Highlights of France and Barcelona with Madrid Extension
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One of our most popular France and Spain trips, this jam-packed journey from Paris to Barcelona is a feast for every sense, from lunch with locals and elegant châteaux in the Loire Valley, to the buzz of Avignon's Place de l'Horloge and the irresistible French Riviera.
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Travel Style - Regional Explorer
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This capital city is your launch pad for an epic adventure through the highlights of France and magnificent Barcelona. Spend your first day in the 'City of Lights' exploring the art, architecture and culture of this romantic city on your own. Visit the Mona Lisa in the Louvre or relax in manicured gardens watching the world go by. This evening, join your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive past some of the city's most impressive sights, including the grand Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Pullman La Defense
Spend the morning in the company of a Local Specialist, who will share with you the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris, revealing how Parisians live and shop. Visit the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Walk along the Seine and admire the talents of street artists and performers, amble through the scenic hilltop village of Montmartre or relax with a café au lait watching the world go by. This evening, consider soaking up the pageantry of Paris with an Optional Experience to a popular Parisian cabaret.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Montmartre Village And Artists' Square
Many people go to Paris, but only a few are lucky enough to experience what it’s really all about. Join us for a stroll with our Local Specialist through Montmartre – an artists’ village once home to Picasso and Toulouse Lautrec, tucked away from the modern city. The paint will still be wet on the canvasses, as we watch apprentices work before our eyes in the famous Artist’s Square. Mingle, barter, and stand in awe of Sacré Coeur Basilica in this historic, bohemian neighbourhood.
Adult Price: €37.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Moulin Rouge Cabaret And Dinner
It’s world famous for a reason, and this is your chance to see the real-life inspiration behind the award-winning movie. This Parisian institution features 60 dancers and entertainers with over 1,000 costumes to create a dazzling spectacle. You'll enjoy wine, dinner and Champagne during this unforgettable soirée at the original Parisian Cabaret!
Adult Price: €165.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 3
Chartres and Châteaux in the Loire Valley
Visit Chartres, an important place of pilgrimage on 'Way of Saint James', with its inspiring French Gothic Art cathedral which is renowned for its stained glass windows and two contrasting spires. We journey through the rolling landscape of the Loire Valley, past beautiful villages and castles. View the impressive Château de Chambord, a marvel of French Renaissance architecture, then visit Château de Chenonceau, before joining your travel companions and the de Montferrier family on their farm near the famous Château de Villandry for a traditional three-course Tourangelle Be My Guest dinner experience paired with local wines.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Mercure Tours Nord
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 4
Onwards to Renaissance Lyon
Travelling through the heart of France, we arrive in the gastronomic capital of Lyon where we'll join a Local Specialist for a tour of the old city revealing its rich cultural heritage. Wander through the traboules of France's largest Renaissance city and marvel at the magnificent skyline from Fourvière hill. We dine at our hotel this evening, with the rest of the night free to explore the city. See the glittering Renaissance façades lit up at night, attend a world-famous opera or stroll along the river - a peaceful end to a busy day.
Journey to Papal Avignon and on to the French Riviera
From Lyon, we drive to Avignon, a Papal Seat in the 14th century. See the Papal Palace, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, and the famous bridge immortalised in the French song - Sur le Pont d'Avignon. Dive Into Culture as you indulge in a glass of the local vintage on a Provençal terrace. This afternoon we arrive in the seaside retreat of Nice, where an orientation tour will introduce you to this coastal city, a favourite retreat among aristocrats for centuries. Walk along the famous Promenade des Anglais and across the checker-board pavement of Place Masséna, before spending the rest of the evening at leisure.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 6
Enjoy a Day in Monaco
Relax on the sun-kissed shores of the Côte d'Azur today. Retreat to the beach with your fellow sun-worshippers, relax at a café overlooking the Bay of Angels or take a stroll along the promenade. You could choose instead to embark on an Optional Experience to the medieval hill-top village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Later, we'll enjoy an excursion through splendid seaside scenery to Monaco where you'll view the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
St Paul, Corniche Drive, Perfumery and Meal
Today, with our Local Specialist, let's discover the artists' and shoppers' paradise that is medieval St. Paul, consistently named the most beautiful hilltop town in this region. Next, we’ll travel the Corniche roads, to witness spectacular views of the area's gorgeous landscapes and lavish villas. We’ll then pay a visit to a traditional French perfumery and finish our excursion at a local restaurant for a delicious meal with wine.
Adult Price: €83.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 7
Off to Colourful Arles and Carcassonne
We travel west to the Camargue centre of Arles, with its colourful façades and Roman ruins, before continuing through the landscapes of Provence immortalised in the works of Cézanne and Van Gogh. Arriving in the fortified city of Carcassonne, we join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of the Cité which spans some 3km and features 52 towers.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Best Western Le Donjon
You simply can’t come to France without seeing all of the treasures the Romans left behind. Marvel at the Amphitheatre they built 2000 years ago. Then, switch gears with your Local Specialist to learn about Arles’ other great claim to fame – the locations where Vincent Van Gogh produced some of his most famous works in Provence, including The Starry Night.
Adult Price: €23.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 8
Pass the Pyrenees to Barcelona
Driving past the foothills of the Pyrenees, we stop in Figueres to visit the Dalí Theatre and Museum where we will Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the fascinating world of Salvador Dalí. See his work in this impressive building, before arriving in Barcelona this afternoon for an included sightseeing tour. We'll see the Columbus Monument and Antoni Gaudí's unfinished La Sagrada Família, with a Local Specialist. The evening is yours to explore this Mediterranean gem. Consider an Optional Experience to enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine and entertainment, or enjoy a delicious tapas feast on your own at one of the city's fine restaurants.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Hyatt Regency Tower/Fairmont Rey Juan Carlos
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Catalonian Dinner And The Dancing Fountains
Join us for drinks and a Catalonian feast in the bustling city of Barcelona. After dinner, we’ll take you to see the spectacle of the famous Dancing Fountains, which were built for the 1929 World’s Fair and are one of the wonders of the modern world. This optional experience is subject to availability as the fountains do not operate every day.
Adult Price: €59.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Flamenco Spectacular With Dinner
Come and experience the passion and spirit of Spain at a spectacular flamenco evening. This modern interpretation of Spain's most famous entertainment is one of the best shows in town, and we’ve even included dinner and drinks.
Adult Price: €87.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 9
Discover Lively Barcelona
Spend the day soaking up the vibrant spirit of Barcelona. Ramble up Las Ramblas and people-watch in the Plaça de Catalunya, explore the whimsical architecture of Gaudí dotted across the city or consider an Optional Experience to Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. A further option is a meander up to Montserrat to visit its Benedictine monastery and see the mysterious Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner with wine at a traditional Spanish restaurant.
Today, with our Local Specialist, we'll take a drive to the enchanting and mystical mountain of Montserrat, with its breathtaking views and spectacular scenery. While there, we'll visit the Benedictine monastery to view the famed Black Madonna.
Adult Price: €40.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Barcelona, Past and Present
Step back in time to uncover the history of the Barcelona from its Roman beginnings to the modern day. With your Local Specialist, stroll the maze of narrow streets and courtyards, home to gothic churches, the Kings Square, and the Jewish Quarter. Spain’s Golden Era will come alive as we visit sites from Columbus’ return from the Americas, the Spanish Inquisition, and the Spanish Civil War. We’ll finish at a local food market to shop like the locals and perhaps try traditional tapas.
Adult Price: €29.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 10
Journey By Train to Madrid
Take the train to the Spanish capital. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Ayre Gran Colon
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 11
Fiery Madrid Your Way
After breakfast, enjoy a full free day at leisure to enjoy the sights and sounds of Madrid.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 12
Farewell Madrid
Enjoy breakfast before you are transferred to Madrid Airport for your onward journey home.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 2
Montmartre Village And Artists' Square
Many people go to Paris, but only a few are lucky enough to experience what it’s really all about. Join us for a stroll with our Local Specialist through Montmartre – an artists’ village once home to Picasso and Toulouse Lautrec, tucked away from the modern city. The paint will still be wet on the canvasses, as we watch apprentices work before our eyes in the famous Artist’s Square. Mingle, barter, and stand in awe of Sacré Coeur Basilica in this historic, bohemian neighbourhood.
Adult Price: €37.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 2
Moulin Rouge Cabaret And Dinner
It’s world famous for a reason, and this is your chance to see the real-life inspiration behind the award-winning movie. This Parisian institution features 60 dancers and entertainers with over 1,000 costumes to create a dazzling spectacle. You'll enjoy wine, dinner and Champagne during this unforgettable soirée at the original Parisian Cabaret!
Adult Price: €165.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 6
St Paul, Corniche Drive, Perfumery and Meal
Today, with our Local Specialist, let's discover the artists' and shoppers' paradise that is medieval St. Paul, consistently named the most beautiful hilltop town in this region. Next, we’ll travel the Corniche roads, to witness spectacular views of the area's gorgeous landscapes and lavish villas. We’ll then pay a visit to a traditional French perfumery and finish our excursion at a local restaurant for a delicious meal with wine.
Adult Price: €83.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 7
On the Trail of Vincent Van Gogh
You simply can’t come to France without seeing all of the treasures the Romans left behind. Marvel at the Amphitheatre they built 2000 years ago. Then, switch gears with your Local Specialist to learn about Arles’ other great claim to fame – the locations where Vincent Van Gogh produced some of his most famous works in Provence, including The Starry Night.
Adult Price: €23.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 8
Catalonian Dinner And The Dancing Fountains
Join us for drinks and a Catalonian feast in the bustling city of Barcelona. After dinner, we’ll take you to see the spectacle of the famous Dancing Fountains, which were built for the 1929 World’s Fair and are one of the wonders of the modern world. This optional experience is subject to availability as the fountains do not operate every day.
Adult Price: €59.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 8
Flamenco Spectacular With Dinner
Come and experience the passion and spirit of Spain at a spectacular flamenco evening. This modern interpretation of Spain's most famous entertainment is one of the best shows in town, and we’ve even included dinner and drinks.
Adult Price: €87.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 9
Mystical Montserrat
Today, with our Local Specialist, we'll take a drive to the enchanting and mystical mountain of Montserrat, with its breathtaking views and spectacular scenery. While there, we'll visit the Benedictine monastery to view the famed Black Madonna.
Adult Price: €40.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 9
Barcelona, Past and Present
Step back in time to uncover the history of the Barcelona from its Roman beginnings to the modern day. With your Local Specialist, stroll the maze of narrow streets and courtyards, home to gothic churches, the Kings Square, and the Jewish Quarter. Spain’s Golden Era will come alive as we visit sites from Columbus’ return from the Americas, the Spanish Inquisition, and the Spanish Civil War. We’ll finish at a local food market to shop like the locals and perhaps try traditional tapas.
Adult Price: €29.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Return to 17th-century France and join the de Montferrier family on their farm near the famous Château de Villandry for a traditional three-course Tourangelle Be My Guest dinner paired with local wines. (Day 3)
Dive into Culture
People-watch over a glass of delicious local wine at the bustling Place de l'Horloge in the heart of Avignon. (Day 5) Visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum, considered Salvador Dalí's last great work offering visitors real insight into his captivating world. (Day 8)
Sightseeing highlights
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Explore Paris, Lyon, Carcassonne and Barcelona with a Local Specialist
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Discover Avignon, Nice, Monaco and Arles
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Visit Saint-Sulpice Church in Paris, Château de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley and the Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figueres
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View Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Chartres Cathedral, Château de Chambord, the Papal Palace of Avignon, the Promenade des Anglais and Place Masséna in Nice, Monaco's Royal Palace and Cathedral, the Roman Amphitheatre of Arles and the La Sagrada Família and Columbus Monument in Barcelona
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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Optional Experiences and free time
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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High-speed train from Barcelona to Madrid
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Handcrafted Highlights
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Highlights of France and Barcelona with Madrid Extension Trip Reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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4
The hotels were comfortable and mostly in the centres where we wanted to be.
The tour director was efficient, polite and informative and covered everything needed. The driver was careful and we felt very safe. The tour covered most of what we expected.
We really appreciate the Services Trafalgar extended to us. We specially love our tour guide Krista. She was very informative, helpful and entertaining. We will definitely avail of your travel packages again and refer them to our friends and families.
We had so much fun in this trip can't wait to our next destination. We love krista so much she's wonderful and also rui our driver they are the best. We hope they will be there in our next journey. Thank you so much Trafalgar!
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1.
Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink in all of the destinations on this trip. Please remember to bring a water bottle.
Bastille Day is a national holiday in France. Celebrations will be taking place throughout the country on 14 July.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
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