Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
Your Mediterranean trip kicks off as you head to Barcelona. You'll have plenty of time to get settled in once you arrive, so use the rest of the day to check into your accommodation and get ready for what's coming ahead along the Spanish, French, and Italian coasts.
- Day 2
Barcelona
Barcelona's architecture and food scene set the tone for your stay. You're checking in for three nights, and this evening you'll meet the other travelers at a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. It's a good chance to get to know everyone before the exploring begins.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner at a local restaurant
- Day 3
Barcelona
This morning you'll walk through La Rambla boulevard and wander the Gothic Quarter's narrow streets. Stop by one of Barcelona's busy food markets, then take a panoramic tour that shows you Plaça de Catalunya and the Columbus Monument. By late afternoon, head out to Parc Güell, where you'll see the massive garden with its striking architectural details by Antoni Gaudí.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour along La Rambla boulevard
- Exploration of Gothic Quarter
- Visit to a local food market
- Panoramic tour showcasing Plaça de Catalunya and Columbus Monument
- Visit to Parc Güell (UNESCO)
Landmarks/POIs La Rambla Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) Plaça de Catalunya Columbus Monument Parc Güell - Day 4
Barcelona
You have the day to yourself in Barcelona. Check out La Sagrada Familia if you want, or go to the Palau de la Música Catalana or Poble Español to see different Spanish architecture styles. Later in the afternoon, you'll join the group to see Casa Batlló, which people call the House of Bones and another Gaudí creation. Dinner takes you to a farmhouse restaurant where you'll try traditional Catalan dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Catalan specialties at a farmhouse turned restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit to Casa Batlló
Optional Activities
- Visit to La Sagrada Familia
- Visit to Palau de la Música Catalana
- Exploration of Poble Espanyol
Landmarks/POIs La Sagrada Familia Palau de la Música Catalana Poble Espanyol Casa Batlló - Day 5
Girona to Costa Brava
Head out to Girona, a medieval town with a character all its own. A local guide takes you through the Barri Vell, and you'll get free time to walk around the riverbanks and look at the colorful houses. From there, you'll travel to the Catalonian coast and check into a seaside hotel on Costa Brava for two nights. Dinner at your hotel this evening lets you settle in and relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at your hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Barri Vell (Old Quarter) in Girona
- Free time to stroll along riverbanks in Girona
Landmarks/POIs Barri Vell (Old Quarter) - Day 6
Costa Brava to Figueres
Walk along the Spanish coast today, heading between Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc, two quiet villages right on the water. Afterward, drive to Figueres to explore the Dalí Theatre-Museum, where the building's surreal design matches what you'll see inside from the artist's works.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coastal walk between Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc
- Visit to the Dalí Theatre-Museum
Landmarks/POIs Calella de Palafrugell Llafranc Dalí Theatre-Museum - Day 7
Spain to Marseille, France
You'll leave Spain this morning and cross into France, which takes most of the day. Along the way, stop at the Abbey of Fontfroide, which was built nearly a thousand years ago. A guided visit there includes lunch and local wine tasting. By evening, you'll reach Marseille and check into your hotel, then gather for a special dinner at a socially responsible restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Abbey of Fontfroide with locally produced wine tasting), Dinner (Impact Moment dinner at a socially responsible restaurant that uses its profits to provide meals to the impoverished)
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Abbey of Fontfroide
- Lunch at Abbey of Fontfroide with locally produced wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Abbey of Fontfroide - Day 8
Marseille
Marseille, France's oldest city, dates back over 26 centuries. An expert guide shows you the Le Panier district and the old town's narrow lanes and street art, then you'll reach the Old Port, which is where the city's museums and culture happen. Choose between seeing the Cosquer Cave at the Villa Méditerranée Museum or visiting the Cathedral de la Major. Your afternoon is free, so take a cruise through Calanques National Park or check out a local winery if you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Le Panier district and Old Port
Optional Activities
- Visit to Cosquer Cave (prehistoric rock art) at Villa Méditerranée Museum
- Visit to Cathedral de la Major
- Scenic cruise of Calanques National Park from Cassis
- Optional excursion to a winery for tour and wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Le Panier Old Port (Vieux Port) Cosquer Cave Villa Méditerranée Museum Cathedral de la Major Calanques National Park - Day 9
Aix-en-Provence to Nice
Start in Aix-en-Provence, where you'll wander through local food shops looking for olive tapenade and other regional specialties. Later, transfer to Nice, a coastal city known for its beaches and elegant history. Before evening, take an orientation walk through the old town and settle in for the rest of the night on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Aix-en-Provence
- Orientation walk of Nice old town
Landmarks/POIs Aix-en-Provence - Day 10
Nice
Nice is yours to explore today. Walk along the Promenade des Anglais, find a café, and watch local life happen around you. If you want, join an optional tour to the walled medieval village of St. Paul de Vence and Grasse, the perfume capital. You'll do a hands-on perfume-making workshop with a professional perfumer, then head back to Nice. Tonight, dinner features a tasting menu with South French specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Tasting menu highlighting the delights of the South of France)
Optional Activities
- Optional tour to St. Paul de Vence and Grasse
- Hands-on perfume-making workshop with expert perfumer in Grasse
Landmarks/POIs Promenade des Anglais St. Paul de Vence Grasse - Day 11
Monaco to Genoa, Italy
This morning you'll leave France for Monaco, the world's second smallest country. A walking tour shows you the changing of the guards and the Cathedral of Monaco, where Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace are buried. Ride the Little Train around the Principality to see Monte Carlo and the famous casino. Later, transfer to Genoa in Italy, where you'll stay for three nights on the Italian Riviera.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Monaco including changing of the guards
- Visit to Cathedral of Monaco
- Panoramic Little Train tour to Monte Carlo and casino views
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of Monaco Monte Carlo Casino of Monte Carlo - Day 12
Genoa to Portofino
Walk through Genoa's old town and learn about this ancient Maritime Republic that once matched Venice's power and wealth. Grab lunch at a local spot known for its cheese-filled focaccia and homemade walnut sauce. Later, board a boat to Portofino, one of the most elegant spots on the Italian Riviera. Spend time in its colorful harbor where fishing boats and yachts sit in front of pastel-colored buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant renowned for its cheese-filled focaccia and homemade walnut sauce)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Genoa's old town
- Lunch at local restaurant with cheese-filled focaccia and homemade walnut sauce
- Boat transfer to Portofino
- Time in Portofino
Landmarks/POIs Genoa Old Town Portofino - Day 13
Cinque Terre
Today you're heading to the cliff-side villages of Cinque Terre. Travel by train to see the rugged coastline with its terraced vineyards. Make your way through these fishing villages that seem tucked between the mountains and the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Cinque Terre by rail
Landmarks/POIs Cinque Terre - Day 14
Florence to Tuscan Countryside
A morning transfer gets you to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. A guided walk takes you through Italy's best art and architecture, including Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise and Brunelleschi's dome at the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral. You'll see Palazzo Vecchio and end at Piazza Santa Croce. After an hour of free time, head to dinner with Tuscan specialties. Later in the evening, drive to the countryside for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Tuscan specialties at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Florence
- Marvel at Ghiberti's 'Gates of Paradise'
- Visit to Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral complex including Brunelleschi's dome
- Visit to Palazzo Vecchio
- Time at Piazza Santa Croce
Landmarks/POIs Santa Maria del Fiore Brunelleschi's Dome Palazzo Vecchio Piazza Santa Croce - Day 15
Truffle Hunting
Start an unforgettable food experience with a truffle hunt led by a local expert and truffle-sniffing dogs. You'll walk through rolling hills and olive groves searching for truffles, then taste what you found at lunch. Spend time in San Gimignano, where medieval towers rise over the vineyards around the town. Your farewell dinner tonight is at your hotel with the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch featuring truffle sampling results from the hunt), Dinner (Farewell dinner at your hotel)
Included Activities
- Truffle hunt with local expert and trained truffle-sniffing dogs
- Lunch featuring truffle sampling
- Visit to San Gimignano
- Farewell dinner at your hotel
Landmarks/POIs San Gimignano - Day 16
Departure
Your Mediterranean journey ends today as you leave the Tuscan countryside and head home, bringing with you memories of Barcelona's architecture, the French Riviera, and Italy's beautiful coast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
