Madrid, Paris and the Coast

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 you a warm bienvenidos to Madrid. Settle in before starting to explore the wide avenues and open plazas of Spain’s capital city. Enjoy your first taste of Spanish cuisine tonight.

Day 3: Madrid

Madrid's rich heritage comes alive on a guided morning walking tour that showcases classic Spanish boulevards, grand plazas and the diverse architecture of modern-day Madrid. Highlights include the Teatro Real Opera House, Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and Neptune Fountain. You'll also go inside the magnificent Prado (skipping the lines with a timed reservation), one of the world's premier art museums. Here an expert will provide illuminating commentary about the artwork of Velázquez, Goya, Raphael, Rubens and Bosch. Even the 18th-century neo-classical building that houses the collection is stunning. Tonight, you'll feast on a traditional Spanish paella—a spicy tango of rice, seafood and vegetables considered by many as Spain's national dish.

Day 4: Madrid

Today features a full-day excursion to Toledo. Sightseeing with a local guide includes the stunning Gothic Cathedral, historic Medieval Synagogue and El Greco's great painting in the Church of Santo Tomé. Then visit a local restaurant for a Spanish cooking lesson led by professional chefs. Work in teams to create traditional dishes before sampling the tasty results. Lunch is included today in Toledo instead of dinner. Arrive back in Madrid for the evening.

Day 5: San Sebastian

Journey to Bilbao to visit the renowned Guggenheim Museum with personal audio guides. In the afternoon, travel along the Atlantic coast and explore San Sebastián, the Spanish resort town of luxurious villas, gardens, and tiny streets.

Day 6: Biarritz

This morning you’ll discover more of San Sebastián on a guided walking tour. Later you’ll continue across the border to the French resort town of Biarritz, famed for its Basque heritage, magnificent ocean promenade and foaming breakers.

Day 7: Paris

Take in a breathtaking panorama of French provinces as the high-speed TGV train whisks you north to Paris. Begin your stay by ascending to the top floor of the Eiffel Tower for magnificent views over the City of Light. This evening's highlight is a scenic boat ride along the Seine.

Day 8: Paris

A sightseeing tour with an expert local guide gives you a taste of French history, from the monumental Arc de Triomphe to Napoleon's final resting place at Les Invalides to the gargoyles 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. Tonight's restaurant vouchers and our insider's tips on the best spots will ensure you have a meal to remember at a neighborhood bistro. This evening you may choose to attend our optional night at the French theater—a unique cultural experience alongside the locals made accessible with English surtitles (translations shown above the stage).

Day 9: Paris

This morning we visit Louis XIV's estate at Versailles. Your tour includes the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, and the breathtaking surroundings. Don't worry if you don't have time to cover every room of his vast palace. The best stuff is all in the gardens and grounds: all 1,976-acre gardens, 200,000 trees, 50 fountains and 620 jets of water worth. You also get to visit Marie Antoinette's Hameau and Petit Trianon. These “small” cottages are delightful for their scale and grounds. After wandering about the exquisite and intensely manicured gardens on two feet, hop on two wheels and experience Versailles by bike, exploring the palace's surroundings beyond the gardens. Return to Paris explore more of Paris’s charming arrondisements at your own pace..

Day 10: Departure

Depart for the USA.