauradores Square, known for its incredible bars and cafes from where you may take the “Elevador da Gloria” which will bring you to the Upper District and its viewpoint.

 Overnight in Lisbon

DAY 04: LISBON – FATIMA – MADRID (B/L/-)

Today you will travel to Northern Portugal and visit Fatima, an important sanctuary and pilgrimage site. Make your way through the green lands of the center as you cross the border into Spain. Lunch will be included enroute in a regional restaurant (vegetarian options included). From there you will travel to Madrid, the capital of Spain, where you will arrive at the end of the day. You will be provided transportation to Plaza Mayor, where you will have plenty of choices to taste wine in typical taverns (not included).

Overnight in MadriD

DAY 05: MADRID (B/-/-)

Your day will start early with a comprehensive tour through the center of Madrid. Get ready to see incredible sites including the Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, the Gate of Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. You will visit Retiro Park, an oasis in the center of the city, to see the beautiful lake and Glass Palace. Admission to Las Ventas Bullring will be included. This is one of the most famous bullrings in the world where you will learn about the tradition of “corridas” in the Bullfighting Museum. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. At sunset, you will be transferred to Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace, an elegant and bustling area with many restaurants serving various cuisines. Choose from Indian, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Spanish, and International options. After a pleasant dinner (not included), a transfer to the hotel will be provided.

Overnight in Madrid

DAY 06: MADRID- ZARAGOZA – POBLET – MONTSERRAT- BARCELON (B/-/-)

After breakfast, you will leave Madrid and head towards Aragón. Enjoy a special stop in Zaragoza, where a guide will accompany the group to the Basílica del Pilar. From there you will have free time to visit this incredible sanctuary and explore the city center. Later on, you will make your way to Catalonia to visit the Poblet Monastery, surrounded by medieval walls. This is one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world (entry and guided tour included). Afterwards, you will continue towards the Monastery of Montserrat, where you will head on a ride on the rack train (included) to see the breathtaking views of Catalonia. Continue your journey to Barcelona, where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore this beautiful city at your own pace. Overnight in Barcelona

DAY 07: BARCELONA – GIRONA (B/-/-)

Wake up early for an incredible city tour that will cover numerous tourist attractions across Barcelona. Your tour will take you to La Rambla – a vibrant street in Central Barcelona that connects Placa de Catalunya with the Monument of Christopher Columbus. See the famous works of Gaudi; a famous and highly respected Spanish architect known for his unique style of architecture. You can see his famous masterworks including Sagrada Familia Cathedral and La Pedrera along Passeig de Gracia. At approximately 6:00 PM you will be transferred to Girona, a small Catalan capital with a very beautiful historic center. In this city, the cathedral stands out with its incredible staircase. Spend the rest of the evening exploring the city at your own pace.

Overnight in Girona

DAY 08: GIRONA – ARLES – LE GARDE – CHAMBERY  (B/-/-)

Today you will travel across the breathtaking region of Provence as you cross the border into France. En route, prepare for an important stop in Arles, a small World Heritage City. Remember Van Gogh and see the incredible Roman Theater and small Romanesque churches. Around midday, you will arrive in Nimes, home to concerts and bullfighting as you can still experience the ancient amphitheatre after nearly 2,000 years. Take some free time to stroll around the area and have lunch. From there you will continue to Carrieres De Lumiere (admission included), an impressive show of art, imagery, and underground sound. At the end of the afternoon, you will stop in La Garde Adhemar. This is a magnificently conserved village in Provence, where you can see breathtaking views of the Rhone Valley. In the evening you will arrive in Chambery, the charming capital of Savoie, a medieval city with a beautiful Old Town and a fascinating castle.

Overnight in Chambery

DAY 09: CHAMBERY – GENEVA – GSTAAD (B/-/-)

Today you will travel to Geneva, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland, for an incredible guided tour. You will visit the Palace of Nations (the European headquarters of the United Nations), the scenic English Garden with its clock made of flowers, and the Jet d’Eau, the tallest fountain in Europe. From there you will see the medieval Chillon Castle (entry included), built in the waters of the lake. Travel to the picturesque village of Gruyere, known around the world for its cheese. Nearby, you will see several chocolate factories (NESTLE being one of them)! Your tour will include a visit to the Cailler Chocolate Factory, with tasting included. Traveling through the mountainous countryside and picturesque wooden villages, you will reach the picturesque village of Gstaad. With its top hotels, gourmet restaurants, luxury chalets, and nearby Saanen Airport, Gstaad is a popular destination for international celebrities.

Overnight in Gstaad

DAY 10: GSTAAD – GRINDELWALD – LUCERNE – ZURICH (B/L/-)

Get ready to see the breathtaking scenery of the Swiss Alps, known for their incredible glaciers and mountains. You will pass Interlaken and go around its beautiful lake. Upon arrival in Grindelwald, you may enjoy some free time for a hot cup of coffee before taking the cable car up the mountain. Walk around and bask in the beauty surrounding the bridge that extends into the void. This is the perfect place to see the beauty of the Swiss Alps. After lunch (included), you will continue your journey to Lucerne, known for its mesmerizing scenery. End your day in Zurich, where you will have free time to explore the city before going to the hotel.

Overnight in Zurich

DAY 11: ZURICH – BERN- PARIS (B/-/-)

After a delicious breakfast, you will embark on a scenic journey to Bern, the capital city of the confederation built around a bend in the Aare River, where its medieval architecture is well-preserved in the Old Town. From there you will travel to Paris, the capital of France. Soak up the breathtaking views of the lake before you arrive in Paris in the evening.

Overnight in Paris

DAY 12: PARIS (EIFFEL TOWER) (B/-/-)

Today you will head on a guided panoramic city tour of Paris to learn about the city’s rich history, walk along the main boulevards, and see the breathtaking monuments of the French capital. Your tour will end at the Eiffel T er, where you will get the opportunity to climb up to the second floor of this remarkable monument. End your visit with a scenic boat cruise on the River Seine, which divides the north of Paris from the south. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore the city and relax! At sunset, you will head to the Latin Quarter, a very picturesque area with a wide variety of international restaurants – the perfect place to have dinner. From there you will return to your hotel.

Overnight in Paris

DAY 13: PARIS (B/-/-)

Start your day by making your way over to the center of Paris, reaching the area of the Louvre Museum. Explore the city at your own pace with plenty of time to explore! If you wish, we may accompany you to Benelux, one of the most complete and best-known perfumeries in Paris. Spend the rest of the day at leisure in this romantic city.

Overnight in Paris

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