South of Europe

<div>Welcome to Madrid! Upon arrival at the airport, we’ll be ready to transfer you to your hotel. You’ll have some free time until the tour begins. Please check the information signs in the hotel reception area for details about the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.</div><div>In the evening, we’ll provide a transfer to Plaza Mayor and La Latina, Madrid’s most famous neighborhood for nightlife and tapas restaurants. You can choose to dine at a restaurant of your preference—options include Indian, Chinese, Spanish, and Middle Eastern cuisines.</div>

The morning will begin with a comprehensive tour of central Madrid, featuring highlights like Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. We’ll then visit Retiro Park, a beautiful oasis in the city center, where we’ll see the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Admission is included to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid—considered by many to be the best football club in the world. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening, we’ll provide a return transfer to the hotel.<br>

In the morning, we’ll leave for Aragon, travelling through the lands of Castile. Our first stop will be in Zaragoza to admire the stunning Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. We’ll then journey to the serene Poblet Abbey, one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world (tickets included). Finally, we’ll head to Barcelona, where we’ll arrive in the evening.<br>

In the morning, we´ll embark on a tour of the City of Counts. This vibrant city, nestled along the Mediterranean Sea, is famous for Gaudi’s modernist architecture, the bustling Ramblas, and its rich history, highlighted by the Universal Exposition and the Olympics hosted here. Barcelona is renowned as one of the most beautiful and fascinating European capitals. In the evening, we’ll leave Barcelona and travel north into Catalonia. Before settling into our hotel, we’ll take a walk in Girona, exploring its historic center, known for its colorful houses, the old Jewish quarter, and its impressive cathedral.<br>

<div>We’ll head to France, traveling through the Provence region. Our first stop will be Arles, a small UNESCO World Heritage city known for its connections to Van Gogh. Here, we can visit the Roman theater and quaint Romanesque churches. There will be time to explore and have lunch. Next, we’ll include a visit to Carrières des Lumières, an incredible underground art experience featuring a captivating display of art, images, and sound in an ancient quarry. We’ll arrive in Chambery, the charming capital of Savoy, for the evening, a medieval style city with beautiful historic center and large castle.</div><div><br></div><div>Note: If tickets for the Carrières des Lumières show are unavailable due to high demand, we will provide an alternative visit to the Pont du Gard, a famous Roman aqueduct</div>

<div>We’ll journey to Switzerland, arriving in Geneva. With our guide, we’ll go to Palais des Nations (headquarters of the United Nations in Europe), and we’ll see the beautiful English Garden with its flower clock, and admire the Jet d’Eau, the tallest fountain in Europe. Our next stop will be the charming, walled village of Gruyères, world-renowned for its cheese. Nearby, there are some of Switzerland´s major chocolate factories, including Nestlé. Our tour includes admission to the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory, where you’ll enjoy a sweet tasting experience!</div><div><br></div><div>We’ll continue our journey along scenic roads, passing through bucolic mountain landscapes and picturesque wooden villages, until we reach Chillon Castle, built on the shores of Lake Geneva (admission included). We’ll arrive in Leysin by mid-afternoon, a charming holiday village with spectacular views of the Rhône Valley and Mont Blanc. Leysin is well-known for its winter sports resort and hiking options. Dinner will be included</div><div><br></div><div>Note: Depending on availability, accommodation may sometimes be in another charming Swiss town nestled in the Alps, such as Martigny.</div>

<div>We’ll experience stunning mountain scenery today, so be sure to pack your winter clothes. We’ll ascend to Glacier 3000 by cable car ride, one of the most spectacular spots in Switzerland featuring ice and snow year-round, and where you can walk on the suspended bridge between two mountain peaks, explore the Ice Cathedral, or enjoy the Fun Park. We’ll stop in Interlaken for lunch before traveling to Lucerne, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. In the evening, we’ll arrive in Zurich, with some time to explore the center before heading to the hotel.</div><div><br></div><div>Note: In case of adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, the Glacier 3000 cable car may be closed. If this happens, we will offer an equally spectacular alternative to enjoy the alpine landscapes.</div>

We’ll leave Zurich early in the morning, crossing the Alps to reach the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Our first stop will be Bellinzona, renowned for its three medieval castles, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Perched on the hills overlooking the city, these castles highlight Bellinzona´s historical significance as a key alpine stronghold. Enjoy some free time to wander through the charming streets of the center. Next, we´ll enter Italy and stop in the charming town of Como for lunch. This town is considered the jewel of Lombardy, known for its beautiful gardens beside the lake and its spectacular cathedral. We’ll continue to Milan, where our guide will take us to the impressive Piazza del Duomo. You’ll have some time to wander around before we transfer you to the hotel.<br>

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Verdana;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Today, we’ll continue our journey to&nbsp;Pisa. We´ll ride a small&nbsp;tourist train&nbsp;to the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), where you´ll have time to admire one of the most captivating and beautiful art complexes in&nbsp;Italy, including the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Afterwards, we’ll head to&nbsp;Rome, arriving later in the day.</span><br>

<div>In the morning, we’ll go on a three-hour panoramic tour of Rome with a local guide, combining a bus ride with a walking section through part of Imperial Rome. We’ll see, among other highlights, the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum, and the Imperial Forums—an architectural complex that was the political heart of the ancient world. During the bus route, we’ll pass by some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Pyramid of Cestius, and the exterior of Castel Sant’Angelo.</div><div>The tour will end in Vatican City at around 11:00 a.m., an independent state within the city of Rome and the center of the Catholic Church. After the panoramic tour, our guide will offer an optional visit to explore the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel in greater detail. The afternoon will be free.</div><div>At the end of the day, we’ll include a transfer to the popular Trastevere district, known for its charming restaurants and lively atmosphere. Return to the hotel around 8:30 p.m.</div><div><br></div>

Today, we’ll leave Rome and head north, taking in the beautiful landscapes along the way. Upon reaching Florence, we’ll go directly to the stunning Piazzale Michelangelo for breathtaking views of the city. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a guided walking tour with a local expert through the historic center, visiting landmarks such as the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Piazza della Signoria. This city is like an open-air museum. Afterward, you´ll have some free time to explore at your leisure. In the evening, you’ll have plenty of options for dinner, as this district offers many restaurants with a variety of international cuisines.

Today, we’ll enjoy the stunning mountain landscapes as we cross the Apennines. Upon arriving in Venice, we’ll take a boat across the Giudecca Canal to the Island of Venice. With a local guide, we’ll visit the marvelous St. Mark’s Square. Afterwards, we’ll tour the Murano Glass Factory, where you’ll see the fascinating techniques used to create this ancient glass. You´ll have some free time to explore on your own. Accommodation will be in the Mestre district.

<span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri Light&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.</span><br>