9 Days 8 Nights Spain and France Panorama (Weekly Dep) from Giamso

Highlights:

WHAT IS INCLUDED
8 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
Return airport transfer
All tours as per itinerary
* Prices exclude airfare and airport tax. Airfare quotes can be furnished upon request.

SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS
City tour of Avignon to Papal Palace (Palais des Papes) and Pont Saint-Bénézet
Explore the city of Barcelona, and visit Christopher Columbus Monument, La Rambla, Sagrada Familia and Barcelona Olympic Stadium
Visit the famous shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes

9 Days 8 Nights Spain and France Panorama (Weekly Dep)

From $1188 SGD

Saturday: Paris

Upon arrival in Paris, transfer to hotel. Enjoy a leisure day in Paris. Overnight in Paris or a nearby city.

Sunday: Paris – Avignon (690km) (Breakfast)

Departing from Paris in the morning, our coach travels towards the southeast to the home of the famous French Provence geographical region. The climate changes in this region is very unusual, from a charming summer to a cooling sea breeze. The region is well-known for lingering scents of lavender, thyme, pine fragrances. Overnight stay in Avignon or nearby cities.

Monday: Avignon – Gordes – Abbaye de Senaque - Avignon (200km) (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we start with a city tour of Avignon. Avignon is surrounded by ancient architecture; examples are the Papal Palace (Palais des Papes) and Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d’Avignon). The Palace was built in the 14th century and is Europe's largest and most important medieval Gothic architecture. We walk along the walls to see the Pont d’Avignon, listed as a world cultural heritage bridge. In the afternoon, we continue to visit Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in France, where many celebrities have made their home. Our next stop, the Sénanque Abbey (Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque) is a lovely medieval Cistercian abbey, one of the best places to see Provence's famed lavender fields. Overnight stay in Avignon or nearby cities. (Note: Lavender season is generally from mid-June to early August.)

Tuesday: Avignon – Aries – Barcelona (500km) (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we visit Arles. Made famous due to the presence of Roman ruins, the town is also famous for being the place where the famous Vincent van Gogh lived in the local sanatorium from 1888 to 1889. During this period, he produced many paintings and drawings, including well-known master pieces such as “Bedroom in Arles” “Starry Night Over The Rhône", “Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers”. Afterwards, we continue by coach along the Mediterranean Sea to enter Spain where we arrive in Barcelona in the evening. Overnight stay in Barcelona or nearby cities.

Wednesday: Barcelona (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we explore the city of Barcelona. We start off with the Christopher Columbus Monument, the popular tree-lined pedestrian street La Rambla, and one of the architectural miracles built by the poet Gaudi, a Roman Catholic church Sagrada Familia. The city tour continues to the Barcelona Olympic Stadium, the venue of the 1992 Olympic Games. Its hillside location guarantees a panoramic view over the entire city. In the afternoon, we visit the bustling Plaça de Catalunya, where we have leisure time to shop, taste and discover the local culture. Overnight stay in Barcelona or nearby cities.

Thursday: Barcelona – Andorra – Lourdes (480km) (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we leave Barcelona to visit Andorra. This microstate lies between France and Spain and is located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains. The beautiful scenery makes it a popular European ski resort for locals and because of its tax-free status, Andorra has become a shopper’s paradise. In the afternoon, we travel along the Pyrenees to Lourdes. Overnight stay in Lourdes or nearby cities.

Friday: Lourdes – Bordeaux (250km) (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we visit the famous shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Every year, more than 5 million pilgrims visit this shrine for spiritual and physical healing. Even non-believers will find awe in the beautiful surroundings and peaceful natural landscape. In the afternoon, the coach departs to the French epicentre of fine wines, Bordeaux. Upon arrival, we visit Bordeaux’s World Heritage site, Place des Quinconces, the second largest square in Europe. The monument in the centre commemorates the Girondists who fell victim of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. Afterwards, we continue our journey with a visit to the famous wineries. Overnight stay in Bordeaux or nearby cities. (Note: Most wineries in Bordeaux are closed in August. In this case, we visit wine vendors in downtown Bordeaux where wine tastings and wines can be purchased.)

Saturday: Bordeaux – Chambord – Paris (590km) (Breakfast)

We start the morning heading north to the world-famous Loire Valley. The Loire is France's longest river, flowing along some 280 kilometers. Along the Loire stand magnificent and beautiful 16th century castles, each more stunning than the other. The largest of the Loire Valley castles, the Chateau de Chambord* is a French National treasure, and was added to the World Heritage List in 1981. Afterwards, we head back to Paris in the evening.

Sunday: Paris – Singapore (Breakfast)

Depart from Paris and board the flight back to Singapore.

Agency: Giamso

9 Days 8 Nights Spain and France Panorama (Weekly Dep)

From $1188 SGD

Agency: Giamso

9 Days 8 Nights Spain and France Panorama (Weekly Dep)

From $1188 SGD

Agency: Giamso