The Art of Living: Barcelona to Paris

•   TAUCK'S YELLOW ROADS! A drive along the Costa Brava to the village of Collioure, known as the “City of Painters”

Day 1: Arrive Barcelona
A transfer is included from Barcelona Airport to the elegant El Palace Barcelona; the former Ritz Hotel, El Palace was completely refurbished in 2009 in the tradition of the city’s grand hotels and is ideally located close to landmark sights. Your cultural feast begins this afternoon with a coach tour that showcases a taste of life in this Catalonian city. Drive up to Olympic-sized Montjuic Hill; site of the 1992 Olympic Games, it is Barcelona’s largest recreation area and has seaside views that never fail to impress. Get a closer look at the waterfront when you head down to beautiful Barcelona Harbor where a tapas dinner awaits. Tapas, sometimes referred to as pinchos, originated in the 19th century as a welcome accompaniment to sherry and are traditionally eaten while standing at the bar; tonight you’ll enjoy a delectable tasting of these small plate Spanish specialties, sitting down as you wish to savor them – and the views outside.
Overnight: El Palace Hotel Barcelona, Spain
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Medieval Lanes & Whimsical Parc Güell
Boasting a colorful 2,000-year history, Barcelona balances the medieval with the modern in a whimsical parade of fascinating sights. A guided sightseeing tour this morning down the narrow lanes of Barri Gòtic (the Gothic Quarter) in the heart of the city visits its cloistered cathedral to see its carved 15th-century choir stalls and medieval Catalan paintings. Barcelona sizzled with Modernisme artistic creativity around the 1900s, most notably in the Gaudí-inspired, unconventional architecture of Parc Güell and at the fantastical Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, still under construction today after more than 125 years. Your tour ends at Placa Catalunya at the beginning of the pedestrian promenade at Las Ramblas, one of the most famous streets in Spain. The rest of the day is free.
Overnight: El Palace Hotel Barcelona, Spain
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Art along the Costa Brava
It wasn’t just the Moors who were lured to the south of Spain, artists found their inspiration here too. Stop in Figueres en route to Carcassonne, France, to see a town that is alive with images of Salvador Dali. The internationally known, ultra-flamboyant artist was born here in 1904 and died here in 1989; a visit to the museum dedicated to his work showcases his seductive, often shocking, paintings, prints and sculptures. Drive along the Costa Brava across the French border to Collioure for a visit to the “City of Painters.” Artists like Picasso, Matisse and Chagall immortalized the small Catalan harbor you’ll see here in their paintings. The walled citadel town of Carcassonne is your final destination today; its fairy-tale setting of medieval turrets and ramparts is perfectly preserved to offer you an authentic look at life in the Middle Ages. Spend the next two nights right inside the ancient city walls at a former palace, lavishly restored.
Overnight: Hôtel de la Cité, Carcassonne, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 4: Romance in Carcassonne
Medieval fortifications, dating to the 5th century, provide a storied setting for your explorations this morning; hear stories about the crusaders and conquerors who occupied Carcassonne, then explore the ramparts on your own. Romance is on the menu this evening. Cruise aboard a traditional flat-bottom Gabare along the 17th-century Canal du Midi, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkable engineering features. A line of Plane trees planted in the 1830s stand like arboreal sentinels over this beautiful man-made waterway, which, according to UNESCO officials “provided the model for the flowering of technology that led directly to the Industrial Revolution and the modern technological age.” Your “Degustation dinner” tonight at a private Languedoc vineyard is another memorable experience, reflecting a tradition among the connoisseurs of this region when your courses are paired with just the right wine.
Overnight: Hôtel de la Cité, Carcassonne, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5: Drive the "Yellow Roads" to Biarritz
Leave Carcassonne after breakfast and travel along the foothills of the snow-capped Pyrenees towards the southwest corner of France to the Atlantic coast, where beaches line the shores, surfing is a way of life and your oceanfront hotel is a treasured landmark. Lunch will be included along the way in a local restaurant to give you an authentic taste of typical Pyrenees cuisine. Dine tonight as you wish from a full à la carte menu at your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel du Palais Biarritz, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Life in French Basque Country
Discover a taste of daily life in French Basque country in Espelette and the village of Ainhoa. Sample a lunch of hearty local fare; see a demonstration of the pelota, billed as the fastest ball game on Earth, and take a guided walking tour. Visit the fishing village of St-Jean-de-Luz, doubling as a popular summer resort. The rest of the day is free.
Overnight: Hotel du Palais Biarritz, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 7: Bountiful Bordeaux
Depart Biarritz after a leisurely morning for Bordeaux, welcoming with a graceful waterfront of Classical façades – and great wine. Enjoy the city sights and architecture during a cruise on the Garonne River, dining on a picnic lunch along the way. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: The Regent Grand Hotel Bordeaux, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 8: The Wines of St. Emilion
Among the over 44 million cases of fine wine produced in the Bordeaux region every year, St. Emilion and Pomerol are two of its finest vintages. Head into the vine-covered hills today to discover the bounty of the land. Explore the Romanesque architecture of St. Emilion, and satisfy your palate with lunch at a local château winery. Search out more culinary treats on your own tonight in the city of Bordeaux.
Overnight: The Regent Grand Hotel Bordeaux, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 9: A Dordogne Cruise & Paleolithic Caves
Travel to La Roque Gageac in the heart of the Dordogne and Perigord Noir for a cruise along the Dordogne River. This afternoon, visit Grotte Lascaux II, a replica of the Lascaux cave, one of the most famous Paleolithic sanctuaries in the world. Your accommodations for the next two nights are at the 18th-century Château de Castel Novel in the village of Varetz, where a fun-filled folkloric dinner tonight showcases local traditions in this region of France.
Overnight: Château de Castel Novel, Varetz, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 10: Countryside Gems of Southwest France
Sightseeing today explores the picturesque villages of southwest France, including Rocamadour – renowned for its exquisite natural setting and cheesemaking – and Collonges la Rouge, captivating with red sandstone architecture. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the beauty of your castle hotel.
Overnight: Château de Castel Novel, Varetz, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: Take the Train to Paris
Depart for nearby Brive today where you will board a train bound for the magical city of Paris. A brief sightseeing tour en route to your landmark hotel introduces a parade of famous city sights.
Overnight: Hotel Regina, Paris, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 12: Lasting Impressions of Paris
Your local guide leads you on a tour through 17th-century Tuileries Gardens to the Musée de L’Orangerie, displaying an extensive collection of Im­pres­sion­ist paintings by Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, and Claude Monet – including his water lilies. Celebrate your journey at our farewell dinner at the famed Parisian brasserie, Fouquet’s, on the Champs-Élysées.
Overnight: Hotel Regina, Paris, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 13: Journey Home
Tour ends: Paris. Fly home anytime. A transfer from the Hôtel Scribe Paris managed by Sofitel to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is included. Allow a minimum of three hours for check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/20/2012 - 6/2/2012	$6,390
5/27/2012 - 6/9/2012	$6,390
6/3/2012 - 6/16/2012	$7,390
6/10/2012 - 6/23/2012	$6,390
6/24/2012 - 7/7/2012	$6,390
7/22/2012 - 8/4/2012	$7,390
8/19/2012 - 9/1/2012	$7,390
9/2/2012 - 9/15/2012	$7,390
9/9/2012 - 9/22/2012	$6,390
9/16/2012 - 9/29/2012	$7,390
9/30/2012 - 10/13/2012	$6,390
10/7/2012 - 10/20/2012	$7,390
10/21/2012 - 11/3/2012	$6,390
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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Rusti rated this tour a 4 on 6/9/2011 11:41:53 AM and says:

"I love this trip and highly recommended it to all my friends.  The hotels, tour guide, meals...everything was wonderful.  My agent at Atlas recommended Tauck and after this experience I don't see why we would ever travel with another company. "

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