France and Spain
Teachers, contact us for more info on offering this program at your school!
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Board your overnight flight from Boston to Paris.
Day 2 - Paris
Arrive into Paris, and transfer by private motor coach to your centrally located hotel. Later today, start exploring on an orientation walking tour of the city. In the evening enjoy your first dinner in Paris!
An Artist’s Haven
You’ll have to climb 270 steps to get to the top of the hill in Montmartre to visit Paris’ second most visited site, Sacré Coeur. From here you can also enjoy panoramic sweeping views of the city. including a birds eye view of the Eiffel Tower. Montmartre is a lovely area with fantastic restaurants and cafes, art galleries and museums. Van Gogh, Picasso, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec are just a few of the great artists who lived or painted in Montmartre.
Day 3 - Paris
Today, take a walking tour of Paris with a local expert guide to see some of most the iconic sights of Paris, such as Opera (Palais Garnier), Eiffel Tour, Académie Française, Conciergerie, Notre Dame, Pompidou Center and the St Michel Fountain in the Latin Quarter. Later, visit the Louvre Museum, one of the largest, and most famous museums in the world. This afternoon visit the artistic quarter of Montmartre, and admire wonderful views of the city. After dinner, take an evening cruise on the Seine river to see the city lit up at night!
Day 4 - Paris
This morning, take the RER to visit the Palace of Versailles. Learn about life in the court of Louis XIV, Le Roi Soleil as you walk around the palace and the opulent gardens. You’ll have some free time to explore the ornate gardens before returning to Paris where you will visit the Orsay Museum.
Did You Know?
The Loire Valley has over 300 châteaux! The most popular include Château de Chambord, Château d’Ussé, Châteaux d’Amboise, Château de Villandry and Chenonceau.
Day 5 - Loire Valley
Depart Paris today for Chartres to view the gothic cathedral its stained-glass windows and veil of the Virgin Mary. Continue to visit the impressive Château de Chambord, the giant hunting lodge of François I. Next, visit the Château of Chenonceau built over the River Cher in an exquisite Renaissance design.
Day 6 - San Sebastián
This morning take the TGV fast speed train to Bordeaux. After a short visit of Bordeaux, continue across the border to Spain and travel to San Sebastián. This afternoon, take a walking tour of historic San Sebastian and later enjoy some time on Concha Beach. Tonight, enjoy a typical Spanish tapas dinner.
Day 7 - Madrid
This morning, depart for to Segovia and visit the beautiful Roman aqueduct and the Royal Castle. After a lunch break, continue to Madrid. After dinner, take an evening walking tour of old Madrid including the Plaza Mayor, and try the “chocolate con churros” at the famous Chcolatería de San Ginés.
A City of 3 Cultures
Different cultures have occupied Toledo over the centuries including the Romans, the nomadic tribes of the Visigoths, and the Moors. You will still see evidence of these diverse inhabitants and the representations of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam throughout the city.
Day 8 - Madrid
Enjoy a guided tour of the city including a visit to the Prado Museum to see works by artists such as Goya, El Greco and Velázquez. This afternoon, visit the Santiago Bernabeu stadium - home of Real Madrid! Later, visit the Ventas Bull Ring - the largest in Spain.
Day 9 - Madrid
This morning drive to Toledo and take a guided tour of this former capital of Spain. Visit the stunning gothic cathedral, the Santa Maria la Blanca synagogue and the Santo Tomé Chapel to admire the Burial of the Count of Orgaz by El Greco. Return to Madrid and attend a soccer game if available (this will be an optional extra cost, pending schedule for the 2024 season). Tonight, attend your farewell dinner!
Day 10 - Departure Day
Transfer by private motor coach to the Madrid airport for your return flight to Boston.
What’s Included:
Roundtrip Airfare
Accommodations
Teacher Leaders
Full Time Local Program Director
Transportation to Included Activities
Breakfast and Dinner Daily
All Attractions and Activities
Guided Sightseeing by Local Expert Guides
All Tips and Gratuities
24-Hour Support
All Taxes and Fees
Global Citizen Certificate
Pre-Travel Preparation Meetings and Seminars
