Compare Paris, Normandy & Loire Valley by Great Value Vacations vs Highlights of France and Barcelona (Barcelona) by Trafalgar
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
4 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 7 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 3,220 | $ 2,867 |
| Price Per Day | $ 460 | $ 287 |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
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| Description |
Romantic cities, remnants of a tumultuous past, fairy tale palaces - experience it all on this adventure in France! You'll spend six nights based out of France's capital city of Paris, where you can climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, stroll through some of the world's most famous gardens, and indulge in freshly-baked Parisian pastries to your heart's content! Included in this vacation are four unique tours. Enjoy seamless access through Paris with your hop-on/hop-off bus pass, then follow the footsteps of WWII and the Allied invasion with your guided tour of Normandy and the D-Day beaches. You'll also be whisked away to one of France's most famous palaces, where you'll enjoy a guided tour followed by free time in Versailles' breathtaking gardens. Lastly, you'll be treated to a trip straight out of a storybook with a guided exploration of the Loire Valley's most iconic castles. Tour a home designed by Leonardo da Vinci, then explore the former residence of one of the art world's most famous patrons: Catherine de Medici. Please note: depending on availability, tours may be scheduled on different days than mentioned in the itinerary. |
One of our most popular France and Spain trips, this jam-packed journey from Paris to Barcelona is a feast for every sense, from lunch with locals and elegant châteaux in the Loire Valley, to the buzz of Avignon’s Place de l’Horloge and the irresistible French Riviera. |
Day 1 Welcome to Paris!
Arrive at Paris' Charles De Gaulles Airport and be transferred to your Paris hotel. Activate your hop-on/hop-off bus pass and begin exploring the City of Light! You can take an entire loop for a unique perspective of the city, then start hopping off as you please. Ascend the steps of the Eiffel Tower and look down upon the city below, head to the Arc de Triomphe and stare in awe at its grandeur, then hop off at Pont Neuf and take a walk across this iconic and historic bridge.
Day 2 Paris
Continue utilizing your hop-on/hop-off bus pass! Gawk at incredible architecture, then lose track of time in the breathtaking Luxembourg Gardens.
Day 3 Paris
Today, spend an entire day following the footsteps of WWII and the Allied invasion with your Normandy and D-Day Beaches tour!
Day 4 Paris
Spend the first part of your day discovering the splendors of the Palace of Versailles, from the iconic gardens to the many works of art and furniture, created by the greatest craftsmen of the day. Return to Paris in the early evening, and prepare to experience Paris' one-of-a-kind nightlife! Take a romantic stroll along the river, enjoy some music, or perhaps even stumble upon a speakeasy!
Day 5 Paris
Spend today soaking up the highlights of the Louvre! Fall in love with the Venus de Milo, sneak a peek at Botticelli's Venus, then follow the iconic gaze of the Mona Lisa. After a day spent surrounded by some of the world's most famous masterpieces, consider winding down with a leisurely cruise along the river Siene, or perhaps treat yourself to a wine and cheese tasting, sampling the local sips and nibbles France is known for!
Day 6 Paris
Spend an entire day exploring France's most breathtaking chateaux on your guided tour today. In the evening, head to the Eiffel Tower to experience this landmark one more time as it becomes illuminated in the evening - the perfect way to spend your last evening in Paris!
Day 7 Depart France
Say au revoir to France as you are transferred from the hotel to the airport in time for your departure flight home.
Day 1: Welcome to Paris
Glittering Paris is your launchpad for an epic adventure through the highlights of France and magnificent Barcelona. Spend your first day in the 'City of Light' exploring the art, architecture and culture of this romantic city on your own. Visit a renowned gallery, shop up a storm or relax in manicured gardens watching the world go by. Later, join your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner and orientation drive past some of the city's most impressive sights, including the grand Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe.
Pullman La Défense
Dinner
Day 2: Explore the Sights of Paris
Spend the morning in the company of a Local Specialist on a journey through the historic neighborhoods of Paris, to see where the locals live and shop. View the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Walk along the Seine and admire the talents of street artists and performers, amble through the scenic hilltop village of Montmartre or relax with a café au lait watching the world go by. This evening, consider soaking up the pageantry of Paris with an Optional Experience to a popular Parisian cabaret.
Pullman La Défense
Breakfast
Day 3: Chartres and Châteaux in the Loire Valley Connect with Locals
Visit Chartres, an important place of pilgrimage on the 'Way of Saint James', and see its inspiring French Gothic cathedral, renowned for its stained glass windows and two contrasting spires. We journey through the rolling landscape of the Loire Valley, past beautiful villages and castles. View the impressive Château de Chambord, a marvel of French Renaissance architecture, then visit Château de Chenonceau. Later, Connect With Locals, joining your travel companions and the de Montferrier family on their farm for a traditional three-course Tourangelle Be My Guest dinner experience with local wines.
Mercure Tours Nord
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Onwards to Lyon
Traveling through the heart of France, we arrive in the gastronomic capital of Lyon where we'll join a Local Specialist for a tour of the old city, revealing its rich cultural heritage. Wander through the traboules and marvel at the magnificent skyline from Fourvière hill, followed by free time to explore this city between two rivers.
Crowne Plaza Lyon Cite Internationale
Breakfast
Day 5: Journey to Papal Avignon and on to the French Riviera Dive Into Culture
From Lyon, we drive to Avignon, a Papal Seat in the 14th century. See the Popes' Palace, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, and the remnants of the famous bridge immortalized in the French song – Sur le Pont d'Avignon. Later we continue to the French Riviera, arriving in the seaside retreat of southern France, favored by aristocrats for centuries. With an evening at leisure, perhaps stroll around the Bay of Angels and join the Promenade des Anglais. Or sit and enjoy a glass of wine while the sun sets and listen to the blue Mediterranean waters lap against the shore.
Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000
Breakfast
Day 6: Enjoy Monaco and the Cote d'Azur
A fun-filled day includes a visit to the tiny Principality of Monaco where you’ll view the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married. See the superyachts in the port and catch a glimpse of the famed grand prix circuit. Enjoy relaxing on the sun-kissed shores of the Côte d'Azur, retreat to the beach with your fellow sun-worshippers, or perhaps embark on an Optional Experience to the medieval hill-top village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000
Breakfast
Day 7: Off to Colorful Arles and Carcassonne
We travel west to the Camargue center of Arles, with its honey-colored façades and Roman ruins, enjoying some time at leisure to explore this beautiful city, or perhaps choosing an Optional Experience to gain a deeper understanding of Vincent van Gogh and local history with our resident expert. Later we continue through the landscapes of Provence, immortalized in the works of Cézanne and Van Gogh, to the fortified city of Carcassonne. A guided exploration of this exquisite, ancient town will reveal the Cité, its double ring of ramparts and 52 towers.
Tribe Carcassonne
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Pass the Pyrenees to Barcelona Dive Into Culture
Driving past the foothills of the Pyrenees, we stop in Figueres to visit the Dalí Theater and Museum where we will Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the fascinating world of Salvador Dalí. See his work in this impressive building, before arriving in Barcelona this afternoon for an included sightseeing tour. We’ll see the Columbus Monument and Antoni Gaudí's unfinished La Sagrada Família, with a Local Specialist. The evening is yours to explore this Mediterranean gem. Consider an Optional Experience to enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine and entertainment, or enjoy a delicious tapas feast on your own at one of the city's fine restaurants.
Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia
Breakfast
Day 9: Discover Lively Barcelona
Spend the day soaking up the vibrant spirit of Barcelona. Perhaps pay a morning visit to mystical Montserrat to visit its Benedictine monastery and see the mysterious Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. Ramble up Las Ramblas and people-watch in the Plaça de Catalunya, explore the whimsical architecture of Gaudí dotted across the city or consider an Optional Experience to discover the fascinating Gothic Quarter. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner with wine at a vibrant Spanish restaurant.
Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Journey Home
It's time to close the curtain on an unforgettable holiday in France and Barcelona. Say adiós to the bustling streets of Barcelona and your travel companions.
Breakfast
