The Best of Spain with Paris to Normandy

Welcome to Madrid!

At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Masterpieces in Madrid

This morning, discover the city's historic grandeur along the boulevards. Admire elegant buildings and views of legendary landmarks, including the Plaza de España monument to Miguel de Cervantes, author of "Don Quixote." Visit the world-famous Prado Museum for further glimpses into Spanish culture and history through its art collection. Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to explore more of this captivating city.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The Prado Museum houses one of the world's largest art collections, including its amazing assortment of masterpieces by historic artists like Velasquez, Goya, and El Greco. The famous museum also displays the works of renowned European masters, including Rubens and Rembrandt, along with a stunning collection of Greco-Roman statues.

Treasures of Cordoba

Enjoy a scenic drive south into the region of Andalusia. This afternoon, visit the magnificent city of Cordoba and follow your Local Guide on a walking tour to see the Jewish Quarter, the Roman Bridge, and the remains of the Alcazar. The tour highlight is a visit of the Mosque of the Caliphs, one of the Twelve Treasures of Spain. Enjoy some free time to browse the narrow streets before continuing to the vibrant city of Seville.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The Mosque of Córdoba (Mezquita - Catedral de Córdoba in Spanish) today is a Catholic cathedral but was originally a mosque built for Muslim prayer by Abd ar - Rahman I in the 8th century. The mosque's architecture is rich in dazzling detail, with over 800 granite and marble pillars supporting its beautiful brick and stone arches - a major focal point in the mosque along with the soaring bell tower – the tallest structure in the city.

Spend Your Day Your Way in Seville

This morning, discover what makes Seville so special. Start with a visit to the Plaza de España, one of the city's most famous landmarks, then explore more of Seville with your choice of included Globus Choice Excursions.

Spectacular Seville

A guided walking tour in historic Seville stuns with a visit to Casa de Pilatos. Explore the palace's fusion of architectural styles adorned with a collection of Roman sculptures. Continue with a stroll through Seville's Barrio de Santa Cruz, a labyrinth of charming, narrow streets in the heart of historic Seville.

Parks & Pavillions
The cool, peaceful oases of Seville are calling with a guided walk through two of the city's verdant parks. Admire the colorful flora and ornamental fountains in the vibrant Prado de San Sebastián. Stroll the Parque de Maria Luisa, where striking monuments and over 140 species of trees grace the site of the 1929 Hispano - American Exhibition. Conclude your walk outside Seville Cathedral.

Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to discover more of Seville.

Drive to Granada for today's highlight, one of the city's most iconic landmarks – the Alhambra Complex*, an Islamic architectural masterpiece. Visit the breathtaking complex with your Local Guide and discover what makes it so special. Later, enjoy some free time getting acquainted with this captivating city, shaped by its blend of cultural influences.

*Alhambra complex: Entrance to Nasrid Palace is not guaranteed.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Granada's Alhambra Complex stands as one of the largest ancient aristocratic sites of Western Muslim culture. Its leafy lanes and streams enhance the grand water gardens of Generalife, once the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers.

Spanish Specialties

Enjoy a scenic drive past the mountains towards the coast and the vibrant city of Valencia. Meet your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour that features a panoramic drive to see the Torres de Serranos and Plaza de Toros, a photo stop at the City of Arts and Sciences, plus a walking tour of Old Valencia. Visit a Horchateria to try the traditional Valencian horchata drink. This evening, get a real taste for Valencia with a mouthwatering traditional Paella dinner at a local restaurant.

LOCAL FAVORITE - Enjoy an authentic Spanish paella dinner in Valencia. Traditional Paella Valenciana is made with chicken and sweet paprika and golden saffron in a slow simmered broth for a sumptuous, heart - warming hallmark of traditional Spanish cuisine.

The Boulevards of Barcelona

Enjoy the changing panorama during a scenic drive along the coast past some of Spain's most famous seaside resorts to Barcelona. Free time this afternoon and evening to get acquainted with this flamboyant city, its lively atmosphere, amazing architecture, and tasty local dishes.

ENHANCED FREE TIME - Explore more of Barcelona in the footsteps of Picasso through the historic heart of the old city. Indulge in the tradition and tastes of 2,000 years in the Gothic Quarter. Take in the charm and captivating history with a walk down the tree-lined avenue of La Rambla amid the terraces and street performers on Barcelona's famous thoroughfare.

Adiós, Barcelona!

This morning, follow your Local Guide on a sightseeing tour to see the Columbus Monument, Plaza de Cataluña, and Passeig de Gràcia. The highlight of the tour is a visit to the Sagrada Familia Basilica. Continue the tour with a drive to Montjuïc Hill for panoramic views of the city and harbor. This evening enjoy Sangria and a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

LOCAL FAVORITE - Say farewell to Spain with Sangria and culinary specialties at a local city center restaurant. Often considered the signature drink of Spain and taking its name from its “blood - red color,” Sangria's origins are thought to go back to Roman times, when it was simply wine added to water. Since then, the recipe has been revisited many times and there are many delicious local variations.

Welcome to France.

Flight to Paris to board your Suite Ship®. Meet your Avalon Cruise Director and start your cruise along the Seine River.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS

Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the City of Light

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

• Active: Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided City Tour featuring the iconic sites of Paris, which make the City of Light the most romantic and remarkable city in the world.
• Classic: Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.

Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS

* Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly

The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV

Enjoy a relaxing sailing morning to Conflans or join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.

• Active: Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LES ANDELYS

Serenity on the Seine

• Active: Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France's most picturesque spots on the Seine.

Later, enjoy a beautiful cruise to Rouen.

ROUEN:

• Active: Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—site of Saint Joan of Arc's martyrdom—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
• Discovery: Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the days before and after the Normandy landing of D-Day.

This evening, enjoy onboard live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ROUEN

Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions

• Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:
• Classic: Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial (until the end of May replaced with a visit to the D-Day Museum), the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Tour to get a taste of authentic tradition in the beautiful region of Normandy. Toast the day with a brandy tasting in Calvados.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC

Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine

• Active: Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.

This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON

Monet's Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour

Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.

• Active: Take a Guided Bike Tour through the picturesque Normandy countryside from Vernon to Giverny, ending with a visit to Monet's enchanting gardens and home, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet's charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces*, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy's Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.
• Discovery: While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PARIS

*Monet's House is closed in March & November. During this period, this excursion will be replaced with a Guided Tour of La Roche-Guyon and its castle

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.