Arrive Barcelona (following overnight flight from Calgary), transfer to central hotel and drop luggage — aim to check in or at least leave bags to start exploring. Most hotels allow luggage drop; formal check-in times vary (typically 2–3pm).
Famous market stalls and Bar Pinotxo offer fresh fruit, coffee and tapas for a lively Catalan breakfast; market generally opens from 8:00am. Great way to taste local flavors and plan the day.
Self-guided stroll through historic narrow streets, Plaça Reial and La Rambla to soak up Roman and medieval Barcelona; open access and best enjoyed on foot.
Classic tapas lunch — Ciudad Condal is a reliable sit-down choice near Passeig de Gràcia; El Quim is inside La Boqueria for market-to-table tapas. Both open midday (approx 12:30–3pm).
Popular tapas spot near Eixample offering a wide variety; arrive early or expect a wait — typically open evenings from 7pm. Good introduction to Catalan cuisine.
Antoni Gaudí’s monumental basilica — book a timed slot (generally opens ~9:00am) and allow time to appreciate interiors and towers; one of Barcelona’s must-see sites.
Gaudí’s colorful park with panoramic city views; the Monumental Zone requires a timed-ticket (check current opening times ~9:00–20:00 in Sep), so book ahead and go mid-afternoon for softer light.
Take the funicular and cable car up to Montjuïc to visit the 17th-century castle for panoramic views; castle open around 10:00am (check current hours).
Catch an early flight (approx 1h25) from Barcelona to Nice to maximize your Monaco day; low-cost and regional carriers operate this route (check exact schedules).
Stroll Monaco-Ville (the old town) and see the Palace exterior and daily changing of the guard; palace interior has seasonal opening times (check before going; often opens 10:00–18:00).
Stroll the glamorous Casino Square and the surrounding Belle Époque architecture and gardens (entry to casino requires dress code and a fee; gardens are free).
Take late afternoon/evening train to Nice then an evening flight back to Barcelona; expect total return travel time of ~3–4 hours depending on connections.
Guided tours of the modernist concert hall show stunning stained glass and architecture; tours typically run in the late morning and must be booked (approx 1 hour).
Return to hotel, collect luggage and head to Barcelona El Prat Airport for evening flight to Venice; leave 3–4 hours before international flights for peace of mind.
Evening flight to Venice Marco Polo or Treviso (approx 1.5–2 hours); arrive Venice in the evening and transfer to hotel — most flights depart late afternoon/evening.
Visit the iconic Piazza San Marco and enter St. Mark’s Basilica (check timed-entry; basilica generally opens around 9:30–10:00). Expect lines; book skip-the-line if possible.
Short gondola ride (approx 30–40 minutes) or take the ACTV vaporetto Line 1 for a budget-friendly Grand Canal experience; gondolas operate all day, vaporettos run regularly.
Explore the Rialto area and vibrant fish/produce market (best in morning, but area is still lively in afternoon); great for photos and local craft shopping.
Vaporetto to Murano to see glass-blowing demonstrations and visit the Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro), generally open 10:00–17:00; morning arrival avoids crowds.
Continue to colorful Burano for lace shops and photos, then quick stop at quieter Torcello island for historic basilica remains; vaporettos connect islands throughout the day.
Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and (optional) climb Brunelleschi's dome or Giotto's bell tower; Duomo complex has opening hours usually from 10:00–17:00 (check current times and book dome slots).
Cross the Ponte Vecchio to visit Pitti Palace and the adjacent Boboli Gardens for views and relaxed walking (gardens open 8:15–19:30 in season; check times).
Optional guided half-day or full-day tour to Chianti wineries or the medieval city of Siena; tours usually depart early (approx 8:00) and return evening.
If in Chianti, visit 1–2 wineries for tastings and light lunch, open by appointment; if Siena, explore Piazza del Campo and Duomo (Duomo often open 10:00–17:00).
Half-day private or group boat to see coastline, grottoes and optional short stop at Capri (book in advance); many boat tours begin mid-morning and run 3–5 hours.
Travel up to Ravello to visit Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone for sweeping cliff-top gardens and panoramic terraces; gardens usually open from morning to late afternoon.
Return to Amalfi town to visit the Duomo di Amalfi and the Museo della Carta (paper museum) to learn local craft history; attractions typically open midday to late afternoon.
Stunning cliff-top hike from Agerola/Bomerano to Nocelle with dramatic views of the Amalfi coastline; plan for 3–4 hours and wear good shoes. Trails are open year-round but check weather conditions.
Drive or ferry+bus to Naples/Salerno then hop a high-speed train to Rome (approx 1–1.5 hours from Naples to Rome); travel time total ~3–4 hours depending on connections.
Visit the Colosseum and the adjacent Forum and Palatine Hill; buy combined timed tickets or guided tours to avoid lines. Sites generally open around 8:30–9:00am.
Pre-book a timed ticket for the Vatican Museums to view the Sistine Chapel and Raphael rooms; museums typically open around 9:00 and close mid-to-late afternoon (check exact hours).
Visit St. Peter’s Basilica (free entry) and optionally climb to the dome for panoramic city views (dome usually open 7:00–6:00 in season; climb has a fee).
Wander the charming lanes of Trastevere, visit Santa Maria in Trastevere church and enjoy aperitivo in the piazza; this neighborhood is lively in the late afternoon and evening.
Early breakfast and final packing; check out of hotel and confirm airport transfer time with reception. Most hotels offer early breakfast and luggage assistance.
Allow 3–4 hours before an intercontinental flight for transfer, check-in and security; arrange private transfer or taxi (approx 45–60 minutes from central Rome depending on traffic).
Begin your return journey to Calgary. Flight schedules vary; many intercontinental itineraries include at least one connection. Confirm exact departure time and arrival details when booking.