Let us introduce you to:
The Riches of Northeastern Spain: Catalonia, Southwestern France, The High Pyrénées and The French and Spanish Basque Country
Experience the vibrant people, the history of these regions, focusing on The Spanish Civil War, the rich cultural heritage of art, music, dance, wine, cheese, and cuisine. Featuring intimate experiences around Pablo Casals and the singing shepards of the Pyrenees and Basque country.
DETAILS
------------------------------DEPARTURE DATE:
Thursday, October 6, 2022
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TOUR LENGTH:
15 Days/14 Nights
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RETURN DATE:
Thursday, October 20, 2022
The tour is to be accompanied by 2 directors from Champlain Tours
Tim Kahn, 35-year veteran of the French classroom and executive producer of the documentary film, The Last Link, about the French Basque and Béarnais shepherding culture of the Pyrénées. Tim’s dad, Albert E. Kahn wrote Joys and Sorrows with world renowned cellist Pablo Casals and took over 2,000 photographs of Casals. Tim helped his dad inventory the Casals archive which now comprises much of the collection at the Casals museum, at the Casals home in El Vendrell.
Lee Hoehn has lived in the south of France for extended periods of time and has developed trips for students and adults throughout France and Spain for over 30 years.
DAY 1 - Friday, May 6:
Arrive Barcelona, check in to our hotel and join a ‘meet and greet’ before dinner. Overnight Barcelona
DAY 2 - Saturday, May 7:
Walking tour of Barcelona including a visit to the Picasso Museum, and Parc Quell. Evening Flamenco Show.
Overnight Barcelona
Includes: B
DAY 3 - Sunday, May 8:
Pablo Casals’Day: home and museum south of Barcelona, guided visit of the site, lunch overlooking the Mediterranean. Cello recital. Beach time. Free time in Barcelona for dinner.
Overnight Barcelona
Includes: B, L
DAY 4 - Monday, May 9:
More visits of Barcelona highlights: Parc Monjuic, Poble Espanyol. Choose between the Joan Miro Foundation or the National Art Museum of Catalonia. Afternoon , Guadi’s Casa Batlo*. Followed by “Palace of the Catalan Music”, Palau de la Musica*, for a piano recital.
Overnight Barcelona
Includes: B
DAY 5 - Tuesday, May 10:
Spanish Civil War Day: Shelter 307* and “Tunnels”, discussion of the Spanish Civil War with writer Nick Lloyd*.
Afternoon: La Sagrada Familia*.
Evening dinner at the Pedrera (Casa Mila) *.
Overnight Barcelona
Includes: B, L, D
DAY 6 - Wednesday, May 11:
Salvador Dali Day and Carcassonne.
Depart Barcelona. Figueres Dali Museum and Theater*.
Afternoon and evening stop: Carcassonne.
Overnight Carcassonne
Includes: B, D
DAY 7 - Thursday, May 12:
Guided walking tour of La Cité Médiévale de Carcassonne.
Cruise and lunch on the Canal du Midi.
Evening: Pau
Includes: B, L, D
DAY 8 - Friday, May 13:
Optional morning visit: local“boulangerie”
Journey into the High Pyrénées, and Vallée d’Ossau, with its small picturesque towns.
Afternoon: we meet shepherd, and visit his small farm focusing on cheese production. Dinner, with an evening of shepherds singing traditional music.
Overnight Pau
Includes: B, D
DAY 9 - Saturday, May 14:
Morning: visit Pau’s central market.
Afternoon: Picnic: “Vallée d’Aspe,” and the alpine village of Lescun. Optional hiking.
Overnight and dinner Pau
Includes: B
DAY 10 - Sunday, May 15:
Free Morning Pau
Afternoon and evening: Cooking class and dinner.
Overnight Pau
Includes: B, D
DAY 11 - Monday, May 16:
Full day touring the Basque Country.
Afternoon/Evening exploring small town of St. Etienne de Baigorry.
Overnight and dinner St. Etienne de Baigorry
Includes: B, D
DAY 12 - Tuesday, May 17:
Morning tour of St. Jean Pied de Port and optional hiking on Camino de Saint Jacques de Compostelle. Dinner with Basque Music.
Overnight: St. Etienne de Baigorry
Includes: B, D
DAY 13 - Wednesday, May 18:
Morning : depart for the Atlantic Coast of the Basque Country. Visit seaside towns.
Afternoon: Guernica, Picasso’s painting, ceramic tile replica.
Bilbao.
Overnight: Bilbao
Includes: B
DAY 14 - Thursday, May 19:
Morning: Guggenheim Museum*
Afternoon : free to visit Bilbao.
Farewell dinner
Overnight: Bilbao
Includes: B, D
DAY 15 - Friday, May 20:
Departure from Bilbao
Includes: B
INCLUDES
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14 Nights in superior class hotels with breakfast
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8 dinners* & 3 lunches
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Escort throughout the trip
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Private coach and vans for excursions
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Sites as mentioned* on the itinerary
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Special events:
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Wine tasting (Jurancon)
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Traditional Music and Dance
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Cheese making demonstration & tasting
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Cooking class
EXCLUDES
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Air to and from Europe
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Airport transfers
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Alcoholic beverages with meals
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Meals, other than those listed (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
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Trip cancellation insurance
*Includes cooking class **Champlain Tours reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary as circumstances dictate.