Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotel, then set out for a morning tour of this thriving city. From the busy squares of Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa to the storied streets of Barrio de Moreria and the Habsburg neighbourhood and the neoclassical Fountain of Neptune, discover the living history of this bustling metropolis with the direction of your expert local guide.
After a morning of cultural immersion, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. This evening, come together as a group for a welcome dinner at a local tapas restaurant and sample the fragrant flavours and piquant spices of Spanish cuisine.
Optional activities:
- Toledo afternoon tour (surcharges apply).
Savour a filling breakfast before heading south in your private coach to Merida. Capital of the western Spanish region of Extremadura, Merida’s famed Roman ruins date back to the 1st century BCE. Spend time exploring the historic remains of this ancient colony and stand at the centre of the miraculously preserved Roman Theatre.
Continue onward to Seville – the vibrant Andalusian capital and birthplace of flamenco. The evening’s yours to enjoy at leisure – walk the city’s storied streets and soak up extraordinary architecture and the vibrant Spanish soul.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 5.5 hours
Optional Activity:
- Las Setas de Sevilla evening city tour (surcharges apply).
Let your expert guide unlock the wonders of romantic Seville as you navigate the maze of narrow, tree-lined streets and blooming courtyards of Santa Cruz – the city’s picture-perfect Jewish Quarter. Lose yourself in the complex blend of Christian and Moorish architecture, epitomised by the Mudejar style of the grand palace of Real Alcazar.
Spend your afternoon meandering through the bright barrio or opt to join a trip to the southern city of Jerez de la Frontera. Built around an 11th-century Moorish fortress, this sun-kissed spot is known globally as the namesake of sherry wine or ‘jerez’ as well as its centuries-old equestrian tradition (surcharges apply).
Optional Activity:
- Jerez de la Frontera excursion with sherry tasting (surcharges apply).
Fill up with a buffet breakfast at your hotel, then hit the road on your way to Cordoba. Founded in the 2nd century BCE, this historically Roman city has a fascinating history of diverse influences converging in a cosmopolitan blend of architecture and culture.
Visit the wonderfully unique Mezquita – a captivating mosque-turned-cathedral that stands as testament to the compounding innovations of Islamic and Christian architects dating back to the 8th century. Over the next millennium, the complex would grow and evolve in unexpected ways, tied to the particular cultural exchange of Spain’s southern reaches. The enormous mosque is an intricately constructed masterpiece of striped arches and wide halls, while the 16th-century cathedral at its heart tells the story of a changing Spain.
Depart for a scenic journey through Spanish olive groves, then check in to your hotel in Granada upon arrival. In the evening, convene with your fellow adventurers for an unforgettable traditional flamenco show over a delicious Spanish dinner.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
PrepaPrepare for the day with a hearty breakfast, then make your way to the jaw-dropping Alhambra. This expansive hilltop fortress complex remains one of the most renowned examples of Islamic architecture in the world. Listen as your guide highlights the intricately carved Moorish architecture, punctuated by signs of the Spanish Renaissance in its layered distillation of a history shrouded in mystery.
Spend your afternoon at leisure, or choose to join an optional walking tour through the Albaicin district and chart the transition of Moorish design to Christian construction as you marvel at the beautiful mosques, churches and artisan shops and visit a celebrated pastry and teashop (surcharges apply).
Optional Activity:
- Albaicin neighbourhood walk (surcharges apply).
After breakfast, wave adios to historic Grenada and say a hearty ¡Hola! to the dazzling blues of the Mediterranean coast. Passing sun-drenched shores, head into Ubeda, Spain’s UNESCO-listed olive oil capital – enjoy a walk of the historic city streets and enjoy an included oil tasting and light lunch at a familial olive grove before arriving at the magnificent greenery and Modernisme style of Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city. Check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours
After breakfast, embark on a morning tour of Valencia’s best and most-notable spots. Visit the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia’s vast and avant-garde collection of cinemas, museums, public parks and plazas.
Depart in the afternoon for Catalonia’s volcanic peaks, shimmering lakes and sprawling vineyards. Upon arriving in the region’s capital, Barcelona, admire the city’s soul-soaring architecture – including many of the notable creations by revered Barcelonan architect Antoni Gaudi – and a rolling, forest-clad backdrop. Spend just a moment in Barcelona’s extraordinary streets and it becomes easy to see how this was the city that shaped Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Optional activities:
- Valencia paella experience (surcharges apply).
Embark on a Barcelona tour and become enchanted by its endless surprises and delights. Your first stop is Montjuic Mountain, the site of the 1992 Olympic Games. From here, take in sweeping views of the city.
On your return, drive along the prestigious Paseo de Gracia, passing Gaudí’s iconic buildings like Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. Then, visit the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s unfinished magnum opus and a shining symbol of Barcelona’s vivid past, present and future.
Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. Feast on jamon, seafood and chocolate, or wander the streets in search of another architectural masterpiece – there’s one around every corner. In the evening, enjoy one final dinner in Spain with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant.
Before you make your Spanish departure, enjoy a delicious breakfast during your final few hours in Barcelona. Enjoy a group transfer to the airport where you’ll jump on a flight to Italy’s canal city, Venice.
Benvenuti in Italia! The whirlwind Italian leg of your tour begins on arrival at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), where you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city.
Romance and revelry meet in explosive colour along this spectacular city’s shady canals and labyrinthine alleys. Fine seafood, artfully arched bridges and glorious sunsets are just some of the reasons visitors flock to Venice each year. Arrive early and settle in before meeting your tour director in the evening.
Travel time: Flight – approx. two hours
Spend today exploring the magnificent floating city of Venice. Follow you guide as you walk the narrow alleys and cross picturesque bridges over peaceful canals to discover the city’s most beautiful sites, including the lively Piazza San Marco with its miraculous Byzantine basilica, the grand Doge’s Palace and the spectacular Rialto Bridge, which arches over the Grand Canal.
Later, you’re free to explore this glorious city’s twisting streets at leisure, perhaps paying a visit to the legendary Bridge of Sighs – a beautiful structure, so-named for its tragic history. Alternatively, choose to join an optional lagoon cruise to Murano and Burano, famous for glassmaking, lacework and brightly coloured stonework (surcharges apply).
In the early evening, climb into a gondola for a magical ride along the canals on your way to a decadent dinner at a local restaurant.
Optional Activity:
- Murano & Burano Venitian Lagoon cruise (surcharges apply).
Gather your energy with a filling breakfast, then head south to beautiful Bologna. Soaring towers, stunning churches and lengthy porticoes paint a picture of rich architectural heritage. Take a guided tour of this warm and welcoming city and visit the Archiginnasio, home to the historic Anatomical Theatre. This awe-inspiring palace was formerly part of the University of Bologna – opened in the 11th century and thought to be the oldest university in the world.
Continue to Florence, the UNESCO-listed capital of Tuscany and known as the birthplace of the Renaissance. Spend your evening in your comfortable hotel and choose to step out into the glittering streets by night.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 3.5 hours
Rise and shine with a refreshing breakfast, then join a guided walking tour through the storied streets of this marvellous jewel of the Renaissance. With its extensive cultural heritage and far-reaching influence, Florence is a living expression of one of Italy’s most enduring artistic movements.
Admire the beautiful bustle of the Piazza della Signoria, the elegant grandeur of Florence Cathedral and its eye-catching red duomo and soaring bell tower, the octagonal oddity of the Battistero and the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge, spanning the Arno River.
Spend the afternoon freely wandering the city of arts, perhaps choosing to visit the Uffizi Gallery for a chance to witness Botticelli’s masterpiece, ‘The Birth of Venus’.
Optional activities:
- Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery & Medici Chapels (surcharges apply).
Wake to a hearty buffet breakfast and enjoy a day at leisure. Choose to wander the cobbled streets in search of ultra-delicious gelato, sit down for a plate of tagliatelle funghi porcini e tartufo (fresh mushroom pasta) or step into the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze to see the statue of David, Michelangelo’s masterpiece.
Alternatively, decide to join an optional full-day excursion to nearby Pisa, where you can see the famous leaning tower, and the Renaissance-era structure of Lucca, an Italian ‘City of Art’ (surcharges apply).
Optional activities:
- Day tour of Pisa and Lucca (surcharges apply).
Waste no time this morning as you set out on the road to Chianti. The heart of Italy’s wine country, Chianti is an idyllic landscape of gently rolling hills and bucolic stone villages.
Above all, Chianti is known for its titular wine, produced primarily with red Sangiovese grapes. Let vibrant fruity notes and contrasting herbal tones dance across your palate as you join a tasting at one of the region’s best vineyards.
Continue to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage listed historic city encircled by walls constructed in the Middle Ages. Follow your local guide through the streets to immerse yourself in the art, culture and traditions, then stop for an ‘aperitivo’ of local wine and light lunch in the renowned Piazza del Campo.
Later, depart for Perugia, where you’ll check in at your hotel and spend the evening at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 2.5 hours
Start your day exploring the university town of Perugia, famed for its arts festivals and cultural events. As the capital of Italy’s central Umbria region, this city boasts medieval palaces, a Gothic cathedral and Renaissance artwork aplenty.
Continue on to Assisi where Saint Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order, was born. Gaze upon the 13th-century basilicas of Saint Francis and his contemporary Saint Clare, who together established the ‘Poor Clares’ as a branch of the Franciscan Order.
This afternoon, depart for Rome and check in at your hotel. Spend the rest of your day acquainting yourself with this nonstop metropolis at your own pace.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 2.5 hours
No where does romance like Rome – this city is a buzzing blend of contemporary culture and rich history.
Step out on a morning discovery tour, marvelling at the cobbled alleys and impressive sites that pepper this urban landscape. Your tour culminates at enormous Saint Peter’s Square, right at the doorstep of Saint Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City. Join your guide as you enter the jaw-dropping Sistine Chapel. Turn your eyes to the heavens and survey the profoundly moving ceiling fresco, painted by the inimitable Michelangelo.
Later, choose to spend your leisure time absorbing the views at Piazza Navona and the incredible Pantheon. Don’t miss your chance to throw a coin into the legendary Trevi Fountain and make a wish.
Optional activities:
- Rome iconic sights tour (surcharges apply).
Indulge in a buffet breakfast at your hotel, then set about on a day of discovery at leisure.
Choose to view the masterworks of Caravaggio, Canova and Raphael at the Borghese Gallery, watch the playful resident cats of Largo di Torre Argentina leaping and lazing around the temple ruins, or cool off with a scoop at hidden gem Gelateria del Teatro.
Perhaps you’ll decide to join an optional tour of the Colosseum, one of the most impressive architectural marvels of the ancient world (surcharges apply).
Optional activities:
- Colosseum tour (surcharges apply).
After savouring a hearty breakfast, you’ll leave the Eternal City of Rome behind and journey south towards Pompeii, an archaeological wonder frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. As you wander through the ancient streets, you’ll get a glimpse into the lives of the Romans who lived here, from their sophisticated baths to the haunting plaster casts of those who perished.
Later, indulge in a taste of history with a visit to a local vineyard producing Lacryma Christi, a wine that has its roots in the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius. Enjoy a tasting paired with a light lunch, before settling in to your accommodation for an afternoon at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 2.5 hours
Today is yours to explore at your own pace. Relax in Pompei, soaking in the atmosphere of this historic town, or opt for an adventure further afield.
If you choose, head to the island of Capri, a place that has captivated emperors and artists alike. A walking tour will guide you through the island’s highlights, including the lush Augustus Gardens with their panoramic views over the Faraglioni rock formations. In the early afternoon sail over to Sorrento and enjoy a brief stroll through this charming coastal town. Pay a visit a local limoncello producer and take the opportunity to taste the iconic lemon liqueur that defines the region.
Optional activities
- Capri walking tour (surcharges apply).
After breakfast, set sail from Salerno to explore the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. This iconic stretch of coastline, with its towering cliffs and quaint villages, is as dramatic as it is beautiful. Your first stop is Amalfi, where you can wander through the narrow streets and admire the stunning cathedral that dominates the town. Next, visit Positano, a pastel-coloured cliffside village that tumbles down to the sea. Enjoy your time exploring the boutiques, cafes, and stunning vistas before returning to Pompei for the night.
Travel time: Sailing – approx. four hours
Fuel up with breakfast before heading to Caserta, where the grandeur of the Royal Palace awaits. The Reggia di Caserta, once the residence of the Bourbon kings of Naples, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest royal palace in the world by volume. Marvel at its opulent interiors, sprawling gardens, and baroque architecture. Afterward, it’s back to Rome, where the day culminates in a hands-on cooking master class at a traditional pizzeria. Learn the secrets of making authentic Italian pizza, then enjoy the fruits of your labour with a farewell dinner among new friends.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Your Italian adventure concludes today. After breakfast, you’ll be privately transferred to Rome International Airport (FCO) for your onward journey.
Departure & Transfers:
Checkout on your final day is at 11am. Please book your flights to depart from Rome International Airport (FCO) at any time. Airport transfers are included on the last day of your tour. Your transfer will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport.