Mediterranean Journey
From CAD $11,015
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
Marvel at Gaudi’s masterpieces in Barcelona, spot locals sipping pastis in Nice and admire Florence the home of Michelangelo and the Renaissance, as you circle the azure waters of the Mediterranean. Embrace the city of Pisa with a stop at the famous leaning tower, where Italian astronomer Galileo was said to have pioneered his theories of gravity. In France, work up an appetite in the medieval streets. In Spain, dine with the locals in Basque tradition with an evening of San Sebastian pintxos tastings, snack-sized tapas, while sipping on a refreshing glass of local Txakoli wine. In Rome, taste the seasonal flavors and of course, handmade pasta.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 16 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 3 Dinner (D)
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Paris: Join a local food lover on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
- Paris: We walk up and down the "quartier" and we see the school, the food stores, the housing situation, the heritage landmarks, the sports facilities and the theaters, in this car-free, pedestrianized, neighborhood. Landmarks will include passages couverts, perhaps also Patrick Blanc's spectacular jardin vertical 'oasis d'Aboukir', the Napoleonic "Egyptian" district etc.
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Authentic Dining
- Paris: Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at a local restaurant in the heart of the city for a delightful dinner.
- San Sebastián: Enjoy an evening of pintxos, dining with locals in this Basque tradition. Your delicious dinner includes a wide variety of finger food delicacies, each with their own regional flavor, flair and presentation.
- Rome: Toast your Mediterranean journey with delicious Italian cuisine and wine.
Insight Choice
- Paris: Join a local food lover on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
- Paris: We walk up and down the "quartier" and we see the school, the food stores, the housing situation, the heritage landmarks, the sports facilities and the theaters, in this car-free, pedestrianized, neighborhood. Landmarks will include passages couverts, perhaps also Patrick Blanc's spectacular jardin vertical 'oasis d'Aboukir', the Napoleonic "Egyptian" district etc.
Insight Experiences
- Vatican City: Visit the Vatican Museums, witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and see St. Peter's Basilica.
- Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.
Top Rated Highlights
- London: Relax on the smooth, high-speed Eurostar train as you journey from London to Europe via the revolutionary Channel Tunnel.
- Paris: Experience the magic of Paris with Insight Vacations as you explore its iconic sights, landmarks, and charming streets. Meander along the picturesque banks of the River Seine, delving into the rich history of its beautiful bridges and renowned landmarks, including the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe. Whether from the comfort of your coach or a scenic vantage point, immerse yourself in the timeless stories that bring this enchanting city to life.
- Chateau Chenonceau: Visit the majestic Château de Chenonceau, known as the 'Ladies' Château' it perfectly embodies the elegance of 16th century design in the Loire Valley.
- Bordeaux: Your Local Expert will show you the quayside facades, Grand Theater, Triangle d'Or and magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces.
- San Sebastián: Led by your Local Expert, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter including Plaza de la Constitucion.
- Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Expert. Visit the Old Town, traveling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles, the Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace, before crossing the Puerta del Sol.
- Barcelona: With your Local Expert, drive along the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to witness some of the finest Modernist architecture as you journey through the Eixample district to see Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família.
- Monaco City: Enjoy a drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit and wander the old town with your Travel Director to see the Royal Palace and the yacht-filled harbor.
- Monaco City: Explore inside Monaco Cathedral.
- Florence: Join a Local Expert to view the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square. See the Santa Croce Basilica, the final resting place of great Florentines like Michelangelo.
- Rome: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, including Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, scattered throughout the city.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Trip Details
Product Code: 34336
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Insight Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 131.1365A
Starts: London, United Kingdom
Finishes: Rome, Italy
Duration: 17 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $11,015 ($648 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge? Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
Accommodation: Thistle Marble Arch, London
Meet your Travel Director and after a warm welcome, transfer to London’s St. Pancras Station to board the high-speed Eurostar. Your comfortable rail journey takes you via the Channel Tunnel to Paris where you can spend the afternoon as you please. During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral and the imposing facades of the Louvre. Discover the banks of the River Seine with its many romantic bridges, see the obelisk in the center of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Later, join your Travel Director at a local restaurant in the heart of Paris for a fabulous Welcome Dinner.
Accommodation: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Your exploration of Paris today begins with an Insight Choice. Choose to explore community life in the picturesque Montorgueil district. Alternatively, join a Local Expert, an avid foodie, as you head into areas where Parisians go about their daily lives to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. With the afternoon free, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city.
Accommodation: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Meals: Breakfast
Head southwards towards Châteaux Country. Take a scenic drive along the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region is known as the Jardins de France for the beautifully maintained gardens created on vast estates as outdoor living areas. Visit the majestic Chenonceau Castle, an elegant French château spanning the River Cher. Continue on to the bustling in-land port of Bordeaux with its unique 18th century character.
Accommodation: Novotel Gare St Jean, Bordeaux
Meals: Breakfast
Join a Local Expert for a guided tour of France's best 18th century architecture. The facades of the quaysides, the Grand Théâtre, Triangle d'Or and magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces all contributed to Bordeaux earning inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Next, continue to picturesque San Sebastián where you will have the chance to dine with the locals in the evening. In small groups, wander through the Old Town for a progressive dinner, as you enjoy the gastronomic Basque tradition of pintxos. Similar to tapas, enjoy a variety of snack-sized treats to make your meal and be sure to try some of the local Txakoli wine.
Accommodation: Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue this European Grandeur tour through the mountains and gorges of the north and emerge from the tunnel in the Sierra de Guadarrama onto the plateau of New Castile and Spain's elegant capital of Madrid. In the evening, why not see the city lit up it all its glory, with a drive along the grand avenues and past the spectacular fountains?
Accommodation: Riu Plaza España, Madrid
Meals: Breakfast
Join your Local Expert for a sightseeing tour of the Old Town as well as, along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana and past the fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles. Enjoy sightseeing with your Local Expert, as they guide you through the most historic neighborhoods in the Spanish capital. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter to discover the origins of the city. Visit the Reina Sofía Museum with an art historian to see Picasso's Guernica.
Accommodation: Riu Plaza España, Madrid
Meals: Breakfast
Cross the Castilian plain, past Zaragoza, and continue to the vibrant port of Barcelona. In the evening, why not try delicious local Catalan cuisine and as night descends, view the city from the heights of Montjuic, with lights sparkling below from the mountains to sea.
Accommodation: Hilton, Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast
Join your Local Expert to explore the heart of the Gothic Quarter. See the cathedral and walk through the Roman gate to tour the narrow lanes and old squares. Travel by the Ramblas and along the Passeig de Gràcia. Continue through the Eixample district to see Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família.
Accommodation: Hilton, Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast
Journey around the Mediterranean Sea to the elegant French Riviera. Arrive in Nice and glory in the unforgettable moment you see the Bay of Angels. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais and take in the atmosphere of the Côte d'Azur of one of Europe's popular, cosmopolitan playgrounds.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Spend the morning at your leisure to relax on the beach or stroll through the Old Town. Later, explore Monaco where you are driven along part of the Grand Prix circuit, before walking with your Travel Director through Monaco-ville the oldest district of the Principality of Monaco. See the Royal Palace where the Grimaldi family live, the yacht-filled harbor and visit the cathedral, housing the tombs of the late Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.
Accommodation: Apollinaire, Nice
Meals: Breakfast
Cross into Italy and follow the arc of the Italian Riviera before arriving in Pisa. In the Square of Miracles, stop to see the incredible Leaning Tower of Pisa with a Local Expert, from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity. Also see the splendid 11th-century cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble. Continue through Tuscany to the captivating city of Florence.
Meals: Breakfast
Walk with your Local Expert to the marble-clad cathedral and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. The next stop is Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at statues such as Neptune and David along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. The area around Santa Croce Basilica is famous for the quality of its luxury goods of gold and leather and there's free time to shop or continue exploring.
Accommodation: NH Firenze, Florence
Meals: Breakfast
Relax and enjoy the grand landscapes of the Chianti hills and Umbria, before passing the Apennine Mountains to arrive at the Eternal City, filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches. In the evening, what better way to toast the culmination of your Mediterranean journey, than with delicious Italian cuisine and wine.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
A Local Expert introduces the grandeur of the city, starting with the Vatican State, the richest community on the world. Visit the Vatican Museums, full of priceless treasures collected by the Popes. Once inside the Sistine Chapel, admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica to admire Michelangelo's emotive 'Pieta' and see Bernini's intricately carved Papal Altar. The afternoon is yours to shop in the trendy boutiques or relax at a sidewalk cafe before an exclusive after-hours visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy Rome at your own pace today. Perhaps take an optional experience to the ill-fated town of Pompeii, frozen in time when it was engulfed by an eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Alternatively, spend some time in the boutiques of the Via del Corso, the Via Nazionale or the elegant designer stores near the Spanish Steps.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals: Breakfast
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Insight Vacations (CA)
Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.
In Business Since 1978
Reviews
Virginia Pinel - Traveled, October 2024
I will use Insight Vacations Service again and again for its complete coverage of services. I received what I was promised and more. The attention to detail was incredible. Thank you for making my first tour so memorable. It's intense, complete, and amazing. We got an equally awesome Travel Director, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, who had knowledge of all the places visited. Everything was well organized from the hotels, the restaurants, important places to visit, great tour companions, as well as our comfortable coach accommodations. Not forgetting our equally respectful driver, *Personal information removed by Feefo*.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Elena Naval - Traveled, November 2024
*Personal details removed by Feefo* is wonderful and very helpful. I don't how he does it but he is very knowledgeable and very good at what he does. Our driver and also excellent and kept us safe. He's such a gentleman and both are very professional. They timed the optional experience good in a way you avoid a little bit of the crowds.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/26/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
The tour started with a couple of sick people and there was no enforcement of masks so most people ended up getting sick. Everything was at a very fast pace. There was very little time to actually enjoy each destination. At one of the dinners, there was a substitute meal provided for me which seemed to be thrown together at the last minute and of very poor quality.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/28/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2024
The insight service was absolutely amazing! could not fault them in any way, they went over and above the expectations. The itinerary in Paris was very good, however to see everything I would recommend a couple of extra days in Paris before starting the tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/26/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2024
Good knowledge and history of all areas Lovely Driver and Richard was available at all times lovely scenery great hotels very nice food and restaurants we always travel with insight.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/25/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2024
Overall all went well, thank you. Bit hectic but everything was covered.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/30/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2024
It would be best to use the service as a great way to get from one city to the next without the hassle of finding a place to stay and checking in etc. Having the tour director check in for us and the bus driver navigate was very helpful. It was also nice to have a kind bus driver to help us off the bus and get our bags. The tour guide made it less enjoyable because he did not give us all the fine details about each city. He did not give basic details like; the fact that the hotel in Madrid was 500 metres from the Royal Palace; where we could find pharmacies as was needed by a few people in the group. We often went to great places but were so rushed that we could not see everything and the group were annoyed they could not stay longer. It seemed like he wanted to get away from the group as soon as possible. He also changed the timings of things so that we could not join in as we had booked some private tours to suit the schedule on the programme. We felt quite disappointed about the price of the optional extras were very expensive and often a let down, especially when we looked up the actual costs of things we saw and did. Some of the included dinners were so rushed that again we did not feel as happy about them. The first dinner at Bofinger I was given raw chicken and so felt ill for several days, as was another person, who actually vomitted. The hotel in Avignon was awful and smelt like a combination of sewage and a hospital. There was no need to stay there, going to Nice for two nights would have been so much better. The included dinner in Avignon was not worth it and would have been better put towards an extra night in Nice, which was beautiful. We actually had an amazing trip and saw so many wonderful sights but the expectations were not met in relation to the tour director as we believe he was lazy with information and the ability to communicate appropriately with passengers. Highlights include: Crowne Plaza Republique Hotel Food tour in Paris Chateau Chenonceau Pullman Bordeaux Barcelo Costa Vasca Dinner in Sans Sebastian Hotel Riu Plaza Espano Hilton Barcelona Hotel West End Nice NH Firenze Florence Tuscan Dinner at Villa Machiavelli Rome by night Vatican. Insight Vacations, Mantombi Thank you for sharing your honest feedback with us. We sincerely apologise if the Travel Director did not meet your expectations regarding being person. An excellent itinerary, except two nights in Nice would have been better and no need to stay in Avignon. More time on each little tour would have been great as sometimes it felt very rushed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/23/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2024
The trip was overall good with optional tours offered and Frank Looze was a knowledgeable, helpful tour guide. There was not enough time offered in Paris. Barcelona was shortchanged because we weren't allowed off the bus to explore the street of homes Gaudi built. We also didn't get a chance to see inside his church. Another thing that Rome offered was an inside tour of the Forum and Coliseum. Action packed and offered different options.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/21/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2024
Have had little feedback as to the poor quality of our holiday in Europe! Hotels were not all of 4 stars! Tour director was not organised and at times unaware of things happening around him! No photograph of group! We got lost after getting off the tube! A calamity was bound to happen!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/28/2024
Allan Underwood - Traveled, May 2023
We will send a detailed email once we return from our present trip. However we were totally dissatisfied with our tour and in particular our tour director. Tours were not organized, hotels at times were not to a 4-star standard and tour director at times had no idea what was going on. We will certainly not ever go on a bus trip again with Insight -nor give favorable reviews. A pity as we had spent extra money so we could get better service. We were fortunate to leave your tour early as heard the wheels really fell off towards the later part of the tour. More details will follow as surely there should be some compensation for the level of service we received. Please see the review i just wrote re service. Poor to say the least. Tour director totally out of his depth. Hotels service was not always of a 4 star quality. Yes more details to follow
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/28/2023
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