France's Provincial and Spain's Southern Heritage

Day one – Paris

Welcome to Paris. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your trip manager. Dine on a delightful breakfast or lunch (depending on your time of arrival) at the hotel. You will embark on a tour of Paris, discovering the city’s highlights, well-loved icons, and hidden gems, not to mention uncovering some of the mysterious secrets that the city holds. Your guide will transport you to the Palace of Versailles; you can explore the entire 700-roomed estate where Louis XIV and Queen Marie Antoinette once resided. Upon returning to your hotel, you can choose to continue exploring your locale or enjoy a restful evening, a cocktail or two, and a lavish French dinner.

Day two – Paris

Start the day with a filling French breakfast before exploring the city of romance under your own steam. You can choose from a beautifully curated collection of tours that will allow you to discover more of the city or the nearby Normandy and Champagne provinces with your trip manager or guide.

Day three – Paris to Lyon

You’ll start your day after an early breakfast and travel to Lyon in first-class luxury aboard the French TGV railway. The train journey will weave you through a historical countryside crisscrossed with a complex network of canals and imposing châteaux. It’s famous for its Burgundy, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Chablis, and Beaujolais wines.

For those with a sense of adventure, consider making a detour to Puy de Dôme and explore this UNESCO World Heritage Natural site of 80 puys over 32KM. It is one of the youngest volcanoes in the Chaîne des Puys region.

You’ll arrive at your hotel with time to freshen up and relax before embarking on an exploratory city tour where you will discover its highlights and the well-hidden secrets of the Old Town. Lyon is bursting with culture and authentic local charm. If you want to continue exploring, there are several add-on tours to choose from, or you might want to relax at your city hotel with a cocktail before enjoying a hearty burgundy dinner.

Day four – Lyon

Start the day with a beautiful breakfast. You’ll then enjoy Paris on your own or with the exclusive selection of add-on tours of Paul Bocuse Delightful Cooking Class, Chamonix’s Mont-Blanc Discovery, Dijon & Beaune’s Truffle Escapade, and Beaune & Burgundy’s vineyards. Your Trip Manager will also be present to ensure you explore Lyon and the region in fashion.

Day five – Lyon to Avignon

Today is an early start. You’ll make your way to Avignon in first-class style on the fabulous French TGV. Watch as the impressive rolling countryside of Burgundy and Provence and their beautiful villages, chateaux, and vineyards speed past. You’ll arrive at the gateway of Provence, Avignon, set on the Rhône River. Discover the city’s highlights, wander the cobbled streets and uncover the secrets hidden in the rampart walls. Your guide will unravel mystical tales of Pope’s Palace, Europe’s most significant and appraised gothic architecture. The Avignon Bridge is regarded as the most famous medieval bridge in Southern France; it was constructed between 1177 and 1185 and spans the Rhône. Upon returning to your hotel, you can rest or choose to embark on a local tour with your guide or take a wander in the vicinity of your hotel before welcome cocktails and dinner filled with provincial specialities.

Day six – Avignon

After a filling French breakfast, don your walking shoes and explore the rampart-enveloped old town, tree-lined leafy squares, and gorgeous restaurants and cafes. Avignon is renowned for its elaborate, annual arts festival, which takes place each July. If you want to explore further afield, your trip manager can give you plenty of suggestions. The various tours include highlights such as The Villages of Provence, Marseille’s delights, including learning about the homogenous witch’s brew soap revelation, Van Gogh Arles, Aix en Provence, or even escape to Pont-du-Gard and Vallon Pont-d’Arc Chauvet Cave. The tours are tailormade and give you the flexibility to create your own unique itinerary.

Day seven – Avignon to Barcelona

With your bags packed, you’ll enjoy your final French breakfast before heading to Barcelona. Settle back and luxuriate in your first-class seating on the TGV as the countryside, villages, and coastal paths pass. This extraordinary journey will take you through Montpellier, the Narbonnaise en Méditerranée Natural Regional Park, and Perpignan. You’ll cross over the border into Spain and arrive in Barcelona; the city is known for its exceptional soccer team and the brilliant architecture of Antoni Gaudi. It’s also famous for delicious food and tasty tapas, tranquil parks, and modern art museums, all set on the spectacular Mediterranean shoreline.

After your city tour of Barcelona, you can choose to return to your hotel to relax or continue exploring this incredible city of diversity. In the evening, choose from delicious Spanish cocktails, wines, and a lavish dinner.

Day eight – Barcelona

The Spanish take their breakfasts seriously, fill up on delicious Pincho de tortilla, a very traditional northern dish. Barcelona is a city of vibrancy and history that spans over two millennia. Stroll through the shadowy lanes of the Gothic quarter, the magnificent 14th-century cathedrals, towering temple columns, and subterranean stone corridors. Various tours will lead you to discover Casa Mila and Casa Batllo Artistic Discovery, a Tapas Cooking Class, Girona’s and Figueres Heritage, Montserrat Cultural Escape, Tarragona’s Regional Heritage, and Barcelona’s Historical Delights.

Day nine – Barcelona to Madrid

Another early start, after breakfast, you’ll take the high-velocity ‘AVE’ train to Madrid. Your first-class seats will allow you to sit back and relax and enjoy the Spanish countryside unroll in front of you. After checking in to your hotel and a quick freshen up, you’ll embark on a city tour of Madrid; you’ll be beguiled by its artistic derivation. Madrid has evolved into one of the richest culinary capitals in Europe; the city elegantly embraces the gastronomic revolution. Royal palaces, medieval mansions, and contemporary architecture meld seamlessly together to form this vibrant city. Take time to snack on the local croquetas, gambas al ajillo or a traditional sweet flan. Your guide will take you back to your hotel to relax or continue exploring Madrid after your city tour. Cocktails and dinner are served at the hotel.

Day ten – Madrid

Why not try dunking your churros in hot chocolate this morning? A naughty but nice Spanish speciality breakfast. Today, you can participate in the gastronomic revolution and experience a traditional Paella Cooking Class or Ribera Del Duero Wine Escapade. Various other exciting tours allow you to discover the El Escorial Monarchy, Toledo, Avila, and the Segovia UNESCO World Heritage Discovery. Your trip manager will be at your disposal to help you decide.

Day eleven – Madrid to Seville

Another early start where you will make your way from Madrid to Seville on the Spanish high-speed train. The cross-country train affords you impressive views of the countryside and the picturesque inland villages. Check-in to your indulgent hotel and freshen up before embarking on a tour around the city and exploring the extraordinary Isla de la Cartuja (Island of the Carthusians). The island in the Guadalquivir River is home to Monasterio de Santa María de las Cuevas and where Cristopher Columbus lived, whilst he planned his voyage to the west. You can spend the rest of the day with your guide or wander at your own pace through winding medieval lanes, looking up at the colossal Gothic cathedral or enjoying stepping back into Moorish history and admiring aristocratic mansions. At night, the city is busy with diners, and clubs come alive with intense flamenco dancers. You’ll be served fabulous Sevillano cocktails and dinner at the hotel.

Day twelve – Seville

Start the day with a traditional tostada before hitting the Moorish streets again to discover the Gibraltar and Ronda’s Heritage, Tangier’s Moroccan Escape, Granada’s Alhambra’s Discovery, Cordoba’s Discovery, or An Evening of Flamenco. Your trip manager will be with you to ensure that you capture all the city’s highlights and surrounding areas.

Seville to your next destination or home

This is your last day. Depending on your schedule for your next destination or flight home, you might want to continue sightseeing around glorious Seville, purchase some more souvenirs, or relax.