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Day
1- Depart USA
Overnight flight to Madrid.
Day
2 - Arrive Madrid (2 nights)
You are met at Madrid airport and transferred to your hotel. After
check-in you have the chance to unwind and relax. This evening, we enjoy a
Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Hotel: Rafael Ventas (2 nights)
Day
3 - Toledo excursion & Madrid sightseeing
First we enjoy an included excursion to Toledo, capital of Castile.
Here sightseeing with a local guide includes a visit to the Synagogue, the
Church of Santo Tome and a steel workshop. Then we return to Madrid where
our guided tour shows us the Plaza Espana, the Puerta del Sol, the Cibeles
Fountain and Gran Via. Tonight why not enjoy a dinner of roast suckling
pig? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day
4 - Madrid – Barcelona (2 nights)
Today our Tour Director will reveal a special Hidden Treasure to us
all! But first we drive through the gorges of the Jalon River and continue
past Calatayud. Then our journey takes us via Zaragoza and vistas of the
Montserrat on our approach to Barcelona for two nights. This evening, we
enjoy dinner in a typical restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast, Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Duques de Bergara (2 nights)
Day
5 - Barcelona sightseeing & at leisure
Sightseeing with our local guide includes a walking tour of the Gothic
Quarter with its impressive Cathedral. We also see Gaudi's 'Sagrada
Familia' plus many of his other eccentric masterpieces. Later, we'll view
Columbus' Monument and the Ramblas. Then enjoy some free time. Why not
take an excursion to mystical Montserrat? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day
6 - Barcelona – Arles – Les Baux – Aix-en-Provence (2 nights)
First we drive to the French border and the Camargue. From here we
continue our journey to Arles where we visit the Cathedral of St. Trophime
and admire the Roman arena. Then we head to "Les Baux", France's
mysterious fortified, hilltop ghost-town! Later, we drive through Van
Gogh's St. Remy en route to
Aix-en-Provence, for dinner and overnight stay. (Buffet Breakfast /
Dinner)
Hotel: Mona Lisa Ste Victoire (2 nights)
Day
7 - Aix-en-Provence orientation & at leisure
Morning orientation shows us the elegant Cours Mirabeau with its cafés
and 19th century architecture. Then free time to visit the colourful
markets or to explore. This afternoon why not take an excursion to
Marseilles? Or maybe visit the nearby Luberon region. Your Tour Director
will advise you on the best option according to the time of year. (Buffet
Breakfast)
Day
8 - Aix-en-Provence – St. Tropez – Cannes (2 nights)
Today an early start as we drive along the highway to the coast at St.
Tropez, where there's time to watch out for the rich and famous before we
cross the Mediterranean Sea by boat to Ste. Maxime, another elegant
Riviera resort. Next a scenic drive brings us to Cannes, where we see the
Film Festival Centre and the Boulevard de la Croisette. This evening, we
enjoy a dinner of Provencal specialities in a local restaurant. (Buffet
Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Amarante (2 nights)
Day
9 - Cannes at leisure & Riviera drive to Nice
This morning, we drive along the coast through Antibes and
Juan-les-Pins to Nice where our orientation tour shows the Promenade des
Anglais and the Place Massena. Time to shop in the boutiques or to explore
the old town before returning to Cannes. The rest of your day is at
leisure. Later, why not take an excursion to visit the medieval hilltop
village of St. Paul de Vence? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day
10 - Cannes – Monaco – Pisa – Montecatini (2 nights)
First we drive to the nearby Principality of Monaco to see the Palace
of the Grimaldis and visit the Cathedral where Princess Grace is buried.
From here we are soon at the border with Italy at Ventimiglia and driving
along the Italian Riviera of the Flowers. We continue past San Remo,
Rapallo, Portofino and the quarries of Carrara to Pisa. Here we see its
famous Leaning Tower and Cathedral in the Square of Miracles. There's time
here to snap some photos and enjoy a cappuccino before a short drive
brings us to the spa-resort of Montecatini in the Tuscan hills for two
nights. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Croce di Malta (2 nights)
Day
11 - Florence Excursion
This morning it's a short drive to Renaissance Florence, where we will
spend much of our day. On our arrival enjoy a walking tour with a local
guide using our very effective audio system bringing to life our visit to
the Santa Croce Basilica and viewing Piazza Signoria, the Duomo and its
Baptistry. Then time is your own to spend in this shoppers' paradise –
which is also a haven for lovers of art and architecture. Later we return
to Montecatini for dinner and our overnight stay. (Buffet Breakfast /
Dinner)
Day
12 - Montecatini – Rome (2 nights)
Today we drive through the Chianti wine-producing region of Tuscany
and the Umbrian Hills bringing us to Rome - the 'Eternal City'. Your
evening is at leisure. Perhaps discover this city's culinary delights at a
local trattoria. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Aran Mantegna (2 nights)
Day
13 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
Our sightseeing tour with the audio system includes a visit to St
Peters in the Vatican, and views of the Forum, Colosseum and Circus
Maximus. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner together with our Tour
Director and travelling companions. (Buffet Breakfast, Farewell Dinner)
Day
14 - Rome - USA
'Buon viaggio' this morning to new-found friends as we transfer you to
the airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
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