Mediterranean Highlights

France Italy Monaco Spain Vatican City

Ease into the local love of life and good food. Sun-kissed days and sizzling nights guide you along this Mediterranean trip through coastal Spain, France and Italy. Enjoy lunch with sisters Sandra and Antonella on their Tuscan agriturismo near Vinci. All hotel tips, charges and local taxes.

All porterage and restaurant gratuities.

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver.

Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing.

Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals.

Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted.

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys).

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras.

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised..

Optional Experiences and free time
Mediterranean Highlights

Accommodation

DAY 1: Rafael Atocha - Meals: Dinner
DAY 10: Grand Mediterraneo - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11: Precise House Mantegna - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12: Precise House Mantegna - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 2: Rafael Atocha - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Hotel Barcelona Condal Mar, Affiliated By Meliá - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: Hotel Barcelona Condal Mar, Affiliated By Meliá - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Mercure Avignon Gare TGV - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: Novotel Nice Centre Vieux - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7: Novotel Nice Centre Vieux - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: NH Pisa - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9: Grand Mediterraneo - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Experiences

: In the Vatican City visit St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist. Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.

Arles: Hear more about the city that is famed for being the inspiration behind the Van Gogh paintings during a city orientation.

Avignon: View the Pont d'Avignon and walk the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town to the Palais des Papes.

Barcelona: With your Local Specialist, see Las Ramblas and the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to take in some of the city's finest Modernist architecture. Journey past the beautiful façades of the Eixample district to see the exterior of Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família

Cinque Terre: Led by your Local Specialist, visit this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, tucked away on the mountainous Italian Riviera coastline. Admire the charming fishing villages and perhaps snap some memorable pictures.

Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the Multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.

Madrid: Drive through central Madrid and see some of the city's famous features during an orientation with your Travel Director.

Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Specialist. Visit the Old Town, travelling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the Cibeles fountain, Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace.

Monaco City: See the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married.

Pisa: During an orientation, your Travel Director will show you the baptistery, cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Pont du Gard: See the ancient Roman bridges of Pont du Gard that cross the Gardon River.

Tuscany: View the stunning landscape of Tuscany on your drive today.

Zaragoza: See the impressive historic landmarks of this thriving Spanish metropolis.

DAY 1: Welcome to Madrid

Settle into the passionate embrace of fiery Madrid, your launch pad to an epic journey through Spain, France and Italy, filled with unforgettable flavours and soul-stirring encounters. This evening, join your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive past some of Madrid's most iconic sites.

DAY 2: Discover Fiery Madrid

Join a Local Specialist this morning for a sightseeing tour of the Spanish capital, during which you’ll see the Royal Palace, the former residence of the Spanish royal family and the Cibeles Fountain. Enjoy an afternoon on your own exploring the world's best collection of Spanish art at the Prado Museum and shopping on Gran Vía, or consider joining an Optional Experience to the imperial city of Toledo.

DAY 3: Journey to Gaudí's Barcelona

Leave Europe's highest capital behind, bound for the Costa Dorada and the sun-kissed shores of Barcelona. We venture to the pretty banks of the Ebro River and to mystical Zaragoza, whose centuries of heritage have been shaped by the Romans, Moors and Christians. Continue to Barcelona and enjoy some time to recharge siesta style. Later, dive into the indelible sights, sounds and flavours of this enchanting city on your free evening.

DAY 4: Explore Vibrant Barcelona

Join your Local Specialist this morning for a sightseeing tour, soaking up the Mediterranean atmosphere of Catalunia's capital city. See the monument to Christopher Columbus and vibrant Las Ramblas, before stopping outside Antonio Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Família to admire its unique architecture. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure indulging in the fantasy world of Gaudí or strolling through the hidden lanes and peaceful squares in the city's Gothic Quarter. You could consider joining an Optional Experience to the mountain-top monastery of Montserrat, home to the mystical Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia.

DAY 5: Pass the Pyrenees to Arles and Avignon

Journey via the foothills of the Pyrenees into France. Stop in Arles, where Vincent Van Gogh found inspiration for so many of his paintings, before a visit to the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard Aqueduct. Later this afternoon, arrive in the Provençal city of Avignon, where you can view the Gothic Papal Palace and the bridge made famous in the song 'Sur le Pont d’Avignon'.

DAY 6: Venture through Pretty Provence to Nice Dive Into Culture

Your journey today takes you through the fields of Provence, immortalised in the works of Van Gogh & Cézanne. Dive Into Culture in the Provençal town of Aix-en-Provence, founded by the Romans over natural hot springs. Here you can shop for local produce such as wine, olive oil, herbes de Provence and saffron. Later, you'll visit the tiny Principality of Monaco and see the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly were married. This evening, the glitz and glamour beckon as you join your new friends for a memorable dinner in this playground of the rich and famous.

DAY 7: A Day to Enjoy the Riviera

Today, kick back and enjoy a well-deserved morning at leisure on the glorious French Riviera. Soak up the holiday atmosphere at the beach, or perhaps join an Optional Experience to hilltop Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of the oldest towns on the French Riviera.

DAY 8: Onwards to Colourful Cinque Terre and Pisa

Cross the border into Italy and join a Local Specialist for a visit of the dramatic UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre, a series of centuries-old seaside villages which cling impossibly to rugged cliffs that plunge into the Ligurian Sea. Admire the expanse of pastel pink, yellow and orange façades that jostle for sea views. Continue to Pisa where you can relax over dinner at your hotel.

DAY 9: Off to Renaissance Florence Connect with Locals

View Pisa's Square of Miracles, where we'll see the famous Leaning Tower. Next, your introduction to Tuscany is a Be My Guest experience where you’ll Connect With Locals over traditional lunch fare and the warm hospitality for which the region is renowned. Continue to the birthplace of the Renaissance and savour dinner served at your hotel while you reflect on the day's events.

DAY 10: Uncover Florence’s Treasures

Join your Local Specialist this morning for a sightseeing tour of magical Florence. View the Multi-coloured Duomo and the almost 700-year-old Ponte Vecchio. Then, walk through what was once the political hub of the city, the Piazza della Signoria, a veritable open-air treasure trove featuring wonderful sculptures and palazzi. Spend the rest of the day on your own exploration of Florence’s iconic and unexpected sights.

DAY 11: All Roads Lead to Rome

Journey through the rolling hills of Tuscany and Umbria, past the hilltop villages of Orvieto and Orte, before arriving in Rome, the 'Eternal City' – our home for the next two nights.

2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a centre of celebration. As festivities unfold, itineraries may be adjusted to ensure you make the most of your time as you visit the Eternal City. Journey through the rolling hills of Tuscany and Umbria, past the hilltop villages of Orvieto and Orte, before arriving in Rome, the 'Eternal City' – our home for the next two nights.

DAY 12: Discover Ancient Rome and the Vatican City

This morning, visit the Vatican City and see the imposing St. Peter's Basilica, where Michelangelo's sorrowful Pietà has been admired by millions. Venture into Ancient Rome with a Local Specialist and explore the remnants of Roman rule, enjoying views of the Colosseum and Circus Maximus. On your final afternoon, enjoy some free time to indulge in la dolce vita. Perhaps sit on the Spanish Steps, visit the Vatican Museum and admire the exquisite frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel or toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain to secure your speedy return to Rome. Join your fellow travellers and Travel Director for an unforgettable dinner.

This morning, visit the Vatican City and visit the imposing St. Peter's Basilica, where Michelangelo's sorrowful Pietà has been admired by millions. Venture into Ancient Rome with a Local Specialist and explore the remnants of Roman rule, enjoying views of the Colosseum and Circus Maximus. On your final afternoon, enjoy some free time to indulge in la dolce vita. Join your fellow travellers and Travel Director for an unforgettable dinner.

DAY 13: Arrivederci Italy

For now it's a fond farewell to Rome and your newfound friends as your holiday through Spain, France and Italy comes to an end.

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Please contact Global Coach Tours for a list of the latest optional activities available.

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