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Cosmos
OFFER ID 1515159
From Spain to France to Italy, this affordable tour along the Western Mediterranean Coast, designed by a team of Tour Directors, features vibrant cities, historic sites, and amazing scenery. Visit Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Marseille, Venice, and Rome, and experience the stunning Cinque Terre, named after its five medieval fishing villages by the sea. This area is noted for its natural beauty with terraces built into the mountainside on cliffs that drop down into the sea and for its breathtaking views. Spend time on glamorous French Riviera, where you have the chance to visit a perfume workshop in Èze. Plus, enjoy picture-perfect scenery as you drive through the most fascinating landscapes and visit cameo villages such as Cuenca, Collioure, Cassis and iconic cities like Verona and Barcelona! Local Guides will reveal the must-see sights on your city tours of Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, and Rome. See Rome’s iconic landmarks on the guided orientation tour, such as the Vatican and the Colosseum. Get a taste of Venice with a boat ride to world-famous St. Mark's Square. In Assisi, marvel at St. Francis Basilica, burial place of the saint and home to beautiful medieval frescos by Giotto. This tour to Spain, France, and Italy is perfectly planned for value-minded travel lovers wanting a wonderful, yet affordable, Mediterranean vacation.
13 nights from $3,129 per person
Mediterranean Flavors
Day 1 ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN Check into your hotel. Start discovering the city with the help of the CosmosGO app, and tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions. (D)
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Day 2 MADRID Not only is Madrid the capital of Spain, but because it is situated 2,180 feet above sea level, the Spaniards rightly say it’s the nearest thing to Heaven. On the included guided city tour, discover the main sights and end the tour with a walk in the Barrio de La Latina and stop in one of the many bars to taste the typical tapas. Consider an optional trip to Toledo to explore the splendid setting of this old walled city, made famous in El Greco’s painting. Today, Toledo resembles a great open-air museum of Spanish history and art. (B)
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Day 3 MADRID–CUENCA–VALENCIA Travel southeast to Cuenca, perched high above the precipices of the Jucar and Huecar Rivers, famous for the “hanging houses”, suspended over the ravine. On to Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, for a guided sightseeing tour.
Today’s Distance: 230 mi/ 370 km (B,D)
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Day 4 VALENCIA–PEÑÍSCOLA–BARCELONA Today, visit Peñíscola Castle in Castellon, built by the Knights Templar in the 14th century. The promontory on which the castle and town are located is a fine reminder of medieval times. Continue your journey through orange groves and seaside resorts past Tarragona to Catalonia’s lively and beautiful capital, Barcelona.
Today’s Distance: 227 mi/ 365 km (B)
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Day 5 BARCELONA Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a drive around Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium and a great panoramic view of the port and city. Continue to the city centre of Plaza Catalunya and to Paseo de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity of Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces in the Houses Batllò and Mila and the Sagrada Familia (entrance fees not included). Spend the afternoon at leisure. (B)
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Day 6 BARCELONA–COLLIOURE, FRANCE–MARSEILLE Leave Spain today and cross the border into France to visit Collioure. This picturesque village is nestled in an idyllic place on the rocky Mediterranean coastline and is sheltered by the Pyrenees. Painters such as Matisse, Derain, and Picasso, have drawn inspiration for their paintings from these stunning views. Carry on to the oldest city in France, Marseille.
Today’s Distance: 342 mi/ 550 km (B,D)
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Day 7 MARSEILLE–CASSIS–FRENCH RIVIERA Capital of Provence, Marseille was founded by the Greeks in 600 BC. See the city’s bustling ancient heart—the picturesque Vieux Port (old port), where elegant markets and handsome townhouses surround the boat-filled harbor. Follow the coastal route toward Cassis, a small fishing port lined with cafés and restaurants, and stop to explore the town before reaching Nice. Tonight, rub elbows with high-rollers and roll the dice with an optional “Monte Carlo by Night” excursion to experience the glitz and glamour of Monaco.
Today’s Distance: 143 mi/ 230 km (B)
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Day 8 FRENCH RIVIERA. EXCURSION TO ÈZE Start the day with a visit to a perfume workshop in Èze. Continue to Nice and spend time at leisure to do as you please! Dabble in the Mediterranean Sea, stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais.
Today’s Distance: 19 mi/ 30 km (B)
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Day 9 FRENCH RIVIERA–CINQUE TERRE, ITALY-LA SPEZIA Enjoy the wonderful coastal scenery along the French and Italian Rivieras as you travel toward the Cinque Terre. Take the train in Levanto and stop in some of the most enchanting villages of the spectacular Cinque Terre region, where the beauty of rugged cliffs and romantic fishing villages once inspired Lord Byron. There are several breathtaking trails carved into the rocks connecting the villages, affording dramatic sea views.
Today’s Distance by coach: 169 mi/ 272 km (B)
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Day 10 LA SPEZIA–VERONA–VENICE AREA Travel through the agricultural areas of culinary excellence in the Po plains to reach the romantic city of Verona to visit the city centre at leisure. Continue to the Venice area. Do you believe in magic? An optional evening boat ride on Giudecca Canal, dinner in a local restaurant, and St. Mark’s square at night will remove all doubt!
Today’s Distance: 236 mi/ 380 km (B)
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Day 11 VENICE Venice is a city of unparalleled beauty and a feast of wonderful sights. Your included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers create their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. (B,D)
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Day 12 VENICE AREA–ASSISI–ROME Cross the Po Delta and head into the verdant Apennines to medieval Assisi. Enclosed by ramparts, little has changed since the Middle Ages. This is the town of the deeply mystical and poetic St. Francis. Visit the Upper and Lower Basilicas dedicated to the Saint, featuring beautiful frescoes by Giotto, then head for Rome.
Today’s Distance: 317 mi/ 510 km (B)
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Day 13 ROME The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive, exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths, and complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire.* When in Rome...! Tonight, do as the Romans do and enjoy an optional farewell dinner at a traditional Roman restaurant. (B)
* For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
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Day 14 ROME Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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