France & Spain Overview

Rich in museums, art galleries, monuments, fashion and fabulous food, Paris offers a wealth of major sights and hidden treasures to discover.

Aptly named 'Le Jardin de la France', Tours boasts verdant parks, peaceful river settings and a famed Old City with wonderfully preserved half-timbered buildings and picturesque open-air cafes.

Time seems to have stood still in Sarat-la-Caneda with a slow winding river and a town so impeccably preserved that it still resembles its charming 14th-century self.

A lovely port city famed its wines, Bordeaux exudes charm with celebrated architecture, fascinating museums and alluring cafes in which to linger over the region's famous tipple.

Head for the French Pyrenees and the spa town of Bagneres de Luchon by train and bus (approx 6 hrs). The French Pyrenees stretch from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and form a natural 450 km long barrier between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. As well as their spectacular natural beauty, the Pyrenees are also famous for their thermal springs, where curistes (those seeking a cure) have been coming for hundreds of years. Luchon is one such spa town, and a great base for exploring the surrounding trails. Surrounded by dramatic mountains and the gateway to many outdoor adventures, Luchon is a charming town to explore with its 19th-century buildings and famed flower gardens. Take to the hills for a day of hiking in the Pyrenees. Be prepared for some steep ascents, climbing up through the forest to a fantastic viewpoint of the mountain peaks (weather permitting). The scenery is truly alpine and absolutely breathtaking - don't forget your camera! Please note that you'll need appropriate footwear (sturdy trainers or light hiking boots) for this.

A vibrant cultural heart beats within this relaxed, coastal city - San Sebastian is a perfect place to relax at the beach or enjoy the finer points of Spanish culture.

With its stunning backdrop of mountains, twisting alleyways, the highest concentration of Romanesque churches in the world and delicious local cuisine, Segovia is atmospheric, photogenic and memorable.

Madrid is home to a wealth of remarkable sights, sounds and experiences. Soak up the art, be wowed by the architecture and swoon over the exceptional food.

Discover the mesh of Muslim, Jewish and Christian cultures in the architecture and cuisine of the southern city of Cordoba. Visit the Mezquita, with its golden arches and intricate columns, and then perhaps stroll through a labyrinth of cobbled laneways in the old quarter, discovering open squares and quirky cafes.

Visit Seville and be swept up in the emotions of a fiery flamenco performance. See the world's largest Gothic cathedral and its imposing Moorish tower or enjoy the tranquil gardens in the Parque de Maria Luisa. Revel in the city known as the tapas capital of Spain, where restaurant windows are full of tasty morsels. In the evening, take a wander through lively El Centro.

Travel to Costa de la Luz and enjoy an optional day tour across the border to the British territory of Gibraltar, home to the famous Rock of Gibraltar, or go one step further to Tangier in Morocco. In free time, relax on the beaches of Tarifa, perhaps taking the opportunity to go whale watching off the coast.

Leave the Andalucian hills and journey to Ronda, a whitewashed town split in half by a deep chasm and joined by the amazing Puente Nuevo. Perhaps toil down the hand-hewn stairs of La Mina to the river below or learn about secret smuggler hideouts at the Bandits Museum.

Explore the Arab quarter of Albayzin, a maze of alleyways with sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada. For the best view of Granada at sunset, head to the Mirador de San Nicolas at the very top of the city's steep streets. Visit the exceptional Alhambra fortress.

Travel further north to Valencia, Spain's third-largest city. Why not do as the locals do and start the day with a breakfast of tortillas or churros at the morning market. Then, visit Valencia's cathedral, which reputedly houses the Holy Grail, and spend free time wandering through lush parks and gardens or go museum-hopping.

Arrive in vibrant Barcelona and make a stop at Gaudi's eccentric La Sagrada Familia. Then, squeeze in a spot of shopping, soak up the relaxed vibe in Las Ramblas or visit the Picasso Museum before saying hasta luego to wonderful Spain.