7 Days to Madrid and Rome by Air

Before any further wandering through the narrow streets and charming squares of the Austrias District, enjoy one last café con leche al fresco at the Plaza Mayor. Then walk to Puerta del Sol, the geographic center of Spain; think Times Square or Piccadilly Circus. Here, one will see the statues of El Oso y el Madroño, the symbol of Madrid. Calle del Alcalá then takes the visitor to the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, the oldest art museum in Madrid, flaunting excellent collections of paintings by Spanish and Dutch masters. The Goya room is a must-see! This way is a very popular option for many Europe guided tours, which provide background and commentary to enliven the experience for the traveler.

Next stop after lunch is the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, which houses interesting collections from Old Dutch masters to modernists. Nearby, admire the Fountain of Neptune and San Jerónimo el Real. Then off to Museo Nacional del Prado. With an optional Skip The Line: Prado Museum Express Ticket and Tour, you will be able to see highlights like Velázquez's Las Meninas, Goya's The Family of Carlos IV, El Bosco, and El Greco before having the freedom to continue your journey at your own pace. This cultural voyage is truly a signature experience of the best Europe tours, offering access to world-famous art and unforgettable historical landmarks.

If the time is on your side, stroll into the Botanical Gardens next door or see the Casa Museo de Lope de Vega, formerly the home of that famous 16th-century Spanish playwright. Then come evening, join the tascas in Barrio de las Letras (Calle de las Huertas) for sherry and cava wines paired with tapas, which include fish, chorizo, cheese, egg, and olives. Experiences like these epitomize Europe tours & vacations, an exquisite blend of rich cultural heritage and authentic local cuisine.

Begin your day at the Museo Reina Sofía, completing your journey through Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art. Works by Dalí and Tàpies might be worthy of mention, yet Picasso's Guernica, without question, is the star of the show. Sightseeing of this sort is often among the highlights of well-designed Europe vacation packages, offering clients an in-depth look at the core artistic and cultural treasures of the continent.

From here and the modern architecture of the museum, take a quiet walk through the Parque del Retiro or have a laid-back lunch; then visit Palacio de Cristal, followed by Glorieta del Ángel Caído, and then go to the Plaza de la Independencia to enjoy the beautiful Puerta de Alcalá. This scenic route will impart the charm and elegance that is featured in a well-thought-out Europe tours & vacations itinerary that juxtaposes serene beauty with iconic landmarks.

Reach Plaza de Cibeles in the morning to enjoy what is undoubtedly the most famous fountain in Madrid, and where locals celebrate. The square lies at the intersection of Calle de Alcalá and Paseo del Prado, just opposite Banco de España. Conclude your wanderings going down Gran Vía, grab lunch from abroad, and do some faint shopping. If all of a sudden, there should be time left, squeeze in a brief visit to Convento de las Descalzas Reales. Such a perfect blend of history, culture, and local color is a great feature on many best Europe tours.

Later in the afternoon, go to Plaza de España for a visit to the antiquated Temple of Debod, near Parque del Oeste; after that, head to Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida with its frescoes on the dome by Goya himself and see under the altar where the sites of the artist are buried; usually included in well-organized Europe guided tours with plenty of historical context and memorable insight.

Finish up the day with a Teleférico de Madrid cable car ride over the Manzanares River and Parque del Oeste to Casa de Campo, followed by dinner and drinks at a lakeside tavern, delightful experiences present in many popular Europe tours, combining breathtaking views and genuine local charm.

Afterwards, it is time to continue your journey to Rome. We suggest booking the flight between 10:00 and 12:00. This will allow you to have your last breakfast in Madrid before going to the airport to catch the flight to Rome.

Welcome to Rome! Upon arrival, you will have to go through customs and immigration. Should you arrange for the transfer to your hotel, your representative will meet you as soon as you emerge from immigration. Next, you will check into your hotel and, more importantly, resist the temptation to fall into jet lag sleep, so many exciting experiences included in popular Europe tours await you!

In the afternoon, we recommend that you concentrate on visiting the main attractions situated between Palatine Hill and the Spanish Steps. Begin by taking a trip to the Roman Colosseum and gaze upon the greatest architectural splendor of Rome. You might want to consider joining our optional Europe guided tours like the 'Ancient Rome Half-Day Walking Tour,' through which you will witness all the famous sites of ancient Rome, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

Night-time will find you heading to Trastevere either by bus or metro. This ancient quarter features numerous restaurants and bars for all budgets and tastes, along with a variety of entertainment options, making it a popular highlight on many of the best Europe tours for an authentic and lively Roman evening experience.

Rise early today and make your way to the Vatican. You might consider purchasing our optional tour, 'Skip the Lines: Vatican Museums Walking Tour including Sistine Chapel, Raphael's Rooms, and St. Peter's Basilica.' This will enable you to skip the long queue and enjoy one of the biggest art collections, truly an experience too grand for a mere tourist to cherish, aided by a local expert who will reveal the stories and secrets hidden within the walls of the Museums, originally intended for the exclusive pleasure of the Pope. See live masterpieces like Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam while roaming the splendor of the Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s Rooms. From the enjoyment of the Museums and experiencing Saint Peter’s Basilica with its glories, yielding to the thrills of another of Michelangelo’s wonders, La Pietà, this journey is a highlight on many of the best Europe tours. End your trip by admiring the marvelous Saint Peter’s Square while learning Bernini’s ingenuity in using optical illusion from your guide, an unforgettable feature in top-rated Europe guided tours. This incredible Vatican experience is often included in popular Europe vacation packages, making it easy to explore one of the world’s greatest cultural treasures.

Have lunch after the church service, then come down to the old Post Office to mail a letter from the world's smallest country. With a full belly and spirits raised, enjoy a leisurely walk down the Tiber River. Along the stretch of the river, check out Castel Sant'Angelo or Villa Farnesina, with its frescoes by the Botanical Gardens, for a Roman Renaissance experience. Cross over the river and take pleasure in meandering through neighborhoods and alleys flanking Piazza Navona and Campo de Fiori (flower market). This route is a beautiful slice of many well-known Europe tours & vacations that balance history, culture, and local life. When hunger strikes again, there will be plenty to eat while the bars and clubs keep the town alive into the small hours. Then, while you are all glammed up for dancing with the locals, you can venture south of town into Testaccio, a vivid highlight often included in curated Europe tours. These kinds of experiences produce those unforgettable memories found in top Europe vacation packages.

Spend the morning walking around the Capitoline Museums, first established as one of the oldest museums in the world, and housing relics and artworks from ancient Rome. The three museums, joined by the underground passageway, display exhibits from the gigantic bronze head of Constantine to the snake-haired locks of Bernini's Medusa cultural treasure often cited in the list of classic Europe tours. Dinner with a view of the river in front of Isola Tiberina offers a quiet respite from history intertwined with local charm, being a trademark feature of several Europe vacation packages. Experiences of this nature shed light on the well-thought-out balance between art, history, and leisure that are served by the best Europe tours & vacations.

Late in the afternoon, you may want to check out some lesser-known sights, including the Baths of Diocletian at Piazza Repubblica. The most spacious bathhouse of its age, it dates back to 300 A.D., sporting the Octagonal Hall, a neoclassical interior now but formerly based its function as a gymnasium for Romans-an intriguing stop that appears in special Europe guided tours. Touring such architectural marvels adds more depth to many Europe vacation packages, affording more dimensions than the usual routings. It is these off-the-beaten-path experiences that set apart the best Europe tours, helping you more to affiliate with the ancient heart of Rome.

Breakfast will be served in the comfort of your room to commence the day. After enjoying your very last breakfast, check out of the hotel. The smooth and stress-free end to the trip is what makes the best Europe tours focus on comfort and convenience. It will be your return journey when you arrive at the airport; hence, it is best to arrange for a private transfer in which a representative will pick you up from the hotel and drop you off at the airport just in time to catch your flight is usually included in Europe vacation packages. These little touches make Europe guided tours a great way to truly experience the continent from beginning to end.