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.
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.
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. Later, Connect With Locals, 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.
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.
From Lyon, we drive to Avignon, a Papal Seat in the 14th century. See the Popes' 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It's time to close the curtain on an unforgettable holiday in France and Barcelona. Say adiós to the bustling streets of Barcelona and your travel companions. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Available on Day 2
Led by a Local Specialist, you’ll see the 'City of Light' from a new perspective on the Panoramic Observation Deck. You’ll have all of Paris at your feet on the terrace, with unbeatable 360-degree views of the most iconic monuments. Later, you’ll visit the Latin Quarter to stroll through the medieval maze of cobblestone alleyways, with sidewalks bistros, boutiques and hidden squares to explore.
Adult Price: € 37
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
Ooh, la LA! Get swept away by Can-Can dancers and other dazzling acts at one of Paris’s oldest and most authentic cabaret houses. We’ll dine, pop a few bottles of champagne, and enjoy fun, music and la joie de vivre! Truly a night you’ll never forget.
Adult Price: € 139
Available on Day 6
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
Available on Day 7
You simply can’t come to France without seeing all of the treasures the Romans left behind. Marvel at the Amphitheater 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
Available on Day 8
Join us for drinks and a Catalonian meal 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.
Adult Price: € 59
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
Available on Day 9
Step back in time to uncover the history of 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
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. Additionally, at the daily farmer's market, we can sample and purchase their homemade cheeses, honey, and other local specialties
Adult Price: € 46