Mediterranean Highlights (Start Madrid)

13 days
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USTOA

Small Group Tour
Kicking off in Madrid, this 2 week trip takes you to all the coastal Med hotspots. Flamenco dance in Barcelona, experience the glamorous French Riviera, enjoy the delights of Tuscany & walk in the footsteps of Emperors. Don't miss your picture at the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

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?

    Kicking off in Madrid, this 2 week trip takes you to all the coastal Med hotspots. Flamenco dance in Barcelona, experience the glamorous French Riviera, enjoy the delights of Tuscany & walk in the footsteps of Emperors. Don't miss your picture at the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityEurope/Madrid
End CityEurope/Rome

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Spain

Attractions

  • Barcelona
  • Florence
  • Madrid
  • Rome

Activities

  • Culture

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Arrive Madrid

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

Day 2 Madrid

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...

Day 3 Madrid to Barcelona

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...

Day 4 Barcelona

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....

Day 5 Barcelona to Avignon

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...

Day 6 Avignon to French Riviera

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...

Day 7 French Riviera

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

Day 8 French Riviera to Pisa

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...

Day 9 Pisa to Florence

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...

Day 10 Florence

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...

Day 11 Florence to Rome

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...

Day 12 Rome

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...

Day 13 Depart Rome

The trip ends after breakfast and it’s time to say “arrivederci” to your new friends.

Array

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,595
Price per day$123
Last Updated: 0/18/2022

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Contiki.

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.

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Apr 2024

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Vienna to Rome Trail

Amazing trip! So many fantastic add ons as well.

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Apr 2024

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Anonymous

Booking the trip was easy. Would be nice to advertise more c...

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Apr 2024

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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.

Why we love this operator
Their trips create life-long memories for young people setting off to discover the world.
What they’re known for
Social travel for 18-35 year olds around the world.

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Logistics

Accommodation

12 nights twin or triple-share hotel accommodation Modern, air-conditioned coach Hotel tips, local taxes & service charges,
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 .
Meals Included
  • 12 continental breakfasts
  • 4 Regional Dinners: regional feasts in our favourite local spots
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Trip ID
contiki-contiki-142

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