Mediterranean Coastal Journey: Spain, France, And Italy

You’re on your way to the Mediterranean coast for a journey connecting the Spanish, French and Italian Rivieras. From chameleonic Barcelona to sun-kissed Nice; from glamorous Monaco to the rolling hills of the Chianti countryside, embark on a coastal journey combining rich scenery, art, culture, food, and wine.

Welcome to the Mediterranean coast. Begin your journey in the spirited city of Barcelona, famed for its exceptional architecture and vibrant culinary scene. Settle in for a 3-night stay in this cosmopolitan city. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Today dinner will be included.

This morning, explore the ever-changing Catalonian capital as it was meant to be explored – on foot. Ramble along the bustling La Rambla boulevard, famous for its street artists and performers. Wander along the Gothic Quarter’s labyrinthine streets and delve into one of Barcelona’s lively food markets. This afternoon, gain a different perspective on Barcelona during a panoramic tour showcasing the expansive Plaça de Catalunya and the Columbus Monument. End at the hilltop Parc Güell (UNESCO), an enormous garden with stunning and distinct architectural elements designed by the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Today breakfast will be included.

The day is yours to explore the city. You may want to visit Gaudi most famous work at La Sagrada Familia.* Perhaps visit Palau de la Musica Catalana, one of the most emblematic works of Catalan modernism right in the heart of Barcelona? Or walk through Poble Espayol, where you will find representative examples of popular Spanish architecture and some great local food! However you choose to spend your day, gather in the afternoon to visit Casa Batlló. Locally known as the House of Bones, this is one of Gaudí's masterpieces. As the day draws to a close, dine on traditional Catalan specialties at a farmhouse turned restaurant. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

**On the rare occasion when the Sagrada Família in Barcelona should not be available, you will visit another top attraction instead.

Set out for Girona, a medieval town known for its atmospheric Old Quarter. Explore the Barri Vell in the company of 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. Costa Brava is an incredibly alluring place, and the perfect region to spend your days relaxing in your sea-view room or exploring its secluded coves and beaches. This evening, relax over dinner at your hotel. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

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 the surreal outside architecture of the Dalí Theatre-Museum matches the artist’s legendary works inside. Today breakfast will be included.

Bid adiós to Spain this morning as you cross into France during a full-day transfer. Along the way, pause at the Abbey of Fontfroide founded almost 10 centuries ago. Explore its tumultuous history during a guided visit that concludes with lunch and a taste of its locally produced wine. Check into your hotel in the early evening and make yourself at home in multicultural Marseille, France’s second-largest city. Tonight, gather for an Impact Moment that comes in the form of dinner at a socially responsible restaurant that uses its profits to provide meals to the impoverished for a symbolic cost. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

Founded over 26 centuries ago, Marseille is France’s oldest city. In the company of an expert guide, explore Le Panier district, the city’s eminently walkable old town. Narrow lanes lined with flowers and street-art embellished facades suddenly open onto the blue waters of the Old Port, the city’s museum and cultural hub. The area was entirely rejuvenated when Marseille was elected European Capital of Culture in 2013. Then, it’s your choice! Delve into the area’s prehistoric past with a visit to the Cosquer Cave, an outstanding example of primitive rock art admirably replicated in the Villa Méditerranée Museum -OR- hop on a local ferry and discover one of the city’s heritage trades during a visit to the museum of “Marseille” soap, which has been crafted in the area for over 600 years. The afternoon is yours. Perhaps you’ll venture to the hilltop cathedral of Notre Dame offering panoramic views of the city or take a scenic cruise of the Calanques National Park, or maybe you’ll join an optional excursion to a winery to learn about local production and sample their vintages. Today breakfast will be included.

Let the colors and light of southern France captivate you as you explore Aix-en-Provence. Acquaint yourself with the Provençale lifestyle by 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. Today breakfast will be included.

The day is yours to explore Nice. Perhaps you’ll stroll along the lively seafront Promenade des Anglais before finding your favorite café and soaking in the local life. Or join an optional tour of 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 a nez (nose) before returning to Nice for an evening at leisure. This evening, savor a tasting menu highlighting the delights of the South of France. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

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 for a 3-night stay in the Italian Riviera. Today breakfast will be included.

***The Little Train tour operates from February to mid-November. In the other months, you will transfer to the Monte Carlo district by public bus.

Make your way across Genoa’s old town during a walking tour of this ancient Maritime Republic, once so affluent that it rivalled Venice. For lunch, savor flavors of the Italian Riviera at a local restaurant renowned for its cheese-filled focaccia and homemade walnut sauce. Later this afternoon, board a boat*** to one of the most glamorous spots on the Italian Riviera. Spend time in Portofino. Take in its colorful harbor, dotted with fishing boats and yachts set against a backdrop of pastel-colored buildings. Today breakfast and lunch will be included.

****The boat ride to Portofino operates on a weather permitting basis between March and early November. When the weather is uncooperative, you will still visit Portofino, but you will travel there by public bus.

Spend the day exploring the colorful cliff-side villages of Cinque Terre.**** Take in the picturesque, rugged coastline dotted with terraced vineyards as you travel by rail. Make your way through this seemingly inaccessible string of fishing villages, nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Today breakfast will be included.

*****Traveling to Cinque Terre requires the ability to climb 3 one-foot-tall steps holding on to 'pool-ladder' style railings in order to board the trains. The trains are crowded, and seating is not guaranteed. Trains are subject to delays and prone to public transportation strikes.

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.***** Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

******Check in to your Tuscan villa accommodations will be after dinner, approximately 9:30 p.m. Villas in Tuscany are dotted throughout the region and we use different properties on this program. Some may be located in the countryside, others may be closer to a city center.

Let a memorable epicurean adventure commence with a truffle hunt,****** led by a local expert and trained, truffle-sniffing dogs. Set out on foot through rolling hills and silvery olive groves in search of the elusive tuber-shaped fungi before sampling the results for lunch. Then spend time in San Gimignano, whose slender medieval towers stand tall over the surrounding vineyards. As the sun begins to set, gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at your hotel. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

*******The truffle hunting activity takes place in the countryside on unpaved paths and in wooded areas. To participate you must wear comfortable, sturdy walking or hiking shoes. Waterproof shoes are recommended as mud and puddles are common in the area.

Say arrivederci to Italy as your journey along the Mediterranean coast comes to an end today. Today breakfast will be included.