Best Single Travel - 18 - 35 Year Young Professionals, singles and College Students travel to tour Spain, Italy, France and Monaco on Mediterranean Highlights vacations

Mediterranean Highlights Tours (Starts Madrid) for 18 - 35 Year Young Professionals and College Students

Beginning in Madrid, the capital of Spain, your Mediterranean adventure takes you to all the hotspots along the Mediterranean coast and makes sure you experience the best of each city. Flamenco dance in Barcelona, rub shoulders with the rich and famous on the French Riviera, enjoy the delights of Tuscany and walk in the footsteps of Roman Emperors in Rome. Don't forget your stay in the City of Popes, Avignon and the obligatory photo of you and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You'll be amazed at how much you'll see in just under two weeks!

Itinerary

Day 1 Depart for Europe
Your exciting European trip begins.

Day 2 Arrive Madrid
After checking in to your hotel, the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the Spanish capital. This evening meet your Tour Manager and fellow travellers at 6pm in the hotel. (D)

Day 3 Madrid
Our morning sightseeing includes a guided tour of the Royal Palace. The rest of the day is free for you to discover this amazing city. Perhaps see the Bullring or visit the famous Prado Musuem. Tonight a chance to try fabulous traditional Spanish cuisine. (B)

Day 4 Madrid to Barcelona
The first stop today is Zaragoza. See the impressive Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar. A chance for lunch in this city of four cultures. We travel east arriving in Catalonia's most famous city, Barcelona. (B,D)

Day 5 Barcelona
Our included sightseeing tour is a great introduction to this celebrated city. See Gaudi's Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the 1992 Olympic Complex and the Gothic district. A chance to experience Barcelona's famed shopping street La Rambla and discover some of Spain's specialties. Tonight why not experience the passion of Flamenco dancing? (B)

Day 6 Barcelona to Avignon
We say goodbye to Spain today as we head for France. Travelling through Provence to arrive at our overnight stop, Avignon, City of the Popes. (B,D)

Day 7 Avignon to French Riviera
This morning we continue to Aix-en-Provence, home of Paul Cezanne, for lunch. We visit a French Perfumery in Grasse before continuing to our hotel in Nice. Tonight we visit magnificent Monaco to see the Royal Palace and a Monte Carlo Casino. (B)

Day 8 French Riviera
Rub shoulders with the rich and famous on the Nice promenade, shop for French fashion or laze the day away on the sun-drenched beaches - the choice is yours! (B,D)

Day 9 French Riviera to Pisa
Past Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, before entering the unspoilt Cinque Terre Region to visit the various villages along this stunning coast. Then on to Pisa to enjoy the nightlife. (B,D)

Day 10 Pisa to Florence
Free time this morning in Pisa, then through Tuscany to the Renaissance city of Florence. A chance to learn about Florentine leathercraft and shop for silver and gold. (B,D)

Day 11 Florence
The day includes a walking tour of the Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and Santa Croce. In your free time maybe visit one of the city's many museums or galleries and this evening enjoy the colourful Florentine nightlife. (B)

Day 12Florence to Rome
This morning we head to San Gimignano for free time, then we leave Tuscany behind and make our way to Italy's capital, Rome. This evening enjoy your first taste of this amazing city on our sightseeing tour. (B)

Day 13 Rome
Ancient and modern Rome await your discovery. Why not take a guided tour of the Imperial Forum and walk in the footsteps of Gladiators? In your free time explore the Vatican City and Sistine Chapel, snap up Italian fashions or just watch the world go by with a gelato (or two). (B)

Day 14 Depart Rome
Time to swap addresses and email details and say 'Arrivederci Roma' as the tour ends after breakfast. (B)

Highlights

All these highlights along with city sightseeing are included in your tour price!

Included

Madrid: Tour of the Royal Palace with a local guide (Tour of the Royal Palace may be substitutued with a tour of the Prado if the Palace is closed for an official state function)
Zaragoza: See the monumental cathedral
Barcelona: See Gaudi's Art Nouveau Cathedral & the 1992 Olympic Games complex; Walk through the Gothic Quarter and La Rambla
Avignon: See the Papal Palace
Aix-en-Provence: See the Cours Mirabelle
French Riviera: Visit a French Perfumery; Scenic Drive along the Riviera coast; Visit Monaco & see the Royal Palace; Visit a Monte Carlo casino; Visit Nice and enjoy the beach
Cinque Terre: Visit Monterosso, Portovenere and La Spezia; Cruise (weather permitting) along the scenic coast
Pisa: See the Leaning Tower
Florence: Walking tour with a local guide; See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry & Piazza della Signoria; Florentine leather craft demonstration
San Gimignano: Visit the medieval town
Rome: See Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Colosseum & Roman Forum
Vatican City: See St. Peter's Basilica

Accommodations

Madrid

Tour of the Valley of the Fallen (Euro 10.00): Enjoy a scenic drive through the Guadarrama mountains to visit the amazing monument to those who died in the Spanish Civil War. Our local guide will explain the significance of the site and will also show you the tomb of the late Spanish dictator, Francisco Franco.
Los Galayos (Euro 33.00): Our restaurant tonight is situated on the famous Plaza Mayor in the heart of the city. You'll enjoy a wide range of tapas and traditional Spanish dishes accompanied with local wine.

Barcelona

Tablao de Carmen (Euro 56.00): Tonight's restaurant is located right in the Andalucian Quarter of El Pueblo Espanol on the mountain of Montjuic. Enjoy typical Andaluz cuisine, Rioja and of course the unforgettable Flamenco show.

Monaco

Monaco Restaurant (Euro 34.00): Tonight's restaurant is located two minutes walk from the Royal Palace - the official residence of the Grimaldi family. Dine in style and enjoy a typically French, four course meal with wine in this glamourous location.

Florence

Souvenir Group Photo (Euro 11.50): A photo of you and all of your new friends is the perfect souvenir from your tour. The photo will be taken with a panorama of Florence in the background or in one of the city's famous piazzas.
'Montebuoni' Tuscan Dinner (Euro 37.00): 'Montebuoni' is a charming 16th Century building set in the scenic Tuscan hills. It's the venue for our truly traditional Tuscan evening. Begin with a cocktail and an excellent antipasta buffet. Next is delicious freshly made pasta and a wonderfully aromatic main course - all washed down with some local Chianti wine. A truly special evening.
Night Club (Euro 11.00): A chance to dance the night away at one of Florence's best clubs. Your first drink is included in the price.

Rome

Guided Imperial Tour (Euro 23.00 (10-19 people) / Euro 22.00 (20+ people)): Join a local guide for an excursion back in time. You'll wander across the cobbled stones of the Roman Forum, marvel at the Colosseum and learn why the glory of Imperial Rome still stands out in the history of western culture. Price includes entry into Forum and Colosseum.
Rome Farewell Dinner (Euro 36.00): Why not join us for our farewell dinner, situated on the banks of the famous River Tiber? Enjoy a fabulous traditional 4-course Roman dinner, washed down with some Italian wine and accompanied by some local opera singers. A night never to be forgotten!