GRAND EUROPEAN VOYAGE
Portugal, Spain, France, Monaco, and Italy – 15 days
Join Rudy Maxa on a Grand Voyage starting in Lisbon, Portugal. Fly to Barcelona, visit Provence, Cote d’Azur, and Monaco. Tour Portofino, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence and Orvieto in Italy, and end in the eternal city, Rome.
- Capped at 20 guests.
- September 1 – September 15, 2019: $8,195.
- September 15 – September 29, 2019: $7,995.
- Prices are based on double occupancy. Single supplement: $1,999.
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Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal
- Arrive in Lisbon where you’ll be met at the airport by Rudy Maxa’s concierge service and whisked to your hotel.
- Join Rudy Maxa and your fellow guests for a briefing, followed by dinner.
- Penha Longa Resort – A Ritz Carlton Hotel 5*
- Meals: Welcome dinner hosted by Rudy Maxa.
Day 2: Lisbon – Choose one
- Tour 1: After an early morning breakfast, you’ll be driven to the Cabo da Roca lighthouse, which is at the westernmost cape of mainland Europe. Welcome the day by taking in a fantastic sunrise. While on the way to the next stop (Sintra), you’ll stop at a local bakery to enjoy a warm and fresh Pasteis de Nata. Later, visit the Palace of Pena and the National Palace of Sintra. After lunch, you’ll continue visiting the array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a stop at Palace of Monserrate, the Moorish Castle, and the Convent of Capuchos.
- Tour 2: After an early morning breakfast, you’ll be driven to the Cabo da Roca lighthouse, which is at the westernmost cape of mainland Europe. Welcome the day by taking in a fantastic sunrise. While on the way to the next stop (Sintra), you’ll stop at a local bakery to enjoy a warm and fresh Pasteis de Nata. Later, visit the Palace of Pena before heading to Praia dos Pescadores, a quaint little village up the coast, followed by a visit to the Museu do Ar, the Portugese Air Force Museum.
- Tour 3: Explore the Sintra and Lisbon area on your own. A luxury car or convertible will be at your disposal for the day.
- Penha Longa Resort – A Ritz Carlton Hotel 5*
- Meals: Il Mercato.
Day 3: Lisbon, and fly to Barcelona
- Tour 1: Today you’ll explore all the top sites in Lisbon. You’ll ride the famous Tram 28, visit the Pantheon, St. George’s Castle, Belém Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, and more. You’ll also savor delicacies at Pastei de Belém to see if the famous bakery beats the Pasteis de Nata pastries you sampled in the countryside.
- Tour 2: Explore Lisbon on your own. Equipped with the Lisboa Card that gives free access to dozens of attractions and free public transportation, you’ll get to know this fantastic city by focusing on just the places that fascinate you the most.
- For both groups, transportation to the airport will be provided for an evening flight to Barcelona.
- The Edition Barcelona, Renaissance Barcelona, or W Hotel Barcelona 5*
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch. Dinner at The Roof.
Day 4: Barcelona – choose one
- Tour 1: Get to know Barcelona by starting off your day with the rich architecture of Gaudi’s Casa Mila and Casa Batilo, before heading to Plaça de Catalunya, a charming square where the old meets the new. Then on to lively Las Ramblas boulevard for some shopping. After lunch, you’ll have a stop at Camp Nou to see the largest stadium in Europe, and then take a peaceful walk among winding paths and stunning sculptures in the most famous landmark in Barcelona, Park Güell, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Tour 2: Get to know Barcelona by starting off your day with the rich architecture of Gaudi’s Casa Mila and Casa Batilo, before taking a peaceful walk among winding paths and stunning sculptures in the most famous landmark in Barcelona, Park Güell, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, you’ll visit some of Barcelona’s famous markets and the shopping districts, including lively Las Ramblas.
- Tour 3: Explore Barcelona on your own. Equipped with the Barcelona Card that gives free access to dozens of attractions and free public transportation, get to know the vibrant city.
- For both groups, after a break at the hotel, enjoy dinner and a colorful Flamenco show at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes.
- The Edition Barcelona, Renaissance Barcelona, or W Hotel Barcelona 5*
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch. Dinner at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes.
Day 5: From Barcelona to Provence, via Montserrat
- After an early breakfast, you’ll head out to magical Montserrat to breathe in the refreshing multi-mountain peak air. Admire the remarkable monastery perched at the top, before crossing the border into France and arriving in the evening to Avignon in Provence.
- Auberge de Cassagne & Spa 5*
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch. Dinner at Restaurant Gastronomique de l’Auberge de Cassagne.
Day 6: Provence – Choose one
- Tour 1: Start the morning with a visit to Popes’ Palace in Avignon before heading to the Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine district and Chateau de Vaudieu Vineyard. Visit the sublime Senanque Abbey of Gordes and corresponding church, cloisters and the monks’ cells, then on to sunny Aix-en-Provence (which is the birthplace of painter Paul Cézanne) before arriving in Antibes.
- Tour 2: The morning starts with a visit to Avignon’s broken bridge and down the charming lane of the Rue des Teinturiers water wheels, before heading to Pont du Gards aqueduct. The journey continues to the coast with a leisurely stop in ritzy St. Tropez before arriving in Antibes.
- AC Hotel Ambassadeur Antibes 4*
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch. Dinner at Chez Lulu.
Day 7: Cote d’Azur – Choose one
- Tour 1: Start your morning by visiting the castle where Picasso lived and worked. Continue to Nice where we visit the Marc Chagall national museum. After, the windy roads take you up to magical Eze for a visit and lunch with an unparalleled view followed by a visit to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a chic early 20th century villa owned by Béatrice de Rothschild. You’ll end the day with a walking tour visit of Antibes.
- Tour 2: Start the morning with a walking tour of Cannes before heading to Nice to enjoy a visit to Old Town and the medieval market square. A stop at Maison Auer for some traditional chocolate and fruit sweets is also a must in Nice. After, the winding roads will take you up to magical Eze for an unparalleled view followed by a visit to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a chic early 20th century villa owned by Béatrice de Rothschild. You’ll end the day with a walking tour visit of Antibes.
- Tour 3: Explore Cote d’Azur on your own with a luxury car provided by Rudy Maxa Tours.
- AC Hotel Ambassadeur Antibes 4*
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch. Dinner at Le Vauban.
Day 8: Monaco to Portofino (Santa Margherita Ligure)
- The morning starts with a drive through the famed streets of Monaco, known for the Formula One motor race held every year on the Circuit de Monaco. You’ll visit the famous casino, Prince’s Palace, and the Cathedral. You may consider taking a walk around the iconic town.
- Cross into Italy after lunch and arrive on the Italian Riviera in Santa Margherita Ligure, 5 minutes from Portofino.
- Hotel Laurin 4*
- Meals: Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner at Ristorante Antonio. Gelato in Portofino after dinner.
Day 9: Portofino and Cinque Terre
- After an early breakfast, you’ll start the day off with a trip to Portofino, the fishing village with pastel-hued houses, before hopping on the train to visit three of the famed cliffside Cinque Terre towns. You’ll visit Vernazza, Corniglia and Riomaggiore.
- You may opt to take one of the most scenic hikes in the world between Vernazza and Corniglia, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Arrive into Pisa in the early evening.
- Hotel: AC Hotel Pisa 4*
- Meals: Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner at San Domenico Bistrot.
Day 10: Pisa and Florence
- Ascend the famously tilted tower of Pisa via stairs or simply admire it from terra firma, before visiting Battistero di Pisa, the famous cathedral.
- Savor a chocolate factory tour before heading to Florence after lunch.
- Take a walking tour of Florence and stop in at Vivoli to sample their world-famous gelato.
- Westin Excelsior Florence or Sina Villa Medici, Autograph Collection 5*
- Meals: Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner at Il Latini.
Day 11: Florence – Choose one — and an opera evening in Lucca
- Tour 1: Spend the morning with David at the Galleria dell’Accademia and visit the Leonardo da Vinci museum. After lunch, you’ll visit the Uffizi Gallery and the Florence Cathedral before ending the afternoon at the Ponte Vecchio bridge. In the evening, you’ll head to Lucca and enjoy a stroll through Puccini’s magical hometown. You’ll delight in a concert performance of some of Puccini and Verdi’s work in the San Giovanni church followed by dinner.
- Tour 2: Start the morning with a walking tour across the Ponte Vecchio bridge to the Boboli gardens and visit the Pitti Palace and the Belvedere fort. After lunch, you’ll visit the Laurentian Medici library and the Salvatore Ferragamo museum. In the evening, you’ll head to Lucca where you’ll enjoy a stroll through Puccini’s magical hometown. You’ll enjoy a concert performance of some of Puccini and Verdi’s work in the San Giovanni church followed by dinner.
- Tour 3: Armed with Museum tickets, you’ll explore the very walkable city of Florence on your own.
- Westin Excelsior Florence or Sina Villa Medici, Autograph Collection 5*
- Meals: Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner at Ristorante Giglio, Lucca.
Day 12: Florence to Orvieto
- This morning, take a walking tour of Florence including a stop at the town hall complete with 311 foot high bell tower – Palazzo Vecchio. You’ll cap your visit to Florence with a visit to the hilltop church of Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte and the adjacent monastery with breathtaking views of Florence. After lunch, you’ll head to the town of Orvieto.
- You’ll take a walking tour of the quaint town perched on a rock cliff, including a stop at a 14th-century cathedral. Known as the Duomo of Orvieto, the must-see church has Signorelli frescoes and a mosaic and gold façade.
- Hotel Duomo 3*
- Meals: Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner at Vinosus.
Day 13: Orvieto to Rome
- You’ll start the morning with the Orvieto Underworld tour, a discovery of the Orvieto secret city. You’ll then continue on to scenic Lake Bolsena where you’ll enjoy lunch before ending up in Rome in the afternoon. In the early evening, you’ll take a stroll to the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and Piazza del Popolo before dining al fresco.
- Rome Marriott Grand Hotel Flora 4* or The Westin Excelsior Rome 5*
- Meals: Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner at Le Jardin de Russie.
Day 14: Rome – Choose one
- Tour 1: Start the morning at the Vatican where you’ll visit St Peter’s Square and the Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican museum, and the city itself. After lunch, you’ll visit ancient Rome and the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. In the evening, you’ll visit the Catacombe di Priscilla before dinner.
- Tour 2: You’ll begin the morning in the old Jewish quarter with a visit to the Synagogue. You’ll then cross the river and into the areas where locals hang out. You’ll stop at Santa Cecilia and Santa Maria Trastevere before having a neighborhood lunch. After lunch, you’ll visit Piazza Navona, Santa Maria Minerva, the Pantheon, San Pietro in Vincoli before ending your day at Santa Prassede. In the evening, you’ll visit the Catacombe di Priscilla before dinner.
- Tour 3: Start the morning with a peek into ancient Rome with a visit to the excavated site at Ostia Antica. Back in modern day Rome, you’ll take a pasta cooking class before embarking on a Rome foodie walking and sampling tour. In the evening, you’ll visit the Catacombe di Priscilla before dinner.
- Tour 4: Take to the streets of Rome on your own. Armed with Museum tickets, the cosmopolitan city awaits.
- Rome Marriott Grand Hotel Flora 4* or The Westin Excelsior Rome 5*
- Meals: Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner at Da Lucia.
Day 15: Rome
- You’ll visit the Castel Saint’Angelo, and the Villa Borghese gardens and museum.
- Farewell lunch at our host hotel.
* Restaurants and Hotels are subject to change to equal or better
* Rudy Maxa will personally join all or parts of all journeys in 2019
THE RUDY MAXA DIFFERENCE
When you let The Original Savvy Traveler arrange your trip through Europe, you are guaranteed peace of mind. Rudy Maxa’s team provides personal service and assistance from booking all the way through your journey.
What’s included:
- Welcome package with luggage tags, tour information, and a personal gift from Rudy Maxa.
- An exclusive experience with a small group (maximum of 20 guests.)
- Rudy Maxa’s expert team lead by his Group Director will make your trip seamless, and magical. In addition to the team traveling with you, known and approved local guides with extensive knowledge will be show guests around.
- The freedom to choose between multiple excursions and programs.
- All tours, admissions, and entertainment.
- Airport arrival meet and greet with transportation to the first host hotel.
- Upscale, handpicked hotels inspected and approved by Rudy Maxa’s team.
- All meals, including an upscale restaurant every night inspected and approved by Rudy Maxa’s team.
- Luggage Butler Service: leave your bags in your hotel room in the morning and find them waiting in your room at your next hotel.
- Transportation between cities in smaller luxury vehicles, high speed trains, or by air.
- All gratuities.