Basque Country, Lourdes, Provence and Barcelona (2025)

Jour 1

We leave for the lands of Castile. Beautiful landscapes crossing mountains. Arrival in SEGOVIA, and circumambulating the city, we arrive at the Viewpoint of the Pradera de San Marcos, from where we will have the best views of the Alcázar of Segovia (which inspired Walt Disney for the witch´s castle in Sleeping Beauty) and its walls. Later we will park next to the Roman aqueduct of Segovia, built in the 1st century, although in use until 1973 and currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have free time to walk through the old part of the city and have lunch, heading to the Plaza Mayor, where you can see the cathedral and the Alcázar.We continue our route along small roads that allow us to appreciate the towns and landscapes on the way to PEDRAZA, considered one of the most beautiful towns in Spain, a powerfully walled medieval town, cobblestone streets, historic buildings, Plaza Mayor and its fortress that dates back to the 13th century. In the afternoon we continue our route to the Basque Country. Arrival in BILBAO. Free time in the old town with its numerous taverns and bars, where you can taste the famous “pintxos”.

Jour 2

Today we will visit Portugalete, the Vizcaya Bridge (admission included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for being the world´s first ferry bridge for pedestrians and vehicles. We continue to get to know Bilbao and its estuary, where the Guggenheim Museum stands out with its striking exterior architecture, the old town, the old medieval center with its streets full of life, its cathedral. Free time for a walk and lunch. We recommend La Ribera Market for lunch, which offers stalls with typical Basque cuisine in a boat-like structure, located in front of the river.After lunch time we will leave for GUERNICA, known for being the place, where one of the worst massacres of the Spanish Civil War, remembered in the painting of Pablo Picasso, was fought. Here is the Tree of Gernika, under whose branches the Basque Country was granted autonomy in the Middle Ages. We continue towards HONDARRIBIA (Fuenterrabía) with its beaches, its walls, its maritime atmosphere and its historic center, where the grid layout of its narrow, cobbled streets may only surprise us. Time in the old town for a walk and have dinner. Continuation to SAN SEBASTIAN, arriving at the end of the day in the elegant capital of Guipúzcoa. Our hotel is usually located at the top of Mount Igueldo, from where you can see one of the most beautiful views of this elegant illuminated city.

Jour 3

In the morning, after admiring the views over the bay of San Sebastian from Mount Igueldo, we´ll head to the Miramar Palace and its beautiful gardens. Free time afterwards to enjoy the city´s large beach or stroll along its boulevards. We suggest having lunch in the "Old Town" famous for its pintxos bars. Early in the afternoon, we will go to France. BORDEAUX, arrival in the evening. We suggest taking a walk through the city center.

Jour 4

The entire center of Bordeaux has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. Prepare to be captivated by the "Water Mirror" and explore the historic old town with its charming pedestrian streets and 11th-century cathedral. We will include admission to the Cité du Vin (with audio tour in English, Spanish or French), an impressive interactive museum that delves into the history and production of wine; wine tasting included at the viewpoint overlooking Bordeaux. Later, you´ll have free time to stroll along the Garonne River banks, lined with quaint restaurants perfect for lunch. Afterward, we continue towards the Pyrenees, arriving in Lourdes by mid-afternoon. You´ll have time to visit the sanctuary (we suggest attending the candlelit procession). Dinner will be included.

Jour 5

We’ll travel through the south of France, stopping in Carcassonne, a city surrounded by some of the most beautiful walls in Europe. You´ll have time to walk and explore. After lunch, we’ll continue to Narbonne, where you’ll have free time to discover this historic Occitan city with its picturesque old town. In the late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Marseille, France’s second-largest city. We recommend a walk through its vibrant Vieux-Port (Old Port), bustling with life and dotted with charming small restaurants.

Jour 6

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.

Jour 7

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.

Jour 8

We’ll travel south along the Mediterranean, making a special stop in Peniscola, a charming walled town by the sea surrounded by picturesque landscapes, where we’ll have time for a stroll. We’ll then continue to Valencia, a vibrant port city on the Levantine coast, arriving around lunchtime. Will you try the famous paella? At approximately 04:30 p.m., we’ll continue our journey to Madrid, but not before making a brief stop at the avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia. We’ll arrive in Madrid between 08:30 and 09:00 p.m.Note: Depending on the number of passengers, the journey from Valencia to Madrid might be carried out by high-speed train.

Jour 9

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.