Normandy, all of France and Barcelona (2024)

Day 1

Welcome to your Europamundo journey!Early departure from Paris, travelling towards Normandy, making a stop in GIVERNY. We will visit Monet’s House and its impressive gardens (entrance included); we learn about Impressionist art, which had its center in Normandy. The journey continues to ROUEN, the capital of Normandy with its medieval streets and cathedral. Here we have time for a stroll and to take lunch. We continue to ARROMANCHES, on its beaches we are reminded of the World War II landings in France. Last stop is CAEN, where we take some leisure time in the central district. Note: from November to March Monet´s house is closed to visitors, therefore there will be no stop in Giverny.

Day 2

First thing in the morning we travel to Mont Saint Michel, time to see the Abbey located within the city on an island. After this, whilst travelling in the Bretagne region, we stop at SAINT MALO (whose powerful walls defend the city), where we will have time for lunch. In the afternoon we continue to DINAN, take some time to explore this Breton village full of charm. We continue our way to RENNES, the capital of Bretagne with its interesting and monumental historic center.

Day 3

We leave for ANGERS. Those who wish to do so can visit the castle that has the largest medieval tapestry about the Apocalypse. Then we continue to the Loire Valley: TOURS, the capital of the region, on the banks of the Loire, time to explore and have lunch. In the afternoon we visit Villandry Palace, which is famous for its gardens and flowers; admission to gardens included. Accommodation and dinner included in AMBOISE, a city with a very interesting medieval quarter.

Day 4

A day to learn more about the Loire region. First a stroll through Amboise in the early hours to the Clos Lucé mansion where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last 3 years of his life. Exploring the Loire region in a little more depth, we visit CHENONCEAU CASTLE (tickets included), built like a bridge over the River Cher. We continue to CHAMBORD, the largest castle of Loire (entrance to the park included). We will then travel to the center of France. LIMOGES, a city known for its porcelain, where we recommend a stroll in the center to see its cathedral.

Day 5

We will leave Limoges for the Dordogne. Few regions contain so many villages full of charm and unforgettable countryside. We arrive at LASCAUX, we will include admission to the museum and replica of the caves, we will learn about the site’s prehistory with the magnificent cave paintings. After that we see SARLAT, a world heritage town with an incredibly well-preserved Renaissance historic center, where there will be time to stroll and have lunch. In BEYNAC we see a medieval castle overlooking the river (admission included). ROCAMADOUR, a beautiful medieval village with an important sanctuary “hung” over a ravine; we suggest you walk down the via crucis and come back up in the lift. Dinner included.

Day 6

We will go to the impressive PADIRAC caves, where we include a boat ride on the river 75 meters underground. A stop at COLLONGES LA ROUGE, a very picturesque village built with red stone on the Way of St James. Time for lunch. After lunch we travel to ST. EMILION, at the heart of the Bordeaux wine producing region. Time for a stroll. BORDEAUX, arrival at the end of the afternoon.Notice: The caves may be closed from November until the end of March due to the weather conditions.

Day 7

The entire center of Bordeaux has been declared a world heritage site. You will be amazed by the “water mirror” and stroll through the old town with its pedestrian streets and 11th century cathedral. We will include admission (free visit with audio information in English, Spanish or French) to the CITE DU VIN, an impressive interactive museum that recounts the history of the wine and its production; wine tasting included at the viewpoint over Bordeaux. You will have free time later to stroll and have lunch on the banks of the Garonne River, an area full of small restaurants. We continue our way towards the Pyrenees, arriving to LOURDES in the mid-afternoon. We have time to see the sanctuary (we recommend attending the candle procession). Dinner included.

Day 8

We travel through the south of France and stop in CARCASSONNE, a city surrounded by the most beautiful walls in Europe. Time to walk. After lunch we will continue to NARBONNE, free time to get to know this historic Occitan city with its picturesque historic center. At the end of the afternoon we arrive in MARSEILLE, the second city of France. We recommend a walk through its vibrant “Vieux port”, full of life and small restaurants.

Day 9

Today we will discover Provence. In AIX EN PROVENCE the painter Paul Cezanne was born, time to stroll in its magnificent historic center with its small streets, fountains and picturesque squares. We continue to AVIGNON, a time for a walk and lunch in this walled city on the banks of the Rhône that was the seat of the Catholic popes, becoming the second Rome, until it was integrated into France in 1791. Its immense Palace of the Popes reveals its past to us. We continue to PONT DU GARD, entrance included, to the impressive Roman aqueduct, UNESCO World Heritage, one of the most famous and best-preserved Roman monuments in the world. We continue our route towards Catalonia. BARCELONA, arrival in the evening.

Day 10

In the morning we will enjoy the city tour of Barcelona, open to the Mediterranean Sea, famous for Gaudí and its modernist architecture, for its promenades and memories of the Universal Exhibitions and Olympics that took place there. Barcelona is considered one of the most beautiful and interesting European cities. Free time in the afternoon.In the evening we include a transfer to the Maremagnum, an avant-garde leisure center with restaurants facing the sea, next to Plaza Colón, where you can stroll through this lively area and dine.

Day 11

After breakfast, end of our services.