Highlights of Spain & France

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, a local expert guides you through a guided half-day tour of Seville featuring the Cathedral and its famous Giralda Bell Tower. Discover the Archivo de Indias, the popular neighborhood of Santa Cruz, Maria Luisa Park and the beautiful Plaza de España.

In the afternoon, you will have few hours to explore the city and have lunch on your own before departing to Granada. We recommend a stroll through the city center and where you can pick between Seville's many fine tapas bars that are dotted around between architectural wonders.

Head to Granada, your final destination of the day, passing by Antequera, a city in Andalusia known for ancient burial mounds and dramatic limestone rock formations. Arrive at your hotel for check in. Overnight stay in Granada.

Estimated transfer distance 160miles / 258km.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, relish the opportunity to visit the exquisite Alhambra Fortress and Palace. Be inspired by one of the most famous monuments in Islamic architecture, of universal beauty, which also contains noteworthy examples of Spanish renaissance architecture. This spectacular architectural wonder is an expression of Moorish and Andalusian culture, and boasts incredible views of the surrounding city. Next, head east and uphill to discover the Generalife Palace and Gardens. The name has been ‘translated’ to Garden of Paradise, where the beautiful patio and gardens are lined by a striking long fountain, the true heart of the estate.

Afterwards, Head north by road to Valencia, a cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean, famed for its romantic plazas, modern Arts & Science Architectural Complex and its beautiful beaches. Check-in at the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the night free to enjoy at your leisure. Why not take a stroll through the leafy Turia Park, the main artery of the city, and check out the Barrio Carmen neighborhood famous for its tapas bars. Overnight stay in Valencia.

Estimated transfer distance 317miles / 511km.

Important note: To visit the Alhambra, it is mandatory to send copies of all passengers’ valid passports to customerservice@exoticca.com once you have made your reservation, as these details are necessary to purchase a ticket on your behalf. Please note that there are a limited number of tickets available each day and that the Alhambra is a large complex with multiple parts. If it is not possible to visit the Alhambra including the Nasrid Palaces, you will see the Generalife and the Alcazaba instead. For any change once the passport information has been entered, a cancellation fee of 20 EUR will be applied.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a city tour of Valencia. Discover the atmospheric old town, home to historic buildings, and visit the Cathedral and El Miguelete, next head to the Plaza de la Reina, La Lonja, the Torres de Serrano and lastly see the juxtaposition of the city in the architecturally-modern City of Arts and Sciences.

After the city tour of Valencia, head north along the coast towards Barcelona in Catalonia with a stop in Tarragona, to break up the journey and give you insight into the lesser known yet still historically important cities in Spain.

Finally, arrive in Barcelona in the afternoon, a vibrant city known for its artistic heritage and the amazing architecture of Gaudi. Get settled at the hotel and enjoy the evening at your leisure, exploring the historic streets of the Gothic Quarter or strolling along the seafront in the old fishing neighborhood of Barceloneta. Overnight stay in Barcelona.

Estimated transfer distance 223miles / 360km.

Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the diverse history of Barcelona as you begin the day with a morning city tour by coach. Pass along the wide, leafy avenues of the Eixample neighborhood to see the modernist architecture of Gaudi, journey down the famous Paseo de Gracia shopping street and see Casa Mila. Next, discover Casa Batlló, head down toward the sea to see the famous Columbus Monument and the modern Olympic Port. Head up to the hills of Montjuïc to enjoy spectacular views of the old port and finally, see the impressive Sagrada Familia (entrance not included).

The afternoon is free at your leisure to explore Barcelona at your own pace. Why not hit the shops around Plaza Cataluña, walk down the renowned Ramblas or explore some of the city's incredible art galleries and museums? Overnight stay in Barcelona.

Breakfast at the hotel*. Your journey through Spain is coming to an end, but now it's time to discover France! At the indicated time, self-transfer to the airport** for your flight to Paris. Land at the Paris airport and self-transfer to your hotel.

Paris is the cultural and political capital of France, replete with grand boulevards, historic museums, and luxe shopping. Take some time to discover the city’s most famous tourist sites, the local culture, and of course the typical French cuisine. Overnight stay in Paris.

*Depending on the flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

**Airport transfers in Barcelona and Paris are not included. You will have the possibility to add private transfers in both cities to your package for an additional cost in the next step of the booking process.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day a half-day sightseeing tour by bus with a professional English-speaking guide to see some of the main monuments of the city. This experience will include: Place Vendôme Square, Place de l’Opera, the Panthéon, Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Invalides and the Eiffel Tower.

The rest of the day is free* to explore Paris at your leisure. Why not grab a bite to eat in one of the many outdoor cafés or do a spot of shopping in this retail heaven? Overnight stay in Paris.

*You will have the option to be transferred back to the hotel if you prefer to rest.

Important note: Access to certain monuments may be limited during the Olympic Games.

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the City of Light behind and head towards Dijon. This charming city was once the home of the Dukes of Burgundy, which left behind a distinctly elegant architectural and culinary tradition. Start with free time to explore the center, admiring the Ducal Palace and the many local shops. Continue on towards Burgundy Region and break for a wine tasting in this gorgeous rural setting.

Beaune is the region’s wine capital, a walled city surrounded by some of France’s most important vineyards. Check in at the hotel before we head into town for a guided tour, stopping by sites like the Hospices de Beaune, a well-preserved building from the 15th century that originally served as a hospital for the poor. Overnight in Beaune.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Lyon, a foodie’s paradise and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many classic French dishes like coq au vin originate from this region, and with more than a thousand eateries, the city of Lyon has one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per capita in France.

Start your guided tour off with a stop at the Fourviere Hill, a scenic viewpoint overlooking the entire city with a beautiful basilica. Pass through Lyon’s idyllic old town and observe the largest fresco painting in Europe before checking into the hotel. Enjoy passing the afternoon as you please with more free time in the city. This afternoon would be the perfect moment to dine in a traditional “bouchon,” a casual bistro specializing in local dishes. Overnight in Lyon.

Breakfast at the hotel. Head south along the “autoroute du soleil” (sun highway) towards Provence, a French region famous for its natural scenery and quaint villages. Stop in Avignon, known as the “City of Popes” due to a period in the 14th century when seven successive popes resided here. Go on a walking tour of the center, still surrounded by medieval walls, to see the Palace du Pape and the Benezet Bridge. Take the afternoon to relax in this tranquil setting, perhaps stopping for an aperitif at one of Avignon’s charming bars. Overnight in Avignon.

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day touring the most scenic villages and popular villages in Provence. Just one hour away from Avignon, stop at Ménerbes, a hilltop village with views over the Luberon mountains. This village became a popular destination as the setting of the bestselling book “A Year in Provence.” Next, see how the distinctive ochre soil of Rousillon lends the local buildings vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. Make the next stop of the day in Gordes, voted the most beautiful village in the world in 2023. Return to Avignon.

In the afternoon, admire the Pont du Gard, a well-preserved Roman aqueduct built in the 1st century AD. Built from limestone, it is the tallest Roman aqueduct left standing today. Overnight in Avignon.

Breakfast at the hotel. Say goodbye to Avignon and continue your route south towards the sea. Make a brief stop in Aix-en-Provence, known as the home of Paul Cézanne and an artistic hub in the region. Take a free hour to wander the charming town center independently. Continue the trip with a stop in Grasse. Considered the world capital of perfume-making, Grasse is home to the Galimard Perfume Factory. Tour the factory to learn more about the process of creating luxury scents, exploring the 10 main eaux de cologne and combining 2-3 to create your own custom perfume.

After finishing at the factory, reach the Côte d’Azur at Cannes. Famous for its glamorous film festival attended by Hollywood stars, luxurious hotels, and beautiful waterfront promenade. Spend an hour getting to know the area around the Palais des Festivals. Make the short drive to Nice and check into the hotel. Overnight in Nice.

Breakfast at the hotel. Explore Nice with a guided walking tour. Pass through the Old Town, noting the strong Italian influence on the city, and see two of Nice’s main squares: the Place Masséna and the Cours Saleya. Both feature elegant architecture and the lively street life that the Mediterranean is known for.

Enjoy your final afternoon and evening in France with free time to rest or explore. We suggest the Chagall Museum or the seaside Promenade des Anglais as excellent pastimes at this point in the trip. Overnight in Nice.