Travel from Madrid to Rome on this exciting and economical 14-day Mediterranean Flavors Tour along the famed Mediterranean coast. Explore exciting cities, historic sites and breathtaking scenery. Visit such wonderful places as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Marseille, Rome and Venice and discover what makes each of them unique both historically and culturally.
Highlights throughout this exciting tour includes magnificent views along the legendary French Riviera, magnificent castles and some of the best cuisine and wines in the world. Visit Spain’s port city of Valencia with an acclaimed planetarium and beautiful beaches. Explore Barcelona, home to stunning architecture, the famous Sagrada Familia cathedral and the fabulous work of architect Antonio Gaudi. Savor delicious cuisine in Madrid and visit a delightful perfume factory in Eze and enjoy the sweeping views. Italy’s Cinque Terre will beckon you with its magnificent vistas and the medieval city of Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will awe you with its medieval beauty. It is also the birthplace of Saint Francis, the patron saint of Italy. Stroll through the eternal city of culture-rich Rome, with magnificent churches and fabulous restaurants and iconic fountains. Take a romantic gondola ride in Venice and watch the legendary glassblowers create their masterpieces. Let this Mediterranean tour delight you with its many flavors in art, food, buildings, culture, museums and natural beauty for the fantastic vacation you have been waiting for as you create wonderful memories.
14 Days • fr. $3,129
Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Dinner
Elba Madrid Alcala Hotel
Not only is Madrid the capital of Spain, but because it is situated 2,180 feet above sea level, the Spaniards rightly say it’s the nearest thing to Heaven. On the included guided city tour, discover the main sights and end the tour with a walk in the Barrio de La Latina. Stop in one of the many bars for a Tapas tasting. Consider an optional trip to Toledo. The splendid setting of this old walled city above the Tagus was made famous in El Greco’s painting and, even now, it’s like a great open-air museum of Spanish history and art
Breakfast
Elba Madrid Alcala Hotel
Travel southeast to Cuenca, perched high above the precipices of the Jucar and Huecar Rivers, famous for its “hanging houses” that are suspended over the Huecar ravine.
Journey on to Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, and explore the city with a Local Guide. Today’s Distance: 255 mi/ 410 km
Breakfast, Dinner
Sercotel Acteon Valencia Hotel
Today, visit Peniscola Castle in Castellon, built by the Knights Templar in the 14th century. The promontory on which the castle and town are located is a fine reminder of medieval times.
Continue your journey through orange groves and seaside resorts past Tarragona to Catalonia’s lively and beautiful capital, Barcelona. Today’s Distance: 236 mi/ 380 km
Breakfast
Abba Garden Hotel
Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a drive around Monjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium and a great panoramic view of the port and city. Continue to the city center of Plaza Catalunya and to Paseo de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity of Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces in the Houses Batllò and Mila and the Sagrada Familia (entrance fees not included). Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast
Abba Garden Hotel
Leave Spain today and cross the border into France to visit Collioure. This picturesque village is nestled in an idyllic place on the rocky Mediterranean coastline and is sheltered by the
Pyrenees. Carry on to the oldest city in France, Marseille, for an overnight. Today’s Distance: 354 mi/ 570 km
Breakfast, Dinner
Ibis Marseille Centre Euromed Hotel
Capital of the Provence, Marseille was founded by the Greeks in 600 BC. See the city’s bustling ancient heart—the picturesque Vieux Port (old port), where elegant markets and handsome townhouses surround the boat-filled harbor. Then, head for the hilltop Basilica Notre Dame de la Garde, with stunning views of the city.
Cassis, a small fishing port lined with cafés and restaurants, and stop to explore the town.
After leaving Cassis continue on to Nice, in the heart of the French Riviera. Later, why not join the optional Monte-Carlo-by-Night excursion? Today’s Distance: 143 mi/ 230 km
Breakfast
Ibis Styles Nice Vieux Port Hotel
Start the day with a visit to a perfume workshop in the village of Eze, perched high above the Mediterranean Sea. Small narrow roads, archways and superbly restored stone houses, shady squares, refreshing ancient fountains. You will soon be seduced by the marvels of Eze.
Later, spend time at leisure to do as you please! In Nice, dabble in the Mediterranean Sea, stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais, or join our optional excursion to the artists’ town of St. Paul de Vence. Today’s Distance: 19 mi/ 30 km
Breakfast
Ibis Styles Nice Vieux Port
Enjoy the wonderful coastal scenery along the French and Italian Rivieras as you travel toward Cinque Terre. Take the train in Levanto and stop in some of the most enchanting villages of the spectacular Cinque Terre region, where the beauty of the rugged cliffs and romantic fishing villages once inspired Lord Byron. There are several breathtaking trails carved into the rocks connecting the villages, affording dramatic sea views. Today’s Distance: 205 mi/ 330 km
Breakfast, Dinner
NH La Spezia Hotel
Travel through areas of culinary excellence in the Po plains to reach the romantic city of Verona and enjoy some time at leisure.
Continue to Venice where you will spend two nights.
Breakfast
Poppi Hotel
Venice is a city of unparalleled beauty and a feast of wonderful sights. Your included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you.
Breakfast, Dinner
Poppi Hotel
Cross the Po Delta and head into the verdant Apennines to medieval Assisi. Enclosed by ramparts, little has changed since the Middle Ages. This is the town of the deeply mystical and poetic St. Francis. See the upper and lower Basilica with the beautiful frescoes by Giotto.
Aftier Assisi head to Rome for a two night stay to wind down the tour.
Breakfast
Pineta Palace Hotel
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with St. Peter’s Square and Basilica. Other highlights are the iconic Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built, and Circus Maximus. An optional visit is available to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo’s impressive fresco of The Last Judgment.
Breakfast
Pineta Palace Hotel
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast
All rates listed are per person based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice. Your land package pricing will be confirmed and guaranteed once your deposit is received and applied to the booking, except where price increases may result from increases in government taxes or fees. Room configurations are subject to availability. Guests added to your party after the booking are priced at the prevailing rate at the time they are added.