First Class Rail: Paris to Barcelona

Your vacation begins today as you arrive in the romantic city of Paris, making your way independently to our welcoming hotel, located in the historic Marais district. You can check in from 3 P.M. or leave your luggage if you arrive beforehand.

There is time at leisure in the afternoon to get to know your new surroundings. You might choose to explore the cobbled streets and small boutiques of the charming Marais district, walk along the pedestrianized riverbanks of the Seine or unwind with a glass of wine at a local café and soak up the unmistakable Parisian atmosphere.

At our elegant hotel this evening, meet the Tour Manager and rest of the group before we enjoy a relaxing welcome drink together - a wonderful introduction to Paris. Overnight Paris.

Brimming with history and iconic landmarks, we uncover Paris on a guided sightseeing tour after breakfast this morning. Winding through elegant boulevards, our route reveals lesser-known gems and hidden monuments, along with the city's world-famous highlights. We take in timeless sights including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the tree-lined Champs-Élysées, where the Arc de Triomphe sits beautifully at one end.

After the tour, there is free time over lunch and in the afternoon to continue exploring at your own pace. Perhaps look upon some of the world's most famous paintings at the Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa, or wander through the public gardens of the Tuileries or Jardins de Luxembourg. You might also like to stroll up to the much-loved basilica of Sacré Coeur in Montmartre, where sweeping views stretch across the city from the square in front. Pre-booking is recommended to guarantee entrance.

This evening, we reconvene for one of the trip's highlights - a memorable dinner at Madame Brasserie, located on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. Savor fine French cuisine set high above the city as Paris begins to twinkle below, a special way to round off our stay in the French capital. Overnight Paris.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning after breakfast, we transfer to the station where we board a direct train to Bordeaux. As the world's largest urban UNESCO World Heritage sites, Bordeaux boasts diverse architecture, welcoming boulevards and a quaint Old Town, along with being the heart of one of the world's most renowned wine regions.

On arrival, we check in to our hotel on the banks of the Garonne River with free time to enjoy lunch, perhaps sampling authentic regional flavors at one of Bordeaux's inviting cafés or food markets. After, we view this picturesque city from the water during a scenic cruise along the Garonne, soaking up the sights of the UNESCO-listed architecture and discovering the bridges of Bordeaux, including the Pont de Pierre and Pont d'Aquitaine. Onboard, we also taste the city's signature canelé - a small, caramelized cake with a soft custard-like center.

After the cruise, there's time to unwind or continue exploring independently before we dine together this evening in a local restaurant. Overnight Bordeaux.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Waking in Bordeaux, we savor a morning food tour of the city, offering a delicious insight into the region's culinary heritage. Along the way, we learn about the flavors and traditions that define Bordeaux's local cuisine, sampling a selection of local specialties, which may include freshly baked pastries, artisanal cheeses and cured meats.

There's free time over lunch before we travel by coach to the picturesque medieval village of St Émilion this afternoon, where world-famous wineries and beautiful historic architecture blend seamlessly. Set among rolling vineyards, we visit a local château to enjoy a wine-tasting, gaining insight into the production of some of the world's most renowned wines.

Returning to Bordeaux this evening, you are at leisure to dine independently at one of the city's many inviting restaurants. Overnight Bordeaux.

• Breakfast

Leaving Bordeaux after breakfast, we travel by coach towards the coast, passing through a landscape of rolling vineyards on our way to Biarritz. Once the favorite summer retreat of European royalty, this refined seaside town still exudes the charm of its Belle Époque past.

We stop for lunch and there's time to soak up Biarritz's atmosphere, perhaps strolling along the sweeping Grand Plage, admiring the elegant architecture or simply relaxing as the waves break along the shore.

This afternoon, we continue our journey across the border into Spain, arriving in Bilbao. After checking in to our hotel, we set out on an evening tour of the characterful Old Town, discovering its narrow medieval streets and local life. A highlight of our time in Bilbao, this guided walking pintxos tour immerses us in true Basque style, as we walk between traditional taverns, savoring these small, flavorful bites - a wonderful introduction to the region's celebrated food culture. Overnight Bilbao.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast this morning, we take a short walk from our hotel to the avant-garde Guggenheim Museum. With its curvy, titanium-clad exterior designed by architect Frank Gehry, it has become one of the world's most recognizable buildings. With entry to this contemporary gallery included, we enjoy a private guided tour and you can admire famed modern works by artists including Jeff Koons and Louise Bourgeois at leisure.

Leaving the museum, the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore further, perhaps returning to the Old Town's charming lanes or visiting another one of Bilbao's excellent galleries. You could also visit the colorful Ribera Market, a lively riverside hall brimming with fresh local flavors, with many tempting stalls and eateries serving fresh Basque specialties.

Dinner this evening can be enjoyed independently, providing another opportunity to sample the region's superb cuisine. Overnight Bilbao.

• Breakfast

Checking out of our hotel after breakfast this morning, we travel by coach through the Basque countryside to Logrono, the heart of La Rioja. Here, we embark on a guided Rioja vineyard tour, discovering the region's rich heritage and sampling some of its popular wines.

After our tasting, there is free time in Logrono for lunch. The historic center is filled with inviting cafés, traditional pintxos bars and local restaurants - an ideal setting to savor regional flavors at leisure.

Continuing by coach to the Pyrenean town of Canfranc, we check in to our remarkable five-star Art Deco hotel, set in a unique location between two mountains. Once the grand international railway station of Canfranc, this extraordinary building has been lovingly restored and is now recognized as an asset of cultural interest and a Royal Hideaway Hotel - a collection of special properties steeped in history and character. There's time to unwind before we dine together in one of the hotel's magnificent restaurants this evening. Overnight Canfranc Estación.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We discover the remarkable history of our hotel on a guided tour after breakfast this morning. With an Art Deco exterior nestled amid the Pyrenean foothills, the hotel dazzles with movie-star looks. Once one of Europe's grandest railway hubs, its vast halls, ornate details and storied past provide a fascinating insight into the golden age of travel. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, we learn about its significance as a major trade route, its role in wartime espionage and its eventual abandonment.

There is time at leisure after the insightful tour of our hotel. You might choose to explore the small town of Canfranc Pueblo, known for its charming mountain atmosphere and stunning Pyrenees scenery, with a choice of scenic walking trails. Alternatively, you might choose to make the most of the hotel's exceptional facilities, including a state-of-the-art gym, spa pool and a hydrotherapy area, offering a range of advanced treatments (payable locally).

Dinner this evening is at leisure, giving you the opportunity to relax in the hotel or explore the local dining options at your own pace. Overnight Canfranc Estación.

• Breakfast

Departing Canfranc Estación after breakfast this morning, we travel by coach to Zaragoza, where we enjoy a guided tour of the historic Old Town. Highlights include the impressive Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, La Seo Cathedral - showcasing a stunning blend of Romanesque, Gothic and Mudéjar styles - and the fascinating remnants of the Roman Forum beneath the city.

There is time to find lunch independently before we board a direct, high-speed train to Barcelona, arriving in the afternoon. On arrival in this artistic city, we check in to our hotel, ideally located close to Las Ramblas, and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.

You might choose to head out and begin exploring the city's lively streets and atmosphere before dining independently. Barcelona's food scene offers a variety of traditional Catalan dishes and contemporary cuisine which can be enjoyed in local dining spots across the city, including the famed Boqueria market on Las Ramblas. Overnight Barcelona.

• Breakfast

A guided tour of Barcelona's iconic sights awaits after breakfast, and one name stands out when it comes to the city's unique architecture. Flowing curves and vibrant mosaics announce Antoni Gaudí's eye-catching style, with his most famous buildings including Casa Batlló and the jaw-dropping Sagrada Família. After viewing the magnificent exterior of this iconic basilica, we explore the tree-lined boulevard of Las Ramblas and end our tour among the labyrinth alleys of the Gothic Quarter.

After the tour, enjoy free time this afternoon for lunch and continue exploring the city independently. You might choose to visit the interior of Sagrada Familia (booking recommended), or there are several neighborhoods dotted along Barcelona's coast, including former fishing villages such as Poblenou, which can be reached by metro. Alternatively, the 18th-century residential area of Barceloneta exudes Catalan coastal charm, with leafy squares surrounded by bustling bodegas.

After a day of sightseeing, we regroup for a farewell dinner this evening, enjoying the flavors of Catalan cuisine and reflecting on the unforgettable experiences of our vacation. Overnight Barcelona.

• Breakfast, Dinner

On our exploration of France and Spain, we have traveled through some of Europe's most distinctive regions. Beginning in Paris and Bordeaux, we discovered elegant cities and renowned wine regions before traveling through the Basque Country to Bilbao and the Pyrenees, staying in the remarkable Canfranc Estación and concluding in the artistic city of Barcelona.

After breakfast this morning, your holiday comes to an end and you are free to transfer to Barcelona airport for your flight home or continue exploring independently.

• Breakfast