14 Day France & Spain: History, Culture & Wine 2018 Itinerary

14 days
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5/5 Excellent
93 reviews  
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Small Group Tour
2 Madrid, 2 Bilbao, 2 St. Emilion, 2 Sarlat, 1 Carcassonne, 3 Barcelona

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals. Visit the renowned Prado Museum - stand before masterpieces by Goya and El Greco Tour a traditional Spanish winery and cellar in the Rioja region and enjoy a wine tasting In the Basque city of Bilbao, visit the inspirational and glittering Guggenheim Museum Visit the stunning seaside resort of San Sebastian, called the "Pearl" of northern Spain Stay at a Chateau in the countryside near the UNESCO World Heritage village of St. Emilion Specially arranged wine tasting at a local vineyard of fabulous Bordeaux wines Travel to the exquisite pilgrimage site at Rocamadour, set precariously into limestone cliffs Visit the impressive fortified walled city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site In the Catalonian city of Figueres, visit the Dali Theatre-Museum, designed by the artist Visit Gaudi's masterpiece, the unfinished fanciful La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

What's this trip about?

    2 Madrid, 2 Bilbao, 2 St. Emilion, 2 Sarlat, 1 Carcassonne, 3 Barcelona

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

  • Europe

Attractions

  • Barcelona
  • Bilbao
  • Bordeaux
  • Dali
  • Madrid

Trip includes

    • Small groups of maximum 22 travelers guaranteed Flights New York-Madrid, Barcelona-New York Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline taxes & fuel surcharges 12 nights First Class accommodations
    • 2 nights Madrid 2 nights Bilbao 2 nights St. Emilion 2 nights Sarlat 1 night Carcassonne 3 nights Barcelona Hotel taxes, fees & service charges including Barcelona city taxes Hotel porterage All transfers and sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned vehicles 21 meals: 12 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners (including welcome & farewell dinners) Bottled water during sightseeing excursions Wine, coffee, and tea served with all meals Services of local English-speaking tour manager throughout Comprehensive, guided sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary Active itinerary with unique cultural features

Itinerary

Travel Map

DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart for Spain
Depart for Madrid, Spain

DAY 2, Thursday - Arrive in Madrid
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Madrid, Spain's exuberant capital; transfer to your hotel. Time to rest and relax or spend the day getting acquainted with this vibrant city. There's so much to see! This evening, a Welcome Drink with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers. Afterwards, enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant Overnight: Madrid Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Friday - Madrid City Tour
Your introduction to Madrid's striking architecture begins at grand Plaza de Cibeles Square, a neoclassical complex of marble sculptures and spectacular fountains that have become an iconic symbol for the city. Pass the elegant Plaza Mayor before continuing on to view th...
DAY 4, Saturday - Wine Tasting in Rioja, Bilbao
Driving north, the scenery changes from arid plains to green fertile valleys, dramatic mountains and picturesque villages as you approach the beautiful wine region of Rioja. Here, visit a traditional Spanish winery (bodega) and walk through the lush vineyards. At the cel...
DAY 5, Sunday - Bilbao's Old Quarter, Guggenheim Museum
In Bilbao, visit the heart of the Casco Viejo, the city's charming Old Quarter, with its original seven streets dating back to the early 1400s. View the 14th-century Gothic Cathedral de Santiago with its impressive Renaissance entryway. The day's highlight is your visit ...
DAY 6, Monday - San Sebastian, Biarritz, St. Emilion
The day begins at the stunning seaside resort of San Sebastian, encircled by leafy mountains and sandy beaches looking out onto sparkling bays. Often called the "Pearl" of northern Spain, in this coastal gem, view the gorgeous architecture and the lovely plazas and flowe...
DAY 7, Tuesday - Bordeaux City Tour, Wine Tasting
Today discover Bordeaux nestled on the Garonne River. Distinguished for the wines that bear its name, Bordeaux is considered by connoisseurs to be amongst the best wine producers in the world. This bustling city with its 18th-century buildings has been totally revitalize...
DAY 8, Wednesday - Dordogne Province, Lascaux II Caves, Sarlat
Magnificent vistas await you today on the drive into Dordogne Province marked by scenic river valleys, dense chestnut forests and hundreds of 13th and 14th-century chateaux dotting the landscape. Pause in Montignac, a pretty village on the Vezere River, to visit the worl...
DAY 9, Thursday - Dordogne River Cruise, Rocamadour
A full day to enjoy the treasures of this remarkable region. In the morning, an idyllic cruise on the Dordogne River takes you into the Perigord area. Along the way, enjoy the splendid panorama of this contrasting area with its limestone hills, medieval cities, and dark ...
DAY 10, Friday - Travel to Carcassonne
Depart Sarlat, arriving in the impressive fortified walled city of Carcassonne, perched on a rocky hilltop surrounded by ancient towers and turrets, with expansive views of the city below. A guided stroll takes you along the cobbled streets to the St. Nazaire Basilica, a...
DAY 11, Saturday - Figueres Dali Museum, Girona, Barcelona
Departing France, cross back into Spain, skirting the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean coast. In the small Catalonian city of Figueres, where Salvador Dali was born, visit the famous Dali Theatre-Museum, designed by the artist himself. The extended collection of his work co...
DAY 12, Sunday - Montjuic and Cooking Class
The day starts with a visit to the Montjuic recreational area housing the National Palace, built as the central pavilion for the 1929 International Exhibition. Montjuic is home to the Olympic complex, a number of sports facilities built for the 1992 Olympics, and at its ...
DAY 13, Monday - Discover Gaudi's Architecture
This artistic city is renowned for the famous works of Gaudi, the master architect. Visit Gaudi's legendary and still unfinished fanciful masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, a colossal church that was first started in 1882. Along the Paseo de Gracia view the unique La Pedre...
DAY 14, Tuesday - Depart Spain
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,749
Price per day$268
Last Updated: 7/15/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Discovery Tours by Gate 1.

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.

Discovery Tours by Gate 1 Reviews & Ratings

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Nina R

Dec 2023

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the absolute WORST

THE ABSOLUTE WORST. Dishonest, incompetent, fraudulent. We booked a trip to Europe with them, and it was a mess from start to finish. The flight that we paid extra...

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Allen K.

Jun 2021

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We had a wonderful time

We had a wonderful time. The guides and accommodations were exceptional. The guides were knowledgeable and professional. We couldn't have asked for a better vacation...

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Lynne D.

Jun 2021

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Our expectations were exceeded

I had high hopes & expectations for this trip. I've waited all my adult life to go to Africa & finally, my husband agreed to go. Our expectations were exceed...

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • *Not Included:Prices do not include optional tours, and gratuities for guides/ tour managers.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
Toledo Tour Toledo is a "Museum City" of great artistic beauty. Former capital of Spain and one of the oldest cities in Europe, Toledo has magnificent examples of architecture from different periods, making it one of the leading artistic cities of the country. In Toledo visit the most famous monuments, such as St. Tome Church, which houses El Greco's 'The Burial of Count Orgaz" and the Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue. Also admire its famous hand-crafted work, the "Damasquinado." OnDay : 3 Price : $65
Additional Information

Additional Information: Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.

Trip ID
discovery-DSCV-ES-FR-14DESFRHCW-PKG-18

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