Itinerary

Day 1 – BARCELONA
Welcome to Barcelona! Upon arriving at the airport, we will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Check the information boards in the hotel reception area for details of the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.

Day 2 – BARCELONA – GIRONA
In the morning we will enjoy the city tour of Barcelona, open to the Mediterranean Sea, famous for Gaudí and its modernist architecture, for its promenades and memories of the Universal Exhibitions and Olympics that took place there. Barcelona is considered one of the most beautiful and interesting European cities. In the evening, we will leave Barcelona towards the north of Catalonia. Before the accommodation in the hotel, we will have a walk-through GIRONA, contemplating its historic center of a great beauty, highlighting its colorful houses, the old Jewish quarter and the cathedral.

Day 3 – GIRONA – CAREERS OF LIGHT – CHAMBERY
We leave for France, crossing Provence. We will make a stop in ARLES, a small world heritage city where we will remember Van Gogh, and can see Roman theatre and small Romanesque churches. Time for a stroll and lunch. We carry on and include admission to CARRIERES DE LUMIERE, an impressive show of art, image and sound underground, in former quarries. CHAMBERY, arrival and accommodation in the charming capital of Savoy, a medieval city with a beautiful old town and a great castle.

Note: When due to the influx of public it is not possible to obtain tickets for the Carrieres de Lumière show, as an alternative there will be a transfer provided to the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard.

Day 4 – CHAMBERY – GENEVA – GRUYERES – LEYSIN
We travel to Switzerland. GENEVA, arrival. With our guide we will go to the Palace of Nations (the headquarters of the United Nations in Europe) to the pretty English Garden with its clock made of flowers and we can admire the “Jet d´Eau”, the tallest fountain in Europe. We go on to the picturesque walled village of GRUYERES, known worldwide for its cheese. Free time to stroll and have lunch. Nearby there are several of the main chocolate factories in Switzerland (NESTLE amongst them), and we will visit the Cailler chocolate factory, with a tasting included!

After this we go on to CHILLON CASTLE, built in the waters of the lake. Entrance included to this fantastic medieval castle. We will continue travelling through smaller roads amidst bucolic mountain landscapes and very picturesque wooden villages. – Arrival in LEYSIN, a beautiful little holiday village with spectacular views of the Rhône plain and Mont Blanc, known for its winter sports resort or its hiking possibilities. Dinner included.

Day 5 – LEYSIN – INTERLAKEN – LUCERNE – ZURICH
Today´s stage has beautiful high mountain scenery. Don´t forget your winter clothes, we climb to one of the most spectacular spots in Switzerland, where you can see ice and snow all year round. We include the cable car ride up to GLACIER 3000, where you can walk on the suspended bridge in the gap between two mountain peaks, enter the Ice Cathedral or “play” in the Fun Park. We will make a stop in INTERLAKEN to have lunch. Among very picturesque lakes we continue to LUCERNE, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. Continue to ZURICH, where there is time for a stroll downtown before going to the hotel.

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

Day 6 – ZURICH – LUGANO – MORCOTE – MILAN
We will leave Zurich early in the morning and cut across the Alps in order to reach the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Alongside the route we will get to see beautiful lakes and snow-capped mountains. LUGANO. Arrival in the cosmopolitan capital of the Italian Switzerland built next to its beautiful lake. Time to have a stroll and have lunch. Next, we will reach the enchanting little town of MORCOTE famous for its flowery stone houses. We will then travel to Italy. Arrival in MILAN where the guide will take us to the impressive Duomo Square. Here you will find a variety of local and international restaurants to have dinner at. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 7 – MILAN – PISA – ROME
Today we continue our journey towards PISA. On a little tourist train, we will travel to the Piazza Dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), where there will be time to admire one of the most alluring and beautiful art complexes in Italy, including the well-known Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then, we continue to ROME, arriving at the end of the day.

Day 8 – ROME
In the morning, we have a scenic tour, which will be a great introduction to “The Eternal city”. We will visit the tiny state of the Vatican, the epicenter of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. We include the entrance to the Imperial Forums, an impressive architectural complex formed by monumental buildings and squares, center of the political activity of Imperial Rome.

At the end of the evening we arrange a transfer to Trastevere area for a stroll in the narrow-cobbled streets of the district with hidden treasures, such as some modest medieval churches, small shops with the most peculiar of objects or scenes of daily life. Many trattorias (informal Italian eating establishments) and osterias (inns) imbued with the Italian spirit will be ready to serve you local dishes. Other restaurants serving Indian, Chinese and international food can be found in this area. Return to hotel.

Day 9 – ROME – FLORENCE
Today we will leave Rome, heading north. This route has beautiful landscapes. Arriving in FLORENCE, we head straight to the impressive Piazzale Michelangelo. In the evening, we take a tour with a local expert, walking through the historic center, taking in places such as the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Plaza della Signoria. This city is truly an outdoor museum. Enjoy some leisure time to explore. In the evening you will have time for dinner, as, in this district you can find many restaurants serving international cuisine.

Day 10 – FLORENCE – VENICE
Today we enjoy stunning mountain landscapes while crossing the Apennine Mountains. We will arrive in VENICE and take the boat and cross the Giudecca to the Island of Venice. With a local guide, we will visit the marvelous St. Mark´s Square. Afterwards we will visit the Murano Glass Factory. It is fascinating to see the technique of how this ancient glass is made. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore. Accommodation in the Mestre district.

Day 11 – VENICE
After breakfast, end of our services.

 TOUR FEATURES

• General Services: Travel by bus with English speaking guide, basic travel insurance, hotel and breakfast buffet.
• On some tours, according to the number of passengers, the service may be provided in bilingual (usually in English and Spanish).
• Includes arrival transfer
• City tour in: BARCELONA, ROME, FLORENCE, VENICE
• Boat: to the island of Venice
• Evening transfer: Trastevere in Rome
• Experiences: Glacier 3000 cable car in the Alps
• Transfer: Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence
• Ticket admission: Carrieres de Lumiere Show, Chillon castle; Cailler chocolate factory, Imperial Forums of Rome, Murano Glass Factory in Venice
• Train: Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa
• 1 Dinner Included in: LEYSIN