| Starts | London, United Kingdom |
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| Ends | Madrid, Spain |
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| Region | Europe |
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| Duration | 23 days |
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| Tour Operator | Gadventures |
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| Tour Code | EELM 23414 |
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| Overview PDF | Download PDF |
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: London & Finishing: Paris
Meet in London at 5:30pm before departing for Paris by train.
Instructions
Please refer to joining instructions for more information on where to meet.
Please note the trip departs London in the evening of Day 1 so it is imperative you arrive on time for departure soon after the 5:30pm Welcome Meeting. Please allow plenty of time for the journey to London to allow for any possible delays.
Day 2 - Starting: Paris & Finishing: Paris
Explore and discover the “je ne sais quoi” of the City of Lights. Paris has something for everyone and you can use your day here to picnic under the Eiffel Tower, explore the outstanding museums and churches, float down the Seine on a river cruise or people watch at one of the charming cafés.
Day 3 - Starting: Paris & Finishing: Interlaken
Enjoy an orientation walk through this small city in the Swiss Alps.
Day 4 - Starting: Interlaken & Finishing: Interlaken
Opt to get the adrenaline pumping with some hang gliding, canyoning or whitewater rafting. Explore a nearby glacier or go swimming in a crystal clear lake. Don't miss the nightlife.
Day 5 - Starting: Interlaken & Finishing: Interlaken
Opt to get the adrenaline pumping with some hang gliding, canyoning or whitewater rafting. Explore a nearby glacier or go swimming in a crystal clear lake. Don't miss the nightlife.
Day 6 - Starting: Interlaken & Finishing: Rome
Fashion and people watch on an included orientation walk of Milan. Overnight train to Rome.
Instructions
Please note: If you are interested in seeing Leonardo Da Vinci's most famous artwork, the Last Supper, it is essential that you make a booking in advance for this afternoon (Day 6). You can book either over the telephone or online. The contact details are:
Telephone: +39 02 89421146
Web: www.cenacolovinciano.org.
**Please make your appointment for 3pm onwards (in case of possible delays arriving from Interlaken).**
Day 7 - Starting: Rome & Finishing: Rome
Opt to check out the famous Roman sites from times past like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican and Pantheon. Don't miss the amazing Italian food, wine and nightlife.
Instructions
It’s a good idea to book a ticket to the Vatican online from home or with some advice from your CEO prior to arriving to Rome, as waiting until the day you arrive may well be too late!
Day 8 - Starting: Rome & Finishing: Rome
Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of the adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Day 9 - Starting: Rome & Finishing: Rapallo
Stop at Pisa en route to the beautiful Italian Riviera. Check out the Leaning Tower before a stroll along the coast.
Day 10 - Starting: Rapallo & Finishing: Nice
Keep moving to the glistening Mediterranean coast and the Cote d'Azur's cosmopolitan capital, Nice. Soak up the sun-seeking atmosphere under the palm trees of the seafront promenade, tick off some must-see museums, explore the ancient Roman city of Cemenelum, wander the narrow winding streets of the romantic old town, and while away the evening in some of France's best bars and trendy restaurants.
Day 11 - Starting: Nice & Finishing: Barcelona
Free morning in Nice, then travel by rail to Barcelona, arriving at night.
Day 12 - Starting: Barcelona & Finishing: Barcelona
Save up some energy for Barcelona's fantastic nightlife.
Day 13 - Starting: Barcelona & Finishing: Barcelona
Enjoy another day to explore all that Barcelona has to offer.
Day 14 - Starting: Barcelona & Finishing: Valencia
The CEO will arrange an optional evening out to a local paella restaurant where you can eat your fill. Don't forget to try a few of the great Valencian wines!
Day 15 - Starting: Valencia & Finishing: Granada
Enjoy more free time to explore, then take an overnight bus to Granada.
Day 16 - Starting: Granada & Finishing: Granada
A trip to Granada wouldn't be the same without a night on the town, the city is filled with trendy tapas bars and has a lively music scene.
Day 17 - Starting: Granada & Finishing: Seville
Visit this thriving university town. Opt to visit the Real Alcázar, a Moorish palace, or take in an evening flamenco show.
Day 18 - Starting: Seville & Finishing: Lagos
Cross into Portugal and enjoy the Algarve Coast.
Day 19 - Starting: Lagos & Finishing: Lagos
Spend the day on the Algarve with free time for hiking, water activities, or chilling out ocean-side.
Day 20 - Starting: Lagos & Finishing: Lisbon
Take a train up the coast to Portugal's vibrant capital, and enjoy an orientation walk. Free time to visit Cristo Rei for sweeping views of the area, check out the monuments of the Belem neighbourhood, or relax in a café. Indulge in the town's great nightlife.
Day 21 - Starting: Lisbon & Finishing: Madrid
Full day of free time before an overnight bus to Madrid.
Day 22 - Starting: Madrid & Finishing: Madrid
Enjoy Spain's beautiful capital on an orientation walk. Free time to visit its many sites, from art museums to sprawling squares. Opt to spend the final night with the group out on the town. Madrid's nightlife is world renowned!
Day 23 - Starting: Madrid & Finishing: Madrid
Depart at any time.
View Dates
More Information
What’s Included
Picnic in front of Eiffel Tower (Paris). Visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Visit to Monaco. Tapas bar crawl (Granada). Orientation walks in Interlaken, Milan, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Lisbon, and Madrid.
Highlights
Dine under the Eiffel tower, explore Moorish palaces and great Iberian cities, sample some of Europe’s best cuisines, chill out on the Algarve coast, mingle with the locals on the French Riviera, walk by ancient history in Rome.
Dossier Disclaimer
Itinerary Disclaimer
Important Notes
1.It is important to note that in Europe, all guiding is based around local guides all of whom are licensed to work only in a particular city. As such, our leaders are able to provide orientation walks which will show you the layout of each town and city as well as the location of local services such as post offices and laundromats, but are unable to legally share historical facts and figures in public places.
2. In Europe it is very rare to find elevators in train stations, hotels or other public places. We use public transport on this trip, which means you will need to carry your luggage from platform to platform, in and out of trains and buses etc. and also possibly up several flights of stairs. You will also need to be able to stow your luggage safely on trains and buses. It is therefore essential that you pack light and bring luggage which is compact and lightweight, and which you can easily transport. The carrying of your luggage remains your responsibility at all times.
3.This trip has a fast-paced itinerary with some long transport days – please check the itinerary carefully before deciding if this trip suits your needs.
Group Leader Description
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.
Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 10.
Meals
Eating is a big part of traveling. G Adventures understands the importance of breakfast to start your day, we strive to include a basic breakfast wherever possible. A typical breakfast may include toast, coffee and tea, however this may vary depending on the city. Should breakfast not be included, your CEO can suggest some local options.
Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. While trekking in remote regions etc. food is included, plentiful and made of fresh local ingredients.
For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.
Transport
Train, public bus, metro, walking.
About our Transportation
On this trip we will use local buses and trains for intercity transport and a mix of metro (subway), local bus, taxis and walking for transport between hotels and bus/train stations. Please be prepared to carry your own bags short distances (20-30 mins max) between hotels and transport, as well as to lift your bags on and off buses and trains. Please note that there is often limited luggage storage space on public transport.
Yolo TRIP TRANSPORT:
As we rely heavily on public transportation during this trip, we ask you to be flexible for possible changes in the modes of transport and schedules, which may necessitate small itinerary changes.
Please note that the accommodation on overnight buses and trains varies in Europe. Overnight buses typically have airline-style reclining seats. On some overnight trains, tickets are for airline-style seats whereas other overnight journeys are in multi-share sleeper compartments. Please see day-to-day itinerary for specific information about accommodation type for overnight journeys.
Solo Travellers
Accommodation
Hostels (19 nts, multi-share), overnight buses (2 nts), overnight train (1 nt).
My Own Room
My Own Room is not available on this tour.
About Accommodation
The variety and local flavour of our accommodation is a favourite part of our European Yolo trips. Although the properties we use are simply furnished and with few facilities, we base our choices on location, character and cleanliness. We will stay in a mixture of hotels, hostels, private rooms in local households and wooden cabins on the beach.
Some accommodation on this tour is multi-share on a single-sex basis. This may involve 4-6 group members sharing and even (on rare occasions) dormitory-style rooms for the whole group. The majority of accommodation will have shared bathroom facilities.
Couples: Please note that due to the types of accommodation used in Europe we are not able to take requests for double or matrimonial beds on this tour. Where we use multi-share hostels, couples will likely be split into separate rooms.
Joining Instructions
The trip commences at 5:30pm at Cafe Benugo on the ground floor in St. Pancras International Station. Its imperative to arrive on time to ensure boarding to the Eurostar. There will be a table reserved, and your CEO will be waiting with a G Adventures logo on the table. If you arrive early, luggage storage is available at St. Pancras Station. The exact time of departure from St. Pancras to Paris will vary, but there will be time for you to buy some food before we leave or maybe even a celebratory drop of champagne at the longest champagne bar in the world!
GETTING TO ST PANCRAS INTERNATIONAL STATION FROM THE AIRPORT:
From Heathrow Airport – Take the Piccadilly Line directly to Kings Cross. The single fair to Kings Cross is approximately £5.50 and the journey time is roughly 1 hour.
From Gatwick Airport – Take the Gatwick Express to Victoria Train Station. From there, take the Victoria Line to Kings Cross.
London City Airport – Take the DLR (Docklands Light Rail) to Bank. Once there, change to the Northern Line on to Kings Cross. Overall journey time is roughly 50 minutes. Cost for a single DLR ticket is approximately £4.00.
Arrival Complications
Emergency Contact
Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Operator (if one is listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
G Adventures Office, London, UK
After hours emergency number: +44 7817 262559
If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with our 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you.
Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0844 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 01805 70 90 30 00
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999
What to Take
You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. We highly recommend using a backpack or light sports bag, whichever you find easiest to carry, plus a small daypack. Luggage space on public transport is limited. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them between transport and hotels (max. 15-20 mins walking), hopping on and off trains and public buses and up and down stairs.
Laundry
Laundry facilities are offered by some of our accommdation for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap. Your CEO can also show you where the you can get your laundry done.
Spending Money
Money Exchange
Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances but you must remember to bring your PIN number (be aware that many ATM machines only accept 4-digit PINs). Both Cirrus and Plus system cards are the most widely accepted debit cards. Visa cards are the most widely accepted credit cards. While ATMs are commonly available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work – Check with your bank. You should be aware when purchasing products or services on a credit card, that a fee usually applies.
Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of Euros, traveller’s cheques and cards is best. Avoid relying on traveller’s cheques alone as these are less and less readily cashed as clients use them very little.
Always take more rather than less, as you don’t want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.
Emergency Fund
Optional Activities
Your local guide or CEO will recommend different optional activities, feel free to ask him/her for more information.
Paris:
Eiffel Tower – €8-€13
Louvre Museum – €9
Musee d’Orsay – €8
Palace of Versailles – €13.5
Palace of Versailles Gardens – free
Arc de Triomphe – €9
Catacombs – €7
Notre Dame towers -€8
Centre Pompidou – €12
Napoleon’s Tomb – €8
Sainte Chapelle and Conciergerie – €7.5
Picasso Museum – €6.5
Rodin Museum – €6
Da Vinci Code walking tour – €20
Bike Tour – €24
Rome:
Colosseum & Roman Forum (combined ticket) – €12
Vatican Museums including Sistine Chapel – €18
St Peter’s dome climb – €8
Capitoline Museum – €8
Time Elevator – €11 (€9.20 child)
Techno Town – €6
Catacombs of San Callisto – €5
Pantheon – free
Borghese Gallery – €13
Roma Pass – €23
Barcelona:
Hop on/off Tourist Bus – €24
Sagrada Familia – €16(additional €1 – €10 for guided tour)
Picasso Museum – €11
Other Gaudi Houses – €8 – €15
Palau Musica- €12
Barcelona Football Club – €8.50 (museum only), 13 Euros(museum & tour)
Various other museums €5 – €13
Valencia:
Combined Entry (Hemisferic, Oceanografic (Aquarium), Science Museum) – €35 (separate entries also available)
Fine Arts Museum – free
Sun Bed and Umbrella Rental on beach €10
Granada:
Bike tour (various) – €30-€50
Cathedral – €4
Royal Chapel – €3.50
Seville:
Traditional Flamenco Show – €15
Walking City Tour – €15
Real Alcázar – €7.50
Cathedral and Giralda – €8
Casa Pilates – €6
City Bus Tour – €16
Arab Baths (Hammam) – €28
Lisbon:
Castello Sao Jorge – €5
Elevator Santa Justa – €5
Scenic tram 28 – 24 hour tram ticket €5
Belem – Entry to Jeronimo Monastery €8 / Entry to Belem tower €5
Sintra – €12 transport + €8 Palace entrance
Various museums – Modern Art / Carriages / Ancient Art / Design / Tile from – €3-€15
Madrid:
Prado Museum – €8
Hop on hop off bus – €20
Reina Sofia Museum – €6 (Closed Tuesdays)
Botanical Garden and Retiro Park – Free
Thyssen Museum – €8
Palacio Real – €10
Day Tour to Avila & Segovian – €75
Day tour of Toledo – €50
Day tour El Escorial – €43
All prices are per person (unless stated otherwise), and are subject to change as services are provided by third party operators.
Health
Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.
You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings in this dossier for trip specific information. For travellers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is required. G Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our CEO they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.
Safety and Security
Medical Form
A Couple of Rules
Travel Insurance
Planeterra-The G Adventures Foundation
Local Dress
In Italy, shoulders should be covered while visiting churches and cathedrals. Ask your CEO for more specific advice.
Feedback
Newsletter
Travel Forum – The Watering Hole
Max Pax
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Group Leader
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.
