Madrid, Paris and the Coast

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Wednesday April 5: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Thursday April 6: 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. (D)

Day 3, Friday April 7: Madrid

Madrid's rich heritage comes alive on your guided sightseeing tour of the classic Spanish boulevards, grand plazas, and diverse architecture that characterizes 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 breeze right by the crowds with your timed entrance to visit the magnificent Prado, 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. Your cultural immersion continues later today as a master teacher shows you how to channel your inner bailaor/bailaora with a lesson in the passionate art of flamenco dancing, an important tradition in Spanish culture. After the lesson, enjoy a dramatic and fiery professional flamenco show starring your own instructor. 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. (D)

Day 4, Saturday April 8: 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. (B,L)

Day 5, Sunday April 9: 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. (B,D)

Day 6, Monday April 10: 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. (B,D)

Day 7, Tuesday April 11: 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. (B,D)

Day 8, Wednesday April 12: 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. 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. (B,D)

Day 9, Thursday April 13: Paris

This morning travel outside of Paris to Chantilly to visit the Chateau de Chantilly. Take time to explore the palace and the surrounding grounds before you return to Paris. Later 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. (B,D)

Day 10, Friday April 14: Paris

This morning enjoy a bike ride Vincennes Park. The rest of the day is free to explore Paris at your leisure. Don't forget to stop at a pâtisserie and pick up some of the pastries that make France so famous! Or how about catching up on your last-minute shopping at the Galeries Lafayette or window shopping down the exclusive Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré? (B,D)

Day 11, Saturday April 15: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)