Essential Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and France

Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival in Lisbon, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, spend some time at leisure to explore the city at your own pace or unwind in your hotel.

Overnight in Lisbon

Note: Kindly check the information posters in the hotel reception area. These include all the details regarding your tour, such as the meeting time and place, along with the guide's name.

Have your breakfast and later embark on a sightseeing tour of Lisbon. Accompanied by a local guide, you will discover the traditional neighborhoods of the Belem district, the birthplace of the great Portuguese navigators who sailed across the oceans in the 15th century. You will get to see various monuments and architectural structures in the city, such as the Belem Tower and the beautiful Jeronimos Monastery, a World Heritage Site dubbed by UNESCO. This experience is a highlight of many Group Portugal tours, offering a rich blend of history and charm. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore this incredible city at your own pace. At the end of the afternoon, you will be transferred to Restauradores Square, known for its incredible bars and cafes, from where you may take the “Elevador da Gloria,” which will bring you to the Upper District and its viewpoint.

Overnight in Lisbon

We will leave Portugal early in the morning, traveling through the picturesque Alentejo region. Our first stop will be in Estremoz, a charming town renowned for its medieval castle, cobblestone streets, stunning architecture, and tranquil atmosphere that beautifully reflects Portuguese culture. Continuing our journey into Spain, we will arrive in Cáceres, where you can savor lunch and take a leisurely walk through its historic center, celebrated for its remarkably preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture. Our day concludes with an evening arrival in Madrid, where a transfer to the lively Plaza Mayor awaits, brimming with restaurants and vibrant energy.

Overnight in Madrid

Your morning begins with an in-depth tour of central Madrid, showcasing iconic landmarks such as Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. Next, we’ll explore Retiro Park, a serene green haven in the heart of the city, where you can admire the lake and the stunning Palacio de Cristal. The tour includes admission to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the legendary home of Real Madrid, widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest football clubs. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. In the evening, a transfer back to the hotel will be provided.

Overnight in Madrid

After breakfast, In the morning we leave for Aragón over the lands of Castile. In Zaragoza we stop briefly to see the Pilar Basilica. We continue to the Monastery of Poblet, surrounded by its walls in a beautiful site that is one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world (entrance included). We then proceed to the Monastery of Montserrat where you will go up the mountain on a rack train to see its fantastic scenery following this we will continue to Barcelona, arriving in the late afternoon. 

Note: In some cases, depending on the timetable of the rack railway, the ascent to Montserrat can be done in our coach. From November to March, due to the shorter duration of the days, we will neither be ascending nor stopping in Montserrat

Overnight in Barcelona

 

Wake up early for an incredible city tour that will cover numerous tourist attractions across Barcelona. Your tour will take you to La Rambla – a vibrant street in Central Barcelona that connects Placa de Catalunya with the Monument of Christopher Columbus. See the famous works of Gaudi, a famous and highly respected Spanish architect known for his unique style of architecture. You can see his famous masterworks, including Sagrada Familia Cathedral and La Pedrera along Passeig de Gracia. At approximately 6:00 PM, you will be transferred to Girona, a small Catalan capital with a beautiful historic center. In this city, the cathedral stands out with its incredible staircase. Spend the rest of the evening exploring the city at your own pace.

Overnight in Girona

We leave for France, crossing Provence. We stop in Arles, a small world heritage city where we will remember Van Gogh and can see its Roman theatre and small Romanesque churches. Time for a stroll and lunch. We carry on and include admission to Carrieres De Lumiere, an im- pressive show of art, image and sound underground, in former quarries. Chambery, arrival and accommodation in the charming capital of Savoie, a medieval city with a beautiful old town and a great castle.

Overnight in Chambery

Our journey takes us to Switzerland, with our first stop in Geneva. Accompanied by our guide, we’ll visit the Palais des Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations, stroll through the picturesque English Garden with its iconic flower clock, and marvel at the Jet d’Eau, Europe’s tallest fountain. Next, we’ll explore the enchanting walled village of Gruyères, renowned worldwide for its cheese. Nearby, you’ll find some of Switzerland’s most famous chocolate factories, including Nestlé. Our tour includes admission to the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory, where you’ll indulge in a delightful tasting experience. Continuing along scenic routes, we’ll pass through idyllic mountain landscapes and charming wooden villages on our way to Chillon Castle, perched on the shores of Lake Geneva (admission included). By mid-afternoon, we’ll arrive in Leysin, a delightful holiday village offering breathtaking views of the Rhône Valley and Mont Blanc. Known for its winter sports and hiking trails, Leysin promises a memorable stay. Dinner will be included.

Note: Depending on availability, accommodation may occasionally be arranged in another charming Alpine town, such as Martigny.

Overnight in Leysin

Today´s stage has beautiful high mountain scenery. Don´t forget your winter clothes, we climb to one of the most spectacular spots in Switzerland where you can see ice and snow all year round. We include the cable car ride up to Glacier 3000 where you can walk on the sus- pended bridge in the gap between two mountain peaks, enter the Ice Cathedral or “play” in the Fun Park. Stop in Interlaken and time for lunch. Among very picturesque lakes we continue to Lucerne, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. Continue to Zurich, where there is time for a stroll downtown before going to the hotel.  

Note: Occasionally, for major weather reasons such as rain or strong winds, the cable car to Glacier 3000 may not operate. 

Overnight in Zurich 

After a delicious breakfast we will depart from Zurich and head to the French region of Alsace, where we’ll visit its picturesque capital, Strasbourg—a delightful city that harmoniously combines French and German influences. You’ll have the opportunity to explore and immerse yourself in the city’s charm. Following this, we will continue our journey to Paris, arriving by evening.

Overnight in Paris

 

Early in the morning, we will leave for Versailles Palace, the immense palace of the kings of France. After that, we will return to Paris at lunch time where we provide a transfer to the Montmartre district. We will ascend by funicular to the hill and admire the spectacular view of Paris from the top. This neighborhood is known for its painters, artists, and its cabarets… Sit down for lunch and enjoy a magical atmosphere. Then, a scenic guided tour to discover the history, main boulevards and the breathtaking monuments of Paris will take place. Return to hotel. Optionally you can at- tend a variety show.

Overnight in Paris

After breakfast, Our day begins in the heart of Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower, where you’ll have the opportunity to ascend to its second floor and take in breathtaking views (tickets included). Following this, we’ll embark on a serene boat cruise along the Seine, lasting approximately 75 minutes. The afternoon is yours to explore the city at your leisure.

Note: If wait times at the Eiffel Tower are excessive, the visit may be rescheduled to a later time or moved to Sunday for your convenience.

Overnight in Paris

After breakfast, make your own way to the International Airport in Paris for your flight home.