From Italy to France

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: City tour of Rome. Roman Coliseum (admission price included). Evening transfer to the Trastevere area. In the morning, we have a scenic tour, which will be a great introduction to “The Eternal city”. We will visit the tiny state of the Vatican, the epicenter of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. We have included admission to the Roman Coliseum, the symbol of Rome. This impressive construction dates back 2,000 years and will transport us in time so that we can learn about ancient society in the Roman Empire. At the end of the evening we arrange a transfer to Trastevere area for a stroll in the narrow cobbled streets of the district with hidden treasures, such as some modest medieval churches, small shops with the most peculiar of objects or scenes of daily life. Many trattorias (informal Italian eating establishments) and osterias (inns) imbued with the Italian spirit will be ready to serve you local dishes. Other restaurants serving Indian, Chinese and international food can be found in this area. Return to hotel.

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Italian Riviera countryside. Pisa Lunch included. We will leave Rome for northern Italy. In PISA, we include a little train from the tourist car park to the monumental Square of Miracles, where the popular Leaning Tower is located. We continue amidst beautiful scenery with the Mediterranean. SESTRI LEVANTE, a short stop to enjoy this small tourist town by the sea. We continue to the French Riviera; NICE, arrival at the end of the afternoon.

TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: Côte d´Azur. Today we see the
Côte d´Azur and the Mediterranean sea in France.
We spend a short time in NICE to enjoy the ¨Promenade des
Anglais¨ (Walkway of the English). We travel through stunning countryside to the Principality of MONACO; on the
way we get to see the techniques of traditional perfume
manufacturing. In the second smallest country in the world
(after the Vatican), we can walk through ¨Le Rocher´s¨ old
town, where the Princes´ Palace is located. Continuation to
SAINT TROPEZ, in its old fishing port we can see some of
the most luxurious yachts in the world. Time to stroll and
have lunch. We continue to MARSEILLES, France´s second
city, to see its vibrant “Vieux port” (old port).

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Provence region. Carrieres de Lumiere in Les Beaux. Villages, landscapes, history, today we see some of the most beautiful places in Provence. ARLES, a world heritage city, shows us its legacy of the Roman and medieval times and reminds us of Van Gogh. In LES BEAUX, we have the chance to visit this small medieval village and we will include admission to the CARRIERES DE LUMIERE, an impressive show of art, image and sound underground, in some former quarries. Time for lunch and stroll in AVIGNON, with its immense Palais des Papes. We continue to LYON, where we can walk through the World Heritage Site old town and we will include the cable car to climb Notre Dame de Fourviere, a huge basilica from where we have a great view over the city.

- HIGHLIGHTS: Burgundy region. Savigny Castle. We will set off from Lyon and head to the Burgundy region. We stop at TOURNUS, a quaint little town with an imposing stone gate and a large abbey. After that, we will travel to BEAUNE. Time to have lunch and explore a bit through the wine capital of Burgundy. We recommend you to visit the wine museum or the historic hospice. Next, we will visit the CASTLE OF SAVIGNY situated in the heart of this winemaking region. The castle was built in the 15th century and houses some extraordinary museums (museum of motorbikes, racing cars, planes and helicopters!). We continue to DIJON, capital of Burgundy, which boasts of lively streets as well as numerous medieval and Renaissance buildings, among which, the palace of the dukes stands out.

- TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Burgundy region. Admission to Fontenay abbey. We leave Dijon for FONTENAY ABBEY, a world heritage site, where we include admission to this Cistercian center. After this, we will make a stop in SEMUR EN AUXOIS, a medieval city surrounded by impressive walls. Still in Burgundy, we will have time for lunch and a stroll in VEZELAY, one of France’s most beautiful villages, where its immense basilica was one of the starting points of the Way of St James. In the afternoon we continue our route to PARIS. Arrival in the evening. End of our services. Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.