Cultures of the Mediterranean

  • 10 Days
  • Explorer Value Trip

We're always ready to personalize
a tour to your unique needs

Cultures of the Mediterranean Get Started

Map & Route

Depart

Overnight Flight

1 1 Night

Barcelona

2 2 Nights

Provence

1 1 Night

Nice

2 2 Nights

Montecatini

1 1 Night

Rome

2 2 Nights
Return
map Cultures of the Mediterranean

What's Included

Our itineraries reflect 40 years of experience in crafting exceptional educational tours. That means we know exactly how to make the best of your time abroad—incredible destinations, immersive activities, centrally located hotels, and smart, well-traveled tour managers who ensure your educational goals are met. Here are some of the exceptional features of this tour.

ACIS Guarantees

We have high standards, which is why we take care to include these features in every tour.

Round-Trip Flights

Leave the airlines to us.

3-Star Hotels

After a busy day, comfort is key.

Centrally Located Hotels

Save the commuting time, beat the morning crowds and keep right on exploring after dark when your hotel is in the heart of the city.

Daily Breakfast and Dinner (unless otherwise noted)

Delicious, authentic, multi-course dinners at local restaurants with meal times tailored to maximize your experience.

24-Hour Tour Manager

Part guide, part educator, part engineer, part mind-reader, part magician—ACIS Tour Managers are your travel partner.

Start Exploring

Never wait hours at the airport to share a transfer with other later groups.

Service Guarantee

We're so sure you're going to love your tour, we guarantee it!

Global Network

24/7 on the ground support whenever and wherever you need it.

All Local Transportation

Urban transportation is on us, allowing you to explore each destination with ease.

Personal Headsets Included Throughout Tour

Participants will have unlimited access to personal headsets so that local guides and ACIS Tour Managers can more easily communicate with the group along the way.

Exceptional Experiences

Our tours are designed to help you and your students be in the moment and experience everything the world has to offer.

Pétanque Lesson in Nice

Pétanque Lesson in Nice

A traditional French pastime dating back to the 18th century, the game of boules lyonnaises involves throwing a heavy metal ball as close as possible to a smaller target ball. In boules lyonnaises, players typically have a run up to their throw. The game is the ancestor of the more well-known pétanque—in which players remain stationary while throwing— which was developed by a French boules lyonnaises player whose health prevented him from running. In Nice, you'll enjoy a lesson on the rules and strategy for play with an expert.

Learn More

A traditional French pastime dating back to the 18th century, the game of boules lyonnaises involves throwing a heavy metal ball as close as possible to a smaller target ball. In boules lyonnaises, players typically have a run up to their throw. The game is the ancestor of the more well-known pétanque—in which players remain stationary while throwing— which was developed by a French boules lyonnaises player whose health prevented him from running. In Nice, you'll enjoy a lesson on the rules and strategy for play with an expert.

Barcelona Tour with Guide

Barcelona Tour with Guide

Sagrada Familia with Guide and Reservation

Sagrada Familia with Guide and Reservation

Parc Güell with Guide and Reservation

Parc Güell with Guide and Reservation

Palais des Papes and Pont St. Bénézet

Palais des Papes and Pont St. Bénézet

Pisa Cathedral

Pisa Cathedral

Florence Tour with Guide

Florence Tour with Guide

Rome Tour with Guide

Rome Tour with Guide

Vatican Museums with Guide and Reservation

Vatican Museums with Guide and Reservation

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica

Colosseum with Guide and Reservation

Colosseum with Guide and Reservation

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Spain
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France
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Italy

Spain

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Itinerary

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Barcelona

Arrive in Barcelona, meet your ACIS Tour Manager, and begin to explore this historic city. Founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, it’s known for its artistic treasures and fine architecture, from Gothic to modernist. Perhaps take in the Picasso Museum, home to more than 3,000 works by the famous artist, or visit the city’s intriguing Maritime Museum.

Day 3: Barcelona

Begin your day with a panoramic sightseeing tour. Our local expert will provide commentary on all the major highlights of Barcelona including the unique Gaudí-designed houses. Antoni Gaudí, one of Catalonia’s most notable sons, was a Modernist architect whose distinctive style is revered to this day. After, you’ll be able to study the intricate design inside and out of his still-unfinished Sagrada Familia and stroll whimsical Parc Güell. Take a walk down La Rambla this evening and experience the brightly lit, bustling atmosphere of Plaça de Catalunya.

Day 4: Provence

Cross the Pyrénées to France. Your first stop is the medieval city of Carcassonne, whose ramparts and towers are so well-preserved that they have been featured in movies. Then journey along the route of an old Roman road, the Via Domitia, to Provence, the first Roman province established beyond the Alps.

Day 5: Nice

Visit Avignon, home to stunning architecture and a beautiful example of a fully walled city. Explore the town and enjoy entrance to the imposing Papal Palace (the city temporarily replaced Rome as the Papacy seat during the 1300s), including the provision of interactive Histopads that use augmented reality to enhance your discovery and knowledge of this historic monument. Then visit the famous Pont Saint-Bénezet. Continue to the French Riviera for the night.

Day 6: Nice

Today we'll introduce you to the romantic sights of Vieux Nice during an orientation tour led by your ACIS Tour Manager. As you explore its history and culture, enjoy the city's many fine attractions, from Place Massena to the winding streets of the Old Town to dazzling Mediterranean views. Enjoy time this afternoon to soak up more of the Mediterranean culture of the Côte d'Azur at your own pace. Then practice your sporting French vocabulary with local experts who teach you how to play the traditional French game pétanque. Similar to lawn bowling, the sport dates back to the early 1900s. Tonight, perhaps take an evening stroll along the waterfront.

Day 7: Montecatini

Bid adieu to France as you cross into Italy and arrive in Pisa. Visit the Cathedral and marvel at the iconic Leaning Tower—the Cathedral’s bell tower. Next stop: Tuscany, a region famous for spawning giants in the fields of art and literature, including Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Dante and Leonardo da Vinci.

Day 8: Rome

Today begins with a sightseeing tour of Florence where a local guide provides commentary while showing you Brunelleschi's splendid Duomo, Ghiberti's famous Baptistry Doors, Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria—the political center of the Renaissance city. Then perhaps satisfy your sweet tooth at some of the area's best gelaterias before continuing on to Rome.

Day 9: Rome

Rome is called “The Eternal City” because the ancient Romans believed that no matter what empires rose and fell, Rome would endure forever. Today's panoramic drive of the city is a great introduction to the many phases of Roman history. Our local expert accompanies you through the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. The best part is that these are timed entrances, meaning you'll breeze right by the long lines facing other tourists. Then go inside the iconic and historic Colosseum with a local guide (another line-avoiding timed reservation) and learn the many stories of this nearly 2,000-year-old Roman landmark that's considered one of the architectural wonders of the ancient world. In the evening join the locals for a passeggiata romana with your tour manager, strolling past illuminated landmarks such as the Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.

Day 10: Departure

Depart for the USA.

Optional Extras

Ultimate-Plus Protection Plan

Most Enhanced health coverage, program interruption, baggage delay/loss and travel delay protection while on tour. Plus, enhanced medical/job loss cancellation refund policy

Rate $500

Add to Tour

Ultimate Protection Plan

Enhanced health coverage, program interruption, baggage delay/loss and travel delay protection while on tour. Plus, enhanced medical/job loss cancellation refund policy

Rate $350

Add to Tour

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