18D17N Discover Europe (AUSTRIA-FRANCE-ITALY-PORTUGAL-SPAIN-SWITZERLAND)

Day 1

Thu

LISBON

Welcome! We’ll transfer you to the hotel and you’ll have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception.

Day 2

Fri

LISBON

In the morning, we´ll embark on a sightseeing tour of Lisbon, exploring the Portuguese capital of the seven hills, with its charming alleys, iconic tiles, the feeling of "saudade," and the beautiful Atlantic light. We’ll also visit the Belem neighborhood, from where the great Portuguese navigators set sail to cross the oceans in the 15th century. Free time in the afternoon to walk and go to the Bairro Alto and its viewpoint; if you’d like to, you could take an optional trip to the towns of Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening, we’ll return to the hotel from the lively Restauradores Square, filled with vibrant bars and cafes.

Day 3

Sat

LISBON - CÁCERES - MADRID

We’ll depart from Portugal early, crossing the picturesque region of Alentejo. We’ll stop for a coffee in Estremoz, a charming town with a medieval castle, cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, and a peaceful atmosphere that embody the Portuguese identity. Continuing our journey towards Spain, we’ll arrive in Cáceres, where you can enjoy lunch and a stroll through its historic center—an exceptionally well-preserved medieval and Renaissance urban complex. Finally, we’ll proceed to Madrid, arriving in the evening with a transfer to Plaza Mayor, bustling with restaurants and vibrant life.

Day 4

Sun

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 5

Mon

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 6

Tue

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 7

Wed

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 8

Thu

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 9

Fri

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 10

Sat

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 11

Sun

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 12

Mon

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 13

Tue

ROME - FLORENCE

Today, we’ll leave Rome and head north, taking in the beautiful landscapes along the way. Upon reaching Florence, we’ll go directly to the stunning Piazzale Michelangelo for breathtaking views of the city. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a guided walking tour with a local expert through the historic center, visiting landmarks such as the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Piazza della Signoria. This city is like an open-air museum. Afterward, you´ll have some free time to explore at your leisure. In the evening, you’ll have plenty of options for dinner, as this district offers many restaurants with a variety of international cuisines.

Day 14

Wed

FLORENCE - VENICE

Today, we’ll enjoy the stunning mountain landscapes as we cross the Apennines. Upon arriving in Venice, we’ll take a boat across the Giudecca Canal to the Island of Venice. With a local guide, we’ll visit the marvelous St. Mark’s Square. Afterwards, we’ll tour the Murano Glass Factory, where you’ll see the fascinating techniques used to create this ancient glass. You´ll have some free time to explore on your own. Accommodation will be in the Mestre district.

Day 15

Thu

VENICE - INNSBRUCK - SALZBURG

We will depart from Venice, traveling to Austria! Upon arriving in Innsbruck, you’ll have time to stroll through the historic city center and enjoy lunch in the Austrian Tyrolean capital. Afterward, we’ll journey along beautiful scenic roads through the mountains to Kitzbühel. Once there, you’ll have time to explore this picturesque village, a famous ski resort where snow can be enjoyed for most of the year. We’ll continue our journey to Salzburg, arriving by the end of the day.

Note: If there are few travelers, we may take a train from Venice to Innsbruck.

Day 16

Fri

SALZBURG - LAKE TRAUNSEE - VIENNA

Today, we’ll get to know Austria better. During the morning, we´ll explore Salzburg, Mozart’s city. Its Renaissance and Baroque center is filled with beauty, all in the shadow of the grand castle. Next, we’ll travel through lakes and mountains to reach St. Wolfgang, a renowned pilgrimage site in Austria. We’ll then head to Traunkirchen, located beside the beautiful Traunsee Lake, where we’ll take an included cruise to see four of the lake´s castles before disembarking in Gmunden. Afterward, we’ll continue to Vienna, arriving in the evening.

Day 17

Sat

VIENNA

Today, we’ll embark on a panoramic tour of this impressive city with a local guide. We’ll explore its majestic avenues, beautiful palaces, large parks and vibrant city center. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore on your own. In the evening, we’ll include a transfer to the Grinzing district, an old wine-growing village now part of the city, known for its traditional taverns. You’ll have free time to dine in the area.

Day 18

Sun

VIENNA

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