Fantasia European Combo: Mediterranean Dream 17 Days Rome to Barcelona

Welcome to Rome! Meet your driver at the airport in the arrivals hall, then transfer to your hotel. 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. Overnight stay in Rome.

Depart Rome by deluxe coach and journey north through the beautiful Italian countryside toward Assisi, the medieval hill town closely associated with St Francis. 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 a two-night stay.

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.

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 11:00 pm. 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 overnight stay.
Note: The scheduled arrival time in Barcelona is approximately 10:00 pm; we suggest keeping this in mind when planning dinner 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. Three will be some 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.  

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

After breakfast at the hotel, depart east towards the Mediterranean coast and arrive in vibrant Valencia, one of Spain’s most dynamic and appealing cities. Known for blending historic charm with contemporary design, Valencia is home to the striking City of Arts and Sciences, an impressive architectural complex featuring six landmark buildings including the Hemisfèric, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanogràfic, Palau de les Arts and Ágora. The city is also celebrated as the birthplace of the world-famous paella. After time to experience Valencia’s distinctive atmosphere, continue to your hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, discover Valencia on a guided city tour through its historic old town before continuing to the transformed Turia riverbed, now one of Europe’s most impressive urban green spaces. Continue to the striking City of Arts and Sciences to admire its futuristic architecture from the outside, including its iconic cultural and scientific buildings. In the afternoon, travel north along the Mediterranean coastline into Catalonia, passing through Tarragona, once the important Roman city of Tarraco. Arrive in Barcelona, Spain’s vibrant coastal capital and home of Antoni Gaudí’s celebrated Modernist masterpieces, for a two-night stay.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Barcelona, a city celebrated for its distinctive architecture, Mediterranean atmosphere and hosting of the 1992 Olympic Games. Travel along the city’s elegant boulevards and admire Antoni Gaudí’s most famous creations, including Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Casa Batlló, both recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Continue to Montjuïc for panoramic views across the city and harbour and see highlights including the Olympic Ring and Columbus Monument. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore Barcelona’s lively neighbourhoods.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

• 24/7 local operator support in Italy
• Return airport transfers
• 15 nights hotel accommodation
• 1 night overnight ferry
• Breakfast daily
• 2 local food experiences
• 4 lunches
• Modern Air-conditioned touring vehicle
• Guided tours in Florence, Venice, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Toledo (local expert guide)
• Hop-On Hop-Off panoramic sightseeing ticket in Rome
• Skip the Line tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peters
• Traditional Tuscan lunch in Florence
• Local food experience in Bologna
• Light lunch and wine tasting in the Franciacorta wine region
• Traditional Venetian spritz or prosecco with cicchetti tasting
• Transfer to Civitavecchia Port
• Ferry Civitavecchia Port to Barcelona (you must go through security control with your luggage in order to board the ferry. The included lunch on the boat with be self-service
• Barcelona transfers: port/hotel/airport
• Entrance tickets to Cordoba Mosque, Cathedral of Seville and Alhambra
• English speaking tour escort throughout
• Sightseeing and visits as specified in itinerary
• 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