Barcelona to Paris

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, Tuesday June 14: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Wednesday June 15: 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, Thursday June 16: Barcelona

Begin your day with a panoramic sightseeing tour. Our local expert will point out 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. Then switch your mode of transport for a Barcelona by bike tour through lovely Ciutadella Park, and the nearby Olympic Port. (B,D)

Day 4, Friday June 17: Carcassonne

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. 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, Saturday June 18: 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 Roman aqueduct preserved in almost perfect condition. A true wonder of Roman engineering, the 161-foot tall bridge is still standing nearly 2,000 years after its construction and your ticket includes access to the wealth of information available on the structure's history, architecture and more in the excellent on-site museum. (B,D)

Day 6, Sunday June 19: Provence

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. (B,D)

Day 7, Monday June 20: Paris

Begin your day by traveling on one of the fastest trains in Europe, the high-speed TGV, to Paris. After arriving in the City of Light, a guided sightseeing tour takes you past some of the most famous attractions in Paris. Your expert local guide will show you the magnificent Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées, Napoleon's final resting place at Les Invalides and the Gothic wonder of Notre Dame. This evening perhaps explore your hotel's quartier. (B,D)

Day 8, Tuesday June 21: Paris

This morning local experts will teach you how to play the traditional French game of pétanque before you enjoy an afternoon to shop for souvenirs or perhaps discover the vibrant intellectual and cultural atmosphere of the Latin Quarter. Then visit eclectic Montmartre where you will explore this artistic haven—once the haunt of luminaries like Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Claude Monet—. In the evening you will be served an authentic French dinner on the Place du Tertre—a square at the heart of Montmartre. (B,D)

Day 9, Wednesday June 22: Paris

Breeze by the crowds with your timed entrance to the Louvre this morning and discover the many famous masterpieces that call it home. Insightful commentary from your local guide highlights the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo and more as you wander through the galleries. From its beginnings as a royal fortress to its current status as the world's most visited art museum, the Louvre has long been at the center of Parisian culture and home to a collection of 35,000 works of art from around the world. The afternoon is free to explore more of Paris. After dinner your tour manager will show you the dazzling shops, cafés and bustling sidewalks of the Champs-Élysées before you ascend to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy the spectacular view of twelve of Paris's Grands Boulevards which extend from the monument like spokes on a wheel to the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre. (B,D)

Day 10, Thursday June 23: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)