It’s not a macaron if it’s not from Saint-Germain in Paris. It’s not true Renaissance if you’re not in Tuscany. The best of Europe is a mix of its legendary cultures, all the way from flamenco and tapas in Andalusia, to Venetian pleasures along the water. This authentic cultural treasures tour showcases six regions that shaped Europe, immersing you in their traditions and legends: Andalusia and Catalonia, Tuscany and Venice, then Paris and Champagne. Begin planning your dream France, Spain, and...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Seville – Tapas in Andalusia
Spanish cuisine is usually an amalgamation of regional flavors. Like paella from Valencia and tapas from Andalusia. Touch down in Seville and you delve straight into the local culinary specialties – authentic tapas. Tasting tapas is also a good way to explore the city’s energy and style. Hop between small taverns, trying little bites, learning about how the cuisine has evolved here. You’ll get a sense of a fiery, passionate region, one that heartily welcomes visitors and loves to show off its tradition. Along the way, you’ll start appreciating the sights as well, Seville a place where there’s something to admire on almost every street corner. It’s a relaxed and informal evening that can suit the mood, so it can continue late into the night or until you feel tired and are ready for the hotel.
What's Included:
Day 2
Seville – Legends of Seville and a Night of Flamenco
Day 3
Seville – A Day in Cordoba
Day 4
Barcelona – Flavors of the Catalan Coast
Day 5
Barcelona – Gaudi, Dali and Picasso
Day 6
Barcelona – Penedes Wine Tasting and Sitges
Day 7
Florence – An Introduction to Italy and Tuscany
Day 8 - 9
Florence – Exploring the Vineyards and Culture of Old-World Tuscany
Day 10
Venice – The Legendary City of Canals
Day 11
Venice – Memoirs to the Venetian Republic
Day 12
Paris – Icons Along the Seine
Day 13
Paris – Cultures and Neighborhoods of Paris
Day 14 - 15
Reims – Discovering the Champagne Region
Day 16
Reims to Paris – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Experience raw Andalusian flamenco in one of the art form’s most legendary venues
- Explore cobbled Parisian neighborhoods to learn the secrets of the French capital
- Take a gondola through history and learn all about the foundation of the Venetian Republic
- Get to know Catalonia, not just Barcelona but also its vineyards, monasteries, beach towns and cuisine
- Spend two days in the Champagne region, where the culture is as intoxicating as the bubbles
- Immerse yourself in Tuscany, evocative evenings in Florence along with day trips to medieval towns and villages
- Savor all the food, from authentic Andalusian tapas to Florentine steak, Parisian macarons to Venetian risotto
- Compare all the wines as you taste with the winemakers and pop corks while gazing out over the vines
- Travel between destinations is quick and direct, maximizing your time on the ground
Detailed Description
The dreamy version of Europe conflates cultures from across the continent. It’s a jigsaw puzzle of Parisian suave, fiery Andalusian passion, Tuscan elegance and snippets from everywhere. Perhaps this idea of Europe is best understood through the food. Tapas is an Andalusian specialty, rather than a Spanish one. Pizza is from Naples while those thick-cut Italian steaks originate from Florence. Wines are another way to appreciate Europe’s nuance and difference because the bubbles you taste in Champagne and Penedes (cava) cannot be conflated into a simple idea of sparkling wine.
Europe is a continent that comes alive through its distinctive cultures. With this luxury cultures tour, you are not just traveling to Europe, nor simply to Spain, France, and Italy. You’re exploring Andalusia, Catalonia, Tuscany, Venice, Paris, and Champagne. Welcome to six regions that are completely different from each other. Welcome to the cultures that have shaped a continent. Welcome to places that remain highly authentic and raw.
Spread over 16 days, this private tour balances local specialties with the places that have gone on to define world history. There are art and architecture, history and heritage, sipping drinks on old-world streets and lazing away the evening on an al fresco terrace. Local guides are the only way to truly show you around, bringing their intimate cultural histories to the sights and sounds of each stop. Individual destinations are connected by direct flights or high-speed train, then centrally located hotels mean you are fully immersed in what makes these destinations so special.
Start in Andalusia with three nights in Seville to be precise. This is the home of flamenco and tapas, so eat your way through the delicacies and feel the haunting cadence of a performance. Spend a day in nearby Cordoba and understand a region that has evolved from the time of the Moors. Fly to Barcelona on day four and spend two full days in the city, discovering icons that have shaped Catalan design – like Gaudi, Dali, Picasso, and other Modernists. One day, you explore wider Catalonia, wine tasting in Penedes before an afternoon at the coast in Sitges. Expect great food throughout these six days in Spain, but expect Andalusia and Catalonia to have very different flavors.
Fly to Florence and three days in Tuscany. Evenings are magical in the Renaissance city, especially when watching the world go by from a cafe on a piazza. With three days, you can discover the secrets of Florence itself, while also getting out to small medieval towns and vineyards, with Siena and Pisa just two options during your time with a private guide. Taking the train to Venice, you’re soon surrounded by water. A gondolier takes you around in time-honored style while a sailboat is used to explore the outlying islands. It’s not just Venice it’s the Venetian Republic and there are many stories to hear as you wander Doge’s Palace and Piazza San Marco.
By day 12, you are in France, where two nights are spent among the mixed icons and neighborhoods of Paris. Part of the experience comes from the Louvre Museum or Sainte Chapelle. But Paris is all about its mysteries and to find these, you must explore the arrondissements, areas that have their own flavor and style. Try Saint-Germain for confectionaries, an island for cobbled streets, and Montmartre for bohemian styles. Then finish the tour in Reims, the heart of Champagne. Of course, there will be tasting, but on these two days there is much more than popping a cork – this is a region as memorable as the bubbles.
Starting Price
$6,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 9458 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.
Reviewed By Sherry G.
This trip was the greatest week of our lives! Everything planned was better than I could have imagined. The private drivers being coordinated behind the scenes made the trip so easy and removed all the stress of trying to navigate a new country. Every driver and our tour guide was so nice and I feel like we made friends with all of them.
My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking classes and that every tour was private and intimate for my wife and I. The connections Zicasso’s travel agent hooked us up with made the trip the most memorable experience. Our travel agent and the travel company took special care of all the tiny details of the trip; our hotel knew it was my birthday and had a special surprise for me! I’m beyond thankful for the perfect honeymoon they provided my wife and I.
Reviewed By Branson S.
The accommodations and private tours were worth the extra money. Our drivers were professional and helpful.
Reviewed By Claudia R.
We were connected with an amazing travel agent at Zicasso's travel company for our honeymoon in France. Our agent planned the perfect trip for us after our initial phone call. She booked small and private tours for us that were amazing experiences. She was available 24/7 while we were in France and was able to assist immediately when we had train delays and a canceled dinner reservation. We would absolutely book with this travel company again.
Reviewed By Patrick R.
The overall trip was great. The weather was terrific and the countries we visited had so much to see. Zicasso's tour company did a good job of balancing relaxation with fun. Each of the guides we had was so pleasant and shared so much information with us. They were very attentive to our needs.
Reviewed By Nisha V.
Wow, where to begin. This trip was an absolute dream.
When I first spoke to Zicasso’s travel consultant, I told her my main travel concern: traveling with nine- and 15-year-old boys as a single mom in Italy. I was excited to take the trip with them, but I really needed something that was meticulously planned to take away the nerves of having to navigate alone with two kids. She listened and executed the most beautiful trip.
She planned activities that captured the attention and imagination of a fourth grader and a teenager. And the experiences were unique. Probably the highlight of the trip was a truffle hunt with the hunter and his dog in the countryside outside of Florence. My oldest wants to move to Florence and start hunting! We had a personalized cooking class, a private Vespa tour of Rome, and a delicious and informative art and food tour, among other amazing experiences. As we were sending photos back home, I got so many requests for our itinerary because it was so special and unique. Both boys were hard-pressed to choose which part they liked best.
The hotels she selected were beautiful, comfortable, and right in the heart of the cities and attractions we wanted to see. When we encountered a small hiccup (by our hotel, not our travel agent), I contacted her and she responded right away, getting us a free room upgrade and free dinner! We felt very taken care of.
Aside from the amazing activities and locations we saw, the trip was fantastic because everything was so seamless. We always had a private driver arranged, pre-booked train tickets, and even someone to make sure we made it on time for our flight home. I never had to worry about a thing. It was also telling that every tour guide we interacted with had only glowing things to say about our travel agent and her keen attention to detail and organization.
If you're planning on visiting Italy, this travel company is the travel agency you need to select. It takes any of the stress and guesswork out of the travel process, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy.
Thank you so much! You helped us make some amazing memories!
Stephanie
Reviewed By Stephanie S.