Compare Provence & Spain by AMA Waterways vs Best of Northern Spain by G Adventures
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| Trip |
3.5 | Average
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 14 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 3,099 | $ 1,869 |
| Price Per Day | $ 221 | $ 234 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small ship cruise | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
13 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
7 breakfasts, 2 dinners |
| Description |
From the magic of Paris to the romance of Barcelona, this itinerary is truly captivating. Begin with three nights in Paris, then travel in style aboard the high-speed TGV train to Lyon. From there, cruise through France’s legendary wine growing regions, home to such famous vintages as Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône. Marvel at ancient Roman ruins, stroll through medieval villages and shop for Provencal crafts. Your itinerary includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avignon as well as Arles, the city where Vincent Van Gogh spent much of his life. Conclude your journey with three nights in magnificent Barcelona. |
Spain has been described as less of a country than a collection of small nations all working together. Each region has its own distinct character, style, even language. This quick eight-day trip introduces you to Spain’s Basque and Catalan provinces the best way: through food, art, culture, and first-person contact. Vibrant Barcelona, unhurried San Sebastián, Bilbao’s fabulous architecture, Logroño's famous cuisine, cosmopolitan Madrid, and the mighty Pyrenees, all in just over a week? Yeah, we did that. Come find out how. |
Day 1: Arrive In Paris, France
Arrive in Paris and check in to your hotel. The balance of the day is yours to start exploring this beautiful city.
Day 2: Paris
Meals: Breakfast
Today, you’ll visit Notre Dame and then enjoy some free time to explore the “City of Light.” Afterwards, you’ll see some of the most famous sights on a panoramic city tour, followed by a photo stop at Champs de Mars for views of the Eiffel Tower.
Day 3: Paris
Meals: Breakfast
Today is yours to enjoy however you wish. Explore Paris’ multitude of landmarks, museums, cafes and shops.
Day 4: Paris – Lyon – Embarkation
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
After checking out of your hotel, you will board the TGV high-speed train that will whisk you through the French countryside to Lyon. Nestled between the Saône and Rhone rivers, Lyon is one of France’s most important cities and its gastronomic capital. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time for lunch on your own before an exclusive hands-on cooking lesson. Later, transfer to your luxurious ship, where you will gather with your fellow travelers at tonight’s festive Welcome Dinner. (B,D)
Day 5: Lyon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, you will visit Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. After some free time to see Notre Dame Basilica and take in majestic views of Lyon, you will join a panoramic tour that will take you past the Place Bellecour with its equestrian statue of Louis XIV, Place des Terreaux with Bartholdi’s Fountain and the Town Hall. Later, enjoy a walking tour of Old Lyon. The afternoon is free to enjoy however you wish.
Day 6: Collonges – Vienne
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning’s tour will take you through the enchanting Beaujolais wine region, also known as the Pays d’Or or “land of the golden stones,” named for the richly colored limestone used to build local homes and castles. You will visit the medieval hilltop village of Oingt as well as the home of a local vintner who will invite you for a wine tasting and vineyard tour as he shares the history of the region’s wine production. Return to the ship in the afternoon and continue cruising towards Vienne. Upon arrival, make the most of your free time and venture about on your own or simply unwind on board.
Day 7: Vienne – Tournon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Situated between the wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, Vienne’s Roman past can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. This morning, choose from one of three options to explore Vienne this morning. Your first option is to take a walking tour and see an ancient Roman temple, the ruins of a Roman theater, and the medieval Abbey Church of St. Pierre, today an Archaeological Museum. Your second option is a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route. Your third option is a guided hike from the ship up to the Monastery at Mount Pipet and back. Your ship departs at midday for Tournon.
Day 8: Tournon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
You have one of three options in which to enjoy your morning in Tournon. Your first option is an exciting ride in a panoramic train car as you discover the magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux. After riding through the gorge, you will stop at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where you can watch the train maneuver in preparation for its return journey. Your second option is a visit to Le Chateau de Tournon for a very special presentation and tasting with a local expert on the paring of red wine and chocolate. Your third option is a hike followed by a wine tasting in the village of Tain Hermitage.
Day 9: Viviers – Avignon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, you’ll have a choice of one of three different activities. Your first option is to travel by motor coach to Avignon, site of the bridge made famous by the French children’s song "On the Bridge of Avignon." Seven popes once resided in the magnificent Papal Palace, which you will visit during your walking tour. You will also see the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your second option is to take an excursion to the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your third option is a Provencal cooking lesson with a local chef where you will learn how to prepare a savory local dish. Later, enjoy an excursion to Grignan, a hilltop village surrounded by lavender fields. The village’s Renaissance castle provides a commanding view of the surrounding countryside. Afterwards, you will visit a truffle farm and learn about truffle harvesting.
Day 10: Avignon – Les Baux – Arles
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, you will arrive in Arles and board a motor coach for an excursion to the village of Les Baux de Provence. The village’s castle has a fascinating exhibit of medieval weapons. Later, visit an olive farm to learn about this age-old Provençal farming tradition. Alternatively, take the Artist Experience tour to the the Carrières de Lumières, a stone quarry that projects artwork on its walls, and then Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Van Gogh once lived and painted such well-known works as The Irises and Starry Night. Later this afternoon, you have your choice between a city tour of Arles that will show you the city’s top sights, including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman amphitheater, or a guided bike tour through to the Roman ruins. The ship moors overnight in Arles.
Day 11: Arles – Disembarkation – Barcelona, Spain
Meals: Breakfast
Disembark your ship in Arles and transfer to Barcelona via the TGV high-speed train.
Day 12: Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast
Your full day in Barcelona begins with a driving tour to the Gothic Quarter in the medieval center of the city. Next, you will go to the top of Montjuic Hill where you will enjoy glorious views of the city below. During your tour, you will see some of Antoni Gaudi’s unique architectural works, including Casa Milà, Casa Batlló and La Sagrada Familia, the basilica and UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been under construction for over a century. The evening is yours to explore Barcelona on your own.
Day 13: Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast
Your last day in Barcelona is yours to explore at your leisure.
Day 14: Depart Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast
Bid farewell to Barcelona and prepare for your homeward flight.
Day 1 Barcelona
Arrive at any time. We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this vibrant city.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Please note that if you wish to visit popular sites and want to avoid waiting in line, it is advisable to reserve tickets in advance. We recommend pre-arranging your visit to La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà.
Day 2 Barcelona/Pyrenees
Take the morning to explore beautiful Barcelona. Head to the Pyrenees region for 2 nights in a 'casa rural'. Enjoy home-cooked meals and hiking.
Explore a bit of Barcelona before an afternoon departure north. Travel to the Pyrenees by local bus and van to reach a 'casa rural', or converted farmhouse, near the town of Ainsa. Indulge in delicious local meals and time to explore the beautiful landscape.
Day 3 Pyrenees
Enjoy the day in the scenic Pyrenees. Opt for some hikes in the area or head to Ainsa to explore. Spend another night in the 'casa rural'.
Day 4 Pyrenees/Bilbao
Travel to Bilbao, the first stop in the unique Basque region of Spain. Arrive in the early afternoon. Opt to visit the stunning Guggenheim Museum, or climb the Mallona Stairs to Parque Etxebarria for beautiful views over the city.
Day 5 Bilbao/San Sebastian/Bilbao
Take a day trip to San Sebastian. Opt to take a pintxos (tapas) tour and learn about the fascinating culture of the area. Return to Bilbao for the night.
The real treat in this part of the country is the eating. Basque cuisine is famous in Spain and around the world, with many believing this is the best food in the country. While San Sebastián didn't invent tapas, they are well-acknowledged to have perfected them. Wander through the streets before lunchtime or in the evening and check out what each bar has on offer. Stop in each place for some wine or beer and sample their tapas (pintxos in Basque) selection. Move on to the next bar and repeat! Delicious seafood abounds here as well. Looking for more than just pintxos? Head to the harbour and hole up in a traditional simple tavern. Don't leave San Sebastián without trying the famous jamon iberico. The specialty drink in this area is called the Kalimotxo — half wine (usually red table wine) and half Coca Cola.Take some time to wander through the plazas, marvel at the buildings, and spot the art sprinkled throughout the city. And, as always, try the pintxos.
Day 6 Bilbao/Logroño
Travel to Logroño and enjoy an included wine tasting in the Rioja region.
With tons of churches, roman bridges, parks, plazas, and ancient buildings, there's no shortage of sights to be seen when wandering around this city.
Day 7 Logroño/Madrid
Travel to Madrid and enjoy free time in this capital city.
Day 8 Madrid
Depart at any time.
We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this lively city has to offer.
