Paris & Provence & Barcelona

Day-1. DEPARTURE CITY-PARIS: Afternoon/overnight flight to Paris. 

Day-2. PARIS: Arrival Paris and transfer to the city. Then start with panoramic tour of the capital with several stops.  During the tour you will also see: Le Bastille, Luxembourg Garden, Sorbonne University, Latin Quarter, Champ d’ Mars, Champ Elisees, the National Assembly and Place de la Concorde. Then to your hotel in historical Bastille. After check in, supper close to hotel and walking tour along Seine.

Day-3. PARIS: Walk to Marais, the best "secret" of Paris, a labyrinth of cobble-stone streets, old courtyards, posh villas, art galleries, and pastry. shops. View Place de Vosges, the most beautiful palace in Paris before we enter Ille de la Cite, the cradle of Parisian civilization, and place where the Roman army sat up their fist camp.  Inside visit of Notre Dame and then along Pont Neuf to Conciergerie Prison from where during the revolution, over 1,350 prisoners including Marie Antoinette and Louis XVII. were sent to the guillotine. Then to Love for inside visit of one of the best art museums in the world. Then along Tuiliers Garden and along Seine to Pont d' Alma and board Bateaux Mouches cruise on Seine. 

Day-4. VERSAILLES & PARIS: Board RER train for short ride to the town of Versailles. Then just a short walk to the Palace built by the order of Louis XIV, the "Sun King". See the Royal Chapel, the Drawing Room, the Royal bedrooms, the Guard's Rooms and the courtyard. Lunch in Versailles (instead of dinner in Paris) and then return to Paris for visit of Galleries Lafayette glass Dome on the 7th floor with amazing view over the city. then some free time at this famous department store, or join your tour director on walking tour of Montmartre.

Day-5. PARIS-NIMES-AVIGNON: TGV train ride to Nimes. Upon arrival explore the city established by Caesar and developed by Emperor Augustus. Visit the Arena, Le Castelum, and Maison Carree, Then to nearby Pont De’ Garde to see the aqueduct built by Roman Legions in 1st century BC. Late arrival in Avignon for overnight. 

Day-6 AVIGNON: Take a tour of this beautiful Provençal City, the centre of European Christianity for over 400 years. Inside visit of the city’s landmark Palais des Papes, where Pope Clement V sought refuge from the turmoil in Rome in the 14th century. Before crossing the river, see Pont d’Avignon the partial bridge from the 12th century. 

Day-7. AVIGNON-CARCASSONE-BARCELONA: Travel along coastal France to reach medieval town of Carcassonne. Upon arrival take a city tour of the city which was established in 5 B.C. A local guide will show you: Chateau Comtal, Bell Tower, Lassere de Pronille, Cathedral St. Michael, and the Old Bridge. Then continue to Barcelona and your hotel next to Plaza Catalunya.

Day-8. BARCELONA: Transfer to Gare Austerlitz and board speedy AVE train for ride to Barcelona. Upon arrival, panoramic tour of the capital of Catalonia. At Sagrada Familia, (the symbol of the city), stop for group photo, and then to your hotel located next to la Rambla, the main avenue of the city. Later have paella supper in original Catalan eatery.

Day-9. BARCELONA: Full day tour of Barcelona. Morning visit to Cathedral of Barcelona, and then enter Bari Gothic, the original part of the city developed already in Roman Time. See: Palau Aguilar, home of Picasso Museum, Visit La Boqueria, the Temple of Augustus, Ribera Quarter and Episcopal Palace. Then to Barcelona beach area for visit to the new entertainment centre mare magnum with Aquarium and IMAC. In the evening an optional Flamenco show at Tablao de Carmen, the best flamenco venue in Spain (ad. $ 95).

Day-10. DEPARTURE: