Bright Horizons 18

2pm
We’ll arrive in Barcelona via motorcoach checking into our four-star hotel, the Hotel Condes de Barcelona, where we’ll stay in a “Design Room” for three nights. The Design Rooms are newly-constructed, located in a brand new wing of the hotel, which stands out for its contemporary design, brightness, and the latest technology. They are approximately 270 square feet. [Hotel Condes de Barcelona or comparable]

• Palau de la Musica
• Picasso Museum
• Guell Palace
• Boqueria Market

9:30–11:00 am
We’ll begin with a visit to the Palau de la Musica, one of the city’s emblematic modernist buildings. The Palau was inaugurated in 1908, after three years of building work orchestrated by the famous architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. This site is one of the world’s major concert halls and an excellent example of Catalonian Modernism. The interior is decorated with ceramic mosaics and multi-colored glass with floral motifs. In 1997 it was declared one of Spain’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.

11:00am–1:00 pm
Next we’ll visit the charming Montcada Street, lined with lovely Gothic mansions, and enjoy a guided visit of the Picasso Museum, which is housed in several of these mansions. The museum is a window into the formative years of Pablo Ruiz Picasso, one of the 20th century’s greatest artistic geniuses. The museum has the largest, most comprehensive collection of works by Picasso as a young man, and also hosts temporary exhibitions by other artists.

1:00–3:00 pm
Stop for an excellent lunch at one of our favourite local restaurants. You’ll savor paella, a saffron-infused rice dish iconic to Spain’s east coast.

3:00–4:30 pm
Next we will visit Guell Palace (Palau Guell), a stone castle built for the De Guell family of industrial tycoons by famed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. The palace is Gaudí’s second major project (the first was Casa Vicences), and shows the artist’s creative, distinctive style. In designing this building, Gaudí created both a comfortable residence and an opulent space to entertain the family’s many visitors, all within a relatively small area of land. Built between 1886–1890, Guell Palace was occupied by the family continuously from 1890 until the beginning of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. During the war, the palace suffered major damage, and stood desolate for some years afterward, until it was given to the city of Barcelona and became a museum in 1982. In 1984 the structure was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

4:30–6:30 pm
Finally, we will visit the Modernist-style Boqueria Market. This roofed food market is a popular and noisy gathering spot at the heart of the boulevard, and is the best known and most beloved of many such markets. At this charming bazaar, take in the many colors, the bustle of tourists and locals, and hunt for amazing finds. After this stop, we’ll return to the hotel. [Hotel Condes de Barcelona or comparable]

9:30–11:00 am
First we’ll visit the Catalan National Art Museum to tour its wonderful collection of Gothic frescos. These religious artworks have been retrieved from Gothic churches and chapels across the Catalonian countryside. The museum also houses excellent samples of Renaissance and Modernist Catalan art, as well as the noted art collection of industrialist Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza, which was originally housed in the Pedralbes Palace.

11:00am–1:00 pm
Next we’ll proceed to the famous Gaudí apartment buildings, called Manzana de la Discordia, which also showcase the architect’s vibrant style. Then you’ll visit Casa Batllo a very colourful and whimsical Gaudí-designed residence.

1:00–2:30 pm
Stop for lunch at El Principal, a stylist restaurant in Barcelona’s Eixample district.

2:30–5:00 pm
Our last stop of the day will be the magnificent unfinished masterpiece of the Sagrada Familia church. This basilica of eight spires (and counting) is perhaps Gaudí’s most famous masterpiece. After touring the church, take a stroll through Guell Park, a garden complex also designed by Gaudí that was completed in 1914. Finally, return to the hotel at 5:30 pm. [Hotel Condes de Barcelona or comparable]

Transfer to airport.

• Three (3) nights accommodation in an outstanding four-star hotel.
• Five meals: three (3) breakfasts and two (2) lunches at our carefully selected restaurants.
• Welcome cocktail reception.
• Services of an English-speaking host and local tour guides.
• All land transportation (as listed on the itinerary) excluding the transfer from the ship to Barcelona which is $100 U.S. Dollars per person.
• Entrance fees to all tourist sites (as listed on the itinerary).
• Local guide and driver gratuities.
• Porterage.
• Baggage handling, city and hotel taxes.

• The transfer from Arles, France to our Barcelona Hotel on Dec. 6. The cost for this transfer is $100 pp.
• International airfare, visa-processing fees (if needed), travel insurance.
• Personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, imported mineral waters, telephone charges, room service, and laundry charges.
• Gratuities to the host (gratuity is at guests discretion with a suggested tip of $7 to $10 USD per guest per day).

• The price of the above is €1,049 pp., double occupancy, based on 18 people participating. A small surcharge will be assessed if fewer than 18 people participate.
• For those requiring single occupancy accommodations, a supplementary charge of €275 will apply.
• Deposit is 20% (approx. $300 pp. based on double occupancy and current exchange rate).
• Please note that our Spanish host will eat with you during lunch throughout the trip. This is to ensure that you are receiving the best service. If, at any time, you would prefer to dine on your own, please let the host know.
• All pricing is based on Spain's currency (Euros) and could be subject to change. The conversion to US dollars will be made on the Final Payment Deadline (August 1, 2013).

• Should you decide to cancel your place on this tour between the time of deposit and 120 days prior to the tour, you will forfeit $200 USD pp; between 120 and 90 days prior to departure, you will forfeit 25% of the tour price; between 89 and 60 days prior to departure, you will forfeit 50% of the tour price; between 59 and 30 days you will forfeit 75% of the tour price; from 29 days or less, you will forfeit 100% of the tour price.
• All notices of cancellation must be written to be effective. The date of cancellation will be the date of reception by Insight Cruises’ personnel.