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11-day France & Spain Experience
Itinerary
DAY 1 DEPART
Departure from the US.
DAY 2 MADRID
Land in the Spanish capital, Madrid. Spend the day relaxing and anticipating your European adventure to come. After an early dinner you will enjoy a leisurely stroll through the historic center, including the heart of the city – Plaza Mayor.
DAY 3 MADRID
Take your seat on the hop-on/hop-off bus. Don’t forget your sunglasses as you sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights of Madrid from above the crowds. Spend the afternoon immersed in Spanish culture and art with visits to both the Palacio Real and the world famous Prado art museum. Enjoy a great Spanish dinner followed by an optional exciting flamenco dance show – a fitting farewell to Madrid.
DAY 4 ZARAGOZA & BARCELONA
Depart for Barcelona. Stop off in Zaragoza, hometown of the great Goya. Wander through the Roman ruins in the shadow of the imposing cathedral before departing for the modern city of Barcelona. Get into the groove with a stroll down Las Ramblas, one of the liveliest streets of Barcelona. Later, step into the magic of Gaudí’s world, as you pass by two of his architectural masterpieces in full night-time illumination. Be sure to try the wonderful Spanish tradition of eating delicious chocolate con churros.
DAY 5 BARCELONA
Check out the Barcelona hot spots from the top of your double-decker bus. Marvel at both the inside and outside of Gaudí’s spectacular, yet unfinished, cathedral,
La Sagrada Familia. You’ll enjoy free time at Parque Güell, another Gaudí must-see experience. More free time in the afternoon and/or a visit to the Picasso Museum. Evening ECI Experience Extra of your choice. Disco option at night.
DAY 6 BARCELONA
Opt for either a free day in Barcelona for independent exploration or for a full day on the Costa Brava for a totally “surreal” experience at Dalí’s art museum. Visit a few quaint fishing villages along the way, before heading back for your last night in Barcelona.
DAY 7 TOULOUSE
Bienvenue en France! As you journey across the Pyrenées, your first taste of France will be medieval, walled Carcassonne, filled with amazingly well-preserved towers and ramparts. Wander through the cobblestone streets of La Cité before your short journey on to Toulouse. Enjoy a fun walking tour through the atmospheric streets of the floodlit city, famed for its beautiful red-brick architecture.
DAY 8 PARIS
Energize yourself with an ECI Experience Extra of your choice, followed by free time, before embarking on the last leg of your journey – three nights in Paris, the jewel in the French crown. Hop off the train, drop your bags at the hotel, and head straight for the culinary center of the city – Ile St. Louis, where you will savor a
tasty crêpe dinner and some delectable Berthillon ice cream. Enjoy a moonlit stroll down the Champs-Élysées, culminating in stunning views from the top of the Arc de Triomphe.
DAY 9 PARIS
After a morning of sightseeing, enjoy lunch at a great restaurant with undeniably the best views in town – Restaurant Altitude 95 in the Eiffel Tower. Opt for an afternoon visit to the Palace of Versailles. Don’t miss the magnificent Hall of Mirrors and opulent state apartments haunted by the ghosts of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI. Alternatively, enjoy free time in Paris. In the evening, climb the steps to Sacré Coeur and amble through the artists’ quarter of Montmartre. Pick up a tasty treat or put yourself in the hands of a skilled portrait painter for a great souvenir. Evening ECI Experience Extra of your choice (recommended: Cooking class - Create a Crêpe).
DAY 10 PARIS
Not to be missed is Europe’s premier art museum – the Louvre. Don’t leave Paris without a glimpse of Mona Lisa’s smile. First stop after lunch is Notre Dame, famed for its gruesome gargoyles and flying buttresses. Cross the river for some free time to explore the lively and Bohemian Left Bank. During dinner, look forward to your magical boat ride down the Seine, taking you past marvelous monuments magnificently illuminated in the Paris night. Bonne nuit et au revoir!
DAY 11 HOME
Depart for the US.