Experience a Tour of Europe from Paris to Madrid

Experience a Tour of Europe from Paris to Madrid 15 Days

From $3220 USD

Trip URL: www.adventurelink.com/

Photos
Maps
Promotion

Applies to departures between:

06/14/2013 and 06/15/2013

Promotion is valid from:

05/22/2013 to 06/13/2013

Requires at least 1 passenger(s) to qualify.

Applies to departures between:

06/21/2013 and 06/22/2013

Promotion is valid from:

05/22/2013 to 06/20/2013

Requires at least 1 passenger(s) to qualify.

Applies to departures between:

06/28/2013 and 06/29/2013

Promotion is valid from:

05/22/2013 to 06/27/2013

Requires at least 1 passenger(s) to qualify.

Overview
Itinerary
Nuts & Bolts
Experts
Operator
Email to Friend

Overview

Highlights

Duration: 15 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 0%
Trip ID: 128373
Start Location: Saint-Merri, France
End Location: Sol, Spain

Guaranteed:
Yes
Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed!
1. AdventureLink has carefully handpicked the tour operators in our portfolio to give you the best possible selection and experience
2. AdventureLink does not pay the operator until your trip completes in order to ensure the highest possible standard of care
Primary Activities: Local Culture & Cuisine, Sightseeing
Other Activities: Hiking, Canoeing, Road Cycling, Hot Air Ballooning, Architecture, Kayaking, wine tasting, museums, caves
Activity Level: Basic

From the romantic capital of France to magnificent Madrid, this France and Spain combo trip is packed with art, nature, culture and history. See the sparkling Paris city lights, visit the royal chateau at Villandry and hike among the peaks of the Pyrenees. Cross the border into Spain and kick back on a sunny beach in San Sebastian to recharge before a big night out. Finally, travel to Madrid to discover a multitude of chic boutiques or lose yourself in the world-famous Prado and Reina Sofia museums.

Trip Information:

Start: Paris, France

Finish: Madrid, Spain

Group size: Min 1 , Max 12

Ages: Min 12

Included activities:

Alcazar, Chateaux Villandry & Gardens, Cycling tour, Hiking in the Pyrenees, Kayaking, Sarlat, Wine tasting Bordeaux

Notes:

A single supplement is available on this trip.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Paris, peruse iconic paintings in the Louvre: Bonjour! Welcome to France.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the evening of Day 1. You can arrive at any time during the day as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please check with the hotel reception where and when it will take place, or check the reception notice boards. If you can't arrange a flight that will have you arrive at the hotel by early evening, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

Rich in museums, art galleries, monuments, fashion and fabulous food, Paris offers a wealth of major sights and hidden treasures to discover. As there is limited time for sightseeing in Paris we recommend you make arrangements to arrive a few days early to see the highlights of this beautiful city.

Optional Activities
Arc de Triomphe, Paris - EUR9.50
Catacombs, Paris - EUR8.00
Centre Pompidou, Paris - EUR13.00
Da Vinci Code walking tour, Paris - EUR20.00
Eiffel Tower, Paris - EUR14.00
Fat Tires bike tour, Paris - EUR28.00
Louvre Museum, Paris - EUR10.00
Musee d'Orsay, Paris - EUR9.00
Napoleon's tomb, Paris - EUR9.00
Notre Dame towers, Paris - EUR8.50
Palace of Versailles gardens, Paris - Free
Palace of Versailles, Paris - EUR15.00
Paradis Latin cabaret show, Paris - EUR60.00
Picasso Museum, Paris - EUR6.50
Rodin Museum, Paris - EUR9.00
Sainte Chapelle & Conciergerie, Paris - EUR8.00

Accommodation
Hotel (1 nt)
Days 2-3: Cycle to the breathtaking Chateau Villandry, Tours: Travel by train to Tours in the Loire Valley (approx 3 hrs). Located between the Loire and Cher rivers, Tours is acclaimed as a 'town of art and history'. It's easy to see why as you explore the narrow streets, the outdoor cafes and bars in the main square, and the Rue Colbert and Rue Grand Marche, lined with gorgeous half-timbered houses.

Bicycles are a great way to explore the gentle countryside of the Loire and its magnificent historic chateaux. Enjoy a day's cycling and tour the Chateau Villandry with its beautiful 16th-century ornamental garden. The trip is a mostly flat 36 km. Please note that you'll need appropriate footwear (no flip-flops) to cycle in.

Included Activities
Chateaux Villandry & Gardens
Cycling tour

Optional Activities
Cathedrale St-Gatien, Tours - Free
Hot air balloon, Tours - EUR250.00
Musee des Beaux-Arts, Tours - EUR4.00

Accommodation
Hotel (2 nts)
Days 4-5: Visit the towering Chateau de Beynac on a kayaking excursion in Dordogne: Journey south by train to the small medieval town of Sarlat in the Dordogne region (approx 6 hrs), known for its rich cuisine, prehistoric history and relaxed pace of life.Time seems to have stood still in Sarat-la-Caneda with a slow winding river and a town so impeccably preserved that it still resembles its charming 14th-century self.

Ensure to indulge in some of the many tasty local delicacies at a streetside cafe. Ask for a 'degustation' of truffles, Confit de Canard or a host of other seasonal specialities. Paddle kayaks on the Dordogne River (approx 15km) and take in sights such as the Chateau de Beynac.

Included Activities
Kayaking, Sarlat

Optional Activities
Bike hire per day, Sarlat-la-Caneda - EUR20.00
Canoeing/Kayaking, Dordogne - EUR20.00
Domme Caves, Dordogne - EUR8.00
Gabarre tour, Dordogne - EUR8.00
La Roque-Gageac Troglodyte Fort, Dordogne - EUR5.00

Accommodation
Hotel (2 nts)
Days 6-7: Step back in time in the World Heritage-listed Old Town of Bordeaux: Travel by train to Bordeaux (approx 3 hrs). The capital of the Gascony region, Bordeaux was once an important port and trading centre dating back to pre-Roman times. However, most of the architecture visible today dates from the 18th century, considered the golden age of Bordeaux. In fact, so harmonious and successful was the large-scale remodelling of Bordeaux in the 18th century that it was later used as the model for Baron Hausmann's architectural transformation of Paris in the Napoleonic era. Wandering round the graceful, carefully-planned streets is a delight.

Included Activities
Wine tasting Bordeaux

Optional Activities
CAPC Musee d'Art Contemporain, Bordeaux - Free
Musee des Beaux-Arts, Bordeaux - Free
Pey Berland Tower - Cathedale St Andre, Bordeaux - EUR5.00

Accommodation
Hotel (2 nts)
Days 8-9: Head into the spectacular Pyrenees Mountains: Head for the French Pyrenees and the spa town of Bagneres de Luchon by train and bus (approx 6 hrs). The French Pyrenees stretch from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and form a natural 450 km long barrier between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. As well as their spectacular natural beauty, the Pyrenees are also famous for their thermal springs, where curistes (those seeking a cure) have been coming for hundreds of years. Luchon is one such spa town, and a great base for exploring the surrounding trails.

Located at the foot of the Pyrenees in a gorgeous valley, Luchon is a spa town with celebrated thermal springs and wonderful hikes up into the mountains.

Take to the hills for a day of hiking in the Pyrenees. Be prepared for some steep ascents, climbing up through the forest to a fantastic viewpoint of the mountain peaks (weather permitting). The scenery is truly alpine and absolutely breathtaking - don't forget your camera! Please note that you'll need appropriate footwear (sturdy trainers or light hiking boots) for this.

Included Activities
Hiking in the Pyrenees

Accommodation
Hotel (2 nts)
Days 10-11: Travel to Spain and make tracks for the sunny playground of San Sebastian: Travel using a private transfer to San Sebastian (approx 5 hrs). With its great beaches and vibrant old city, San Sebastian is a fantastic place to stroll along the promenade, shop and consume tapas to your heart's content, or just soak up the sun.

For a different perspective of the most central beach, La Concha, why not climb or catch a cable car to Monte Igueldo. If you crave more culture, there's plenty of time to catch a local bus (approx 1 hr) down the road to Bilbao to visit the world-famous and architecturally awesome Guggenheim Museum.

Optional Activities
Aquarium, San Sebastian - EUR10.00
Catedral del Buen Pastor, San Sebastian - Free
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao - EUR10.50
Monte Igueldo cable car, San Sebastian - EUR3.00

Accommodation
Hotel (2 nts)
Days 12-13: Continue onwards to the walled city of Segovia: Travel by train and bus to the remarkable walled town of Segovia in the heart of mountainous Castile (approx 5.5 hrs). With its stunning backdrop of mountains, twisting alleyways, the highest concentration of Romanesque churches in the world and delicious local cuisine, Segovia is atmospheric, photogenic and memorable.

Take a sightseeing walk of the World Heritage-listed old town, taking in the breathtaking and romantic Alcazar castle, an inspiration to Walt Disney, and where Queen Isabel met with Columbus before he set sail on the epic journey that lead to the discovery of the Americas.

With the largest and best preserved Roman aqueduct of its kind anywhere in the world and a towering 16th century cathedral, there's plenty of history to discover during free time in Segovia. For something different, there are two rivers bordering the medieval walls, and an extensive green belt park with miles of shaded walks.

Included Activities
Alcazar

Optional Activities
Casa de los Picos, Segovia - Free
City walls, Segovia - EUR1.50
Esteban Vicente Museum, Segovia - EUR2.40
Segovia Fortress, Segovia - EUR4.00
Segovia Museum, Segovia - EUR1.20
Zuloaga Museum, Segovia - EUR1.20

Accommodation
Hotel (2 nts)
Days 14-15: Discover a city bursting with exquisite architecture, Madrid. Departure: Journey by train to Madrid (approx 1 hr). With incredible restaurants, art galleries, shopping and nightlife on offer, Madrid is a truly world-class city that exudes confidence and style through every pore.

While away hours on the Paseo del Arte, or Art Walk, for a panoramic perspective of Western art history. Start with the Museo del Prado, one of the world's finest collections of European art from the 12th-19th centuries and an unmissable stop on any art tour. Discover modern Spanish masters, including Picasso and Dali, in the Museo Reina Sofia's 20th century collection. Finish with the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, which spans eight centuries of European painting.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.

Optional Activities
Abono Paseo del Arte (3 museum combo voucher), Madrid - EUR17.60
Museo del Prado, Madrid - EUR8.00
Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid - EUR6.00
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid - EUR8.00
Real Jardín Botánico, Madrid - EUR2.50

Accommodation
Hotel (1 nt)

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

5 breakfasts

Trip Excludes

Trip ID#: 128373

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Operator

For the specifics on this tour operator, please contact AdventureLink directly.

Can't find the right trip? Design your own!

Our tour operators are happy to assist you in creating just the right trip; fill out the form below and we'll give you a custom quote.

First Name

Last Name

Email address

Telephone number

Where would you like to go?

When would you like to go? month / day / year

How long do you want to go for?

How many people are going?

Is anyone in your party under 18? Yes No

If "Yes", please list their ages

What activities do you want to do?

Enter your price range (From and To price. Provide a departure city if you'd like to include airfare in your quote.)

If you don't want to indicate a price range, tell us how you like to travel

Best available accommodation Highest quality – not necessarily the most expensive Moderate Budget

Please provide us with any additional information you feel will help us design your trip.