Fantasia European Combo: Mediterranean Dream 17 Days Rome to Madrid

Welcome to Rome! Meet your driver at the airport in the arrivals hall, then transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. Activate your 1-day Hop-on Hop-off ticket for the I Love Rome City Tour. Travel aboard an open-top panoramic bus and take in the city’s iconic landmarks with audio commentary available in 12 languages. Disembark and rejoin at your convenience across eight designated stops, offering a flexible way to discover the Eternal City at your own rhythm. The remainder of the evening is free for you to explore independently. Make your own way back to the hotel.

Begin your morning with an included “Skip the Line” tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Square. Discover the Galleries of Tapestries and Maps, Raphael’s Rooms, and Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel. The visit ends in St. Peter’s Square, where you can view the Basilica’s majestic exterior. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Depart Rome by deluxe coach and journey north through the beautiful Italian countryside toward Assisi, the medieval hill town closely associated with St Francis.
Spend some time at leisure to explore its charming streets and visit the Basilica of St Francis, renowned for its magnificent frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Lunch is included before continuing onward to Siena, one of Tuscany’s most beautiful medieval cities and home of the famous Palio horse race held in Piazza del Campo. Continue to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance, for a two-night stay.

Explore Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and Baptistery. See Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and Santa Croce Basilica. Lunch is in a traditional Tuscan restaurant. In the afternoon, choose between free time in the city or an optional visit to Pisa, with its Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli. Dinner is at leisure.

Travel to Bologna, a city rich in culture and culinary excellence. Walk from Piazza Malpighi to Piazza Maggiore, admiring San Petronio Basilica and the Palazzo del Podestà. Delight in a light local lunch, savouring regional specialties. Stroll the medieval streets, arcades, and markets. In the afternoon, continue to Venice for a two-night stay. Remainder of day at leisure after check in.

Transfer to Piazza San Marco and discover the highlights of Venice with a guided tour. View the Doge’s Palace (outside) and cross the famous Bridge of Sighs. Afterwards, sample a glass of spritz or prosecco with cicchetti, traditional Venetian snacks. Spend the afternoon exploring the canals, artisan shops, and hidden corners of the city at your own pace before returning to your hotel

Depart Venice and travel through the scenic Tuscany Wine Region to Montepulciano, a hilltop town renowned for its “Vino Nobile” wine and beautiful countryside views. Lunch is served at a local restaurant with a glass of fine Tuscan wine, followed by free time to explore before returning to Rome for an overnight stay.

After breakfast your day is at leisure until meeting with your drive at the hotel at 7.30pm for your transfer to Civitavecchia port (Terminal Grimaldi Lines) and board on the Cruise Ferry to Barcelona. Departure at 11:00pm. Overnight on board.

Breakfast and lunch on board. During the crossing, take advantage of the wide range and quality of onboard services offered by these latest-generation ferries, including large outdoor areas with swimming pools (for adults and children), sun loungers, bar, lounge, disco, video game room, café (open 24 hours), self-service restaurant, à la carte restaurant, boutique, Internet room, health centre and Technogym-equipped gym. Arrival in Barcelona at the end of the day, followed by disembarkation and transfer to the hotel for an two-night stay.
Note: The scheduled arrival time in Barcelona is approximately 7:00 pm; we suggest keeping this in mind when planning dinner independently.

After breakfast, embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Barcelona. The half-day city tour of Barcelona combines sightseeing by coach with guided exploration, offering a comfortable and easy way to discover some of the city’s most important landmarks.
Begin with a guided walking tour through the historic Gothic Quarter, passing through Cathedral Square and the atmospheric former Jewish Quarter, where centuries of history can still be felt in the narrow lanes and hidden corners. Continue by coach on a panoramic tour to Montjuïc, taking in views of the Olympic Stadium and, weather permitting, a ride on the aerial tramway with magnificent views of the city. Return toward the city centre via Plaça d'Espanya, the Venetian Towers, Museum Nacional d'Art de Catalunya and the shopping area of Las Arenas. Travel along elegant Passeig de Gràcia to admire some of Antoni Gaudí’s most celebrated buildings before concluding the tour at Estació del Nord. The remainder of the day is at leisure to continue exploring the city independently.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart southwest through one of Europe’s most important industrial and agricultural regions. Arrive in Zaragoza, the capital of Aragón, situated on the banks of the Ebro River, the largest river on the Iberian Peninsula. Known as Caesar Augusta during Roman times, the city has played a significant role throughout Spanish history. Enjoy free time to visit the impressive Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, one of Spain’s most important pilgrimage sites. Continue onwards to Madrid and check in for an overnight stay at the hotel.
Note: For operational reasons, travel between Barcelona and Madrid may be by coach with the group or by high-speed train without an accompanying guide.

After breakfast at the hotel, travel south through the landscapes of La Mancha, forever linked to Don Quixote and his legendary adventures. Pass through Puerto Lápice, famous for its traditional inns said to have inspired scenes from the novel. Continue through the dramatic mountain pass of Despeñaperros into Andalusia, a region rich in culture and shaped by centuries of history.
Arrive in Córdoba and visit the remarkable Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, one of Spain’s most extraordinary architectural treasures. Afterwards, wander through the atmospheric lanes of the historic Jewish Quarter before continuing to Seville for a two-night stay.

After breakfast, discover the beauty and grandeur of Seville on a panoramic sightseeing tour. Visit the magnificent Seville Cathedral, the second-largest cathedral in the Catholic world after St. Peter's Basilica. Continue through the charming Santa Cruz quarter, known for its winding lanes and connections to legends including Don Juan and the opera Carmen. Also explore María Luisa Park and the elegant Plaza de España.
The afternoon is at leisure to continue discovering Seville’s vibrant atmosphere, local cuisine, and distinctive Andalusian character.  
Optional (supplement applies): Evening - Flamenco Show

Following breakfast, travel east along the historic Caliphate Route through the heart of Andalusia, passing endless olive groves and rural landscapes. Arrive in Granada, the final capital of the Nasrid Kingdom before 1492.
Visit the world-renowned Alhambra Complex and the beautiful Generalife Gardens, where ornate courtyards, fountains and panoramic views have inspired generations of visitors and writers, including Washington Irving in Tales of the Alhambra. Overnight stay in Granada.
Optional (supplement applies): Evening - Traditional Zambra Flamenco performance

Today is at leisure to further explore this city.

After breakfast at the hotel, travel north across the Castilian plains to the Imperial City of Toledo, surrounded on three sides by the Tagus River. Known as the “City of Three Cultures,” Toledo is a place where Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities lived side by side for centuries, creating a rich cultural and architectural legacy. The entire historic centre has been recognised as a national monument. Take part in a short, guided tour through the atmospheric old town before continuing to Madrid for an overnight stay.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

• 24/7 local operator support in Italy
• 15 nights hotel accommodation
• 1 night overnight ferry
• Breakfast daily
• Lunch in Assisi
• Traditional Tuscan lunch in Florence
• Gastronomic Experience in Bologna with 1 drink included
• Spritz & “Cicchetti” Experience in Venice
• Traditional Tuscan lunch in Montepulciano with 1 Glass of Wine Included
• Lunch on ferry
• Moden Air-conditioned touring vehicle
• Sightseeing and visits as specified in itinerary
• Guided tours in Florence, Venice, Cordoba, Seville, Granada & Toledo
• Hop-On Hop-Off panoramic sightseeing ticket in Rome
• Skip the line tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peters Square in Rome
• Transfer Rome hotel to Civitavecchia Port
• Ferry ticket form Civitavecchia Port to Barcelona (Passengers must go through security control with their luggage in order to board the Cruise-Ferry). The included lunch on the Cruise-Ferry will be served in self-service mode
• Transfer Barcelona Port to Barcelona hotel
• Entrance tickets to: Cordoba Mosque, Cathedral of Seville and Alhambra in Granada
• Transfer from Madrid hotel to Madrid Airport
• Italy Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

• International Airfares
• Tourist tax to be paid to the hotels
• Optional tours and excursions
• Entrance fees not mentioned
• Drinks during meals
• Porterage
• Mandatory Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above