11 Days Madrid to Rome Spain, France, Switzerland and Italy Tour Package

Tour overview

Duration

11 days, 10 nights

Tour starts

Madrid

Tour type

Shared Tour (SIC), Group Tour

Tour highlights

Pisa and Imperial Rome See the Leaning Tower of Pisa before exploring Rome’s ancient landmarks on a guided tour.

Glacier 3000 and the Swiss Alps Ride the Glacier 3000 cable car for views across the high Alps and surrounding peaks.

Barcelona and Poblet Abbey Discover Barcelona’s landmarks and visit the medieval Poblet Abbey on the way north.

Madrid and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium Explore Madrid’s central landmarks and visit the iconic home of Real Madrid.

1. Day 1

   Madrid Arrival

   

   Highlights: Madrid, Plaza Mayor, La Latina, Evening transfer

   • Welcome to Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain. After your arrival, a transfer will take you to the hotel, giving you time to settle in and begin getting a feel for the city before the tour programme starts.
   • In the evening, head out to Plaza Mayor and La Latina, two of Madrid's well-known areas for evening dining and tapas. With a choice of restaurants offering Spanish and international cuisine, this is a relaxed introduction to the city's lively evening atmosphere.

   Meals: None

2. Day 2

   Madrid City Highlights and Santiago Bernabéu

   

   Highlights: Madrid city tour, Retiro Park, Palacio de Cristal, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

   • Today brings Madrid's grand boulevards, historic squares and elegant city landmarks into focus. The morning city tour passes Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor, offering an introduction to the character of central Madrid.
   • The route continues into Retiro Park, one of the city's best-known green spaces, where you can see its lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Football fans will have another highlight at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, with access to the player areas, public sections and a small museum dedicated to the club. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy Madrid at your own pace.

   Meals: Breakfast

3. Day 3

   Madrid to Barcelona via Zaragoza and Poblet

   

   Highlights: Zaragoza, Plaza del Pilar, Poblet Abbey, Central Catalonia, Barcelona

   • Leave Madrid behind and watch the landscape change as the journey heads east towards Zaragoza. Around midday, there is time to explore the area around Plaza del Pilar, home to the city's famous basilica, while also having time for lunch.
   • Later, the journey continues to Poblet Abbey, a remarkably preserved medieval monastery enclosed by ancient walls. The historic setting provides a very different perspective on Spain before the route moves onward through the agricultural heart of central Catalonia towards Barcelona, where you arrive in the evening.

   Meals: Breakfast

4. Day 4

   Barcelona and Girona

   

   Highlights: Barcelona panoramic tour, Sagrada Familia, La Rambla, Gothic Quarter, Girona

   • Barcelona takes centre stage today, with a panoramic tour bringing together some of the city's most recognisable landmarks. See Columbus Monument, Plaza de Cataluña, Paseo de Gracia, Diagonal, Sagrada Familia, Montjuïc and Plaza de España, with a stop at Sagrada Familia to admire its exterior.
   • The tour finishes around La Rambla, giving you time to wander towards the historic Gothic Quarter and experience Barcelona independently. An optional visit to Sagrada Familia may also be offered for those wishing to explore Gaudí's masterpiece in greater detail.
   • Later, leave Barcelona behind and travel north through Catalonia to Girona, where the historic centre and cathedral provide a charming evening setting. If the hotel is outside the centre, free time in Girona will be available until approximately 9:15 p.m.

   Meals: Breakfast

5. Day 5

   Girona to Chambery via Arles and Carrieres des Lumieres

   

   Highlights: Arles, Roman amphitheatre, Provence, Carrieres des Lumieres

   • The journey crosses into France today, entering the landscapes of Provence before reaching Arles around midday. This historic city is closely associated with Roman heritage and the artistic life of Vincent van Gogh. Visit its Roman amphitheatre and explore its Provencal streets, with time to enjoy lunch independently.
   • A short journey brings you to Carrieres des Lumieres, where monumental projections and sound transform ancient limestone quarries into an immersive art experience. Admission is included. Afterwards, continue north through France towards Chambery, arriving in the evening.
   • If tickets for Carrieres des Lumieres are unavailable due to high demand, the programme will instead include a visit to the Pont du Gard.

   Meals: Breakfast

6. Day 6

   Chambery to Leysin via Geneva, Gruyeres and Chillon

   

   Highlights: Chambery, Geneva, Gruyeres, Cailler Chocolate Factory, Chillon Castle, Leysin

   • Begin with a morning stroll through Chambery, the historic capital of Savoy, before crossing into Switzerland. In Geneva, see the Palais des Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations, before continuing to the English Garden and its famous floral clock and Jet d'Eau.
   • The route follows the shores of Lake Geneva towards Gruyeres, a historic walled village famous for its cheese. After time for lunch, enjoy a tasting experience at the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory. The journey then continues through the Swiss mountains to Chillon Castle, a medieval fortress standing beside the lake, before reaching Leysin.
   • Dinner is included in Leysin, a mountain resort overlooking the Rhône Valley towards the Alps. Depending on availability, accommodation may instead be provided in another Swiss Alpine town such as Martigny.

   Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

7. Day 7

   Leysin, Glacier 3000, Interlaken, Lucerne and Zurich

   

   Highlights: Glacier 3000 cable car, Interlaken, Lucerne, Zurich

   • Today brings the high Alps into view. From Leysin, travel towards Glacier 3000 and take the cable car into the mountain environment, where snow and ice can remain visible throughout much of the year. From the mountain terraces, you can take in the surrounding peaks, while the area also offers the suspended bridge between two mountain peaks, the Ice Cathedral and Fun Park.
   • Later, descend towards Interlaken, set between two lakes, with time for lunch and a chance to enjoy the mountain-town setting. Continue to Lucerne, where wooden bridges and the lakeside give the city its distinctive character, before finishing the day in Zurich with a leisurely stroll through Switzerland's largest city.
   • Warm clothing, comfortable shoes and a raincoat are recommended for the mountain visit. If adverse weather or other unforeseen circumstances prevent the Glacier 3000 cable car from operating, an alternative experience will be provided.

   Meals: Breakfast

8. Day 8

   Zurich to Milan via Bellinzona and Como

   

   Highlights: Bellinzona, Medieval castles, Como, Lakeside promenade, Piazza del Duomo

   • Leave Zurich behind and cross the Alps towards the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. The first stop is Bellinzona, where three medieval castles rise above the town and reflect its importance as an Alpine stronghold. There is time to wander through the old town before continuing south.
   • The landscape changes again as the journey reaches Como, where lakeside gardens, the promenade and cathedral provide a relaxed setting for a stroll and lunch. Later, continue into Italy towards Milan, finishing the day around the impressive Piazza del Duomo before heading to the hotel.

   Meals: Breakfast

9. Day 9

   Milan to Rome via Pisa

   

   Highlights: Milan, Pisa, Piazza dei Miracoli, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Rome

   • Today the route travels south through Italy towards Pisa. On arrival, a small tourist train takes you to Piazza dei Miracoli, where the famous Leaning Tower stands alongside one of Italy's best-known groups of historic monuments.
   • After time to explore and take in the square, continue the journey towards Rome, arriving in the evening. It is a long travel day, but it also marks the final stage of the route from northern Italy towards the Italian capital.
   • The schedule for this stage may vary, with later arrivals in Pisa and Rome possible to accommodate travellers joining the tour from Nice.

   Meals: Breakfast

10. Day 10

    Imperial Rome and Trastevere

    

    Highlights: Imperial Rome, Colosseum exterior, Imperial Forums, Vatican City, Trastevere

    • Your final full day begins with a guided introduction to Imperial Rome, combining walking and panoramic sightseeing. See the exterior of the Colosseum and Imperial Forums, along with the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Pyramid of Cestius and Castel Sant'Angelo.
    • The morning tour ends at Vatican City, giving you the afternoon free to experience Rome independently. For those who wish to explore further, an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel may be offered.
    • In the evening, enjoy a transfer to Trastevere, one of Rome's best known neighbourhoods for restaurants and evening atmosphere. There is time to enjoy the area before returning to the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast

11. Day 11

    Rome Departure

    

    Highlights: Rome, Independent airport departure transfer

    • After breakfast, your journey from Madrid to Rome comes to an end. With eleven days of city landmarks, medieval towns, Alpine destinations and historic sites behind you, Rome provides the final setting for your European journey.
    • Hotel check-out is usually at 10:00 a.m. If you wish to spend more time in Rome after check-out, luggage can be left at reception for collection later in the day. An additional night can be booked if you require more time in the city.

    Meals: Breakfast

What's included

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Transfers
• Sightseeing
• Shared Tours (SIC)
• Entry Fees

Tour prices

Twin sharing is per person for two in one room. Single add-on is the extra per-person rate for a third guest sharing the same twin room. For other options, email us.

Frequently asked questions