We are on our own in Barcelona for 4 nights, and then we board the cruise ship on Day 12. Bailey will be flying home on Day 11 and Brian will be arriving the morning of Day 12 just in time to board the ship. [View Full Entry]

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Our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide takes us on a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter with its impressive Cathedral. We also see Gaudi's 'Sagrada Familia' plus many of his other eccentric architectural masterpieces. Later, we'll view Columbus' Monument and the Ramblas. After enjoy time at leisure in this sophisticated city, or perhaps an optional excursion to mystical Montserrat? [View Full Entry]

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Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is a cosmopolitan Mediterranean city that incorporates in its urban street pattern Roman remains, medieval districts and the most beautiful examples of Modernism and 20th century avant-garde art. Not for nothing were the emblematic buildings of Catalan architects Antoni Gaudí and Luis Doménech i Montaner declared to be World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. To take a stroll through the streets of Barcelona is to be surprised at every step. Pedestrian streets in the old districts, green spaces, and a splendid waterfront filled with modern structures all reflect [View Full Entry]

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A short drive to 'la Croisette' in glamorous Cannes, where we have time to admire the yachts in the marina and go celebrity spotting! We'll see the Film Festival Centre before re-joining the highway to drive through Provençal landscapes reminiscent of Van Gogh paintings. Then on past the Camargue National Park and to the border with Spain. We cross over the foothills of the Pyrenees and are soon in the region of Spanish Catalonia. Past olive groves and vineyards we approach the 'avant-garde' city of Barcelona - a cosmopolitan port on the Mediterranean. This was a long day of driving. I [View Full Entry]

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A free morning to relax and perhaps take a stroll along the Promenade or shop in the trendy boutiques! Later this afternoon we will enjoy a scenic drive along the Cote d'Azur to visit Monaco and Monte Carlo. Here we'll see the beautiful Casino built by Charles Garnier in the 19th century and our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure as we explore the Principality. This evening we will enjoy dinner in a charming Nicois restaurant. So we have found our favorite spot of the trip. Nice is spectacular. There is a huge Promenade along the Mediterranean. There are [View Full Entry]

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Our first stop this morning is in the wine village of Chateauneuf du Pape where we stop to see the amazing vistas from the ruined fortress and visit one of the Cote du Rhone wine cellars to sample some of the delicious wine. Then on to Avignon, where we see the Papal palace and famous 'Pont' (bridge) over the Rhone. Finally we arrive in Nice where an orientation drive shows us the Promenade des Anglais and the Place Massena, before we continue to our hotel for the next two nights. Wow another day on the road. And now we are in [View Full Entry]

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Today's journey takes us through the very centre of France. First we stop in Bourges, to see the Palais Jacques Coeur, the Cathedral of St. Stephen and the delightful Archbishop's gardens. Then into the very centre of the 'hexagon', as the French often call their homeland, to stop at the village of St. Amand Montrond. We continue via the volcanic hills around Clermont Ferrand and on to Lyon - a gourmet's paradise on the rivers Rhone and Saône. A walking tour of the old city - a UNESCO World Heritage site, reveals the city's rich and cultural past. It is the [View Full Entry]

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First we drive to Chartres - famous for its mighty Cathedral with its blue stained glass windows. Built on a lay line, this spot has always been said to have mystical power! Then down to the valley of the quiet river Loire with its many beautiful villages and resplendent castles, home to French royalty over the centuries. We'll stop at Chambord to see the impressive chateau, and then visit fairytale Chenonceau, straddling the river Cher. Then we continue to our hotel in Tours for tonight. We had an early morning. The country side was great, but very similar to Canada. We [View Full Entry]

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Today's sightseeing tour with a local guide includes the ascent of the Eiffel Tower to its second level for wonderful views over the city. Other highlights include views of Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde and the Champs Elysées before we enjoy a walking tour on the Left Bank that will include a visit of Les Invalides with its golden dome. As part of the Army Museum, its most important relic is the tomb of France's most influential ruler, Napoleon Bonaparte. For the rest of the day we may choose to stroll through the Luxembourg gardens, [View Full Entry]

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Day 2 is the first day in Paris. On arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport we will be met and transferred to our hotel. This was a great airport. As we already checking into customs in Frankfurt during our transfer we could just head out to meet our driver. The hotlel in Paris is great. It is new but at the north end of the city so we will have to take the subway Metro to get anywhere. We do not have a full tour there are only 32 of us so that will be great. Our tour guide is [View Full Entry]

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