2012 |

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF SPAIN & FRANCE

Tour Code - 6880

10 days Madrid to Paris Madrid, Barcelona, Avignon, Paris

All inclusive prices starting at: $1487

By road and rail discover the highlights of Spain and France on this exciting journey from Madrid to Paris.  Explore Madrid with your local guide on the included city sightseeing.   Soak in the morning views as you head northeast to Saragossa and later to Catalonia’s vibrant capital, Barcelona.  Here you’ll see the Olympic Stadium, and an opportunity to admire Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces in the Houses Battló and Mila and the Sagrada Familia. An excursion to Montserrat, situated 4055 feet above sea level, acquaints you with the site of the Benedictine abbey.  Visit Carcassonne, complete with ramparts, castle walls and drawbridges, this medieval city is a photographer’s delight before heading to Avignon.  Enjoy a visit to Arles, known by the paintings of Van Gogh, and Aix-En-Provence with time to stroll along the Cours Mirabeau and Place Verdun.  In Avignon visit the Palace of the Popes before boarding the TGV train to Paris.  Guided sightseeing in Paris includes a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral and views of the best know Parisian sights; La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and much more.

Meals

  • Breakfast - 9
  • Lunch - 0
  • Dinner - 3

Standard Features

INDIVIDUAL HEADSETS
SIGHTSEEING: Visits to Saragossa, Montserrat, Carcassonne, Arles, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS: Penedes area, Costa Dorada, Provence
GUIDES: Local Guides for city sightseeing in Madrid, Barcelona, Paris. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring
TRANSPORTATION: Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. TGV train from Avignon to Paris (standard class)
HOTELS:Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
MEALS: 9 buffet breakfasts (B); 3 dinners (D)
OPTIONALS: Choice of optional excursions available at reasonable prices to customise your own experience

HIGHLIGHTS OF SPAIN & FRANCE

Day by Day

DayDescription
1

ARRIVAL IN MADRID, SPAIN.

Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring lively Madrid. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers. (D)

2

MADRID.

Not only is Madrid the capital of Spain, but because it is situated 665 metres (2,180 feet) above sea level, the Spanish rightly say it is the nearest thing to heaven. This morning, enjoy the main highlights on the included guided sightseeing excursion. Later, maybe join an optional excursion to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen. (B)

3

MADRID-SARAGOSSA-BARCELONA.

This morning, enjoy vistas of the Spanish countryside as you drive northeast to Saragossa, situated on the banks of the River Ebro, for a short visit. Later, head towards Catalonia's lively and beautiful capital, Barcelona. (B,D)

4

BARCELONA.

Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a drive around Montjuic to see the Olympic Stadium and a great panoramic view of the port and city. The drive continues to the city centre to Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity of Gaudi's architectural masterpieces in the Houses Battlo and Mila and the Sagrada Familia (entrance fees not included). (B)

5

BARCELONA.

Today, enjoy the included visit to Montserrat, situated 1236 metres (4,055 feet) above sea level in a mountain range composed of strikingly pink conglomerate, a form of sedimentary rock, and site of a Benedictine abbey that hosts the Virgin of Montserrat Sanctuary, patron of Catalonia. The monastery was founded in 1025 and the current sanctuary dates from 592. Time to stroll around the picturesque squares and streets before your visit to a local wine cellar to enjoy some wine tasting. A scenic drive along the Costa Dorada brings you back to Barcelona for an overnight. (B)

6

BARCELONA-CARCASSONNE,FRANCE-AVIGNON.

Leave Spain this morning and head for the Spanish-French border. En route, visit Carcassonne, the most medieval-looking city in the whole of France. Fortifications, ramparts, castle walls, drawbridges, and much else from the Middle Ages are still well preserved and certainly worth seeing. Later, overnight in Avignon. (B,D)

7

AVIGNON. EXCURSION TO AIX-EN-PROVENCE.

This morning, visit the Roman amphitheatre in Arles, the most famous of all the Provence towns, known the world over by the paintings of Van Gogh. This afternoon is dedicated to Aix-en-Provence, one of France's most elegant cities. Explore its centre on foot, stroll along shaded Cours Mirabeau, admire its famous cafes and fountains, discover colourful squares, or barter with the locals at the quaint flea market on Place de Verdun. Also enjoy some wine tasting at a local cellar. Return to overnight in Avignon. (B)

8

AVIGNON-PARIS.

Start the day with an included visit of the Palace of the Popes, seat of the papacy from 1309 to 1377 instead of Eternal Rome (audio guide included). Later, free time to explore the centre of Avignon and view its famous St. Benezet Bridge. In the afternoon, board the TGV train grande vitesse for the journey to Paris. (B)

9

PARIS.

Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with an inside visit to Notre Dame Cathedral, then on to many of the best-known Parisan sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysees. Optional excursions are also available to see the most famous Parisian sights. To celebrate the success of your tour, a French farewell dinner might be just the ticket. (B)

10

PARIS.

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

HIGHLIGHTS OF SPAIN & FRANCE

Dates/Prices

NB: All prices listed are per person

May 2012

Start DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin ShareSingle
05 May 201214 May 2012On Request $1583 AUD $2101 AUD Hotel List

Jun 2012

Start DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin ShareSingle
02 Jun 201211 Jun 2012On Request $1583 AUD $2101 AUD Hotel List
16 Jun 201225 Jun 2012On Request $1583 AUD $2101 AUD Hotel List

Jul 2012

Start DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin ShareSingle
21 Jul 201230 Jul 2012Open $1564 AUD $2082 AUD Hotel List

Aug 2012

Start DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin ShareSingle
04 Aug 201213 Aug 2012Open $1564 AUD $2082 AUD Hotel List

Sep 2012

Start DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin ShareSingle
01 Sep 201210 Sep 2012Open $1583 AUD $2101 AUD Hotel List
15 Sep 201224 Sep 2012Open $1583 AUD $2101 AUD Hotel List
22 Sep 201201 Oct 2012On Request $1583 AUD $2101 AUD Hotel List
29 Sep 201208 Oct 2012Open $1583 AUD $2101 AUD Hotel List

Oct 2012

Start DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin ShareSingle
06 Oct 201215 Oct 2012On Request $1545 AUD $2063 AUD Hotel List
13 Oct 201222 Oct 2012Open $1545 AUD $2063 AUD Hotel List
20 Oct 201229 Oct 2012On Request $1525 AUD $2043 AUD Hotel List
27 Oct 201205 Nov 2012Open $1525 AUD $2043 AUD Hotel List

Nov 2012

Start DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin ShareSingle
03 Nov 201212 Nov 2012On Request $1487 AUD $2005 AUD Hotel List
10 Nov 201219 Nov 2012Open $1487 AUD $2005 AUD Hotel List

Accommodation Prices

Pre & Post TourCityStart DateEnd DateSingle PriceTwin PriceTriple Price
POSTParis01 Jan 201231 Dec 2012 $159 AUD $96 AUD $82 AUD
PREMadrid30 Dec 201131 Dec 2012 $ AUD $87 AUD $ AUD

Charges

TypeNamePrice
OPTIONALGratuity95 AUD

HIGHLIGHTS OF SPAIN & FRANCE

Tour Code - 6880

10 days Madrid to Paris Madrid, Barcelona, Avignon, Paris

See more information about the ships on this cruise:

HIGHLIGHTS OF SPAIN & FRANCE

Tour Map

HIGHLIGHTS OF SPAIN & FRANCE

Optional Excursions

To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour. Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.

PriceDetails
70  EUR

Name: CABARET SHOW
Location: PARIS
Description: A trip to Paris is not complete without a visit to a typical cabaret show. A glass of champagne is served during the show.
68  EUR

Name: DINNER & FLAMENCO ON RAMBLAS
Location: BARCELONA
Description: Evening out in the heart of Barcelona - enjoy a buffet dinner with Spanish specialities, including wine or soft drinks. Then see the best professional flamenco dancers, singers and guitarists in town. A glass of champagne is served during the show.
50  EUR

Name: ESCORIAL & VALLEY OF THE FALLEN
Location: MADRID
Description: Enjoy a visit to two of Spain's most famous sights: El Escorial, which is a world heritage site and then the Valley of the Fallen, where you can see the Basilica at 1350 metres above sea level where an impressive 150m high cross dominates the magnificent nature reserve of Madrid's mountain range.
58  EUR

Name: FAREWELL DINNER & ORIENTATION
Location: PARIS
Description: The evening consists of a memorable four-course dinner with an aperitif and wine. After dinner you will enjoy a breathtaking orientation drive of the city.
35  EUR

Name: MADRID BY NIGHT & TAPAS
Location: MADRID
Description: An authentic Spanish food experience in a tapas restaurant situated in the centre of the capital: typical gourmet food such as "pisto manchego" (vegetables) with egg, Iberian ham & cheese, Spanish omelette and many other specialities. After dinner, an orientation drive of Madrid to admire the city with its splendid avenues, illuminated fountains and beautiful promenades.
45  EUR

Name: PROVENCAL DINNER
Location: AVIGNON
Description: Your tour director will accompany you to a typical French restaurant located in the centre of Avignon. Enjoy a delicious dinner including wine and coffee. After dinner, there's time to stroll through the narrow streets of Old Avignon to admire the windows painted with effigies of famous actors, in keeping with the city's theatrical vocation.
65  EUR

Name: VERSAILLES SUN KING'S PALACE
Location: PARIS
Description: Week-ends visit > Historic Versailles is the beautiful restored palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King. After the guided tour of the palace, you can stroll in the magnificent terraced gardens with their fountains and statues. The Palace of Versailles is open every day except Mondays and bank holidays. On these days, you will be offered alternative sights.
 
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