11D10N MADRID TO ROME

Day 1

Saturday

MADRID

Welcome to Madrid! Upon arrival at the airport, we’ll be ready to transfer you to your hotel. You’ll have some free time until the tour begins. Please check the information signs in the hotel reception area for details about the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.

In the evening, we’ll provide a transfer to Plaza Mayor and La Latina, Madrid’s most famous neighborhood for nightlife and tapas restaurants. You can choose to dine at a restaurant of your preference—options include Indian, Chinese, Spanish, and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Day 2

Sunday

MADRID

The morning will begin with a comprehensive tour of central Madrid, featuring highlights like Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. We’ll then visit Retiro Park, a beautiful oasis in the city center, where we’ll see the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Admission is included to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid—considered by many to be the best football club in the world. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening, we’ll provide a return transfer to the hotel.

Day 3

Monday

MADRID - ZARAGOZA - POBLET - BARCELONA

In the morning, we’ll leave for Aragon, travelling through the lands of Castile. Our first stop will be in Zaragoza to admire the stunning Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. We’ll then journey to the serene Poblet Abbey, one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world (tickets included). Finally, we’ll head to Barcelona, where we’ll arrive in the evening.

Day 4

Tuesday

BARCELONA - GIRONA

In the morning, we´ll embark on a tour of the City of Counts. This vibrant city, nestled along the Mediterranean Sea, is famous for Gaudi’s modernist architecture, the bustling Ramblas, and its rich history, highlighted by the Universal Exposition and the Olympics hosted here. Barcelona is renowned as one of the most beautiful and fascinating European capitals. In the evening, we’ll leave Barcelona and travel north into Catalonia. Before settling into our hotel, we’ll take a walk in Girona, exploring its historic center, known for its colorful houses, the old Jewish quarter, and its impressive cathedral.

Day 5

Wednesday

GIRONA - CAREERS OF LIGHTS - CHAMBÉRY

We’ll head to France, traveling through the Provence region. Our first stop will be Arles, a small UNESCO World Heritage city known for its connections to Van Gogh. Here, we can visit the Roman theater and quaint Romanesque churches. There will be time to explore and have lunch. Next, we’ll include a visit to Carrières des Lumières, an incredible underground art experience featuring a captivating display of art, images, and sound in an ancient quarry. We’ll arrive in Chambery, the charming capital of Savoy, for the evening, a medieval style city with beautiful historic center and large castle.

Note: If tickets for the Carrières des Lumières show are unavailable due to high demand, we will provide an alternative visit to the Pont du Gard, a famous Roman aqueduct

Day 6

Thursday

CHAMBÉRY - GENEVA - GRUYRES - LEYSIN

We’ll journey to Switzerland, arriving in Geneva. With our guide, we’ll go to Palais des Nations (headquarters of the United Nations in Europe), and we’ll see the beautiful English Garden with its flower clock, and admire the Jet d’Eau, the tallest fountain in Europe. Our next stop will be the charming, walled village of Gruyères, world-renowned for its cheese. Nearby, there are some of Switzerland´s major chocolate factories, including Nestlé. Our tour includes admission to the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory, where you’ll enjoy a sweet tasting experience!

We’ll continue our journey along scenic roads, passing through bucolic mountain landscapes and picturesque wooden villages, until we reach Chillon Castle, built on the shores of Lake Geneva (admission included). We’ll arrive in Leysin by mid-afternoon, a charming holiday village with spectacular views of the Rhône Valley and Mont Blanc. Leysin is well-known for its winter sports resort and hiking options. Dinner will be included

Note: Depending on availability, accommodation may sometimes be in another charming Swiss town nestled in the Alps, such as Martigny.

Day 7

Friday

LEYSIN - INTERLAKEN - LUCERNE - ZURICH

We’ll experience stunning mountain scenery today, so be sure to pack your winter clothes. We’ll ascend to Glacier 3000 by cable car ride, one of the most spectacular spots in Switzerland featuring ice and snow year-round, and where you can walk on the suspended bridge between two mountain peaks, explore the Ice Cathedral, or enjoy the Fun Park. We’ll stop in Interlaken for lunch before traveling to Lucerne, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. In the evening, we’ll arrive in Zurich, with some time to explore the center before heading to the hotel.

Note: Occasionally, due to weather conditions such as rain or strong winds, the cable car to Glacier 3000 may not operate.

Day 8

Saturday

ZURICH - BELLINZONA - COMO - MILAN

We’ll leave Zurich early in the morning, crossing the Alps to reach the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Our first stop will be Bellinzona, renowned for its three medieval castles, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Perched on the hills overlooking the city, these castles highlight Bellinzona´s historical significance as a key alpine stronghold. Enjoy some free time to wander through the charming streets of the center. Next, we´ll enter Italy and stop in the charming town of Como for lunch. This town is considered the jewel of Lombardy, known for its beautiful gardens beside the lake and its spectacular cathedral. We’ll continue to Milan, where our guide will take us to the impressive Piazza del Duomo. You’ll have some time to wander around before we transfer you to the hotel.

Day 9

Sunday

MILAN - PISA - ROME

Today, we’ll continue our journey to Pisa. We´ll ride a small tourist train to the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), where you´ll have time to admire one of the most captivating and beautiful art complexes in Italy, including the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Afterwards, we’ll head to Rome, arriving later in the day.

Day 10

Monday

ROME

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. We recommend visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

In the evening, we’ll provide a transfer to Trastevere, perfect for a leisurely stroll through its charming, narrow cobblestone streets. This district is rich in hidden gems, from quaint medieval churches and quirky shops selling unique items to everyday scenes of local life. You’ll find many trattorias (casual eating establishments, typically less formal than a ristorante) and osterias (similar to taverns), each exuding Italian charm and ready to serve you authentic local dishes. Additionally, the area offers a variety of restaurants serving Indian, Chinese, and international cuisine. We’ll return to the hotel at the end of the evening.

Day 11

Tuesday

ROME

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