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, Saturday March 28: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Sunday March 29: Barcelona

¡Bienvenidos a España! Arrive in Barcelona, capital of Catalonia and Spain’s second largest city. Take time to stroll through the old town and acquaint yourself with this vibrant culture. (D)

Day 3, Monday March 30: Barcelona

Begin your day with a panoramic sightseeing tour. Your local guide will point out the major highlights of Barcelona, from the Gothic Quarter to the unique Gaudí designs along the Passeig de Gràcia, and will make a stop outside his masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia. Antoni Gaudí, one of Catalonia's most famous sons, was a Modernist architect whose distinctive style is revered to this day. Later, stroll through his whimsical Parc Güell for a sweeping view over the city, and also enjoy a visit inside one of the city's unique Gaudí-designed houses, either Casa Batlló or La Pedrera. Later discover the Gothic Quarter by foot including entrance to the Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia. (B,D)

Day 4, Tuesday March 31: Provence

Depart this morning across the French border for the medieval walled city of Carcassonne. See the well-preserved fortified center before continuing to lovely Provence dinner and a night’s rest. (B,D)

Day 5, Wednesday April 1: Provence

Explore Avignon in the morning. View the imposing Papal Palace and Pont Saint-Bénézet (famous from the children's song). Then visit the nearby 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, Thursday April 2: 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 enjoy a boat ride along the Seine. (B,D)

Day 7, Friday April 3: 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 art theme continues in the afternoon with a Paint Paris painting lesson and walking tour of Montmartre. As you explore this artistic haven—once the haunt of luminaries like Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Claude Monet—a local artist explains the area's history and instructs you in painting techniques important to French art history for capturing its streets and buildings. You may even dine with some real artists this evening at an authentic French dinner on the Place du Tertre at the heart of Montmartre. (B,D)

Day 8, Saturday April 4: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)