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10-day Spain, France & Italy Experience
Itinerary
DAY 1 DEPART
Departure from the US.
DAY 2 BARCELONA
Welcome to España as you arrive in Barcelona. Relax and freshen up at the hotel before enjoying a stroll down Las Ramblas and an early tapas dinner. Your bed awaits, promising pleasant dreams of your adventure ahead.
DAY 3 BARCELONA
Time to begin your day. First thing – a bus tour of Barcelona’s highlights with an expert guide, including a visit to one of the main symbols of this city, Gaudí’s cathedral, La Sagrada Familia. The Barrio Gótico, with its narrow streets and charming squares, is the perfect neighbourhood in which to have free time and explore. Stop off to soak up some of the atmosphere at one of the famous old coffee houses in the area, Mesón del Café. That evening, step into the magical world of Gaudí as you take a night-time stroll along one of Barcelona’s most attractive boulevards, Passeig de Gràcia, where you’ll see two of Gaudí’s masterpieces in full illumination. Try the wonderful night-time Spanish tradition of eating delicious chocolate con churros. Disco option at night.
DAY 4 CARCASSONNE
Adiós España as you head across the Pyrenées, and down into the walled city of Carcassonne in France. This great fortress city has a fairy-tale magic with its cobblestone streets and amazingly wellpreserved ramparts and towers. En route to Provence, you’ll travel through the vineyards of the beautiful Languedoc. ECI Experience Extra of your choice.
DAY 5 ARLES
Next on the agenda – step back in time with a visit to the Pont du Gard and the amazing Roman city of Arles. Then it’s on to the Côte d’Azur and the beautiful city of Nice.
DAY 6 NICE
Ride the train touristique from the Promenade des Anglais through Nice’s Old Town, then high above the city for an amazing view of the sparkling blue Mediterranean. Afterwards, let your nose be your guide as you go on to the hilltop village of Eze, where you can experience perfume making at its best. Continue on to glittering Monaco, famous throughout the world for its wealth, beauty, and royal family. Enjoy a fun orientation walk and free time for shopping and strolling. Later, drive back to Nice for an ECI Experience Extra of your choice and an evening on the town.
DAY 7 FLORENCE & PISA
It’s now time to say “au revoir” to France and “Arrivederci” to Italy! Depart Nice by chartered bus for Florence with an en-route visit to Pisa, where you’ll see the famous leaning tower. Dinner will be in Florence, with free time to track down the best gelato in Italy.
DAY 8 FLORENCE
You have a very full day of culture ahead. Florence is the birthplace of Renaissance art, so no trip to the city would be complete without stops at the Accademia for a glimpse of Michelangelo’s David, and the Uffizi to see the great works of Italy’s finest painters: da Vinci, Giotto, and Raphael. Your guided walking tour will also lead you to further treasures, including the Duomo, the Baptistry Doors, and the Santa Croce church. You still have free time to enjoy the Ponte Vecchio before departing for Rome. A highlight that evening will be a floodlit walking tour of the Eternal City, stopping off at the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain along the way.
DAY 9 ROME
Even though it’s your last day in Rome, let’s begin at the beginning. Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears – and eyes – as we head off on a journey through Roman history. From the Forum to the Colosseum to the Vatican City – all of Rome is waiting to be discovered in a day. There’s still time to get that last-minute souvenir, as you enjoy free time in one of the city’s many shopping districts. A fantastic farewell dinner will top off your European adventure.
DAY 10 HOME
Depart for the US.
