Hospitor : From Vineyards to Villages: France & the Forest : FRANCE : GERMANY : LUXEMBOURG : SWITZERLAND

PARIS - Day 01

Welcome to your tour with Europamundo!

Early departure from Paris. We’ll travel towards Normandy, making a stop in Giverny to visit Monet’s House and its impressive gardens (admission included); we’ll learn about impressionist art, a movement centered in Normandy. The journey will continue to Rouen, Normandy’s capital with its medieval streets and cathedral. Here we’ll have time for a stroll and lunch. We’ll continue to Arromanches, where the beaches serve as a poignant reminder of the World War II landings in France. Our final destination is Caen, where we’ll enjoy some leisure time in the central district.

Note: From November to April, Monet´s house is closed to visitors, so there will be no stop at Giverny.

MONT-SAINT-MICHEL - Day 02

First thing in the morning, we’ll travel to Mont-Saint-Michel, known as “The Marvel,” where you´ll have time to explore the city, surrounded by the sea and the abbey. Next, in Brittany, we’ll stop in Saint-Malo, whose powerful walls defend the city. Time for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Dinan, a charming Breton village where we will enjoy a crepe and a drink. We’ll then make our way to Rennes, the capital of Brittany, with its fascinating and monumental historic center.

ANGERS - Day 03

We’ll depart for Angers. Those who wish can visit the castle that houses the largest medieval tapestry depicting the Apocalypse. Our journey will take us to the Loire Valley, arriving in Tours, the region´s capital, located on the banks of the Loire River. Here, you’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Château de Villandry, renowned for its magnificent gardens and flowers, with admission to the gardens included. We’ll then continue to Amboise for accommodation, a city celebrated for its enchanting medieval quarter. Dinner will be included.

AMBOISE - Day 04

Embark on a day of discovery in the Loire Valley, starting with a morning stroll through Amboise, home to the Château du Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final three years. Delving deeper into the Loire region, we´ll explore the iconic Château de Chenonceau (tickets included), built like a bridge over the river. Next, we will visit Chambord, the largest castle in the Loire Valley (visit to the park included). Continuing our journey into central France, our next stop will be Limoges, renowned for its porcelain. We suggest visiting its historic center, where the highlight is Saint Etienne Cathedral.

LIMOGES - Day 05

We’ll leave Limoges for the Dordogne, home to one of the great historic rivers in central France. Few regions contain so many charming villages and enchanting landscapes. We’ll arrive at Lascaux, where we’ll visit the museum and the replica of the caves (tickets included) and learn about the site’s prehistoric times with its magnificent cave paintings. After that, we’ll visit Sarlat, a UNESCO World Heritage town with an incredibly well-preserved Renaissance historic center, where there will be time to stroll and have lunch. In Beynac, we’ll explore a medieval castle overlooking the river (admission included). We’ll end the day in Rocamadour, a beautiful medieval village with an important sanctuary "perched" on a cliff; we suggest walking down the Via Crucis and taking the lift back up. Dinner will be included.

ROCAMADOUR - Day 06

We´ll visit the impressive Padirac Chasm, where we´ll enjoy a boat ride on the river 75 meters underground. Afterwards, we´ll proceed to Collonges-la-Rouge, a picturesque village built with red stone on the Way of St. James. Following lunch, we´ll journey to Saint-Emilion, located in the heart of the Bordeaux wine-producing region, with time for a leisurely stroll. We’ll arrive in Bordeaux in the evening.

Note: The Padirac Chasm may be closed from November until the end of March due to weather conditions.

BORDEAUX - Day 07

The entire center of Bordeaux has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. Prepare to be captivated by the "Water Mirror" and explore the historic old town with its charming pedestrian streets and 11th-century cathedral. Later, you´ll have free time to stroll along the Garonne River banks, lined with quaint restaurants perfect for lunch, or if you wish, you can visit Cité du Vin, an impressive interactive museum that delves into the history and production of wine. Afterward, we continue towards the Pyrenees, arriving in Lourdes by mid-afternoon. You´ll have time to visit the sanctuary (we suggest attending the candlelit procession). Dinner will be included.

CARCASSONNE - Day 08

We’ll travel through the south of France, stopping in Carcassonne, a city surrounded by some of the most beautiful walls in Europe. You´ll have time to walk and explore. After lunch, we’ll continue to Narbonne, where you’ll have free time to discover this historic Occitan city with its picturesque old town. In the late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Marseille, France’s second-largest city. We recommend a walk through its vibrant Vieux-Port (Old Port), bustling with life and dotted with charming small restaurants.

ARLES - Day 09

Villages, landscapes, history – today we’ll see some of the most beautiful places in Provence. In Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage city, we’ll explore its Roman and medieval legacy and be reminded of Van Gogh. In Les Baux, we’ll visit this small medieval village and include admission to Carrières de Lumières, an impressive underground show that combines art, image, and sound in its old quarries. We’ll have time for lunch and a stroll in Avignon, home to the immense Palais des Papes. Our journey will continue to Lyon, where we’ll walk through the World Heritage Site old town and take the cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière, a huge basilica offering a great view over the city.

Note: If tickets for the Carrières de Lumières show are unavailable due to closure or high demand, we will instead transfer to the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard.

LYON - Day 10

We’ll set off from Lyon and head to the Burgundy region. Our first stop will be Tournus, a quaint little town with an imposing stone gate and a large abbey. After that, we’ll travel to Beaune, where we’ll have time for lunch and to explore the wine capital of Burgundy. We recommend visiting the wine museum or the historic hospice. Next, we’ll visit the Savigny Castle, situated in the heart of this winemaking region. Built in the 15th century, the castle houses extraordinary museums featuring motorbikes, racing cars, planes, and helicopters. Our journey will continue to Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, known for its lively streets and numerous medieval and Renaissance buildings, including the standout Palace of the Dukes.

BESANÇON - Day 11

While still in the Burgundy region, we’ll stop in Besançon, a city of Roman origin with a beautiful historic center and a 17th-century citadel that overlooks the town. We’ll then continue our journey to Alsace, a French region that has been contested between France and Germany for centuries. Alsace retains its own German dialect, Alsatian, along with architecture and traditions deeply rooted in Germanic culture. Our first stop in Alsace will be Colmar, a city with unique architecture, colorful half-timbered houses and canals winding through the town. Colmar is also famous for its white wine and gastronomy. You’ll have time for lunch and a leisurely walk. In the afternoon, we’ll visit one of the most beautiful towns in Alsace: Riquewihr, a medieval town with cobblestone streets and colorful houses that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale—it even inspired scenes from Beauty and the Beast. We will also take the opportunity to visit an old winery and have a tasting of local wine with a typical sweet. We’ll arrive in Strasbourg in the evening. We recommend taking a walk around the cathedral area and Petite France, both filled with charming spots and cozy restaurants.

STRASBOURG - Day 12

We’ll start our day in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace and home to the European Parliament. The city’s historic center is a true gem, with its charming medieval streets, a stunning Gothic cathedral, and picturesque canals lined with flowers. We’ll include a boat trip through the canals of Petite France to fully appreciate this beautiful area. Afterward, we’ll cross into Germany, passing through the scenic mountain landscapes and towns of the Black Forest. In Freiburg, you’ll have time for lunch and a walk through this lively university city, known for its medieval center and impressive cathedral. We’ll then continue through the Black Forest to Triberg, one of the most picturesque towns in the region, famous for its cuckoo clocks. We’ll include admission to the Triberg Waterfalls, Germany’s highest waterfalls, which we´ll reach via a lovely walking path. Next, we’ll make a quick stop so you can take some pictures of Gengenbach, a charming town with a beautiful central square, before heading to Baden-Baden for the night. This spa town, once a favorite retreat for European nobility and the upper bourgeoisie, still exudes an air of elegance with its casinos, architecture, and parks.

BADEN-BADEN - Day 13

We’ll begin the day with some free time in Baden-Baden for a relaxing stroll through its lovely parks before we head to Rhineland-Palatinate. Our first stop will be Speyer, a historic city along the Rhine River. Here, you can explore the grand Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and wander through the old quarter, where Alte Münze stands out. We’ll then make our way to Heidelberg, where a cable car will take us up to the impressive castle, offering breathtaking views over the city (tickets included). Your ticket includes access to the castle’s gardens, wineries, and the apothecary museum. Afterward, you’ll have time for lunch and a leisurely walk through the old town, including the Marktplatz. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in Frankfurt, a bustling financial center known for its modern skyscrapers, historic old town, scenic views of the Rhine River, and vibrant nightlife. In a typical beer garden located in the historic heart of the city, Römerberg Square, we’ll enjoy a tasting of a classic German specialty: beer paired with Frankfurt sausage and sauerkraut.

LUXEMBOURG - Day 14

We’ll journey to France, beginning with a visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a small country where both German (Luxembourgish dialect) and French are spoken. We’ll arrive in Luxembourg, a cosmopolitan city that seamlessly blends its rich history with the modernity of being a financial hub and a key location for European institutions. Some of its highlights include the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the city’s fortifications, the Grand Ducal Palace, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. After lunch, we’ll continue our journey into France. In the heart of the Champagne-producing region, we’ll stop in Reims, where you can marvel at its stunning Gothic cathedral, the historic site of numerous French royal coronations. We’ll arrive in Paris by the end of the day.

PARIS - Day 15

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.