Jewels of Spain and Italy

On arrival at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel to check in.




Overnight in Madrid

This morning after breakfast enjoys a tour of Madrid. On this panoramic tour, you will discover the medieval origins of the city with its Arabic fortress at the Barrio de la Morería, famous for its historic buildings. Drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs characterized by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque style buildings, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. Admire the 19th-century work such as the Prado Museum. Then explore contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as the commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bull Ring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. The afternoon is at leisure to continue exploring the wonders that the city has to offer.




Overnight in Madrid

After breakfast drive southward through the land of Don Quixotes the Man from La Mancha along the way you will observe vast vineyards. There will be a brief stop in Puerto Lapice before crossing through the Despeñaperros (a natural gorge) into Andalucía, a region with a splendorous past. Upon arrival in Cordoba enjoy a tour of its impressive Mosque and other sites with the opportunity to stroll through the narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. This afternoon, after a short two hours drive, we will arrive in Sevilla.




Overnight in Sevilla

This morning enjoy a panoramic tour of Sevilla including the Cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peters in Rome. You will see the Santa Cruz Quarter, a natural scenescape for the opera “Carmen” as well as where the myth of “Don Juan” developed, the Maria Luisa Park and Spain Square. Enjoy the afternoon is at leisure to discover Sevilla.




Overnight in Sevilla

This morning after breakfast we head east into the heart of Andalucía observing an endless number of olive trees on the way to Granada the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms up to 1492. Visit the world-famous Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens. This is a setting that has inspired authors such as W. Irving in his work Tales of the Alhambra. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure.




Overnight in Granada

After breakfast, we drive towards the Mediterranean coast. Travel via Murcia, the capital of the fertile region of the Segura River, before continuing north via Alicante, the second-largest city within the autonomous region of Valencia. We will reach Valencia home to the modern Arts and Sciences Architectural Complex. Valencia is also the home of the internationally well-renowned and delicious Paella.




Overnight in Valencia

This morning on your panoramic tour of Valencia drive through the old city seeing the most prominent buildings, then past the old riverbed of the Turia to the most avant-garde complex, the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Early this afternoon continues north all along the Mediterranean to Catalunya, via Tarragona, the Roman Tarraco and on to Barcelona, the beautiful capital of Spains Catalonia region, known for its art and architecture, the fantastical Sagrada Família Church and other modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí and of course for its spectacular shopping and nightlife.




Overnight in Barcelona

Enjoy a morning tour of Barcelona well known worldwide for the 1992 Olympic Games, drive along the main avenues with impressive modernist buildings by Gaudí such as La Pedrera and Casa Milá, both declared World Heritage buildings. You will see Montjuïc Park with spectacular views of the city and harbor. The panoramic tour includes seeing the Olympic Rings, the monument to Columbus and the Olympic port. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to continue your discovery of this exciting city.  This evening you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the port to board the night ferry to Civitavecchia, Italy.




Overnight on board the Ferry

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board the ferry. During your time on board, you can enjoy a variety of services offered by the Ferry service: there is a large outdoor space with a swimming pool, sun loungers, a bar, a party room, a discotheque, a games room, a 24-hour cafeteria, a self-service restaurant; an a la carte restaurant, a boutique, an internet room, a health center and a gym with a variety of work out machines. On arrival in Civitavecchia at approximately 8 pm, you will be met after disembarkation and transferred to your hotel in Rome.




Overnight in Rome

From Rome, we depart early to Assisi this morning, where you will be able to explore this tiny town surrounded by walls built in the middle ages. Take time to visit the Basilica of St. Francis, where you can see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. This afternoon back on board the coach head to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, world-known for the Palio, the historic horse race around the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. Next, we will continue to Florence the Cradle of the Renaissance, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Based on Etruscan-roman origins, the city flourished in the Middle Ages as a free Commune and was further refined during the Renaissance.



Dinner and overnight in Florence

Today spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence with its many monuments, churches, and buildings such as the Santa Maria del Fiore more commonly referred to as the Duomo. During your tour, you will be amazed by the Duomos magnificent dome built by Filippo Brunelleschi. Cross a small piazza to see the Campanile Tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery, with its bronze doors where Michelangelo imagined the Gates of Paradise. In the heart of the city, you will see the Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo della Signoria (also known as the Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Enjoy lunch in a typical Tuscan restaurant in the Piazza Santa Croce. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional) to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Duomo, and the Baptistery.




Overnight in Florence

This morning we depart for Bologna an elegant city center with its “porticos”, shopping streets and so much more. From Piazza Malpighi the guided walking tour will take you to the Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore in the heart of the city, then King Renzos Palace; Palazzo Podestà and the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest in the world. This afternoon continues to Padua home to SantAntonio Basilica one of the most visited churches by pilgrims in the Catholic world. After your guided tour of the city, you will end the day in Venice the City of Love, one of the most romantic cities in the whole world and, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful!



Dinner and an overnight in Venice

After breakfast depart by private water-taxi to Piazza San Marco, with “Skip the Line” tickets to visit the splendid St. Marks Basilica and then explore more of this floating city, the Palazzo dei Dogi, the symbol of Venices glorious past and the legendary Bridge of Sighs. Spend the afternoon at leisure roaming along Venices walkways and canals.  




Overnight in Venice

Leaving Venice this morning you will travel to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches and castles and its excellent wines. We will visit Montepulciano in the Val di Chiana, a medieval town rich in history and known for its Nobile wine. It also hosts an annual Jazz and Wine Festival every July. Spend the afternoon discovering Montepulciano on your own; many wine shops offer free wine tastings or shopping. This evening, you will arrive in Rome to check in into your hotel.




Overnight in Rome

This morning enjoy a tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica with our exclusive “Skip the Line” access! Your guide will lead you to the museums where you will visit one of the most important art collections in the world. Walk the beautiful Galleries of Tapestries and Geographical Maps before admiring Raphaels rooms and then, the amazing Sistine Chapel. After this incredible masterpiece, you will be taken through to St. Peters Basilica the largest church in the world! The tour ends in St. Peters Square. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city on your own or pre-book an optional tour.  




Overnight in Rome

Today you will be transferred to Rome–Fiumicino International Airport \"Leonardo da Vinci\" for your flight back home.