8 Days - Spain, Switzerland & France
Barcelona to Zurich with Paris – 8 Days (ET)
VISITING:
Barcelona, Girona, Careers of light, Chambery, Geneva, Gruyeres, Leysin, Interlaken, Lucerne, Zurich, Strasbourg, Paris
VISITING Country: Spain, Switzerland & France
DURATION:
8 Days
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 – STRASBOURG – PARIS
We leave Zurich towards the French region of Alsace to visit its capital STRASBOURG, a charming city that combines French and German influences. Time to get to know the city. After that we continue our route towards PARIS, arriving at the end of the day.
Day 7 – PARIS
We come into contact with the history of France in the immense Palace of Versailles (admission not included) with its beautiful gardens. After that, on our way back to Paris, we head to Montmartre, and take a cable car (included) to go up to this bohemian neighborhood known for its painters, artists and cabarets. To contemplate the beauty of the impressive avenues and monuments of Paris, you will have the city tour with a local guide. Return to the hotel. Optionally you can attend the variety show.
Day 8 – PARIS
We go to the center of Paris, starting by the Eiffel Tower area. You will have the opportunity to go up to the second floor of this remarkable metal monument (ticket included). Then we enjoy a boat cruise along the River Seine, which divides the north of Paris from the south. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore as you choose.
Note: in some cases, the waits to go up the Eiffel Tower are long. Thus, the climb may take place at a different time (or on Sunday), if it is considered convenient for organizational reasons.
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, PARIS
- Excursion: Versailles in Paris (entrance not included)
- Boat: River Seine in Paris
- Experiences: Glacier 3000 cable car in the Alps
- Transfer: Montmartre District in Paris, Versailles Palace in Paris (entrance not included)
- Ticket admission: Carrieres de Lumiere Show, Chillon castle; Cailler chocolate factory , 2nd Floor Eiffel Tower in Paris
- Funicular: To Montmartre district in Paris
- 1 Dinner Included in: LEYSIN
For departure dates and pricing details, please contact Go Vacation Travel