Mediterranean Coastal Journey Spain, France & Italy (Barcelona to Tuscan Countryside) (2024)

Gain a different perspective on Barcelona during a panoramic tour showcasing the expansive Plaça de Catalunya, the Columbus Monument, and Antoni Gaudí’s Batllo House and Casa Mila building. Choose between visiting Catalunya’s National Museum of Art with a local guide or ascending the Montjuïc Castle via a cable car for bird-eye views over the bustling port. In the afternoon, visit the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Família. As the day draws to a close, dine on traditional Catalan specialties at a farmhouse turned restaurant.

Set out for Girona, a medieval town known for its atmospheric Old Quarter. Explore the Barri Vell with a local guide and enjoy some free time to stroll along its riverbanks. Admire Girona’s colorful houses before heading to the Catalonian coast for a 2-night stay at a seaside hotel (or similar) in Costa Brava. Spend your days relaxing in your sea-view room or exploring its secluded coves and beaches.

Take in the Spanish coastline during a coastal walk between the charming villages of Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc. Then, travel to nearby Figueres, where you'll visit the surreal Dalí Theatre-Museum. After exploring the mind-boggling art of Salvador Dalí, continue on to the medieval village of Besalú. In the evening, relax over dinner at your hotel.

Explore France’s oldest city, Marseille, with an expert guide. Wander through the eminently walkable Le Panier district and the city’s cultural hub, the Old Port. Choose between delving into the area’s prehistoric past with a visit to the Cosquer Cave at the Villa Méditerranée Museum or discovering one of the city’s heritage trades at the museum of “Marseille” soap. The afternoon is yours to explore further. Perhaps venture to the hilltop cathedral of Notre Dame offering panoramic views of the city or take a scenic cruise of the Calanques National Park. In the evening, dine at a socially responsible restaurant that uses its profits to provide meals to the impoverished for a symbolic cost.

Let the colors and light of southern France captivate you as you explore Aix-en-Provence. Perhaps visit the atelier of Paul Cézanne, frozen in time since the painter’s death in 1906. Or acquaint yourself with the Provençale lifestyle browsing the town’s food shops in search of the perfect olive tapenade. An afternoon transfer takes you to Nice, a coastal pearl known for its legendary opulence and balmy beaches. Join an orientation walk of the old town before setting off for an evening at leisure.

The day is yours to explore Nice. Perhaps stroll along the lively seafront Promenade des Anglais before finding your favorite café and soaking in the local life. Or join an optional tour to historic St. Paul de Vence. After exploring this charming walled medieval village, continue to Grasse, the capital of French perfume. Learn the secrets of perfume making during a hands-on workshop led by an expert perfumer, affectionately referred to as nez (nose) before returning to Nice for an evening at leisure.

Bid au revoir to France this morning as you head to Monaco, the second smallest country in the world. On a walking tour, view the changing of the guards and visit the Cathedral of Monaco – the permanent resting place of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace. Explore the tiny Principality on a panoramic Little Train tour taking you across to Monte Carlo for views of its famous Casino. Take in the coastal views as you cross into Italy during an afternoon-long transfer to the bustling port city of Genoa. In the early evening, settle into your hotel (or similar) for a 3-night stay in the Italian Riviera.

A morning-long transfer takes you to Florence, the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’. Home to Italy's best art and architecture, Florence is a work of art all on its own. Marvel at Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of Paradise’ and Brunelleschi’s imposing dome at the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral complex. Take in the towering Palazzo Vecchio – the center of power of the Medici dynasty, before concluding your guided walking tour in the expansive Piazza Santa Croce. Enjoy an hour at leisure before savoring Tuscan specialties for dinner at a local restaurant. In the early evening journey further into the surrounding hills for a 2-night stay in the Tuscan countryside.