Mediterranean Highlights (Start Madrid)
Overview
Highlights
- See the Gran Via, the Puerta del Sol & Plaza de Espana
- Guided tour of Royal Palace in Madrid
- See Zaragoza's monumental cathedral
- Dinner in a scenic Barcelona restaurant
- See Gaudi's Sagrada Família & the 1992 Olympic Games complex
- Walk the Gothic Quarter & La Rambla district
- See Gaudi's Sagrada Família & the 1992 Olympic Games complex
- Walk the Gothic Quarter & La Rambla district
- See the Cours Mirabeau
- Scenic drive along the Côte d'Azur
What's this trip about?
Popular Trips
Itinerary
Check in to your hotel and head straight out into the Spanish capital. Get ready for Madrid’s high energy lifestyle. Moving to a whole lot of different beats, Madrid is packed with diverse barrios (neighbourhoods), lively plazas and a healthy nightlife. Later, meet up with your fellow travellers and your Trip Manager, who knows Madrid’s ins and outs.
Hotel
Regional Dinner
This morning, get inspired as your Trip Manager opens up Madrid’s monumental heart with a look at its bustling centre, complete with the Gran Via, the Plaza de Espana and Puerta del Sol. Then, step into the largest palace in Europe with our Local Guide and experienc...
Chill out on the coach, grab your MP3 and watch the world go by. Heading towards the coast, we roll on to the Baroque city of Zaragoza, set on the banks of the Rio Ebro. Check out the town’s fantastic cathedral, with its colourfully tiled cupolas and towers. For lunch...
First stop: Montjuic. The hilltop has full-blown vistas of the city and it’s where we stop to check out the 1992 Olympic Games complex. Afterwards, get a look into Spanish architect Gaudi’s wild imagination with his Art Nouveau masterpiece, the Sagrada Família church....
Unwind on the coach and take in the rustic beauty of Provence, known for its pretty landscapes of lavender, sunflowers and wild herbs. A night in Avignon means you’ll get a real taste of the Provencal lifestyle and look into the town’s Roman heritage. Wander throu...
Drop by stunning Aix-en-Provence for lunch and check out the historic Cours Mirabeau, the town’s lively central area, busy with cafes, fountains and people. Then it’s back on the road to the rugged coast line of the stunning Côte d’Azur. Follow the beautiful sapphir...
In your free time live a bit of the lifestyle with a visit to the local markets. Try out the region’s produce like lavender honey, aioli (garlic mayonnaise) and mouth-watering rosé wine. Window shop the chic boutiques or spend the afternoon relaxing in one of the many cafés.
Hotel
Regional Dinner and Breakfast
Today, journey to the national park and UNESCO World Heritage site of Cinque Terre, where colourful coastal villages dot 18km of ragged cliffs and old walled vineyards reach the water’s edge. As we ride the train along the coast, take in the atmospheric scenes and wa...
This morning, take advantage of free time in Pisa and get up close to its most famous monument, the Leaning Tower. Roll on to Renaissance Florence. The scene-stealing Duomo Cathedral rises above Florence, which serves up frescoes, markets and priceless art. After d...
Jump start the day uncovering this open-air museum. Our local guide gives you the inside track as the group learns about Florence’s cultural beginnings and explores streets crammed with artworks from masters like Michelangelo. Take a look into a skillful demonstratio...
Today, we get out into the fabulous Tuscan countryside, known for its iconic cypress trees and delicious olive oil. Spend the morning in San Gimignano, the stunning hill-top town that is often dubbed “Medieval Manhattan”. Dotted with ancient towers, San Gimignano serv...
This morning, make the most of our Local Guide’s inside knowledge and uncover the remains of an ancient empire with a fantastic optional tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Then check-out the smallest country in the world and home to the Pope, the Vatican City. T...
The trip ends after breakfast and it’s time to say “arrivederci” to your new friends.
Array
Breakfast
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check current availability, prices, specials & more.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Contiki Reviews & Ratings
Other Contiki Reviews
James Heasly
Jan 2025
Thai Island Hopper West
Was mental, had the best time
Kelsey Day
Jan 2025
Vietnam Experience
Loved it! Great sights, cool add ons. Just be mindful that this is a modular trip so some travellers have already been away for two weeks when the Vietnam Experience...
Travelers also viewed
Tour Operator
We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.
No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.
We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.
With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.
About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?
Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
- 12 nights twin or triple-share hotel accommodation
- Modern, air-conditioned coach
- Hotel tips, local taxes & service charges
- 12 continental breakfasts
- 4 Regional Dinners: regional feasts in our favourite local spots
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations
