DISCOVERING SPAIN & FRANCE – MAR/ 2023

Departure from San Francisco to Madrid

Arrival Madrid. Meeting with our representative at the airport and leaving immediately to Caceres, land of the first discoverers and their spiritual roots, whose historical centers are perfectly preserved, being Caceres a World Heritage city. Rest of the day free. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and departure to Merida. It was capital of the  Lusitanian Roman Province .  Its historical heritage is still visible in the city.  The Theater, the amphitheater (entrances not included) are preserved, Diana’s Temple, the aqueducts.  In the afternoon continuation to Sevilla. Rest of the day free. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast . Departure for a half day visit. We will visit the Cathedral and its famous Giralda, the banks of the river Guadalquivir, the popular neighborhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana, the Maria Luisa Park, la Plaza de las Americas. Rest of the day free. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast . Today we travel along the White Villages route listening to stories of outlaws and bandits to Ronda, one of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia. Free time in the historic center where we will have the possibility to see the Puente Nuevo and the Alameda de San Carlos that will offer us magnificent panoramic views of the Sierras de Ronda, Home of St. John Bosco. Continuation to Granada and its incredible and astonishing monumental environment, the last bastion of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada until 1492. Visit the world famous complex of the Alhambra with its beautiful Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife Gardens, fountains, gardens, patios that with their views and Sounds have inspired authors like Washington Irving in his “Tales of the Alhambra.” Rest of the afternoon at leisure in which we recommend taking a walk through the monumental area of Granada, walking through the origins of this city that still preserves all the magic of its Arab past.
Dinner and overnight.. At night, optionally, you can enjoy a Zambra Gitana show in the Sacromonte neighborhood.

Breakfast . Departure heading north where the impressive Imperial city of Toledo rises under the sky of Castilla and surrounded by the Tajo River – a World Heritage Site and cradle of civilizations – where the three cultures coexisted: Christians, Muslims and Jews. Excerpt from the art, history and spirituality of the country the entire city is a National Monument. After lunch (Not included), visit of the most important monuments, its narrow streets and the Damasquinado technique (inlaying precious metals in steel). Continuation to Madrid. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast . Morning panoramic visit of the city, visiting its main neighborhoods and monuments: Plaza de España, Gran Vía, Plaza Cibeles, with its harmonious fountain dedicated to the Greek goddess of agriculture and fertility, Paseo de la Castellana, Santiago Stadium Bernabéu, the Paseo del Prado with its famous museum, the old Atocha railway station, the Retiro Park, the Plaza Puerta del Sol and the Plaza de Oriente (with the Royal Palace the Opera House and the statue of Philip IV). Afternoon free. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast. Departure to St. Sebastian. Stop on the way to Guadalajara, where the Fort of San Francisco is located. The Fort was the Convent of San Francisco, founded in the 14th century. In the afternoon, we continue to St. Sebastián, one of the most famous tourist destinations in Spain. Panoramic tour of this city whose landscape is dominated by the Bay and the Concha Beach. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast. Departure north to reach the French border and continue towards Bordeaux. Rest of the day free. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast. Early departure taking the Normandy highway to enter the old province, famous for its green landscapes. Arrival at Mt St. Michel. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast. This morning we will cross to the foot of the mountain to begin a guided tour, in which we will visit the Gothic and Romanesque parts of the city. During the tour we will enter its famous abbey, visited by more than 1.3 million people a year. In the early afternoon departure to the City of Light, Paris. Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will start to visit the City of Love passing through the Avenue of the Champs-Elysées, the Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe, the National Assembly, the Opera, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum (entrance not included !! ), the Invalides, the Champ de Mars, the Eiffel Tower. Free afternoon for personal activities, shopping or taking an excursion to continue discovering the places that this city offers us. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast. Departure on our bus to Chambord through beautiful landscapes characteristic of the Loire Valley. Our guide will lead you through various rooms of the castle, climbing the famous “double spiral staircase” until you reach the large panoramic terrace. After this visit to Chambord, our guide will accompany you in a room of the castle to enjoy a wine tasting organized by La Maison des Vins. Free time for lunch and continuation to Chenonceau. Entrance into the park of the Château de Chenonceau. You can then stroll along a magnificent tree-lined promenade from where you will enjoy incredible views of the castle. Our guide will make a presentation of this sumptuous royal residence, known as the “Castle of the Ladies”. Return to Paris. Dinner and overnight. At night we do the optional excursion to the Lido or the Mouline Rouge!!!!.

Breakfast. Day at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer by our private bus to the airport to board our flight back to S. Francisco.