Spain, Switzerland and Rome

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Arrival. Transfer to the hotel.
Welcome to Europe!!!.  On arrival at the airport we shall be waiting to transfer you to the hotel.  You can enjoy free time until your tour starts, information about the meeting place and start time can be found on the information boards in the hotel reception area. 

IMPORTANT - IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS on arrival at the hotel you will have your booking made but the guide of your trip will normally not arrive until the start of the included activities. YOUR TIME BEFORE THIS MOMENT IS THEREFORE FREE. At your hotel they can help you with all the information you need.  

Countryside: Pleasant green and Mediterranean scenery, mountain passes in the Pyrenees and at the end of the day. 

NB: It is best to have your passport with you, we are going into France and sometimes there are border checks requiring documentation. -  

08.00 hrs - Girona –Departure-; we going to France and cross the region of Provence. 

12.00 hrs - NIMES -Arrival-.  Time in this city which was an important centre in the Roman Empire and where concerts and bullfighting are still held in its ancient amphitheatre after almost 2000 years. Time to have a stroll and for lunch.  

14:15 hrs - Nimes –Departure-. Very near the city, we will continue to see the Roman heritage in Provence  

14:45 hrs - PONT DU GARD. An impressive Roman aqueduct amidst pretty scenery.  

15:45 hrs - Pont du Gard -Departure-. 

17:15 hrs -MIRMANDE-  a stop for a coffee and a stroll in this typical magnificently preserved Provencal village, with great views of the Rhône Valley.  

18:15 hrs - Mirmande –Departure-.  We leave the Rhône Valley and the province region to go into the Alps. 

20.00hrs - GRENOBLE. - Dinner included and accommodation.  

NB: the hotel used for this stage is in a pleasant scenic area outside the city and no time is provided on this trip to visit Grenoble.

Countryside: Very pretty scenery at Lake Leman. Large lakes, high snowy mountains in the distance. In the afternoon, a trip between the mountains passing through beautiful villages of wooden houses.         

NB: Have your passport with you, we are going into Switzerland and sometimes there are border controls asking for documentation. - 

08.00 hrs -Grenoble –Departure-. We travel to Switzerland. 

10:15 hrs - GENEVA –Arrival. - The capital of the French-speaking region of Switzerland. A city on Lake Leman which houses the European United Nations headquarters, the offices of the International Labour Organisation, of the Red Cross and numerous other headquarters of international bodies. With our guide, we will go to the Palace of Nations (the United Nations headquarters in Europe) and the pretty English Garden with its flower clock, and can admire the “Jet d’Eau”, the tallest fountain in Europe.     

12:30 hrs - Geneva –departure after lunch-. Our road follows Lake Leman. Amidst magnificent vineyard scenery (area declared UNESCO world Heritage).  

14.00 hrs - Chillon Castle, arrival at this fantastic mediaeval castle built on the waters of the lake. Tickets included.      

15.00 hrs - Chillon Castle –Departure-. Magnificent mountain scenery, we cross areas with pretty villages with wooden architecture.     

15:45 hrs- Gruyere. – In the centre of the area where the famous cheese is produced, Gruyere is a very picturesque walled tourist village.  Very near to Gruyere are some of the main Swiss chocolate manufacturers (NESTLÉ among others), and we visit the Cailler factory. Sweet tasting included!      

18:15 hrs - Gruyere. Departure amidst mountains and very pretty Swiss villages. 

19:30 hrs - Gstaad, Arrival in this pretty little village with its wooden houses.  Accommodation in the area of Gstaad- Saanenland.   

Scenery: beautiful Alpine landscapes of mountains and lakes. Take the camera by hand. 

Notes: Bring your passport. There may be border controls when entering Italy      

08.00 hrs. - Zurich – Departure.  Crossing the Swiss Plateau. 

09.15 hrs.- Burglen.- Arrival to the tiny village where William Tell was born. We shall see the chapel of the XVI century with paintings illustrating his life.   

10.00 hrs.- Burglen- Departure.- Spectacular landscapes crossing the Alps by motorway. We enter the Italian-speaking Switzerland. 

12.00 hrs – Morcote. Arrival to this very picturesque village by Lake Lugarno, with its stone houses covered with flowers.       

13.00 h. Morcote – Departure for the Italian border.   

13.45 hrs.- Como- on the shores of its lake, a bustling Italian town with an outstanding Gothic cathedral and life on the shore. Time to have a stroll and for lunch.      

15.45 hrs.- Como, departure.  

16.45 h. Milan – Arrival, our guide will take us to the impressive Duomo Square. There will be time to dine at the Porta Venecia (Port of Venice) where an outstanding variety of restaurants can be found to delight your palate. From restaurants serving Swiss and Italian food, to French, Chinese and international food. Transfer to hotel.   Transfer to hotel about 20.00 hrs.      

Scenery: surprising scenery along the coast of Liguria and the Tuscan Apennines. 

08.00 hrs-  We leave the Italian financial capital towards Pisa.

11.30 hrs- Pisa –On a little touristic train we will travel to the Piazza Dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) where there will be time to admire one of the most alluring and beautiful art complexes in Italy, including the well-known Leaning Tower of Pisa.  

13.30 hrs- Pisa – Departure for Rome, passing through ancient Etruscan regions. 

Highlights: city tour of Rome. Roman Coliseum (admission price included) and Vatican City.

The morning starts with an early interesting city tour of the “Eternal City”, in which we will visit the Caracalla Baths, Venice Square, Circo Massimo, the Capitoline Hill and St. John Lateran. We enter the tiny state of the Vatican. The Vatican City is a principal centre of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica.  Admission to the Coliseum included. This building, which dates from the first century, was built for the purpose of organising entertainment for the Romans, such as gladiator combats. We have the chance to learn about the ancient society of the Roman Empire.

18:30 h. Transfer to Via Cavour, which has many local restaurants and others that serve international cuisine, including Indian and Chinese. Return to hotel.