🎧Listen to an in-depth episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! My cousin Janel and her husband just returned from a quick, fun, 6-day trip to Barcelona and Paris. Here’s the fun, short itinerary I put together for them, with 3 nights in each city.
Day 1:
Arrive in Barcelona. Transportation to hotel. Stay at the Rialto Barcelona for 3 nights.
The Rialto is located in the Gothic Quarter, a neighborhood in Barcelona, and is near a metro station and near the beach. Shoppers can check out La Rambla, and everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Barceloneta Beach and Park Güell.
All 205 rooms include comforts such as air conditioning, as well as perks like free WiFi and safes. The Barcelona Cathedral is just a 3-minute walk, and several delicious restaurants are within 1-2 minutes of the hotel.
Day 2:
Barcelona hop-on/hop-off tour, good for 24, 48, or 72 hours. See the major sights aboard our open-top double-decker bus. Spend as much or as little time at places of interest before jumping aboard for the next stop - the choice is yours! You can hop-on and off as many times as you like at any of the stops.
Barcelona card express. With Barcelona's tourist card, visitors are granted access to 17 different facilities, museum discounts, cultural venues, leisure centers, restaurants, shops and other services and transportation. The card is valid for 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours, and includes an information guide, city and metro maps and a list of shops offering discounts are included with the card.
Private Barcelona Tapas tour. Tapas are small plates of food, which can be either cold or hot, and can be combined to create a full meal. This 3-hour tour, visiting three different restaurants, lets you experience a full meal with a variety of Spanish tapas. All selections are paired with complimentary drinks, and you also learn about Barcelona’s history and culture during this delicious and fascinating tour.
Day 3:
More sightseeing in Barcelona, using the Barcelona card and the hop-on/hop-off buses.
Flamenco Show with Dinner. Flamenco tablaos are small cafes, which used to be called “singing cafes.” Enjoy a Mediterranean-style dinner with 33 varieties of cold and hot dishes, assorted desserts, and fruits. Includes unlimited drinks. Following dinner, enjoy live music and flamenco dancing with an intimate, lively atmosphere.
Day 4:
Check out of hotel. Fly to Paris.
Check in at the Grand Hotel Francais for 3 nights. This hotel is located in the 11th Arrondissement, or neighborhood, of Paris. It’s just over 3 miles from the Paris Catacombs, 5 miles from the Eiffel Tower, and 2 miles from the Museum of Natural History. Many restaurants are within walking distance, and the metro is close by.
Shared guided tour of the Louvre Museum with priority access. This 2 ½ hour tour begins at the commercial area, continuing inside where you will see the medieval fortress, the modern pyramid, and other artwork masterpieces, including the “Mona Lisa.” Following the guided tour, you can either remain in the museum to explore more on your own, or explore the city of Paris.
Day 5:
Paris hop-on/hop-off tour. Enjoy Paris’s most famous sights from the comfortable seats inside or on the open top deck of the hop-on hop-off bus. Learn local history and trivia from the entertaining and informative audio commentary, which provides colorful details throughout the route. Available for 24, 48, or 72 hours.
Lunch at Eiffel Tower/Paris City Tour/Cruise. From the foot of the Eiffel Tower, take the elevator (with priority access) straight to the "Madame Brasserie" restaurant where a table will be reserved for you. After enjoying a three-course lunch, take a panoramic city tour in a luxury, air-conditioned coach. Following the tour, you will enjoy a one-hour river cruise and discover the charm of Paris from the Seine River.
Day 6:
Versailles Guided small group morning tour. Meet your group near the Eiffel Tower, and take the bus to Louis XIV’s beautiful Palace of Versailles. Your guide will take you through the King’s & Queen’s State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors. At the end of the guided tour, you will have additional free time to stroll through the French gardens surrounded by statues, busts, and marble vases.
St. Germain French pastry & chocolate walking tour in Paris. The chocolatiers and pastry makers in Saint-Germain-des-Pres have been touted as the “best chocolate makers in France” and “magician of the ganache,” along with other compliments. During this 3-hour tour, you will visit shops and taste the delectable local pastries, chocolates, and breads of the area.
Alternatively, you could do a combination Versailles and Giverny tour. This 9-hour tour begins with visiting Claude Monet’s house and studio, and the Giverny Museum.
Following Monet’s gardens, lunch is included, and then you head to Versailles and enjoy the palace and grounds with a guide.
Day 7:
Check out of hotel. Transportation to the airport.
Flight departs for home.
There you have it—in and out in just one week! One thing I love about this itinerary is that you’re able to try some of the local foods and traditions, combined with some great sightseeing in the cities. It’s a great way to experience connection with the local culture and food. Of course, once you do this short trip you’ll probably want to return for longer!
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