Capitals and the Basque Country

  • 8 Days
  • Explorer Value Trip

We're always ready to personalize
a tour to your unique needs

Capitals and the Basque Country Get Started

Map & Route

Depart

Overnight Flight

1 1 Night

Madrid

2 2 Nights

San Sebastian

1 1 Night

Bordeaux

1 1 Night

Paris

2 2 Nights
Return
map Capitals and the Basque Country

What's Included

Our itineraries reflect 40 years of experience in crafting exceptional educational tours. That means we know exactly how to make the best of your time abroad—incredible destinations, immersive activities, centrally located hotels, and smart, well-traveled tour managers who ensure your educational goals are met. Here are some of the exceptional features of this tour.

ACIS Guarantees

We have high standards, which is why we take care to include these features in every tour.

Round-Trip Flights

Leave the airlines to us.

3-Star Hotels

After a busy day, comfort is key.

Centrally Located Hotels

Save the commuting time, beat the morning crowds and keep right on exploring after dark when your hotel is in the heart of the city.

Daily Breakfast and Dinner (unless otherwise noted)

Delicious, authentic, multi-course dinners at local restaurants with meal times tailored to maximize your experience.

24-Hour Tour Manager

Part guide, part educator, part engineer, part mind-reader, part magician—ACIS Tour Managers are your travel partner.

Start Exploring

Never wait hours at the airport to share a transfer with other later groups.

Service Guarantee

We're so sure you're going to love your tour, we guarantee it!

Global Network

24/7 on the ground support whenever and wherever you need it.

All Local Transportation

Urban transportation is on us, allowing you to explore each destination with ease.

Personal Headsets Included Throughout Tour

Participants will have unlimited access to personal headsets so that local guides and ACIS Tour Managers can more easily communicate with the group along the way.

Exceptional Experiences

Our tours are designed to help you and your students be in the moment and experience everything the world has to offer.

Basque Pelota Lesson and Demonstration

Basque Pelota Lesson and Demonstration

Pelota (Spanish for "ball") is a popular professional game in the Basque region with roots in the old European sport of Jeu de Paume, or Real Tennis. It is considered one of the fastest ball sports. Your expert poletaris will introduce you to the sport's history, rules and equipment. After an engaging demonstration by these professional players, test your own skills with the curved basket during some friendly competition. Does it look like something you've seen before? Basque immigrants brought the sport to the United States in the early 1900's where it was adopted under the name Jai-Alai. It's still played in the U.S., mostly in Florida, Texas, California and Connecticut.

Learn More

Pelota (Spanish for "ball") is a popular professional game in the Basque region with roots in the old European sport of Jeu de Paume, or Real Tennis. It is considered one of the fastest ball sports. Your expert poletaris will introduce you to the sport's history, rules and equipment. After an engaging demonstration by these professional players, test your own skills with the curved basket during some friendly competition. Does it look like something you've seen before? Basque immigrants brought the sport to the United States in the early 1900's where it was adopted under the name Jai-Alai. It's still played in the U.S., mostly in Florida, Texas, California and Connecticut.

Madrid Tour with Guide

Madrid Tour with Guide

Prado Museum with Guide and Reservation

Prado Museum with Guide and Reservation

Bordeaux Tour with Guide

Bordeaux Tour with Guide

Bordeaux-Paris TGV

Bordeaux-Paris TGV

Paris Tour with Guide

Paris Tour with Guide

Louvre with Guide and Reservation

Louvre with Guide and Reservation

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France
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Spain

France

Featured in this video

Itinerary

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Madrid

Your ACIS Tour Manager offers a warm Bienvenidos. Enjoy your first taste of Spanish cuisine tonight.

Day 3: Madrid

Madrid's rich heritage comes alive on your guided sightseeing tour of classic Spanish boulevards, grand plazas, and the diverse architecture of modern-day Madrid. Highlights include the Plaza de España with its statue of Don Quixote, the majestic Alcalá Gate, and the famous bullring Las Ventas. Then visit the magnificent Prado (skipping the lines with a timed reservation), one of the world's premier art museums. Here, an expert provides illuminating commentary on the artwork of Velázquez, Goya, Raphael, Rubens, and Bosch. Even the 18th-century Neo-Classical building that houses the collection is stunning.

Day 4: San Sebastian

Travel to the Atlantic coast, to seaside San Sebastián and enjoy a walking tour of this Spanish resort town of luxurious villas, gardens, and tiny streets. Later experience an important piece of Basque sporting culture as you try your hand at one of the world's fastest ball games, pelota. Expert players will treat you to both a pelota lesson and professional demonstration match.

Day 5: Bordeaux

Today, cross the border to the French resort town of Biarritz, famed for its Basque heritage, magnificent ocean promenade and foaming breakers, and enjoy a walking tour. Then continue on to Bordeaux, the wine capital of the world and a center for arts and culture.

Day 6: Paris

Your day begins with a guided walking tour of Bordeaux. Much of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site—revitalized, graceful and a fine example of urban planning. Discover its historic center and the miroir d'eau, the world's largest reflecting pool. In the afternoon take in a breathtaking panorama of French provinces as the high-speed TGV train whisks you north to Paris.

Day 7: Paris

This morning's guided sightseeing tour takes you past some of the most famous attractions in Paris. Your expert local guide will show you the magnificent Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées, Napoleon's final resting place at Les Invalides and the Gothic wonder of Notre Dame. Then, breeze by the crowds with your timed entrance to the Louvre and discover the many famous masterpieces that call it home. Insightful commentary from your local guide highlights the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo and more as you wander through the galleries. From its beginnings as a royal fortress to its current status as the world's most visited art museum, the Louvre has long been at the center of Parisian culture and home to a collection of 35,000 works of art from around the world. In the afternoon you are free to stroll the Champs-Elysées or perhaps take a walk around Montmartre. This cultural and artistic district is worth the visit for the bustling energy of the artists and hipsters as well as the stunning views of the City of Light.

Day 8: Departure

Depart for the USA.



Optional Extensions and Extra Nights:

Enhance your French experience with a two-night extension to Normandy via bus including a visit to the Bayeux tapestry and the D-Day Beaches.

Optional Extras

Ultimate-Plus Protection Plan

Most Enhanced health coverage, program interruption, baggage delay/loss and travel delay protection while on tour. Plus, enhanced medical/job loss cancellation refund policy

Rate $400

Add to Tour

Ultimate Protection Plan

Enhanced health coverage, program interruption, baggage delay/loss and travel delay protection while on tour. Plus, enhanced medical/job loss cancellation refund policy

Rate $280

Add to Tour

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