Paris, Loire Valley, San Sebastian, Madrid & Toledo
Program Dates:
June 23-July 6, 2024
Enrollment for this program is now closed for Summer 2024. View Summer 2025 Programs!
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. Later, visit the artistic quarter of Montmartre, and admire wonderful views of the city.
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 it’s ornate gardens. Later explore the local markets, and have a picnic lunch. After dinner, take an evening cruise on the Seine river to see the city and it’s landmarks lit up at night!
Day 5 - Paris
Visit the Orsay Museum and it’s vast collection of impressionist art, and then take an interactive impressionist art class by a local artist. Later, start your ascend up to the top of the Eiffel Tower!
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 6 - 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 7 - Loire Valley
Explore the Loire Valley by bike, the roads are flat and you’ll have the opportunity to explore more the valley, take in the incredible views, cross the Loire Valley and take some incredible photos!
Day 8 - 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 Sebastián and later enjoy some time on Concha Beach. Tonight, enjoy a typical Spanish tapas dinner.
Day 9 - San Sebastián
Take an excursion to the Guggenheim in Bilbao, and views its collection of modern and contemporary art. Later, return to San Sebastián for a free afternoon to enjoy the beach with your friends!
Day 10 - Toledo
This morning, depart for to Segovia and visit the beautiful Roman aqueduct and the Royal Castle. After a lunch break, continue to Toledo, the former capital of Spain. Take an orientation walking tour through the maze of beautiful narrow streets within the walls of the city. Later, have some free time to explore the many shops, markets and cafes!
Day 11 - Toledo
Today, a local guide will introduce you to the highlights of Toledo, which was founded by the Romans and was an important cultural center during the Moorish occupation of Spain. Visit the stunning gothic cathedral, the Santa Maria la Blanca synagogue and the Santo Tomé chapel to admire the famous painting, Burial of the Count of Orgaz, by El Greco.
Day 12 - Madrid
This morning, depart Toldeo and drive to Madrid, the capotial of Spain. 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. Tonight, 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 13 - Madrid
This morning, head to the beautiful Retiro Park where you will row boats in the lake and try the local Horchata drink. After lunch, visit the Santiago Bernabeu stadium - home of Real Madrid Futbol Club! This evening, join your group’s farewell dinner celebration!
Day 14 - 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
