ESSENTIAL EUROPE FROM BOGOTÁ

International departure from El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá to board Avianca flight AV 26, departing at 3:10 PM to the city of Madrid. It is recommended to arrive at the airline counter at the airport at least 3 hours in advance for baggage check-in. Overnight on board.

Arrival at 7:40 AM at Madrid–Barajas International Airport. Assistance and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and the rest of the day at leisure.

Note: Room check-in is available from 3:00 PM onward.

At the scheduled time, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of Madrid, one of the most vibrant cities in Europe. During the tour, you will visit some of its most iconic landmarks, such as Plaza de España, Gran Vía, the Cibeles Fountain, and Puerta de Alcalá. Afterwards, the tour will continue through the modern area of the city and conclude in the Madrid of the Habsburgs, where charming places like Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Oriente stand out, providing a memorable end to your visit to the Spanish capital. Accommodation.

Optional excursion available: “Imperial City of Toledo.” This excursion includes admission to the Primate Cathedral of Spain, where you will be able to appreciate the legacy of the three cultures Muslim, Jewish, and Christian that once coexisted in harmony. A guided tour of this remarkable Gothic architectural gem is also included; it is considered the most important temple of the Catholic Church in Spain and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her Assumption.

At the scheduled time, departure to northern Spain, crossing the Basque Country, with a brief panoramic stop in San Sebastián. Upon arrival, a city tour will highlight its bay and La Concha Beach, as well as its Old Town, known for its traditional taverns. The journey then continues toward the French border, passing through a wine-producing region until reaching Bordeaux, a port city on the banks of the Garonne River. The tour will begin at Place de la Bourse, where you can admire the Miroir d’Eau, one of the largest reflecting pools in the world. Overnight stay.

At the appointed time, departure for Paris, with a stop along the way in Blois, a historic city in the Loir-et-Cher department. There, you can admire the Château de Blois, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the residence of seven kings and eleven queens throughout its history. Blois is also renowned for its beauty and splendor. After some free time, continue on to Paris. Arrival and overnight stay.

Optional excursion available: "Romantic Paris": Enjoy a cruise along the Seine River, taking in sights such as the Pont de l’Alma, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Louvre Museum. The evening concludes in the picturesque Latin Quarter, famous for its history and vibrant nightlife.

At the scheduled time, departure for a panoramic tour of Paris, the “City of Love,” visiting its most iconic landmarks: the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, Arc de Triomphe, National Assembly, Paris Opera House, Louvre Museum, Les Invalides, Champ de Mars, and the Eiffel Tower, among others. The tour concludes with a visit to the Perfume Museum, where you will discover how perfumes have been cultivated, selected, blended, and bottled throughout different eras. Overnight stay.

Optional excursion available: “Stroll through Montmartre and visit the Palace of Versailles” – Visit the Montmartre district, known for its artistic heritage and religious history, with free time to enjoy its views. Afterwards, tour the Palace of Versailles, built in the 17th century as the residence of Louis XIV, the Sun King, renowned for its grandeur, gardens, and works of art. Includes a visit to the Grand Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Free day to enjoy the city at your own pace. Overnight stay. Optional excursion available: “Magical Bruges: the Venice of the North” – Discover Bruges, a gem of European architecture whose historic center preserves magnificent 12th-century buildings along its canals. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the visit, you will explore the Market Square, its medieval streets, and the impressive Belfry of Bruges, among other attractions. It is recommended to use free time to visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Bruges is also famous for its textiles, wide variety of Belgian beers, and exquisite chocolates. At the end of the excursion, return to the hotel in Paris.

At the scheduled time, departure crossing the Champagne region en route to Luxembourg, one of the smallest countries in Europe. Its capital, perched on a rocky promontory and surrounded by impressive fortifications and valleys, offers a unique panoramic view. Free time to explore the city before continuing to Germany. The journey continues through Koblenz and along the Rhine River, famous for its landscapes and medieval castles, including the notable Lorelei Rock. Finally, arrival in Frankfurt, Germany’s financial capital, and overnight stay.

At the scheduled time, departure for Heidelberg, a historic city on the banks of the Neckar River, known for its university—one of the oldest in Europe—and as the birthplace of many great thinkers. Free time to explore its Old Town and enjoy the university atmosphere. Continue to the Black Forest, where a guided visit is included, followed by a drive through the region, famous for its picturesque villages, until reaching Zurich, Switzerland’s financial capital, with free time to explore the city center. Overnight stay.

Optional excursion available: “Rhine Falls” : The Rhine Falls are located on the upper part of the river and are the most powerful waterfall in Europe, with a maximum flow of 1,250 m³/s. They measure 150 meters wide and 23 meters high. This impressive force of water was harnessed for centuries in the local economy to power mills and iron-processing furnaces. Visitors can also see a medieval castle and other historic buildings constructed over the centuries.

At the appointed time, departure from Zurich. En route, enjoy a brief panoramic visit to Vaduz, the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, before continuing to Milan, renowned as the fashion capital of Italy. In the afternoon, take a panoramic tour of Milan, including the Milan Cathedral (Duomo), the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the impressive façade of Teatro alla Scala, and the Sforza Castle. Arrival and overnight stay.

Optional excursion available: “Mount Titlis” – Get ready for a spectacular experience in one of the world’s most unique natural settings. This excursion takes us to the Alps, one of the world’s most important mountain ranges, specifically the picturesque Uri Alps. Rising above 3,000 meters, you can step onto the glacial ice and feel like you’re touching the sky. The 360° rotating cable car, the Rotatory Air, offers a full panoramic view of the majestic Alpine landscape. Explore the glacier cave, walk across the impressive suspension bridge, and visit the glacier park. A truly unique experience! And don’t miss the chance to enjoy a delicious Swiss hot chocolate at this altitude!

Free morning, with the option to take the Lake Como excursion. In the morning, depart for this famous lake, considered one of the most beautiful in Italy and surrounded by majestic Alpine mountains. Enjoy a scenic drive along its shores and free time in the town of Como, known for its elegant historic center, picturesque squares, and the impressive Como Cathedral. Optionally, those who wish can take a boat ride on the lake, admiring luxurious villas, gardens, and small colorful villages nestled between the water and the mountains. A romantic and unique setting, perfect for strolling, relaxing, or enjoying a coffee by the lake.

Afterwards, departure for Venice. Arrival and overnight stay.

Note: Those who choose not to take the excursion will have free time to explore the city, meeting the group at the bus according to the schedule, in line with hotel check-in and check-out times.

Today we will let ourselves be captivated by Venice, a city made up of 118 islands connected by more than 400 bridges and canals, making it unique and earning it a UNESCO World Heritage designation. During the tour, we will visit the Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark’s Square, highlighting the majestic St. Mark’s Basilica, a jewel of Byzantine architecture. Afterwards, we will continue on to Rome. Accommodation included.

Optional excursion: “Gondola Ride through the Canals of Venice”: Enjoy a gondola ride through Venice’s canals, admiring the city’s unique architecture and letting the typical Venetian sounds make this experience an unforgettable journey.

At the scheduled time, departure for a panoramic tour of Rome, ending in front of the Vatican’s border wall, the world’s smallest country and yet one of the most powerful, governed by the Pope of the Catholic Church. Accommodation included. Optional excursions available:

• “Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel” – This tour will take you through the grandeur of the Vatican Museums (with priority entrance) to reach the Sistine Chapel, with the added bonus of access inside St. Peter’s Basilica, saving you from the endless lines. With a sense of awe, you will admire Michelangelo’s two masterpieces: the Ceiling (at age 33) and the Last Judgment (at age 60). Observing strict silence, you will simply let yourself be carried away. The tour continues to St. Peter’s Basilica, where only inside will you truly appreciate its grandeur. You will be greeted by Michelangelo, this time as a sculptor, with the Pietà. The great master Bernini will also be present with his famous Baldachin at the High Altar, beneath Michelangelo’s architectural masterpiece, the enormous Dome of the Basilica.
• “Baroque Rome and the Roman Colosseum” – A tour through the Eternal City to admire its mosaic of buildings, squares, and fountains built over the past 2,000 years. Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain, admire the Pantheon of Rome, and stop in front of the monumental Roman Colosseum for photos. This tour does not include entrance to the Colosseum.

Free day to enjoy the city at your own pace. Accommodation included. Optional excursions available:

• “The Island of Capri with Boat Tour” (available in summer from April 16 to October 14) We will head to the port of Naples and continue by boat to the island of Capri. Capri, a favorite getaway from Roman Emperors to today’s celebrities and artists, offers a scenic boat ride around the island. If the tide allows, we will see the majestic grotto and admire the unique colors of the stunning Tyrrhenian Sea. We will then enjoy lunch with one of the best views on the island, and after tasting the typical Capri limoncello, take a stroll through Piazza Umberto I, the island’s most famous square. We will continue along the narrow streets, appreciating spectacular views of the island, with free time to enjoy the afternoon or, if you wish, to swim in the beautiful Tyrrhenian Sea, weather permitting. Return by boat to Naples and transfer back to the hotel in Rome. *This optional tour does not include lunch.
• “Naples and Pompeii” (available in winter from October 15 to December 31) We will depart for the city of Naples for a panoramic tour. During this visit, we will explore the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Main highlights include Piazza del Plebiscito, the Royal Palace, the Castel dell’Ovo, and more. Afterwards, we will visit the ruins of Pompeii, the ancient city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, with its streets, workshops, and homes preserved as they were 2,000 years ago. This excursion takes the entire day. At the end, we return to the hotel in Rome. *Lunch is included in this excursion.

At the scheduled time, departure for Florence, the capital of the Tuscany region and renowned worldwide for its art and cultural heritage. Walking tour of the city, visiting Piazza San Marco, passing in front of the Accademia Gallery, and reaching the Straw Market. You will admire the façade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its unmistakable Giotto’s Bell Tower, as well as the Baptistery of Florence with its famous Gates of Paradise. The tour will also include a visit to the Ponte Vecchio and Piazza Santa Croce, home to the Franciscan basilica of the same name. Accommodation.

Departure for the fascinating city of Pisa, world-famous for its iconic Leaning Tower. We will explore its architectural ensemble, including the Cathedral and the Baptistery, and discover the beauty of its medieval architecture, the Piazza dei Miracoli, the monumental Camposanto, Piazza del Duomo, and the picturesque bridges over the Arno River. Afterwards, we will continue to the French city of Nice, capital of the French Riviera, famous for its stunning Mediterranean scenery. Accommodation included.

Optional excursion: “Monaco” – The Principality of Monaco, a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, borders France and the Mediterranean Sea. During the visit, we will see the Opera House and the famous Monte Carlo Casino, a place where elegance, architecture, and lighting combine in a unique way. In addition, we will drive along part of the Formula 1 circuit and visit the podium area where renowned driver Sergio Pérez has received his awards.

Departure at the scheduled time for Spain, crossing Provence, the Alps, the French Riviera, and the Occitanie region, until arriving in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and a city renowned for its art and architecture. We will take a brief panoramic tour to admire the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, the masterpiece of Spanish-Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as other city highlights. Accommodation included.

Optional excursion: “Barcelona by Night with Tapas Dinner”: We will head to the center of Barcelona for a guided tour of the iconic streets of the Gothic Quarter, visiting the historic Plaça del Rei and strolling along the pedestrian Bisbe Street, which connects the Cathedral with Plaça de Sant Jaume. At the end, enjoy a tasting of typical Spanish tapas and pinchos.

Departure at the scheduled time for Zaragoza, where we will make a brief stop to admire the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the oldest Marian temple in Christendom, located in the expansive square of the same name. We will then continue the journey to Madrid. Accommodation included.

Optional excursion: “Dinner at a Traditional Spanish Restaurant with Flamenco Show” – Enjoy an evening in Madrid with a traditional Spanish dinner accompanied by an authentic live flamenco show, experiencing up close this unique Spanish tradition.

Check-out at 12:00 PM and, at the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to board Avianca flight AV 11 departing at 5:30 PM, returning to Bogotá with an estimated arrival at 8:59 PM.