Gems of the Seine & Iberian Grandeur

Welcome to Paris, the City of Lights. The French capital is home to some of the world’s most famous monuments, from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe; museums that contain masterpieces such as Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Van Gogh’s Self Portrait; and iconic public spaces from elegant tree-lined Champs-Elysee to its urban oasis Jardin des Tuileries. Whether it’s your first or fiftieth time to this romantic city, there is always something new to discover. Your journey will also culminate in Paris where you’ll have the opportunity to scratch the surface a little more. Upon arrival, transfer to your Scenic Space-Ship where your friendly crew await to welcome you on board. Relax in your luxurious suite or take a beverage to the Sun Deck.

This morning will be spent cruising towards Les Andelys. This riverfront medieval town is set on one of the prettiest bends of the Seine, resplendent with well-preserved Norman-era houses and exquisite public buildings and overlooked by the imposing ruins of King Richard the Lionheart’s castle, Château Gaillard. Take a stroll alongside the river, admiring the striking limestone cliffs rising from it, or through the charming centre of town where the buildings are a living catalogue through time. As you enjoy your relaxing cruise, be sure to download the Scenic Tailormade App to listen to river commentary and gain insight to the villages and sites you’re passing along the way. Freechoice: Choose from today’s Scenic Freechoice excursions: Hike to Château Gaillard with Richard the Lionheart: Step back to the age of Robin Hood. This Medieval-themed walking tour will follow in the footsteps of King Richard the Lionheart. Explore the historical secrets of Les Andelys and venture up to Lionheart’s castle of Château Gaillard to wander among the ruins. From here you will have a panoramic view of the river and surrounding countryside. Cycling in Les Andelys: Cycle through this charming little town on the River Seine, dominated by King Richard the Lionhearts Château Gaillard. During this eight-kilometre ride you will cycle past some of the most breathtaking riverside scenery and will see the town’s 13th-century Gothic church with its impressive glass windows that date to the 16th century. Excursion to Lyons la Forêt: Today you will discover Lyons la Forêt, regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in France. This delightful town is surrounded by one of the largest beech forests in Europe and comprises half-timbered houses dating to the 17th and 18th century in typical Normandy style. After exploring the town, you will visit Le Pressoir dor where you will learn how local cider is produced as well as enjoying a sample.

Rouen is the vibrant capital of the Normandy region. With a fascinating history of Roman and Viking settlement, it has also played a pivotal place in history as the town where Richard the Lionheart was crowned Duke of Normandy and Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. Much of Rouen was sadly destroyed in World War II, but much of the city has been faithfully restored, including the exquisite Old Town. It’s an engaging and historically rich destination, packed with museums, stylish bistros and coffee shops, and a wealth of churches, including the famed 12th century Rouen Cathedral.   Freechoice: Explore your way with one of this morning’s Scenic Freechoice excursions: Rouen city tour: Victor Hugo once described Rouen as ‘the city of a hundred spires’ – find out why on a guided tour of the city, which takes you to the cathedral district, the old marketplace and Saint Maclou Quarter, home to a striking church. Feel as though you’ve stepped into a fairytale as you walk the winding medieval laneways and admire the half-timbered houses. Learn about Joan of Arc and see where she was tragically put to death after being tried for heresy and sorcery in 1431. Enjoy free time afterwards to explore on your own. Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking: Authentically dressed as Viking warlord Rollo the Walker – who was famously too tall to ride a horse – your guide will take you around the city to learn about the Viking raiders who made Rouen their capital. This tour focuses on the city’s medieval past and you will enjoy some free time afterwards to explore. Back on board this evening, listen to a fascinating lecture about WWI with an expert. WWI Lecture – Day in the life of Tommy: Join a lecture on WWI with a speaker who is dressed up in a soldier’s uniform. During this interactive evening, you will be able to gain understanding into the life of a soldier on the Western Front and learn why this was known as ‘the Great War’. From the curious 1914 Christmas armistice football match to the horrors of trench warfare involving machine guns, tanks, mining and the deadly flamethrower, you will experience the war through the eyes of an allied soldier, ‘a Tommy’. Try on his equipment and weapons and taste his rations. This immersive journey is bound to be an emotional one that will bring the history of war to life.

Today you’ll have the opportunity to join an excursion to the Somme Battlefields or take a walking tour from the ship to Rouen’s Fine Art Museum.   Freechoice: Excursion to the Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park Take a full day excursion to the Somme Battlefields, the location of the infamous Battle of the Somme which claimed the lives of more than 150,000 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth. This tour will take you to the Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre) to pay tribute to the 10,773 Australian soldiers killed in WWI in France who have no known graves (with the exception of Fromelles). Afterwards you will visit the Franco-Australian Museum, which pays homage to the close relationship between the French and Australians soldiers during and after the war. After lunch, you will visit the Lochnagar Crater, which was created by a large mine placed beneath the German front lines on the first day of the Battle of Somme, and the Newfoundland Memorial Park, one of the largest areas on the Western Front where you can still see shell holes and trenches. Please note: The Sir John Monash Centre is a state-of-the-art immersive sensory experience that uses technology to tell the story. In order to maximise your experience, we suggest you download the Sir John Monash Centre app from the Apple or Google Play store prior to embarking on your cruise. Excursion to the Somme Battlefields Including Thiepval This full-day excursion will follow the same itinerary as the tour above, visiting the Somme Battlefields, the Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre) and the Franco-Australian Museum. After lunch, you will be transferred to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing and Visitors Centre, then make a brief stop at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, which contains more than 5,500 Commonwealth graves from WWI before proceeding to Lochnagar Crater, which was created by large mine placed beneath the German front lines on the first day of the Battle of Somme. Please note: The Sir John Monash Centre is a state-of-the-art immersive sensory experience that uses technology to tell the story. In order to maximise your experience, we suggest you download the Sir John Monash Centre app from the Apple or Google Play store prior to embarking on your cruise. Museum of Fine Arts Join an active walking tour from the ship to the Museum of Fine Arts with a local guide. See the extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings and objects from every genre of art, ranging from the 15th century to today, including masterpieces by Rubens, Caravaggio, Poussin and Monet.   This evening, a local pâtissier will come on board with a selection of their finest desserts for your dining pleasure.   

This morning your Scenic Space-Ship will dock right in the centre of Honfleur, a colourful coastal town that has been described as having one of the prettiest harbours in France, Le Vieux Bassin. Originally built for trade, the port was chosen for its strategic position on the southern bank of the Seine estuary. Over the years the town has captured the imaginations of countless artists and was the birthplace of impressionism. The bustling harbour and cobbled streets are a confection of half-timbered houses, restaurants, gourmet shops and art galleries. It’s an easy walk from the ship to explore the harbour area and network of laneways beyond.   Freechoice: Explore your way with one of todays’ Scenic Freechoice activities: Walking tour of Honfleur: From the ship, join a guided walking tour of Honfleur’s harbour. You will see the Church of Sainte-Catherine, which dates to the 15th century and is France’s largest church to be made entirely of wood with a separate belfry. Then visit the Garden of Personalities, a 10-hectare landscaped garden that features the busts of important French figures over time, including painters and navigators. Charming Norman Villages with tastings: Visit the picturesque town of Pont l’Eveque, the home of the traditional Pont l’Eveque cheese. Take a short orientation tour of the town before a tasting at a local cheese producer. Then continue to the village of Beuvron-en-Auge, where you will take short orientation tour before visiting the acclaimed Calvados producer Pere Magloire where you will have the opportunity to taste some of this delicious brandy. Like Champagne, this acclaimed liqueur must be produced in Normandy in order to be called Calvados. Back on board this evening, join a lecture about WWII to gain a better understanding ahead of your full-day excursions tomorrow.   Lecture on WWII - History comes alive tonight with an interactive lecture on the battles of WWII. Discover what life was like during the campaigns of D-Day; learn about Operation Fortitude, the plan created to deceive the Germany Army on the location of D-Day; and see how technology had evolved since WWI.

Why not ask your butler to wake you with a coffee delivered to your suite, followed by a leisurely breakfast at Crystal Dining before heading off on your Scenic Freechoice excursions.  You could choose to learn about the D-Day Landings, where tens of thousands of allied troops came ashore to free north-western Europe from Nazi occupation. Six weeks of heavy fighting and losses followed, but this strategic campaign ultimately ended the war.    Freechoice: Choose from todays’ Scenic Freechoice activities: Excursion to the Normandy Beaches Including Omaha Beach (US focused): Start at the memorial on Utah Beach, where more than 20,000 US troops landed on June 6, 1944, before a visit of Sainte-mere-Eglise, the town where 30 US Paratroopers landed during the Normandy Invasion. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre before a short stop at the Omaha Beach Memorial. Omaha Beach is often referred to as ‘Bloody Omaha’, as it resulted in the most casualties during the operation, with 2,400 dead. Excursion to the Normandy Beaches Including British Normandy Memorial (UK focused): The small town of Bayeux was the first town to be liberated after the D-Day Landings and became the French capital for the summer of 1944, until the liberation of Paris. Visit the Bayeux War Cemetery and the Museum of the Battle of Normandy, which describes the chronological events from D-Day in detail. Then explore the new state-of-the-art Landing Museum at Arromanches, located across the artificial harbour that was built to dispatch reinforcements. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the British Normandy Memorial, which records the names of 22,442 fallen servicemen and women under British command; the Pegasus Bridge & Museum, site of an important battle; and stop at the Ranville War Cemetery. Excursion to the Normandy Beaches Including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian focused): Begin at Abbey d’Ardenne, which was founded in the 11th century and is now a memorial to the Canadian Prisoners of War from the D-Day landings. Next you will head to Juno Beach Centre, a memorial to where 20,000 Canadian troops landed on that day. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Bény-sur-Mer Canadian cemetery where the 335 Canadian men who were killed in the D-Day Landings and the early stages of the campaign are buried. You’ll also visit Pegasus Bridge & Museum, site of an important battle. Bayeux tour with tapestry visit: If your interest sits in a different era in history, join a guided tour of Bayeux, including the Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux, built between the 11th and 14th centuries and considered a masterpiece of Norman Romanesque and Gothic architecture. You will also visit the Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th century embroidered cloth nearly 70 metres long and 50 centimetres tall, which tells the story of the conquest of England by the Duke of Normandy. You will have free time afterward to explore the town of Bayeux.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Caudebec-En-Caux this morning. This small town is set on a curve of the Seine and the riverfront is lined with handsome homes, stately gardens and crumbling stone walls. Caudebec -En-Caux dates back to the Middle Ages and a handful of historic buildings survived the bombardments of WWII, including the ornate 15th century Notre Dame Caudebec-En-Caux. From where you’ll set out to explore more of the Normandy region.    Freechoice: Explore your way this morning with one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions: Excursion to Bolbec and Normand Farm: Transfer by coach to the town of Bolbec and visit the textile museum, which tells the story of the flourishing textile industry in Bolbec. You will also have an opportunity to visit a typical Norman Farm and learn about everyday farming life in the Normandy region. Cycle to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum: Enjoy an active biking tour to the charming village of Villequier, cycling along the banks of the River Seine, following a flat eight-kilometre-each way route. Visit the museum dedicated to Victor Hugo, the famous French poet, playwright and novelist before returning to the ship. Fecamp and Benedictine Palace: Take a coach transfer to Fecamp, an historic seaside town surrounded by some of the tallest cliffs in Normandy. You will join a guided tour of the Benedictine Palace, an architectural masterpiece built in the 19th century, famous for the Benedictine liquor that is produced on site and is said to contain 27 plants and spices. Enjoy a tasting during your visit. Visit to Etretat: Transfer by coach for a guided tour of Etretat, famous for the Alabaster Coast, which comprises of white limestone cliffs that have been carved out by nature into ethereal shapes, including natural arches and a needle that juts out into the English Channel.

This morning your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Vernon, an historic border town between the Duchy of Normandy and the Kingdom of France. Today it’s a great base to explore nearby Giverny, known for its most famous resident, artist Claude Monet, who turned this quiet riverside town into an artist pilgrimage.   Freechoice: Monets House and Garden: Claude Monet is renowned as the founder of French Impressionist painting and today you will visit his house and gardens. Built by Monet, the gardens comprise a Japanese-inspired water garden with lilies, which inspired his most famous works. Journey via coach from Vernon to Giverny, on arrival you will enjoy a guided tour of the town and visit Monet’s residence, followed by free time to explore at your own leisure. The town is surrounded by hillsides and features many walking paths that are fringed by wildflowers. Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny: Take a self-guided biking tour from the ship in Vernon to Giverny (approximately five kilometres each way). When you arrive, you may wish to visit Monet’s House and Garden or wander about this charming town, before returning to the ship. After exploring these beautiful gardens during this morning’s touring, you may feel inspired to create a masterpiece of your own during an on board painting class.  This afternoon your Scenic Space-Ship will sail towards La Roche Guyon, where this evening’s exclusive Scenic Enrich experience will take place.   Enrich Château de La Roche Guyon: Take a short walk from the ship to Château La Roche Guyon, which is built into a chalk hillside and dates to the 16th century. It features decorative walls and ceilings as well as tapestries, and during WWII was the headquarters for German field marshal Erwin Rommel, known as Desert Fox. On your way to the château, you will pass through the manicured orchard and vegetable gardens, which are kept by nine on-site gardeners. On arrival you’ll enjoy a drink and sit for a splendid classical concert that focuses on music by French composers.  

Wake this morning in Conflans-Saint-Honore, a medieval town located at the confluence of the River Seine and Oise. Though it’s just a short distance from the centre of the city, it feels a world away. A castle was built here by monks in the 9th century to protect the relics of Saint Honore, from whom the town gets its name. It became a popular pilgrimage site in the 11th century, a practice which lasted for more than 700 years. Wander the quiet streets and the riverside pathway, sip coffee at an open-air café, and admire the beautiful ancient church. From here, you can explore some of the outer regions of Paris.   Freechoice: Today, choose one of our Scenic Freechoice activities: Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise: Transfer to the village of Auvers-Sur-Oise, the place where Vincent Van Gogh painted his final masterpieces, by coach. Throughout the town guests will see landmarks that were immortalised by Van Gogh in some of his well-known artworks such as the famous Notre Dame de lAssomption church. The tour includes entry to Van Gogh’s room, an attic that he rented during his final months. The artist was the last occupant of this room, which has sat empty since 1890. Enjoy free time afterwards to wander through the village. Chantilly Castle and Gardens: Château de Chantilly is a magnificent tribute to France’s cultural heritage, built by Henri DOrleans, the son of the last King of France. Take a guided tour of the castle and gardens, including some free time to explore the grounds. The château showcases some of the fine collections D’Orleans amassed during his life, which you can see displayed elegantly in the large gallery as well as the grand living areas used by this family. Kayaking on River Oise: Explore this beautiful region from a different perspective as you glide along the River Oise, which flows into the River Seine at Conflans. Paddle past impressive landscapes and estates via kayak. This afternoon you’ll spend time on board as your Scenic Space-Ship cruises back to Paris. Relax with a regional wine or beer in the Panorama Lounge & Bar, take some time out in the wellness centre, where you can enjoy a massage, or head to the state-of-the-art gym for an invigorating workout.

Welcome back to Paris, where you will spend the day exploring this great city. First timers will love the highlights tour, which allows you to tick off bucket-list items such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, while return visitors may want to discover the trendy Marais District or Opera Garnier, an opulent architectural masterpiece built in the 19th century. Or take a tour south-east of the city to an exquisite château.   Freechoice: Choose from today’s Scenic Freechoice options: Trendy Marais with a local Parisian: Enjoy a guided walking tour of the Marais district with a Parisian guide. A melting pot of cultures, fascinating history, opulent architecture, an eclectic arts scene and high-end fashion, the Marais is one of the most diverse districts in Paris. Highlights of Paris city tour: Join a local guide on a coach tour of the city to see some of its most famous sites. Marvel at Paris most iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1889 for the World Exhibition; drive along the famous Champs Elysee, the world’s most beautiful avenue; and see the Arc de Triomphe and Concorde Square. You will also view the 1163-built Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been closed since the 2019 fire and is currently undergoing a painstaking restoration process. Opera Garnier: Located in the theatrical heart of Paris, the spectacular Opera Garnier is resplendent with ornately decorated rooms, grand staircases, and glistening chandeliers. Tour this opera house and learn about the magnificent building that was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III. Château Vaux-le-Vicomte: Take a coach to the Château Vaux le Vicomte, located an hour’s drive from Paris. This château is credited as the founding French formal garden that was the inspiration for Versailles. The property is laid out in a typical symmetrical fashion with its stunning gardens creating a theatrical setting. This afternoon is free to explore Paris at your own leisure. Perhaps you’d like to people-watch on the Champs-Elysee from a sidewalk café, head to the top of the Eiffel Tower for a bird’s-eye view of the city, or venture to Montmartre, the artist’s district and where the famed Moulin Rouge is located.  Otherwise you can relax back on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Lisbon. Settle into your hotel before meeting your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome drink.

Take a guided tour of Lisbon this morning, including the National Tile Museum, which explains the significance and traditions of Portuguese tile work – from geometric patterns to intricate artworks – that adorns the facades of the city’s historic buildings. This museum, founded in 1509, displays five centuries of decorative tiles. You will also visit Jeronimos Monastery, a masterpiece of 16th century architecture in which lies the tomb of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. Enjoy a taste of Pasteis de Nata, Portuguese custard tarts, which were first invented by local monks right here in the 18th century.  Freechoice: This afternoon’s Scenic Freechoice: Sintra tour with National Palace*: Take a guided tour of the town of Sintra, located a short drive from Lisbon. Discover its spectacular natural beauty, which could easily slot into the pages of a fairytale. The World Heritage-listed town is nuzzled into undulating forest and filled with charming historic buildings. Here, you will visit the impressive National Palace, perched high above the town, the palace is a glorious blend of Moorish and Portuguese Gothic architecture topped with twin conical chimneys.*Please note this is an active tour due to steep inclines and steps. Maritime Museum: Located in the west wing of Jeronimos Monastery, the Maritime Museum showcases Portugal’s pioneering role in world exploration and honours centuries of naval history. View some of the 17,000 items on display including model ships, old maps and globes while learning about some of the discoveries that changed the world.

Head to Evora today, travelling through the winegrowing region of Setúbal. Stop in Azeitão to visit a traditional tile manufacturer, one of the most important in the region. From here continue to Evora, where you will spend the next two nights.   Once an important trading route and religious centre, this walled city is dotted with crumbling Roman ruins, whitewashed buildings and elaborate cloisters and cathedrals lining its narrow, cobbled streets. Here you will enjoy a guided tour, where you’ll see the Evora Cathedral, a large Gothic-style medieval church completed in the 13th century. It boasts an impressive marble portal and a Renaissance organ, one of the oldest in Europe.

Travel through landscapes blanketed with lush vineyards and olive groves to the estate of Herdade do Esporao. Enjoy a tour of this exclusive estate and enjoy a World of Wines workshop, where you’ll learn about the wines produced in this region. Sample some during a relaxing long lunch in the Galeria do Esporao restaurant. Return to Evora later this afternoon for time at leisure. Wander the ancient streets to see the ruins of the Roman Temple of Diana built some 2,000 years ago, pay a visit to the Chapel of Bones, which is decoratively adorned in human bones, or spend time in Giraldo Square, with a coffee or a regional wine or beer.

Today you will travel to Siera de Aracena, a mountain range that straddles the Portuguese and Spanish borders and is famous for its production of Iberian pork. You’ll visit the little village of Jabugo, famous for its cured jamon (ham), before visiting a renowned local producer for a tasting. Enjoy a lunch of fine Spanish delicacies before heading to your hotel in Seville, Spain.  This Andalusian city was built on The Guadalquivir River, the only navigable river in Spain, which made it an important trading centre. Today it is renowned for its Moorish buildings, having the world’s largest gothic cathedral, which houses the tomb of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, a breathtaking palace that has been built over 11 centuries, and flamenco dancing.

Your exploration of Seville starts with a walking tour of Barrio de Santa Cruz, a labyrinth of winding streets that lies within the historic centre. Once the old Jewish quarter, this district leaves a lasting impression with impressive landmarks including the immense Seville Cathedral and Real Alcazar, which has a 1,000-year history and is still a working palace to this day. Within these atmospheric streets you’ll also find tapas bars and a flamenco museum.  Freechoice: This afternoon, choose from these Scenic Freechoice options: Explore Seville by Horse & Carriage: Take in the city from a different angle during a horse and carriage ride, trotting past all the key sights such as the spectacular Plaza Espana. The city’s most famous square is actually a semi-circular space flanked by Renaissance revival and Moorish buildings and towers decorated in ornate tiles. You’ll also see Torre del Oro, the impressive 12th century Golden Tower on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. Flamenco Dance show: Flamenco is a form of music and dance that originated in the southern reaches of Spain in the 18th century and was historically associated with gypsies. But its popularity quickly spread, and it is now a complex artform, recognised by UNESCO as part of the World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Feel the passion expressed during this riveting dance at a performance today, accompanied by traditional music, singing, clapping and finger snapping.

Enjoy a scenic drive to Ronda, an Andalusian town dramatic in scenery and history. Teetering on a clifftop above the El Tajo Gorge, an 18th century bridge spans the 100-metre drop to connect the town. Located on the site of an ancient Iberian settlement, it’s home to original Arab baths that were used for 600 years, and Spain’s oldest bullfighting ring, which is said to have inspired Ernest Hemingway’s Death in the Afternoon. Soak up the splendour of this town on a walking tour, visiting the bull ring constructed entirely of stone and Casa Don Bosco, a local mansion with views across the canyon. Continue to Granada, where you will spend the evening. At the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and nestled between two rivers, Granada is one of Spain’s most striking cities, resplendent in Islamic architecture and overlooked by an impressive hilltop fortress.

During a morning tour of Granada, you will visit the Alhambra, the 13th century palace and fortress set against the peaks of Sierra Nevada. The complex of ancient buildings is a sight to behold, built on a high plateau above the city, and is a remnant of the Nasrid Dynasty, the last Islamic kingdom in Western Europe. It’s also home to Generalife Gardens, featuring manicured flower beds, water features, colonnades and pavilions. Afterwards, you will travel to the mountain village of Alfarnatejo, where you’ll sit down to a home-hosted lunch with hospitable locals who will share insights into the customs and traditions of the region. After lunch you will continue to Cordoba where you’ll stay overnight.   Cordoba is the only city in the world to have four World Heritage-listed Sites, ahead of Rome and Paris. It includes the archaeological site of Medina Azahara, a 10th century city, the UNESCO-protected Patio Festival, when floral blooms adorn the city, the Historic Centre, and its 8th century Great Mosque, which boasts a breathtaking sea of orange-and-white-striped arches. You will see the latter two on a city tour this afternoon.   After an exciting day of touring, enjoy time to relax tonight at your unique hotel. 

On your way to Madrid this morning, you will stop in the fascinating 2,000-year-old city of Toledo, which sits on a gorge of the Tagus River and was the former Spanish capital before Madrid. Within its historic centre, you’ll find mosques, synagogues and cathedrals coexisting, which gave the city its name the ‘City of Three Cultures’.   Continue to Madrid for a two-night stay. At almost precisely the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, Madrid became the capital of Spain in 1562 and has held the role continuously since 1606. All of Spain’s roads lead to Madrid, quite literally. And while the city has a storied past, it has a youthful energy, exciting nightlife, excellent gastronomy and is home to some of the best art galleries and museums in the world. On arrival, join a guided tour to see the 17th-century Austrian Quarter (Madrid’s oldest surviving district), as well as other significant sites.  This evening in Madrid you will enjoy dinner at a well-known local restaurant featuring Tuna Folk Music, traditional Spanish music typically performed by students. The tradition is said to date back to the 13th century.

Freechoice: This morning, you will have the choice to visit one of Madrid’s most renowned museums or to learn the art of Flamenco through Scenic Freechoice: Prado Museum: Visit the Prado Museum where a guide will escort you through the exquisite collections including masterpieces by Francisco Goya, El Greco, Rembrandt and Caravaggio. Opened in 1819, the Prado Museum has successfully fulfilled its mission of preserving, exhibiting, and enriching its collections of art, including the most comprehensive collection of Spanish paintings in the world. Flamenco Dance workshop: Put on your dancing shoes and join a workshop to learn the art of Flamenco dance, which has been mesmerising audiences from all over the world over for centuries. Discover the passion and skill involved in creating this performance art. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Madrid on your own. Perhaps this evening you’d like to find a cosy tapas bar and enjoy these popular bite-sized foods with a regional wine or beer, dine at Sobrino de Botin, the world’s oldest continually operating restaurant and one of Hemingway’s favourite haunts.

After breakfast, transfer to Madrid airport for your homebound flight, taking with you memories of a remarkable journey. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such, the journey may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions. During the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris (July to September 2024), visitors could face heightened security measures and potential constraints on movement in specific zones. Altered transportation routes and restricted access, accompanied by increased security checks and crowd control around Olympic venues and popular sites, may disrupt planned itineraries. Changes to transportation schedules might lead to delays or restricted access to intended attractions, impacting visitors planned experiences.