Day 1: Arrive Madrid: After checking into your hotel, the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the Spanish capital. This evening meet your Contiki Tour Manager and fellow travellers at 6pm in the hotel. (D)
Day 2: Madrid Sightseeing: Our morning sightseeing includes a guided tour of the Royal Palace. The rest of the day is free for you to discover this amazing city. Perhaps see the Bullring or visit the famous Prado Musuem. Tonight a chance to try fabulous traditional Spanish cuisine. (B)
Day 3: Madrid to Barcelona: The first stop today is Zaragoza. See the impressive Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar. A chance for lunch in this city of four cultures. We travel east arriving in Catalonia?s most famous city, Barcelona. (B,D)
Day 4: Barcelona. Our included sightseeing tour is a great introduction to this celebrated city. See Gaudi's Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the 1992 Olympic Complex and the Gothic district. A chance to experience Barcelona's famed shopping street La Ramblas and discover some of Spain's specialties. Tonight why not experience the passion of Flamenco dancing? (B)
Day 5: Barcelona to Avignon: We say goodbye to Spain today as we head for France. Visit Carcassone for lunch, a perfect example of a medieval walled defence city. Later we arrive in Avignon, City of the Popes. (B,D)
Day 6: Avignon to French Riviera: This morning time to explore Avignon. See the Papal Palace before continuing to Aix-en-Provence for lunch. Leaving the home of Paul Cezanne, we make a stop in Grasse, to visit a French Perfumery, before continuing to our hotel in Nice. Tonight we visit magnificent Monaco, to see the Royal Palace and Monte Carlo Casino. ((B)
Day 7: French Riviera at Leisure: Relax this morning and soak up the atmosphere of the capital of the Riviera. A chance to shop in France or simply enjoy the beach. An opportunity to visit the medieval hilltop town of St Paul de Vence. (B,D)
Day 8: French Riviera to Pisa: An early start as we travel to Italy. We drive past Genoa (Christopher Columbus?s birthplace) before entering the unspoilt Cinque Terre Region. Explore the region by train with your included ticket, hopping on and off at any of the villages. Your hotel for the evening is in Pisa. (B,D)
Day 9: Pisa to Florence: From the home of the famous Leaning Tower, we travel to the Renaissance city of Florence. This afternoon enjoy a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft, shop for gold & silver before checking in to our hotel. (B,D)
Day 10: Florence Sightseeing: Your day includes a walking tour seeing the Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and Santa Croce and a chance to shop for leather, gold and silver. In your free time maybe visit one of the city?s many museums or galleries and this evening enjoy the colourful Florentine nightlife. (B)
Day 11: Florence to Rome: All roads lead to Rome where our included sightseeing tour is the perfect introduction to the Eternal City. Do as the Romans do and stroll past the Trevi Fountain, the amazing Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Take the time to discover Roman cuisine in a trattoria for a delicious meal with some local wine. (B)
Day 12: Rome. Ancient and modern Rome await your discovery. Why not take a guided tour of the Imperial Forum and walk in the footsteps of Gladiators? In your free time explore the Vatican City and Sistine Chapel, snap up Italian fashions or just watch the world go by with a gelato (or two). (B)
Day 13: Depart Rome: Time to swap addresses and email details and say "Arrivederci Roma" as our tour ends after breakfast. (B)
This itinerary is designed to maximise your free time.
