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Itinerary

DAY 1 USA / MADRID: Fly transatlantic overnight from the USA to Madrid, Spain. Dinner is served, and in-flight entertainment is provided.

DAY 2 ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN: Welcome to Spain! After clearing customs, enter the arrivals area where you will meet your tour director and coach driver. Make your way to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of your morning and afternoon at leisure in Madrid. This evening enjoy a traditional dinner of roast lamb. Overnight in Madrid. (D)

DAY 3 MADRID: Begin your day with a guided visit to the unforgettable Prado Museum. One of Madrid’s main attractions for many visitors, the gallery houses remarkable works by Spain’s three great masters: Goya, Velázquez and El Greco. Continue with an exploration of the opulent Royal Palace where grand rooms are filled with an eclectic wealth of art treasures, antiques and an impressive collection of clocks. From here it is only a short walk to the historic districts around the Plaza Mayor and the marvelous San Miguel market which has been transformed into a mouth-watering ensemble of Tapas bars and shops. Sample some of these wonderful delicacies for lunch before spending an afternoon at leisure. (B/L)

DAY 4 LA RIOJA REGION / SAN SEBASTIÁN: Travel north to San Sebastián through the world-renowned La Rioja region, stopping in Haro to visit the Dinastia Wine Museum, a must for any wine enthusiast. The elegant resort town of San Sebastián is a center for gastronomy; join your guide this evening for a stroll through the Old Town where each bar specializes in different Pintxos dishes. Sample a delicious selection from ‘bacalao’ (cod) and wild mushrooms to every kind of ham and sausage imaginable. Overnight in San Sebastián. (B/D)

DAY 5 EXCURSION TO BILBAO & GETARIA: This morning, drive to Bilbao for a guided visit to the Guggenheim Museum, an amazing feat of construction created by North American architect Frank O. Gehry. Afterwards, continue to Getaria, known as the kitchen of the Gipuzkoa province because of the many restaurants and taverns found here. Stroll the streets of this pretty fishing village and enjoy a special lunch at one of the numerous ‘asadors’, restaurants known for cooking in open wire mesh baskets on outdoor grills. Return to San Sebastián for overnight. (B/L)

DAY 6 BASSIN D’ARCACHON / BORDEAUX: Journey into France this morning and stop at the huge bay, the Bassin d’Arcachon, home to centuries-old oyster farms. Board a boat for your tour around the bay. Between sea and sky, admire the emblematic cabins on stilts, traverse the hectares of oyster farms and sail along the waterfront oyster-farming hamlets of the Cap Ferret peninsula; Piquey, Le Canon, l’Herbe & la Vigne. Stop at an oyster producer’s cabin for an oyster tasting, with white wine, on a waterfront terrace. Afterwards, continue to Bordeaux where you enjoy a brief guided walking tour of the town including the elegant Place de la Bourse, Place du Parlement & the 13th-century Cathedral of St André. Overnight in Bordeaux. (B/Tasting)

DAY 7 WINE REGION OF BORDEAUX: Driving along the ‘Route du Médoc’ today, allow our expert guide to introduce you to the magnificent landscape of this traditional wine-growing land. With more than 800 ‘crus’ and 8 ‘appellations d’origine contrôlées’, this area produces some of the world’s most renowned wines. Learn more about the skillful cultivation of these fine wines during a cellar tour and special wine tasting at one of the region’s top estates. Return to Bordeaux for overnight. (B/L)

DAY 8 BORDEAUX / PARIS: Board the high-speed train to Paris this morning before enjoying a delightful panoramic tour of the ‘City of Lights’. See some of the most iconic Parisian sights including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées. Continuing to Ile de la Cité, admire the imposing yet beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral. After checking in to your hotel, continue your day by exploring the gourmet sights of Paris on a mouth-watering walking tour which includes plenty of opportunities to sample the city’s irresistible traditional pastries and chocolate. The remainder of your evening is free. Please note: Porterage is not available at Bordeaux train station. (B/L)

DAY 9 PARIS: Enjoy a full day at leisure in Paris to explore at your own pace. Your Tour Director will have suggestions on what to do and see in Paris. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. (B/D)

DAY 10 PARIS / USA: Transfer to the Paris airport to board your home-bound flight. (B)

→ Inclusions

 Inclusions

• Round-trip air from Chicago on Iberia
• Madrid – 2 nights, 4-Star Catalonia Hotel Goya
• San Sebastián – 2 nights, 4-Star Hotel Monte Igualdo
• Bordeaux – 2 nights, 4-Star Mercure Château Chartrons
• Paris – 2 nights, 4-Star Novotel Tour Eiffel
• Breakfast daily, except day of arrival
• 4 lunches and 3 dinners
• Regional wines with all meals
• The tantalizing San Miguel Market in Madrid
• An evening of Pintxos in San Sebastian
• Boat tour of oyster farms in Bassin d’Arcachon
• Oyster tasting in Bassin d’Arcachon
• A wine-tasting at a top wine estate in Bordeaux
• Mouth-watering food walk around Paris
• Expert local guides for walking tours and all sightseeing detailed in the itinerary
• Services of a professional Tour Director throughout
• Private luxury transport with air-conditioning
• 1^st Class train from Bordeaux to Paris
• Entrance fees for all visits and activities detailed in the itinerary
• Hotel porterage and porterage at Paris rail station. NOTE: Porterage is not available at Bordeaux train station

IMPORTANT: This tour includes walking tours. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surface.

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