Two Weeks of Celebration: France & Spain
Some trips are about discovery, and some are simply about celebration. This one was the latter: two weeks through France and Spain with a group of friends and family, built around an epic week-long river cruise and bookended by two of Europe's most beloved cities. It was long, it was full, and it was exactly the kind of trip that reminds you why you travel with the people you love.
From wandering closed-off Parisian streets on our very first morning to a private flamenco performance in Barcelona on our last nights, this itinerary moved through some of the most iconic corners of France and Spain without ever feeling rushed. Here's how the fourteen days unfolded.
Day 1: Arriving in Paris
We landed in Paris in the early hours of the morning to a wonderful surprise: a marathon was underway, which meant Place Vendôme was completely closed to traffic. We took advantage and strolled the empty promenade before our hotel kindly let us freshen up in a temporary room ahead of check-in. From there, we hit the ground running with a bike tour around the city.
Day 2: Montmartre and the Arc de Triomphe
We started the day at Napoleon's Tomb at Les Invalides, then explored Montmartre and the atmospheric cemetery below its bridges. In the evening, we climbed to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, timing it perfectly to watch the Eiffel Tower twinkle to life below us.
Day 3: Museums, Champagne, and a Michelin Star
A day made for savoring the city properly. We visited the Musée d'Orsay, had lunch at Pink Mama, and toasted with champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower. The evening closed with an unforgettable private dinner at the Michelin-starred Astrance.
Day 4: A Day Trip to Champagne
We took a day trip out to the Champagne region, visiting Maison Ruinart, a private lunch overlooking the vineyards at La Maison Penet, and Ployez-Jacquemart, along with a stop at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims. Back in Paris that evening, we took one last stroll through the city and, of course, picked up an obligatory crepe.
Day 5: Boarding the Ama Kristina
We boarded a train to Lyon to join the Ama Kristina, kicking off a week-long river cruise down the Rhône.
Day 6: Exploring Lyon by Bike
The cruise stayed in Lyon for the day, giving us time to grab bikes from the boat and explore on our own. We rode through Parc de la Tête d'Or and wound through the charm of Old Town. That evening, we treated ourselves to another private Michelin-starred dinner, this time at Mère Brazier.
Day 7: A Winery Outside Lyon and Through the Locks
The morning took us to a charming winery just outside Lyon for a private tasting, before the boat set off for Vienne. Along the way, we passed through a series of river locks, a first for me, and honestly one of the more fascinating parts of the whole cruise to experience firsthand.
Day 8: Roman Ruins in Vienne
We arrived in Vienne for a walking tour through its remarkable Roman ruins, including the Temple d'Auguste et de Livie, the Cathedral Saint-Maurice de Vienne, and a climb up to Mont Pipet. As the afternoon wound down, we hopped back on board and set sail for Tournon, sipping a glass of wine on deck as the French countryside drifted by. The evening wrapped up with a captain's dinner in the private dining room aboard the Ama Kristina, a beautifully elegant way to end the day.
Day 9: Wine and a Ghost Tour
In Tournon, we hiked to the top of the Tain l'Hermitage vineyard for a wine tasting with sweeping views. That evening, since all guests were back on board, the boat departed early and stopped in Viviers, where we were treated to a delightfully spooky ghost tour through the city, complete with actors and moments of mystery around every corner.
Day 10: Avignon and Truffle Hunting
Avignon brought a morning bike ride along the river, a visit to the Palais des Papes, and an afternoon truffle hunt. And yes, we brought the truffles home with us.
Day 11: Following Van Gogh and a Farewell Lunch in Arles
We arrived in our final cruise stop, Arles, where the boat stayed overnight for an extra day in the city. We joined a Van Gogh walking tour through the Roman ruins, visiting the very spots that inspired his work, including the location where he painted Starry Night Over the Rhône. That evening, we gathered with the entire group for a farewell meal at L'Affenage, where we laughed and reminisced about everything we'd shared over the past week on the water.
Day 12: Onward to Barcelona
We made the journey from Arles to Barcelona by train, and it's an experience I'd highly recommend. Some of the most breathtaking coastline views of the trip unfolded right outside the window. With only two nights in the city, we made the most of our time with a self-guided sightseeing walk to La Sagrada Família and the Arc de Triomf, followed by a private food tour through the city's best bites.
Day 13: Flamenco and a Hidden Gem
More sightseeing filled the morning before the highlight of the evening: a flamenco show at Casa Sors Flamenco, an intimate stage with award-winning performers. With nearly 5 stars on Google and almost 3,500 reviews, it's easy to see why it's so beloved. The venue seats only a handful of guests, and the owner, whose grandfather originally opened the place, took us upstairs afterward for a tour of the museum and even played a few songs on his collection of custom guitars.
Onward to Madrid
Before our flight home, we made our way to Madrid for a final walking tour around the city, ending the trip the only way it could: dinner at Botín, the oldest restaurant in the world.
Celebrations like this one are exactly what Jet Lagged loves to design: big groups, unforgettable meals, and a route that never feels rushed. If you're dreaming of your own multi-country adventure with the people you love, let's start planning.
