A Mediterranean Journey

Nice is the largest resort on the Mediterranean coast, and the fifth largest city in France. Its temperate climate has attracted visitors from the Greeks and Romans to Queen Victoria. As the capital of the Côte d’Azur, Nice also has plenty to offer in culture, museums, and atmospheric streets.

Explore and shop in Nice’s Vieille Ville, the old town, which begins at the foot of "The Rock" and stretches out from La Place Masséna. Sheltered by sienna-tiled roofs, many of the Italianate facades suggest 17th century Genoese palaces. The old town is a maze of narrow streets, many of them teeming with local life, many of which are reserved exclusively for pedestrians. While in the old quarter, it is traditional to buy a pissaladière (onion pizza) from one of the local vendors.

Our hotel in Nice (area), will be our base for the next two nights. While here, we will enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.

Survey the biblical-themed works at the Musée Marc Chagall. This Russian-born artist donated his works to France nearly 20 years prior to his death. 450 of his works are on display. (Or we may visit the Matisse Museum instead.)

Stroll through the Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe St-Nicolas à Nice. Built by Nicholas II, the cathedral is considered the finest example of Orthodox architecture outside Russia.

Your concert performance is today. Venue options include the International School of Nice or the Lycée Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves (dependant upon your travel dates) as secular venues. The Église Anglicane de Nice, a Neo-Gothic structure portraying the country’s past, the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice or the Basilique Notre-Dame would be additional venues for sacred music. Other venue options include the Église Saint Antoine Ginestière or the Eglise Saint Pierre d'Arène, which is close to the seafront and hosts regular concert series.

This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.

Today we will travel from Nice to Avignon. En route, we will visit Aix-en-Provence. Aix was founded by the Romans in 103 BC, and despite frequent tribal attacks, the city prospered and became the capital of Provence in the 12th century. Known as a center for art and learning, the town reached its peak in the 15th century. It retains its beauty and importance to this day. The most famous resident of Aix was Paul Cezanne.

Stroll along the Cours Mirabeau, a particularly stately looking thoroughfare with lovely shops, sidewalk cafés, and richly embellished sandstone mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries.

During our walk along the Cours Mirabeau, we will view the 1860 landmark fountain in La Place de la Libération.

We will continue to Avignon (area), our base for the next two nights. Breakfast will be included at the hotel.

Avignon is an ancient city and one of the most fascinating towns in southern France. It has a rich and tumultuous history, with its most famous period being the Great Schism, when it became one of the two seats of the papacy.

This evening we will enjoy our evening meal in a local restaurant.

Visit the spectacular Palais des Papes, a series of buildings that offer a glimpse into the grand life under the seven Popes who built a miniature Vatican in Avignon during their rule in the 14th century.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Pont du Gard and walk through the aqueduct on the 3rd level of the bridge.

Your concert performance in Avignon will be today. The Romanesque Avignon Cathedral is a popular choice for choirs. Smaller ecclesiastical venues include the gothic churches of St.Pierre, St. Didier, and St. Agricol.

This evening we will enjoy our evening meal in a local restaurant.

Today we will travel from Provence to Barcelona. En route, visit Perpignan. The medieval city of Perpignan was founded in the 10th century, and quickly grew to prominence as the capital of Roussillon and the continental capital of the Kingdom of Majorca. For almost 10 centuries both Catalonia and France vied for control of this beautiful Mediterranean city, and both have left a unique mark on its culture.

Barcelona is the heart and soul of Cataluña, and, with one of Spain’s largest ports, has grown through trade and tourism. The city is characterized by the work of Antonio Gaudí, whose unique worldview created some of Europe’s most distinctive architecture. This beautiful city charms visitors at every turn with its vibrant spirit.

For the next two evenings we will enjoy the convenience of our centrally-located Barcelona hotel, where daily breakfast will be included.

Explore the narrow streets and squares of the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter). This is the city’s oldest quarter, parts of which have survived from the Middle Ages. A few highlights of thewalk will include the Plaça del Pi, the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, and the magnificent Plaça Sant Jaume.

We will enjoy our evening meal together in a local restaurant.

Experience the cathedral of La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí’s incomplete masterpiece and one of the more distinctive creations of Spain.

Stroll along Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most colorful and interesting street. This pedestrian mall extends almost a full mile, and is lined with shops, cafés, and markets.

Your concert performance will be today. Venue options for your performance today include the Santa Maria del Mar Church, one of the most historic churches in Barcelona and a joy to perform inside; the Basilica del Tibidabo, which overlooks the city; the Church of Los Salesianos, just off Las Ramblas; or Barcelona Cathedral. These are ideal venues for your sacred repertoire. Additional venues include the Centro Civico or the Diagonal Mar Shopping Center as secular venues. As a joint concert venue, the Europa International School would be an ideal venue.

We will enjoy our evening meal together in a local restaurant.

Our rewarding and enjoyable tour comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the airport on our final day.