Trip Overview

Paris, Provence and Barcelona

June 1 - 9, 2020

  • Amy Coffey
  • 276988
  • STL
  • 0 days

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Paris, Provence and Barcelona

June 1 - 9, 2020

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, Monday June 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Tuesday June 2: Barcelona

¡Bienvenidos a España! Meet your ACIS Tour Manager as you arrive in Barcelona, capital of Catalonia and Spain’s second largest city. Founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, it’s known for its artistic treasures and fine architecture, from Gothic to modernist. Take time to wander the old town and acquaint yourself with this vibrant culture, including a stroll through the narrow cobbled streets, peaceful squares and towering old buildings that characterize Barri Gòtic (the city’s Gothic Quarter) which was at times home to both Picasso and Joan Miró. (D)

Day 3, Wednesday June 3: Barcelona

Begin your day with a panoramic sightseeing tour. Our local expert will provide commentary, via personal headsets, 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. Before dinner apply your new knowledge of the artist Gaudí during a Trencadís workshop where you will create your own mosaic in his style. Take a walk down La Rambla this evening and experience the brightly lit, bustling atmosphere of Plaça de Catalunya.(B,D)

Day 4, Thursday June 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. Continue through vineyards to Provence. (B,D)

Day 5, Friday June 5: Provence

Today highlights the Roman Empire's influence on southern France as you first travel along the old Roman route of Via Domitia to Nîmes for a tour of the Roman Arena with audio guides providing context what is in front of you. Then dive even more deeply into the region's Gallo-Roman period with a visit to the Musée de la Romanité. Later continue to a true marvel of Roman engineering, the Pont du Gard, a 161-foot tall bridge aqueduct that's still standing nearly 2,000 years after its construction. Our tour offers an exclusive guided visit to the third floor and its exceptional views. (B,D)

Day 6, Saturday June 6: Paris

Travel on one of the fastest trains in Europe, the high-speed TGV, to Paris. The journey takes just over 2.5 hours and brings you to the City of Light in time for a guided afternoon sightseeing tour. An expert local guide gives you a taste of French history, from the monumental Arc de Triomphe to Napoleon's final resting place at Les Invalides to the gargoyles of Notre Dame. Then visit eclectic Montmartre, once the haunt of luminaries like Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Claude Monet. Then you will be served an authentic French dinner on the Place du Tertre—a square at the heart of Montmartre. (B,D)

Day 7, Sunday June 7: Paris

This morning breeze by the crowds with your timed entrance to the Louvre 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. Later you will get hands-on with French culinary traditions during our cooking lesson. A local chef teaches you to make classic dishes before you sample the delicious results. Tonight, ascend to the third floor of the Eiffel Tower for views over this magnificent city. (B,D)

Day 8, Monday June 8: Paris

Today, travel to Versailles to visit the intricate gardens and stunning palace of the Sun King, Louis the XIV. Your visit includes the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, and the breathtaking surroundings. Don't worry if you don't have time to cover every room of his vast palace. The best stuff is all in the gardens and grounds: all 1,976-acre gardens, 200,000 trees, 50 fountains and 620 jets of water worth. Return to Paris and enjoy time to explore more at your own pace. Perhaps visit a lesser-known attraction such as the catacombs or the Musee Marmottan-Monet, home to the famous artist's Impression, Sunrise, from which the Impressionist artistic movement purportedly drew its name. Tonight you may choose to enjoy an optional dinner at Le Boeuf sur Le Toit, a famous restaurant that once served as the cultural hub of Parisian high society in the Roaring 20s and was known for its spirited intellectual gatherings of artists, musicians, writers and fashionistas. (B,D)

Day 9, Tuesday June 9: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)

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