Barcelona to the Côte d'Azur
March 13 - 22, 2020
- Maria Cochran
- 272791
- DSM
- 0 days
Announcements & Reminders
- Best Spring Break Ever!: Dear Future Participants: You are invited to join me on a thrilling journey to two of the most beautiful countries in Europe: Spain and France. We will start the tour in the elegant Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, a province of Spain. Barcelona is famous for its most unique architecture, world renowned museums, and colorful busy streets. Over the next eight days, we will be traveling along the cost of Spain and Southern France, enjoying stunning natural views and immersing ourselves in the ancient and modern culture of Southern Europe. This itinerary is impressively diverse and should appeal to travelers with different tastes. If you are a lover of nature, you will enjoy the Mediterranean at its most beautiful: dramatic cliffs over azure blue waters. If you are a history buff, you are in for a treat: over the tour, we will span 2000 years of history. If you are a people watcher, you will certainly enjoy walking busy vibrant streets of Barcelona, Marseilles,and Nice with its chic stores and elegant cafes. These ten days of Spring Break will be packed with adventure and new impressions! I truly hope you can join us! Please contact me at mecochran@dmacc.edu (515) 964-6482 (DMACC office) or (515) 451-9373 (cell--can send texts) Read More
Itinerary
The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.
Day 1, Friday March 13: Overnight Flight
Depart from the USA.
Day 2, Saturday March 14: Barcelona
Arrive in the coastal city of Barcelona, the capital of Cataluña. Take the afternoon to get acquainted with Spain’s most cosmopolitan city. (D)
Day 3, Sunday March 15: Barcelona
Today visit one of the most visited museums in Spain, the Dalí Museum, in Figueres. Housed in a reconstructed theater, the museum displays an extensive collection of Salvador Dalí’s most celebrated works. Return to Barcelona for a panoramic sightseeing tour. Our local expert will point out, via personal headsets, all the major highlights of Barcelona, including the unique Gaudí-designed houses. Antoni Gaudí, one of Catalonia’s most famous 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. (B,D)
Day 4, Monday March 16: Carcassonne
This morning enjoy a Barcelona by bike tour through lovely Ciutadella Park, and the nearby Olympic Port. Then continue to Carcassonne to explore the country's most famous walled city. View the Château Comtal and learn the story of how the city got its name. (B,D)
Day 5, Tuesday March 17: Provence
Begin your day with a visit to Nîmes, a city full of Roman history and known for textiles. In fact, denim, the fabric of blue jeans, derives its name from Nîmes. Get to know the city and its Roman Arena with an audio-guided tour. Then it's on to the awe-inspiring Pont du Gard, a 161-foot-tall aqueduct still standing almost 2,000 years after it was built—a testament to the Romans’ expert engineering skills. Our tour gives you access to the exclusive third level, where you can look out across the French countryside. (B,D)
Day 6, Wednesday March 18: Marseille
Today visit charming Avignon, whose stunning walls and architecture stem in part from its temporary service as the Papacy seat during the 1300s. Then journey through the Provençal countryside to Aix-en-Provence and take in the beauty that inspired Cézanne. Continue to the port city of Marseille where you'll spend your night. (B,D)
Day 7, Thursday March 19: Marseille
The recently revitalized 2600-year-old city of Marseille welcomes you today. See the vieux port, Notre Dame de la Garde and Longchamp Palace on your guided sightseeing tour. Be sure to try the city’s famous bouillabaisse for lunch! This afternoon, cruise along the coast to view the stunning Calanques, high gorge-like rock formations that reach deep down into the blue sea. (B,D)
Day 8, Friday March 20: Cote d'Azur
Today travel up the eastern coast to the Côte d'Azur's cosmopolitan capital, Nice. There, we'll introduce you to the romantic sights of Vieux Nice. Enjoy time this afternoon to explore and soak up the Mediterranean culture of the Côte d'Azur. Tonight's highlight is a socca tasting . This type of chickpea crêpe is a popular local street food in Nice and makes for a delicious dinner. (B,D)
Day 9, Saturday March 21: Cote d'Azur
Take a scenic drive to Monaco, the glamorous residence of the rich and famous and home of the Grimaldi royal family. Then continue along the corniche to the village of Eze with its castle ruins and steep streets. Visit the Jardin Exotique, an amazing cliffside botanical garden, and tour the Fragonard Perfume Factory to learn about the town’s fragrant history before heading back to the Côte d'Azur for your final evening in France. (B,D)
Day 10, Sunday March 22: Departure
Depart for the USA. (B)
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