Highlights of France and Barcelona with Madrid Extension

12 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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USTOA

Group Tour
One of our most popular France and Spain trips, this jam-packed journey from Paris to Barcelona is a feast for every sense, from lunch with locals and elegant châteaux in the Loire Valley, to the buzz of Avignon’s Place de l’Horloge and the irresistible French Riviera.

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Discover Avignon, Nice, Monaco and Arles
    • Explore Paris, Lyon, Carcassonne and Barcelona with a Local Specialist
    • Visit Saint-Sulpice Church in Paris, Château de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley and the Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figueres
    • View Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Chartres Cathedral, Château de Chambord, the Papal Palace of Avignon, the Promenade des Anglais and Place Masséna in Nice, Monaco's Royal Palace and Cathedral, the Roman Amphitheatre of Arles and the La Sagrada Família and Columbus Monument in Barcelona
    • Scenic Drive through the Loire Valley
    • Connect With Locals
    • Dive Into Culture
    • Dive Into Culture

What's this trip about?

    One of our most popular France and Spain trips, this jam-packed journey from Paris to Barcelona is a feast for every sense, from lunch with locals and elegant châteaux in the Loire Valley, to the buzz of Avignon’s Place de l’Horloge and the irresistible French Riviera.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportRound trip airfare and all internal transport included
Start CityParis
End CityMadrid

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • Europe
  • France
  • Monaco
  • Spain

Attractions

  • Barcelona
  • Loire Valley
  • Madrid
  • Paris

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Paris

This capital city is your launch pad for an epic adventure through the highlights of France and magnificent Barcelona. Spend your first day in the 'City of Lights' exploring the art, architecture and culture of this romantic city on your own. Visit the Mona Lisa in th...

Day 2: Explore the Sights of Paris

Spend the morning in the company of a Local Specialist, who will share with you the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris, revealing how Parisians live and shop. Visit the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Walk along the...

Day 3: Chartres and Châteaux in the Loire Valley

Visit Chartres, an important place of pilgrimage on 'Way of Saint James', with its inspiring French Gothic Art cathedral which is renowned for its stained glass windows and two contrasting spires. We journey through the rolling landscape of the Loire Valley, past beau...

Day 4: Onwards to Renaissance Lyon

Travelling through the heart of France, we arrive in the gastronomic capital of Lyon where we'll join a Local Specialist for a tour of the old city revealing its rich cultural heritage. Wander through the traboules of France's largest Renaissance city and marvel at th...

Day 5: Journey to Papal Avignon and on to the French Riviera

From Lyon, we drive to Avignon, a Papal Seat in the 14th century. See the Papal Palace, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, and the famous bridge immortalised in the French song – Sur le Pont d'Avignon. Dive Into Culture as you i...

Day 6: Enjoy a Day in Monaco

Relax on the sun-kissed shores of the Côte d'Azur today. Retreat to the beach with your fellow sun-worshippers, relax at a café overlooking the Bay of Angels or take a stroll along the promenade. You could choose instead to embark on an Optional Experience to the medi...

Day 7: Off to Colourful Arles and Carcassonne

We travel west to the Camargue centre of Arles, with its colourful façades and Roman ruins, before continuing through the landscapes of Provence immortalised in the works of Cézanne and Van Gogh. Arriving in the fortified city of Carcassonne, we join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of the Cité which spans some 3km and features 52 towers.

Day 8: Pass the Pyrenees to Barcelona

Driving past the foothills of the Pyrenees, we stop in Figueres to visit the Dalí Theatre and Museum where we will Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the fascinating world of Salvador Dalí. See his work in this impressive building, before arriving in Barcelona t...

Day 9: Discover Lively Barcelona

Spend the day soaking up the vibrant spirit of Barcelona. Ramble up Las Ramblas and people-watch in the Plaça de Catalunya, explore the whimsical architecture of Gaudí dotted across the city or consider an Optional Experience to Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. A further o...

Day 10: Journey By Train to Madrid

Take the train to the Spanish capital. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 11: Fiery Madrid Your Way

After breakfast, enjoy a full free day at leisure to enjoy the sights and sounds of Madrid.

Day 12: Farewell Madrid

Enjoy breakfast before you are transferred to Madrid Airport for your onward journey home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,725
Price per day$310
Last Updated: 7/19/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Trafalgar.

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.

Trafalgar Reviews & Ratings

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Other Trafalgar Reviews

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Apr 2024

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Anonymous

It made the trip easy was able to fit in all the attractions of Italy

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Apr 2024

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Türkiye 2024

Have a nice time in Turkey. The tour director sabahattin canliel and the bus driver good team. Very knowledgeable good history to listen about Türkiye. I like Ista...

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Apr 2024

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Best of Italy

This particular trip was very exhausting. There was very little time to wander and explore on our own unless we didn’t want to partake in the optional activities. I ...

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Tour Operator

Trafalgar

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At Trafalgar, we passionately believe in the power of travel to broaden the mind and build bridges between people. By sharing with you the hidden places not mentioned in guidebooks, the local people you wouldn’t otherwise meet, and the traditions you may not have experienced by yourself, we ensure that you get the ‘insider’ view, an authentic and enhanced experience you simply could not have had on your own.

It is this dedication to taking our guests beyond the obvious sights that has helped us grow over the past 65 years into one of the most trusted and successful international guided vacation/holiday companies in the world. From Europe to the United States, South America to South Africa, and with the recent addition of Asia, we pride ourselves on uncovering the hidden gems, cultural highlights and not-to-be-missed attractions of the places you visit. We’ll help you delve deep into the heart of each city and capture the true essence of each new destination.

We are committed to establishing lasting relationships with our guests by exceeding their expectations the first time and every time, through consistently outstanding quality of service, experience and value.

We're proud to be the most globally awarded guided travel company. Every year, we win some of the most prestigious travel accolades around the world – from the Travel Globes to the Agents' Choice Awards. We've collected 46 major travel awards over the last five years alone, as well as the Gold Trusted Merchant Award from independent reviews provider Feefo.

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About the company:

As the world’s most awarded and loved travel company, Trafalgar unlocks the best of the world for every traveller. From the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals at private Be My Guest experiences, guests can be assured of a dream holiday without the stress of 'what ifs'. Committed to Make Travel Matter, Trafalgar aims to make a positive impact on locals, communities and wildlife visited, and the planet we call home. With tried and tested tours, created by local travel experts in destination and enjoyed by more than 5million happy guests, Trafalgar’s proud to be recognised by its Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award.

Trafalgar is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.

 

Why we love this operator
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What they’re known for
Tours and experiences that include everything from the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals, guided by expert travel directors.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Ayre Gran Colon,
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
  • 1 Be My Guest
  • 1 Farewell Dinner
  • 1 Welcome Reception
  • 11 Breakfasts
  • 2 Dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes All porterage and restaurant gratuities An expert Travel Director and professional Driver Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted High-speed train from Barcelona to Madrid Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys) Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras Optional Experiences and free time
Trip ID
trafalgar-FRSPMN18

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