Highlights of France and Barcelona
Experience Overview
One of our most popular France and Spain trips, this jam-packed journey from Paris to Barcelona is a feast for every sense, from lunch with locals and elegant chateaux in the Loire Valley, to the buzz of Avignon’s Place de l’Horloge and the irresistible French Riviera.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
Be My Guest
- Villandry: Return to 17th-century France and join the de Montferrier family on their farm near the famous Château de Villandry for a traditional three-course Tourangelle Be My Guest dinner paired with local wines.
Dive into Culture
- Figueres: Visit the Dalí Theater-Museum, considered Salvador Dalí's last great work offering visitors real insight into his captivating world.
Iconic Experience
- Paris: Explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris on an orientation drive this evening.
- Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
- Chateau Chenonceau: Visit Château de Chenonceau or commonly known as 'Ladies Castle' which got its name from the many women who influenced its construction.
- Chartres: Bask in the beautiful religious architecture from the 13th century as you explore the town of Chartres.
- Lyon: Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour through Lyon's historic center. Ascend Fourvière hill for panoramic views of of the city below.
- Avignon: View the Pont d'Avignon and walk the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town to the Palais des Papes.
- Monaco City: See the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married.
- Carcassonne: Explore the fortified city of Carcassonne with a Local Specialist.
- Barcelona: With your Local Specialist, see 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.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Paris, Lyon, Carcassonne and Barcelona
- Discover Avignon, French Riviera, Monaco and Arles
- Visit Château de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley and the Dalí Theater and Museum in Figueres
- View Eiffel Tower and Saint-Sulpice Church in Paris, Chartres Cathedral, Château de Chambord, the Popes' Palace of Avignon, Monaco's Royal Palace and Cathedral, the Roman Amphitheater of Arles and La Sagrada Família and Columbus Monument in Barcelona
- Scenic Drive through the Loire Valley
Trip Details
Product Code: 19170
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 103.678A
Starts: Paris, France
Finishes: Barcelona, Spain
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- High-speed train from Barcelona to Madrid
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4,243 ($424 /day)
Itinerary
Glittering Paris is your launchpad for an epic adventure through the highlights of France and magnificent Barcelona. Spend your first day in the 'City of Light' exploring the art, architecture and culture of this romantic city on your own. Visit a renowned gallery, shop up a storm or relax in manicured gardens watching the world go by. Later, join your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a dinner and orientation drive past some of the city's most impressive sights, including the grand Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe.
Accommodation: Courtyard Paris Porte de Versailles
Meals: Dinner
Spend the morning in the company of a Local Specialist on a journey through the historic neighborhoods of Paris, to see where the locals live and shop. View the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Walk along the Seine and admire the talents of street artists and performers, amble through the scenic hilltop village of Montmartre or relax with a café au lait watching the world go by. This evening, consider soaking up the pageantry of Paris with an Optional Experience to a popular Parisian cabaret.
Accommodation: Courtyard Paris Porte de Versailles
Meals: Breakfast
Visit Chartres, an important place of pilgrimage on the 'Way of Saint James', and see its inspiring French Gothic cathedral, renowned for its stained glass windows and two contrasting spires. We journey through the rolling landscape of the Loire Valley, past beautiful villages and castles. View the impressive Château de Chambord, a marvel of French Renaissance architecture, then visit Château de Chenonceau. Later, Connect With Locals, joining your travel companions and the de Montferrier family on their farm for a traditional three-course Tourangelle Be My Guest dinner experience with local wines.
Accommodation: Mercure Tours Nord
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Traveling through the heart of France, we arrive in the gastronomic capital of Lyon where we'll join a Local Specialist for a tour of the old city, revealing its rich cultural heritage. Wander through the traboules and marvel at the magnificent skyline from Fourvière hill, followed by free time to explore this city between two rivers.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Lyon Cite Internationale
Meals: Breakfast
Head to the city of Avignon, once the seat of the Catholic popes and still rich with medieval charm. See the Papal Palace and the famous bridge from the French children’s song Sur le Pont d’Avignon. Then travel through the Provençal countryside, passing lavender fields and sun-soaked villages, en route to the glittering French Riviera. This evening is yours to explore at your own pace: take a stroll along the waterfront, dine al fresco or simply soak up the coastal vibe.
Accommodation: Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000
Meals: Breakfast
A fun-filled day includes a visit to the tiny Principality of Monaco where you’ll view the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married. See the superyachts in the port and catch a glimpse of the famed grand prix circuit. Enjoy relaxing on the sun-kissed shores of the Côte d'Azur, retreat to the beach with your fellow sun-worshippers, or perhaps embark on an Optional Experience to the medieval hill-top village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Accommodation: Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000
Meals: Breakfast
We travel west to the Camargue center of Arles, with its honey-colored façades and Roman ruins, enjoying some time at leisure to explore this beautiful city, or perhaps choosing an Optional Experience to gain a deeper understanding of Vincent van Gogh and local history with our resident expert. Later we continue through the landscapes of Provence, immortalized in the works of Cézanne and Van Gogh, to the fortified city of Carcassonne. A guided exploration of this exquisite, ancient town will reveal the Cité, its double ring of ramparts and 52 towers.
Accommodation: Tribe Carcassonne
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Driving past the foothills of the Pyrenees, we stop in Figueres to visit the Dalí Theater and Museum where we will Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the fascinating world of Salvador Dalí. See his work in this impressive building, before arriving in Barcelona this afternoon for an included sightseeing tour. We’ll see the Columbus Monument and Antoni Gaudí's unfinished La Sagrada Família, with a Local Specialist. The evening is yours to explore this Mediterranean gem. Consider an Optional Experience to enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine and entertainment, or enjoy a delicious tapas feast on your own at one of the city's fine restaurants.
Accommodation: Barceló Sants
Meals: Breakfast
Spend the day soaking up the vibrant spirit of Barcelona. Perhaps pay a morning visit to mystical Montserrat to visit its Benedictine monastery and see the mysterious Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. Ramble up Las Ramblas and people-watch in the Plaça de Catalunya, explore the whimsical architecture of Gaudí dotted across the city or consider an Optional Experience to discover the fascinating Gothic Quarter. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner with wine at a vibrant Spanish restaurant.
Accommodation: Barceló Sants
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
It's time to close the curtain on an unforgettable holiday in France and Barcelona. Say adiós to the bustling streets of Barcelona and your travel companions.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2024
The director and bus driver were excellent. The sites were well chosen but extra free time would have been appreciated. There should have been another choice with the fish dinner. The optional dinner in Barcelona ran out of food. Thus no desert. Everything else was great. A couple of hotels were substandard.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/19/2024
Janice Farrell - Traveled, April 2024
Everything was perfect! Our tour guide so fun, knowledgeable and on top of every detail. Smooth sailing the whole time! Bus driver was outstanding! Those narrow roads, and the steep inclines. Took care of our luggage and was very personable! Entire trip was awesome! Would highly recommend to all. Fast paced and very interesting. There were special tour guides at every stop! It was a whirlwind trip with a lot of bus time but, we saw so much of the country in 10 days!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/26/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2024
Bruno and Carlos were great!! Moulin Rouge was wonderful! Really enjoyed “Be Our Guest” dinner Loved the Flamenco dancers! Trip Rating I know it was “Highlights” but there was way too much time in the bus. And not enough time in the cities we stopped at. Hotel dinners were not that good and would have rather gone into town. The Van Gogh expert was difficult to hear and talked too much. He held up small pictures that were hard to see. I would have skipped this part We should have been told that seeing the Black Madonna required a separate ticket and extra time in line. that was the only reason I took this tour and I could only see her from a distance. I could have skipped the Dali museum and had more time in Barcelona. There was also a woman on our tour whose daughter worked for Trafalgar. I don’t know if this impacted our guide and bus driver. She was nice but we all knew her connections. The Pullman Hotel was in a horrible location. The toilet in our room was dirty and their was evidence of urine in the floor in front if the toilet I wish the hotel in Nice had been closer to the promenade Americana I felt like I missed out on a lot of Nice Skip the perfumery. It took too much time. And felt like stop that might have given Trafalgar a kickback.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/16/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2024
Good for the money, needs better organization. Very good tour. Could have organized stops better. Seeing the Eifel tower should not have been on day 1 after getting off a flight of 9 hours. Day 1 should be meet and greet then start fresh the next day. Great introduction to France! Touring throughout the country allows you to experience so many basilicas and architecture unimaginable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/16/2024
Preeti Kiran - Traveled, January 2024
Trafalgar -France Barcelona trip. Amazing experience— hassle free way to travel the world. We purchased Trafalgar through Costco travel— excellent experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/20/2024
Angela Metz - Traveled, February 2024
This was our 7th Trafalgar trip. We have been extremely satisfied with the quality of our Trafalgar trips. The tour directors and coach drivers are exceptional. Bruno and Carlos were the absolute best on our France and Barcelona trip. We enjoyed our trip and highly recommend Trafalgar. The itinerary was exceptional! We had opportunities to see everything and took advantage of all the optional experiences.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/15/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2024
Extra charges for tours! To be more clear their will extra charges for tours. Prefer to stay 2 days instead if one ; you get tire quicker; causing not to enjoy the different places.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/17/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, February 2024
Wonderful sites to visit Tour itself much too large. Tour Grp was very large/48 people - I though I had requested a small grp. Tour guide was very good but she did not come into certain sites to provide tour directly. Stated that she couldn't yet we saw other tour guides providing personal tour for their grp. Hotels & transportation were very nice, itinerary was great!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/24/2024
Amelia Call - Traveled, February 2024
Excellent tour director and driver. Excellent stops, knowledgeable tour director.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/13/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, January 2024
Memorable! Wonderful tour and Sarah was an excellent tour guide. We saw so much in just 10 days. Terrific. Great service!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/16/2024
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