Mediterranean Journey - Start Paris, Classic Group
Mediterranean Journey - Start Paris, Classic Group
$6050
Mediterranean Journey - Start Paris, Classic Group
16 Days Starting in Paris, France and ending in Rome, Italy
Visiting: Paris, Bordeaux, Madrid, Barcelona, Nice, Florence, Rome
Tour operator:
Tour code:
T915MN126
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Mediterranean Journey - Start Paris, Classic Group" tour, a captivating exploration of France, Spain, and Italy. Begin in the romantic city of Paris, where you can indulge in local delicacies and explore iconic landmarks. Journey through the picturesque Loire Valley to Bordeaux, and savor the Basque tradition of pintxos in San Sebastián. Discover the vibrant culture of Madrid and the architectural wonders of Barcelona. Experience the elegance of the French Riviera in Nice and the glamour of Monaco. In Italy, marvel at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the artistic treasures of Florence, and the timeless beauty of Rome. Travel in comfort aboard a luxurious coach, enjoy authentic dining experiences, and stay in well-appointed hotels. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural highlights, scenic landscapes, and culinary delights, ensuring an unforgettable Mediterranean adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation Name: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Paris, enjoy time at leisure to settle into your hotel. During your time here you will see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde, the Champs Elysées and Arc de Triomphe. Later, join your Travel Director at a local brasserie in the heart of Paris for a fabulous dinner.
Day 2: Paris, The City Of Light
Location: Paris
Accommodation Name: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your exploration of Paris today begins with an Insight Choice. Choose to explore community life in the picturesque Montorgueil district. Alternatively, join a Local Expert, an avid foodie, as you head into areas where Parisians go about their daily lives to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. With the afternoon free, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city.
Day 3: Onto Bordeaux
Location: Bordeaux
Accommodation Name: Novotel Gare St Jean, Bordeaux
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head southwards towards Châteaux Country. Take a scenic drive along the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region is known as the Jardins de France for the beautifully maintained gardens created on vast estates as outdoor living areas. Visit the majestic Chenonceau Castle, an elegant French château spanning the River Cher. Continue on to the bustling in-land port of Bordeaux with its unique 18th century character.
Day 4: Bordeaux And San Sebastián
Location: Bordeaux
Accommodation Name: Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join a Local Expert for a guided tour of France's best 18th century architecture. The facades of the quaysides, the Grand Théâtre, Triangle d'Or and magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces all contributed to Bordeaux earning inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Next, continue to picturesque San Sebastián where you will have the chance to dine with the locals in the evening. In small groups, wander through the Old Town for a progressive dinner, as you enjoy the gastronomic Basque tradition of pintxos. Similar to tapas, enjoy a variety of snack-sized treats to make your meal and be sure to try some of the local Txakoli wine.
Day 5: On To Madrid Relaxed Start
Location: Madrid
Accommodation Name: Riu Plaza España, Madrid
Meals Included: Breakfast
Continue through the mountains and gorges of the north and emerge from the tunnel in the Sierra de Guadarrama onto the plateau of New Castile and Spain's elegant capital of Madrid. In the evening, why not see the city lit up it all its glory, with a drive along the grand avenues and past the spectacular fountains?
Day 6: Madrid
Location: Madrid
Accommodation Name: Riu Plaza España, Madrid
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join your Local Expert for a sightseeing tour of the Old Town as well as, along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana and past the fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles. Enjoy sightseeing with your Local Expert, as they guide you through the most historic neighborhoods in the Spanish capital. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter to discover the origins of the city. Visit the Reina Sofía Museum with an art historian to see Picasso's Guernica.
Day 7: Madrid And Beautiful Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation Name: Hilton, Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cross the Castilian plain, past Zaragoza, and continue to the vibrant port of Barcelona. In the evening, why not try delicious local Catalan cuisine and as night descends, view the city from the heights of Montjuic, with lights sparkling below from the mountains to sea.
Day 8: Barcelona, City Of Gaudi
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation Name: Hilton, Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join your Local Expert to explore the heart of the Gothic Quarter. See the cathedral and walk through the Roman gate to tour the narrow lanes and old squares. Travel by the Ramblas and along the Passeig de Gràcia. Continue through the Eixample district to see Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família.
Day 9: Journey To The French Riviera
Location: Nice
Accommodation Name: Novotel Center, Avignon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey around the Mediterranean Sea to the elegant French Riviera. Arrive in Nice and glory in the unforgettable moment you see the Bay of Angels. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais and take in the atmosphere of the Côte d'Azur of one of Europe's popular, cosmopolitan playgrounds.
Day 10: On The Shores Of Nice & Monaco
Location: Nice
Accommodation Name: Apollinaire, Nice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the morning at your leisure to relax on the beach or stroll through the Old Town. Later, explore Monaco where you are driven along part of the Grand Prix circuit, before walking with your Travel Director through Monaco-ville the oldest district of the Principality of Monaco. See the Royal Palace where the Grimaldi family live, the yacht-filled harbor and visit the cathedral, housing the tombs of the late Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.
Day 11: Pisa And Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation Name: NH Firenze, Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cross into Italy and follow the arc of the Italian Riviera before arriving in Pisa. In the Square of Miracles, stop to see the incredible Leaning Tower of Pisa with a Local Expert, from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity. Also see the splendid 11th-century cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble. Continue through Tuscany to the captivating city of Florence.
Day 12: Florence Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Location: Florence
Accommodation Name: NH Firenze, Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk with your Local Expert to the marble-clad cathedral and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. The next stop is Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at statues such as Neptune and David along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. The area around Santa Croce Basilica is famous for the quality of its luxury goods of gold and leather and there's free time to shop or continue exploring.
Day 13: The Eternal City Of Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Relax and enjoy the grand landscapes of the Chianti hills and Umbria, before passing the Apennine Mountains to arrive at the Eternal City, filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches. In the evening, what better way to toast the culmination of your Mediterranean journey, than with delicious Italian cuisine and wine.
Day 14: Exploring Papal Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
A Local Expert introduces the grandeur of the city, starting with the Vatican State, the richest community on the world. Visit the Vatican Museums, full of priceless treasures collected by the Popes. Once inside the Sistine Chapel, admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling. Next door, visit St. Peter’s Basilica to admire Michelangelo's emotive 'Pieta' and see Bernini's intricately carved Papal Altar. The afternoon is yours to shop in the trendy boutiques or relax at a sidewalk cafe before an exclusive after-hours visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes.
Day 15: Rome At Leisure Relaxed Start
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
The day is yours to enjoy Rome at your own pace. Perhaps take an optional experience to the ill-fated town of Pompeii, frozen in time when it was engulfed by an eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Alternatively, spend some time in the boutiques of the Via del Corso, the Via Nazionale or the elegant designer stores near the Spanish Steps? As night falls, why not sip on prosecco at a sidewalk cafe in Piazza Navona - the Living Room of Rome - and enjoy life's pageantry pass by?
Day 16: Arrivederci Roma
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy.
What's Included
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Meals
4 dinners with wine and 15 breakfasts are included.
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Local Expert Guides
Guided tours and local expert insights in various cities including Paris, Bordeaux, San Sebastián, Madrid, Barcelona, Avignon, Nice, Monaco, Pisa, Florence, and Rome.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
Tips at hotels and restaurants are included, along with all taxes and porterage charges.
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Luggage Handling
Bags are carried and delivered to your hotel door.
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Insight Flourish
Occasional local specialties representing the destination.
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Wi-Fi
Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times if arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates.
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Luxury Coach
Travel in Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
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Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as a visit to Pompeii are not included.
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Transfers Outside Scheduled Times
Transfers outside the scheduled times or for additional nights' accommodation are not included and may be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as shopping, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style aboard Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Enjoy complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi, and benefit from physical distancing measures and freely available hand sanitizer.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at well-appointed hotels such as the Marriott Rive Gauche in Paris, Novotel Gare St Jean in Bordeaux, Barceló Costa Vasca in San Sebastián, Riu Plaza España in Madrid, Hilton in Barcelona, Novotel Center in Avignon, Apollinaire in Nice, NH Firenze in Florence, and Radisson Blu GHR in Rome.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 15 Breakfast (B)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
- Vatican: Visit the Vatican Museums, witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and see St. Peter's Basilica.
- Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of dining experiences can I expect on the Mediterranean Journey tour?
The tour offers a variety of authentic dining experiences. In Paris, you will join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a delightful dinner served with wine at a local restaurant. In San Sebastián, you will enjoy an evening of pintxos, dining with locals in the Basque tradition. In Avignon, you will learn about olive oil at a local farm and enjoy a farm-to-table dinner of traditional French home-style cuisine. In Rome, you will toast your journey with delicious Italian cuisine and wine.
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What are some of the highlights of the tour in Paris?
In Paris, you have the option to join an avid local foodie on a walk through a local food market, Bastille Marché, where you can sample local treats and delicacies. Alternatively, you can explore the Montorgueil district to experience community life. You will also see landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde, the Champs Elysées, and the Arc de Triomphe.
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What unique experiences are included in the tour in Rome?
In Rome, you will have an exclusive after-hours visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, which houses the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. You will also visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Expert.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes travel aboard Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. The coach is equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, and physical distancing measures are in place. Hand sanitizer is also freely available on board.
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Are there any optional experiences available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional experiences available, such as a visit to Pompeii. These are not included in the tour package and can be purchased separately.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions