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Lisbon, Portugal
Arrive from Beijing via connection (likely Frankfurt or Doha). Head straight to Alfama district for pastéis de nata at Pastéis de Belém (open 8am–11pm, expect queues). Pre-book the timed-entry ticket for Jerónimo Monastery (€10, closes at 6pm). One full day: walk Belém Tower in the morning, tram 28 through Alfama in the afternoon, dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro for fresh seafood (book online, opens 12pm–12am, closed Mondays). Take the overnight or early morning flight/train to Madrid next day.
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Madrid, Spain
Fly Lisbon–Madrid (1h 20min, TAP/Iberia, ~€60–120, book in advance). Stay near Malasaña or Chueca for nightlife and tapas. Must-do: Museo del Prado (book timed entry online, opens 10am–8pm Mon–Sat, free 6–8pm); Reina Sofía for Picasso's Guernica (closed Tuesdays). Lunch at Mercado de San Miguel (open 10am–12am). Dinner Day 1: Sobrino de Botín, world's oldest restaurant, book weeks ahead (+34 91 366 4217, open 1–4pm & 8pm–12am). Day 2: day trip to Toledo (45 min by AVE, €15 return, book at Renfe.com). Day 3 morning: Retiro Park & Royal Palace (book online, open 10am–8pm). Take AVE high-speed train to Barcelona (2h 30min, €30–80, book at Renfe.com).
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Barcelona, Spain
AVE Madrid–Barcelona departs Atocha, arrives Sants (book Renfe in advance). Stay in Eixample for central access to Gaudí sites. Book Sagrada Família timed entry months in advance (open 9am–8pm, €26+); also pre-book Casa Batlló (open 9am–9pm, €35) and Park Güell morning slot (€10, 8–9:30am slot is quietest). Day 1 afternoon: La Boqueria Market (open 8am–8:30pm Mon–Sat) and Gothic Quarter stroll. Dinner at Bar del Pla (tapas, book via TheFork, open 12pm–11pm). Day 2: Barceloneta Beach morning, afternoon Picasso Museum (book online, closed Mondays). Dinner at Tickets (Albert Adrià restaurant, book exactly 2 months ahead at 9am on ticketsbar.es, open Tue–Sat). Day 3: Montjuïc Castle + MNAC museum. Fly Barcelona–Rome (2h, Vueling/Ryanair, ~€40–100, book ahead).
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Rome, Italy
Fly Barcelona–Rome Fiumicino (FCO), take Leonardo Express train to city center (€14, 32 min, runs every 15 min). Stay near Trastevere or Monti for authentic neighbourhood feel. Day 1: Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel — MUST book online months ahead (open 9am–6pm Mon–Sat, last entry 4pm, €20+); St. Peter's Basilica is free but expect queues. Dinner in Trastevere at Da Enzo al 29 (book via email weeks ahead, open 12:30–3pm & 7:30–11pm, closed Sunday evenings). Day 2: Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill — book combined ticket online (open 9am–sunset, ~€16); Borghese Gallery requires advance booking (open 9am–7pm, closed Mondays, max 360 visitors per 2h slot at galleriaborghese.it). Lunch at Supplì Roma (street food, no booking needed). Day 3: Pantheon (now requires ticket, €5, open 9am–7pm), Trevi Fountain early morning, Campo de' Fiori market (mornings only). Farewell dinner at Roscioli (book weeks ahead via roscioli.com, open Mon–Sat 12:30–4pm & 7:30pm–12am). Fly Rome to Beijing on 10.10 (direct options: Air China CA/Hainan HU, ~10–11h).