Paris to Barcelona

9 Days /8 Nights
1 night Transatlantic Flight,

2 nights Paris, 2 night Montpellier, 3 nights Barcelona,
8 Breakfasts, 8 Dinners

Day 1: DEPARTURE CITY - PARIS

Overnight flight to Paris.
 

Day 2: PARIS

Transfer to your centrally located hotel. After a short break We start with a guided tour of Paris. See: the Eiffel Tower, Old Opera, Place de la Concorde, Place de la Republique, the Obelisk, Notre Dame Cathedral (inside visit), Champs Elysees, Ecole Militaire, Tuileries Gardens, Opera, and more. Join your tour director on a walking tour to Basilica Sacre Coeur and through the narrow streets of Montmartre, full of young artists, souvenir shops and Parisian crepe food outlets. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 3: PARIS

After breakfast we will walk to the Louvre where we will have a guided tour led by the professional guide from the museum. Explore the tremendous collection of sculptures and paintings, including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. In the afternoon we walk to Pont Alma where we will board the Bateaux Mouches for an exciting cruise on the Seine River. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.
 

Day 4: PARIS - AVIGNON - NIMES - MONTPELLIER

Breakfast. We transfer to the train station to board the TGV (train à grande vitesse, or “fast train”) to Avignon, capital of the Provence region. On arrival we board our couch and drive to Pont du Gard to see the astonishing aqueduct. Dating back 2,000 years, it once supplied Roman villas with running water. We then continue to Nîmes where you will have the opportunity to visit an ancient Roman amphitheatre, originally built to accommodate thousands of spectators. Late afternoon arrival in Montpellier  Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 5: MONTPELLIER

Breakfast.  This morning we our local Tour Guide will escort us on a walking tour of Montpellier historic centre. From Place de la Comédie to Place de la Canourgue or Place du Peyrou, wander through the labyrinth of medieval alleyways and discover a city that takes you back through time. After an introduction to the city’s history, follow the ancient footsteps of Saint Jacques de Compostelle (Saint James of Compostela) pilgrims and discover the façades of private 17th and 18th century mansions, including a glimpse behind one of their doors. Stop at the places where famous people like Saint Roch, Rabelais and Jacques Coeur stayed... You will then be taken to the Mikvé (ritual Jewish bath), a real architectural medieval treasure. Finally, after visiting districts featuring majestic Haussmann architecture, the guide will show you a more unusual view of Montpellier: from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 6: MONTPELLIER - PERPIGNAN - BARCELONA

After breakfast we drive south to Perpignan, the last major town in Languedoc before the Spanish border, it’s easy to see why the flavour of Perpignan is essentially Catalan. There’s a real mix of cultures in this corner of the region: Catalan, Romany and North African all co-exist in this sunny city of palm-lined squares. After a walking tour of the historic centre and a some free time we make our way to Barcelona for a late afternoon arrival. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.
 

Day 7: BARCELONA

After breakfast your guided tour takes you past the controversial and still-unfinished La Sagrada Familia (the Church of the Holy Family), where you will make a photo stop. This masterpiece of twisting spires and colourful mosaics was designed by Gaudí, who estimated it would take 200 years to complete. You will also see some of Gaudi's other works during our panoramic bus tour of Paseo de Gracia, one of Spain’s most cosmopolitan streets. Check out Plaza de Catalunya and Plaza España, a bustling six-street intersection that boasts the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, a fountain that puts on a fabulous show of water, lights and music on the weekends. Then enjoy a marvellous harbour view from atop Montjuïc Hill, where much of the 1992 Olympics took place. Here, you will see the former stadium and the Olympic Rings. Continue to the Plaza de Colon and  finish your tour in the 14th-century Barrio Gótico, the oldest surviving part of the city, and home to the stunning Barcelona Cathedral. Afternoon free time Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 8: BARCELONA -TARRAGONA - SITGES - BARCELONA

After breakfast we embark on a guided tour of Spain’s most important Roman town, Tarragona, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the ancient streets inside its 2nd- and 3rd-century Roman Wall, including Las Ramblas, which offers excellent views of the lower part of the city. As you peruse Tarragona, discover the Roman architectural wonders including its circus (A.D. 81-96) and the governor’s residence. After some free time we continue to Sitges,  one of the most representative towns of Costa de Garraf, Barcelona's southern littoral. Beaches with pristine waters, some of which have been awarded the blue flag eco-label and the proximity of the mountains make of Sitges a privileged destination. The urban centre is also worth a visit. It has beautiful religious buildings such as the churches of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla. Late afternoon return to Madrid. Free time. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 9: DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.