Mediterranean Journey
Marvel at Gaudi’s masterpieces in Barcelona, spot locals sipping pastis in Nice and admire Florence the home of Michelangelo and the Renaissance, as you circle the azure waters of the Mediterranean. Embrace the city of Pisa with a stop at the famous leaning tower, where Italian astronomer Galileo was said to have pioneered his theories of gravity. In France, work up an appetite in the medieval streets. In Spain, dine with the locals in Basque tradition with an evening of San Sebastian pintxos tastings, snack-sized tapas, while sipping on a refreshing glass of local Txakoli wine. In Rome, taste the seasonal flavours and of course, handmade pasta.
- 05 Sep 2026 – 20 Sep 2026
from $10,585 pp twin share * - 01 May 2027 – 16 May 2027
from $10,900 pp twin share * - 15 May 2027 – 30 May 2027
from $10,950 pp twin share * - 29 May 2027 – 13 Jun 2027
from $11,020 pp twin share * - 26 Jun 2027 – 11 Jul 2027
from $9,600 pp twin share * - 10 Jul 2027 – 25 Jul 2027
from $9,850 pp twin share * - 24 Jul 2027 – 08 Aug 2027
from $9,620 pp twin share * - 21 Aug 2027 – 05 Sep 2027
from $10,000 pp twin share * - 04 Sep 2027 – 19 Sep 2027
from $11,120 pp twin share * - 25 Sep 2027 – 10 Oct 2027
from $10,950 pp twin share *
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Itinerary
- Day 1 – London to Paris by Eurostar:
Meet your Travel Director and after a warm welcome, transfer to London’s St. Pancras Station to board the high-speed Eurostar. Your comfortable rail journey takes you via the Channel Tunnel to Paris where you can spend the afternoon as you please. Meet your Travel Director for a fabulous welcome dinner at a local restaurant located in the heart of Paris. During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral and the imposing facades of the Louvre. Discover the banks of the River Seine with its many romantic bridges. See the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe. - Day 2 – Paris, the City of Light:
Your Travel Director will introduce you to Paris with an orientation, taking in the Arc de Triomphe, the tree-lined Champs-Élysées and the grand Place de la Concorde. The afternoon is yours to explore – perhaps linger over a cafe crème at a pavement bistro, browse the boutiques of the Marais or stroll through the Tuileries Gardens towards the Louvre’s glass pyramid. Art lovers may wish to step inside to admire masterpieces from the Mona Lisa to the Winged Victory of Samothrace, while others might cross the Seine to the literary heart of the Left Bank. As evening falls, there’s the opportunity to join an Optional Experience at one of Paris’ celebrated cabarets, combining dazzling costumes, live music and a sumptuous dinner. - Day 3 – Onto Bordeaux:
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:
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:
Continue this European Grandeur tour 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:
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 neighbourhoods 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:
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:
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 mesmerising Sagrada Família. - Day 9 – Journey to the French Riviera:
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 and Monaco:
Wake up ready to rub shoulders with the jet set on the glamorous Côte d’Azur, a stretch of coastline long favoured by artists, aristocrats and film stars. Enjoy a drive along part of Monaco’s famous Grand Prix circuit, where the roar of Formula 1 cars has echoed through the principality since 1929. With Insight Choice, take your pick; step inside the Oceanographic Museum, founded by Prince Albert I in 1910 and home to over 6,000 marine species, or visit the Royal Palace of Monaco and see the 19th-century Monaco Cathedral, final resting place of Princess Grace. The remainder of the day is yours to soak up the sun-drenched elegance of the French Riviera. - Day 11 – Pisa and Florence:
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 – Renaissance Florence:
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 Vecchi, this afternoon there’s free time to shop or perhaps continue exploring. - Day 13 – The Eternal City of Rome:
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:
A Local Expert introduces the grandeur of the city, starting with the Vatican State, the richest community in the world. Visit the Vatican Museums, full of priceless treasures collected by the Popes. Once inside the Sistine Chapel, admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. 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. - Day 15 – Rome at Leisure:
Enjoy Rome at your own pace today. 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. - Day 16 – Arrivederci Roma:
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy.
Highlights
- Marvel at Gaudi’s masterpieces in Barcelona and the Renaissance treasures of Florence.
- Indulge in Basque pintxos and local Txakoli wine in San Sebastian.
- Embrace the history and culture of Rome, from the Colosseum to handmade pasta.
Marvel at Gaudi’s masterpieces in Barcelona, spot locals sipping pastis in Nice and admire Florence the home of Michelangelo and the Renaissance, as you circle the azure waters of the Mediterranean. Embrace the city of Pisa with a stop at the famous leaning tower, where Italian astronomer Galileo was said to have pioneered his theories of gravity. In France, work up an appetite in the medieval streets. In Spain, dine with the locals in Basque tradition with an evening of San Sebastian pintxos tastings, snack-sized tapas, while sipping on a refreshing glass of local Txakoli wine. In Rome, taste the seasonal flavours and of course, handmade pasta.
Inclusions
- 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.
- 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.
FAQs
- Apollinaire, Nice
- Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián
- Barceló Torre de Madrid
- Columbus Urban Resort
- Golden Tulip Rome Piram
- Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona
- Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
- Novotel Gare St Jean, Bordeaux
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 16 days and 15 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 05 Sep 2026 and 10 Oct 2027, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
Are discounts available?
Seasonal or loyalty discounts may be available on selected departures at the time of enquiry.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
Provided by: Insight VacationsFine Print
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