One of Europe’s most visually stunning cities, Barcelona balances the medieval intimacy of its Gothic Quarter with the grace and distinction of the wide boulevards in the Moderniste Eixample. It was the home of architect Antoni Gaudí, whose Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Park Güell and Casa Milà are the most profound statements of Modernisme. View the splendid works at the Picasso Museum and the Miro Foundation, or discover Barcelona’s passionate ambiance at a flamenco show.
Discover the Abbey of Montserrat or the San Benet Monastery depending on your voyage date as well as the medieval charms of Cardona, a town founded in the 10th century.
Note: This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or for those who use a wheelchair, walker or scooter due to the amount of walking, many steps and cobbled surfaces.
Day 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then be transferred to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or a similar hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals are on your own today.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage plus 2 carryon size bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus 2 -3 carry-on sized bags. Should you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required with additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
Day 2
After breakfast meet your driver and guide and begin the journey to the magnificent Abbey of Montserrat, located approximately 1.5 hours from the city.
This unusual multi-peaked mountain is topped by pinnacles that look like fingers reaching for the sky and offers stunning views of Catalunya.
According to legend, a millennium ago, villagers discovered a statue of the Madonna in one of the grottos which has since become a popular pilgrimage site. Montserrat draws millions of faithful to revere the statue, which now resides in the Santa Maria de Montserrat Monastery.
Over the centuries the statue has been darkened by the smoke of millions of candles and as such has become known as the Black Virgin. The Benedictine community, now numbering some 80 monks, has served the shrine for almost a thousand years. They are dedicated to a life of prayer, work and welcoming the pilgrims.
From the bottom of the mountain, you will reach the peak of Montserrat in about 15 minutes on the rack rail which allows some stunning views on the way up. At your arrival, follow your guide on foot for a visit of the sanctuary and the local museum. Lunch is also included at local restaurant. Time will also be allowed for some independent exploration before your return.
Note: There is substantial walking on this tour, approximately 1.5 hours – over sloped and uneven terrain.
Special Note: Should this day fall on a weekend or a religious holiday, the Montserrat will no longer be open to groups. Instead the group will visit the Monastery of Mon Sant Benet where you will journey through a thousand years of Catalonian history as you discover the monumental rooms of the monastery. Included are spectacular holograms, immersive projections and amazing effects. This is one of the most daring and spectacular proposals made to the historical heritage, turning this monument into an emotional experience. Lunch is also included at local restaurant. Your final cruise documents will outline which site you will see.
Your journey continues with a 1-hour drive to Parador de Cardona, a charming hilltop hotel in Cardona that was once a medieval castle. It’s an exquisite setting with unrivalled views over the city and the Cardener River. The atmosphere inside the hotel is just as memorable, as the architectural features and furnishings are medieval in style.
Important Note about the hotel: being a medieval castle, guests should not expect this property to have the same feel as a luxury city hotel. There is now luggage porterage available at the hotel, however due to the size of the hotel and depending on the number of guests on this program, it may take some time before your luggage reaches your room.
All 54 rooms at the Parador de Cardona are spacious, well equipped and furnished in Gothic style. They are decorated with fine, rich fabrics in light pastel tones and bright colors. The rooms enjoy lovely views over the countryside, Cardoner river or the medieval-style town of Cardona. Guests will find rooms encased by ancient walls and arches, but offering modern comforts such as marble bathrooms, satellite TV, minibar and free Wi-Fi. From the atmospheric cellar vaults right up to the furnished roof terrace, the hotel exudes a charming atmosphere – one where guests may feel like they have travelled back in time to the Middle ages. On this 9th-century fortified site, guests can also visit Minyona Tower and a lovely church, both dating from the 11th century.
A group dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Also Note: There are approximately 100 steps to reach the town center from the hotel. A shuttle service between the town and the castle will be offered on day 3. The local representative that accompanies you on the transfer from Barcelona / Montserrat does not remain at the hotel with you.
Day 3
After breakfast, you will meet your English-speaking guide in the lobby of your hotel and start your walking tour of the castle. A number of wealthy salt barons lived here between the 11th and 15th centuries. Amazingly, the fortress was never conquered and survived intact through the Spanish Succession of 1711, the Spanish Civil War and other conflicts.
Because of its age and excellent condition, the castle reflects the evolution of military arts from the Middle Ages to modern times. It is now a state national monument, as is the adjoining Collegiate Church of Sant Vicenç.
Leaving Parador De Cardona behind, you will continue to the Old Historic Quarter where you will walk through the narrow medieval streets in Cardona. The Old Town is typically quiet and immensely charming, and if time permits you will visit the massive Church of St. Miquel. The Catalan Gothic-style building dominates the main square.
Next proceed by shuttle bus to the salt mines for a visit. The Vall Salina of Cardona is a depression of the land in the form of an elongated ellipse, having a surface area of 100 ha. The outcrops of salt are located within the depression and were thus formerly known as the Salí (salt warehouse) and are today known as the Vall Salina (salt valley).
Enjoy a walk through the old mining facility, Mina Nieves. See the imposing tower of the old mine shaft ‘Maria Teresa’ and the museum, which explains the history of the industrial exploitation of the valley. The shaft’s mining machinery can also be seen just as it was when fully operational.
NOTE: The visit of the mine is not exclusive – there will be other people visiting as well. Personal audio guides are used inside the mine. The salt mines are closed on Mondays. Should this occur during your stay, guests will visit the mines on day 2 or day 4. Guides will provide an updated itinerary.
Return to Old Town by shuttle bus and enjoy some free time in the centre or take the shuttle to return to the Parador. Lunch is on your own.
Later in the day a group dinner will be arranged at the hotel.
Note: If you visit Old Town on a Sunday, expect crowds from the local market. Respectful attire is required to enter all churches. If you arrive at a church during mass, you may only visit the outside, where the guide will elaborate on the history and construction of the church.
Reminder: This tour not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or those who utilize a walker, wheelchair or scooter due to the amount of walking, many steps and cobbled surfaces. There are over 100 steps from the castle between the Old Town and the hotel.
Day 4
After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet your driver in the lobby for the transfer back to the pier in Barcelona, where you will embark the ship. This transfer is not guided or escorted.
NOTE: If your sailing begins in Tarragona, the transfer will be from Cardona to Tarragona.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and private transfer to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona for 3:00 pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival you may wish to book an extra night, so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Checkout, meet your guide at the hotel. Load luggage on bus
9.30am Drive to Montserrat
11:00am Arrival, visit of Montserrat & free time
1:00pm Lunch in a restaurant in Montserrat
2:30pm Drive to Parador de Cardona
3:30pm Arrival and check in, afternoon at leisure
8:00pm Group dinner at Parador de Cardona
Overnight at Parador de Cardona or similar hotel
Alternate program details should this day fall on a weekend or religious holiday:
9:00am Checkout, meet your guide at the hotel. Load luggage on bus
9.30am Drive to San Benet Monastery
11:00am Arrival and visit
1:00pm Lunch in a local restaurant
2:30pm Drive to Cardona
3:30pm Arrival and check in
8:00pm Dinner at Parador de Cardona.
Overnight at Parador de Cardona or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Meet your guide and start you guided tour through the Castle of Cardona
10:15am Transfer to the Old Town by shuttle bus
10:30am Guided tour of the Old Town
11:15am Transfer to the salt mines by shuttle bus
11:30am Change to local minibus & briefing of audio-guides
11:45am Visit salt mines
1:00pm Transfer by shuttle bus back to Old Town
Afternoon at leisure, lunch at own expense
8:00pm Group dinner at Parador
Overnight at Parador de Cardona or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
10:45am Check out, meet your driver and drive from Cardona to Barcelona
12:30pm Approximate arrival at the pier and embark the ship
NOTE: If your sailing begins in Tarragona, the transfer will be from Cardona to Tarragona.
Expected Weather:
April: average temperature 12º C
May: average temperature 15º C
June: average temperature 20º C
August: average temperature 28º C
September: average temperature 22º C
October: average temperature 15º C
November: average temperature 10º C
What to Bring:
Weather-appropriate clothing, hats, flat comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sun protection, umbrellas and cameras.
Currency:
Euro
Electricity:
220 Volt. Bring a travel converter, as hotels do not provide them.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is required.
Luggage:
Luggage will travel with guests at all times.
Hotel addresses:
NH Gran Calderon in Barcelona
Rambla de Catalunya, 26, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 933 01 00 00
Parador de Cardona Hotel
Castell de Cardona, s/n, 08261 Cardona, Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 938691275
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of changes before departure, then the hotel(s) listed in this program will be used
Program Includes:
1 night at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel in Barcelona (Premium room) – subject to change
2 nights at the Parador de Cardona Hotel – (Standard double) - subject to change
3 breakfasts, 1 lunch including 1 water, glass of wine or beer and coffee
2 group dinners at the Parador de Cardona Hotel including one glass of wine, water and coffee.
Transfers
All touring and entrances per the itinerary
City tax
Luggage porterage in Cardona
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes:
Gratuities to drivers and guides
Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Meals and beverages not listed above
Any touring not listed above
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Savor the flavors and cuisines of Spain’s Catalonia and France’s Occitania through wine tastings and inspired meals, an experience that will be enhanced by viewing architectural treasures that reflect the regions’ histories and cultures.
Please Note: This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or for those who use a wheelchair, walker or scooter due to the amount of walking, many steps and cobbled surfaces.
Day 1
Upon flying into the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the ARRIVALS HALL (after the luggage claim area). Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will have a private transfer to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel in Barcelona. Although rooms may be available before the 3:00pm check in, this cannot be guaranteed. If you have an early arrival, you may wish to book an extra night, so a room will be ready for you.
Meals are on your own.
Day 2
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will meet the guide in the hotel lobby for a direct transfer to Girona. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is a jewelry box of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a maze of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernista mansions shimmer in the Riu Onyar, which separates the historic center on its right bank from the gleaming commercial center on the left.
The guide will lead you on a comprehensive walking tour of the city center, including an inside visit of the ancient Arab baths. The guide will also point out the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community.
Following lunch, you will continue to Peralada and its namesake castle, a former residence of the counts of Peralada that was constructed in the 14th century and later converted into a palace. It has now become even more well known for its wineries, where the prestigious Catalan Cava is enjoyed. An enlightening tour and tasting will give you an understanding of the massive complex and its extraordinary wines.
Continuing on, you will cross the border into France and then check into the Hotel de la Cité Sofitel in Carcassone. Before retiring for the evening, you will enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant near the hotel.
Day 3
Carcassone, or La Cité as it is known locally, is perched on a rocky hilltop and features zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site for being an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, and you will have the opportunity to visit the castle and ramparts before making your way to the Château de l’Hospitalet.
Perfectly situated at the heart of the La Clape Massif conservation area and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the Château l’Hospitalet is an absolute haven surrounded by beautiful pine forests and scrubland. At the winery’s onsite restaurant, L’Art de Vivre, you will be treated to an extraordinary lunch and a winery tour.
Afterwards, you will depart for the town of Guissan, which borders massive salt evaporation ponds. Microorganisms that thrive in the water’s high salinity usually color the ponds a stunning gradient of pink. It makes for a beautiful contrast, especially when there's not a cloud in the blue sky.
Guissan is also known for its succulent oysters, which you will enjoy at a tasting along with a glass of wine from the Languedoc region.
You will then return to the Hotel de la Cité in Carcassone, where you will spend another delightful evening. Dinner will be on your own.
Day 4
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will transfer to Narbonne, a charming Languedoc market town that was once an important Roman city. While touring, you may see its cathedral and the former archbishops’ palace as a prelude to visiting Les Halles Market. As you browse the seemingly endless array of garden-fresh merchandise in the covered market, the aromas of fresh-baked goods and French delicacies will be wafting through the air.
You will also enjoy free time in Narbonne to explore further before heading for Les Clos de Paulilles, a winery whose terroir reflects the slate and shale in the soil and the ideal Mediterranean climate. After an enlightening tour of the estate, you will sample a selection of its characteristic wines.
A picturesque drive will bring you to Barcelona, where you will check into the NH Gran Calderon Hotel for the evening. Dinner will be on your own.
Day 5
After checking out of the hotel, you will walk the Triangle of Discord, home to three innovative but dissimilar modernista buildings, one of them by Barcelona’s esteemed architect Antoni Guadí. It makes a wonderful introduction to the upcoming tour of Park Güell, a World Heritage site that Guadí designed in the early 1900s.
As you meander through the urban oasis, you can expect to see organically inspired buildings decorated with colorful mosaic tiles, the so-called Dragon Stairway guarded by a salamander sculpture and a portico shaped like a giant wave. The landscape architecture is breathtaking.
Still, Gaudí’s most famous masterpiece is La Sagrada Familia, the Church of the Sacred Family. Construction on the sanctuary began more than 135 years ago, and the church is still years from completion. As you will see, every detail is photo worthy, from the stained-glass windows to the flamboyant spires to the extraordinary sculpted figures.
Gaudí worked on the church for 43 years, and it was his sole project for the last decade of his life. In 1926, he was buried in the crypt of La Sagrada Familia.
Following your exterior visit of the church, you will proceed to the pier to embark the cruise ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport
Private transfer to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona for a 3:00 pm check in. The remainder of the day is at your leisure with meals on your own
Overnight at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. A transfer is not included for guests arriving independently before the program start date.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided. Guests will then be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Check out and transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time
1:30pm Walk to a nearby restaurant
1:45pm Lunch
3:45pm Transfer to Castell de Peralada
4:45pm Visit and tasting
6:00pm Transfer to Carcassone
Arrive at the Hotel de la Cité Sofitel
Enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant
Overnight at the Hotel de la Cité Sofitel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Transfer to the La Cité of Carcassone
8:45am Visit the castle and enjoy free time
10:45am Transfer to Château L´Hospitalet
11:45am Master class and lunch
2:45pm Transfer to Gruissan
3:45pm Visit the salt ponds and enjoy an oyster tasting
5:45pm Transfer to the hotel
Dinner on your own
Overnight at the Hotel de la Cité Sofitel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Transfer to Narbonne
10:00am Visit Narbonne and its Les Halles Market
12:00pm Free time in Narbonne
1:30pm Transfer to Les Clos de Paulilles winery
2:45pm Visit and tasting at the winery
4:15pm Transfer to Barcelona
Check into the NH Gran Calderon Hotel
Evening at leisure with dinner on your own
Overnight at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel
DAY 5
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Check out of the hotel
9:30am Walking tour in the Triangle of Discord
10:00am Transfer to Park Güell
10:30am Visit Park Güell
11:30am Transfer to Sagrada Familia
1:00pm Outside visit of Sagrada Familia
Transfer to the ship for embarkation
Expected Weather:
April: average temperature 12º C
May: average temperature 15º C
June: average temperature 20º C
August: average temperature 28º C
September: average temperature 22º C
October: average temperature 15º C
November: average temperature 10º C
What to Bring
Weather-appropriate clothing, hats, flat comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sun protection, umbrellas and cameras.
Currency
Euro
Electricity
220 volts. We recommend bringing your own travel convertor for electric devices as hotels do not provide them.
Luggage
Luggage handling for two suitcases per person at each hotel is included.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel addresses
NH Calderón
Rambla de Catalunya, 26, 08007 Barcelona
Hotel de la Cité Sofitel
Place Auguste Pierre Pont, 11000 Carcassonne
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
Program Includes
2 nights at NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or similar (Premium room)
2 nights at Hotel de la Cité Sofitel Carcassonne or similar (Standard double room)
Breakfast daily
English-speaking official guides
Meals and tastings as listed in the tour program
Luggage handling at the hotels
VAT and city taxes
Touring and entrances per the itinerary
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program excludes
Gratuities to drivers and guides
Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Meals and beverages not listed above
Touring not listed above
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Explore landmarks in and around Barcelona, including UNESCO World Heritage sites designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, and enjoy a walking tour of medieval Girona that lends more insight into the Catalonia region.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
DAY 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then be transferred to the Ohla Eixample or similar hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals will be on your own today.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage plus 2 carry-on size bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus 2-3 carry-on size bags. If you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required for an additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
DAY 2
After breakfast at your hotel, you will meet the guide and begin touring the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing on, you will begin walking through the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from several regions of Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A lunch including local specialties follows, after which you will return to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 3
After breakfast at your hotel, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the commercial center.
During a comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona, where the remainder of the evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Day 4
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will travel to Colonia Güell, another one of Gaudí’s unfinished works. Like La Sagrada Familia, this church is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Businessman Eusebio Güell commissioned Gaudí to build it for his textile factory workers in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló. The church is particularly noteworthy because the famed architect introduced advanced technology on it that he finetuned in later projects.
In time, you will travel to Cavas Freixenet in the heart of the Penedès region, a region well-known in Roman times for producing quality wines. There, you will tour the cellars, learn about the production of its sparkling cava wine and enjoy a lunch of local specialties.
Afterwards, you will return to Barcelona for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and private transfer to the Ohla Eixample for a 3:00 pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival, you may wish to book an extra night so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet your guide, panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
10:30am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:30pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour
1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:00pm Return to your hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Ohla Eixample or similar
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Ohla Eixample or similar
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel and check out
9:45am Meet your guide in the lobby
10:00am Visit Colonia Güell
11:00am Drive to Freixenet Cellars
11:45am Visit the cellars and enjoy lunch
2:15pm Drive toward Barcelona
3:15pm Arrive at the Barcelona pier for embarkation
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
April – 17C or 63F
May – 23C or 73F
June – 25C or 77F
July – 29C or 84F
August – 30C or 86F
September – 26C or 78F
October – 24C or 75F
November – 14C or57F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
Ohla Eixample
C/ de Còrsega, 289, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 937 37 79 77
NOTE: Design rooms include a rainshower that is visible from the bed. For more privacy, a vinyl cover can be placed over the glass walls.
*We will only substitute the hotel in unforeseen situations. If the hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.
Program includes:
•3 nights at the Ohla Eixample – Design Room (or similar hotel) with buffet breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
•Lunches on Days 2 and 4 to include water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•Touring and entrances per the itinerary
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released. Arrangements for accommodations and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Explore landmarks in and around Barcelona, including UNESCO World Heritage sites designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, and enjoy a walking tour of medieval Girona that lends more insight into the Catalonia region.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
DAY 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then be transferred to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or a similar hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals will be on your own today.
Your hotel is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, just a 10-minute walk to Las Ramblas. Passeig de Gràcia, the city’s nicest shopping street, is easily reached on foot. Emblematic buildings and sights such as Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), La Sagrada Familia and the Picasso museum are also nearby if you wish to visit them.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage plus 2 carry-on size bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus 2-3 carry-on size bags. If you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required for an additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
DAY 2
After breakfast at your hotel, you will meet the guide and begin touring the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing on, you will begin walking through the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from several regions of Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A tapas-style lunch follows, after which you will return to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 3
After breakfast at your hotel, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the commercial center.
During a comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona, where the remainder of the evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Day 4
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will travel to Colonia Güell, another one of Gaudí’s unfinished works. Like La Sagrada Familia, this church is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Businessman Eusebio Güell commissioned Gaudí to build it for his textile factory workers in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló. The church is particularly noteworthy because the famed architect introduced advanced technology on it that he finetuned in later projects.
In time, you will travel to Cavas Freixenet in the heart of the Penedès region, a region well-known in Roman times for producing quality wines. There, you will tour the cellars, learn about the production of its sparkling cava wine and enjoy a lunch of local specialties.
Afterwards, you will return to Barcelona for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and private transfer to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona for a 3:00 pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival, you may wish to book an extra night so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure. You will spend the evening at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or a similar hotel.
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet your guide, panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
10:30am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:30pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour
1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:00pm Return to your hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the NH Calderon or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the NH Calderon or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel and check out
9:45am Meet your guide in the lobby
10:00am Visit Colonia Güell
11:00am Drive to Freixenet Cellars
11:45am Visit the cellars and enjoy lunch
2:15pm Drive toward Barcelona
3:15pm Arrive at the Barcelona pier for embarkation
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
April – 17C or 63F
May – 23C or 73F
June – 25C or 77F
July – 29C or 84F
August – 30C or 86F
September – 26C or 78F
October – 24C or 75F
November – 14C or57F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón
Rambla de Catalunya, 26, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 933 01 00 00
Program includes:
•3 nights at the NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón – Premium Room (or similar hotel) with buffet breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
•Lunches on Days 2 and 4 to include water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•Touring and entrances per the itinerary
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released. Arrangements for accommodations and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Explore Barcelona and Girona in depth by visiting their architectural landmarks, often on guided walking tours and on your own with a liberating Hop On Hop Off bus voucher in the capital of Catalonia.
Note: This program begins in Tarragona and ends in Barcelona. Departure flights should be booked out of the Barcelona International Airport.
Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
Day 1:
After disembarking the ship in Tarragona, enjoy a drive to Barcelona where you will begin a guided tour of the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing on, you will begin a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from throughout Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A tapas-style lunch follows, after which you will check into your hotel to spend the first of three nights. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Your hotel is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, just a 10-minute walk to Las Ramblas. Passeig de Gràcia, the city’s nicest shopping street, is easily reached on foot. Emblematic buildings and sights such as Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), La Sagrada Familia, and the Picasso Museum are also nearby should you wish to visit them on your own.
Day 2:
After breakfast, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the gleaming commercial center.
During the comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona to spend the evening at the hotel.
Day 3:
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will receive a Hop On Hop Off bus voucher that will allow you to explore the attractions that interest you the most. Simply hop on the buses and hop off whenever you wish. The buses travel in a continuous loop between attractions that include the Picasso Museum, the Gaudí-designed houses Casa Battló and Casa Mila, and various shopping areas.
The entire day will be yours to spend as you please, with all meals on your own before retiring to the hotel for the evening.
Day 4:
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will check out by noon (subject to change). Transfers to the airport will be based on flight times. See your Welcome Letter for details. For guests with late-departing flights, luggage storage is available at the hotel.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
8:30am Disembark the ship in Tarragona, meet your guide
9:00am Drive to Barcelona
10:30am Sagrada Familia outside visit
11:30am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
1:00pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic, lunch and walking tour
3:30pm Transfer to your hotel and check in
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the NH Calderon or similar hotel
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the NH Calderon or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
The day is at your leisure to use the complimentary Hop On Hop Off bus ticket
Lunch and dinner are on your own
Overnight at the NH Calderon or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check out from the hotel
Transfer to the airport based on the time of your flight. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer time.
Extra Nights
If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is noon (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of the program.
Transfers
Guests booking their flights independently must ensure that the cruise line has their up-to-date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
If you book extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
If you have a late-departing flight, you may wish to book an extra night so that you can occupy your room until departure. Otherwise, you will be asked to vacate your room by noon. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
April – 17C or 63F
May – 23C or 73F
June – 25C or 77F
July – 29C or 84F
August – 30C or 86F
September – 26C or 78F
October – 24C or 75F
November – 14C or57F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón
Rambla de Catalunya, 26, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 933 01 00 00
Program includes:
•3-nights at the NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón – XL Premium Room (or similar hotel) with buffet breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
•English-speaking official guides on Day 1 and Day 2
•Lunch on Day 1 including water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•1-day voucher for the Hop On Hop Off bus
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their situation
Please note: Land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Explore Barcelona and Girona in depth by visiting their architectural landmarks, often on guided walking tours and on your own with a liberating Hop On Hop Off bus voucher in the capital of Catalonia.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
Day 1:
After disembarking the ship in Barcelona, you will begin a guided tour of the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing on, you will begin a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from throughout Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A tapas-style lunch follows, after which you will check into your hotel to spend the first of three nights. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Your hotel is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, just a 10-minute walk to Las Ramblas. Passeig de Gràcia, the city’s nicest shopping street, is easily reached on foot. Emblematic buildings and sights such as Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), La Sagrada Familia, and the Picasso museum are also nearby should you wish to visit them on your own.
This program includes stay in Junior Suite.
Day 2:
After breakfast, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the gleaming commercial center.
During the comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona to spend the evening at the hotel.
Day 3:
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will receive a Hop On Hop Off bus voucher that will allow you to explore the attractions that interest you the most. Simply hop on the buses and hop off whenever you wish. The buses travel in a continuous loop between attractions that include the Picasso Museum, the Gaudí-designed houses Casa Battló and Casa Mila, and various shopping areas.
The entire day will be yours to spend as you please, with all meals on your own before retiring to the hotel for the evening.
Day 4:
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will check out by noon (subject to change). Transfers to the airport will be based on flight times. See your Welcome Letter for details. For guests with late-departing flights, luggage storage is available at the hotel.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
8:30am Disembark the ship, meet your guide
9:00am Panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
10:30am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:30pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour
1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:00pm Transfer to your hotel and check in
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Ohla Eixample or similar hotel
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Ohla Eixample or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
The day is at your leisure to use the complimentary Hop On Hop Off bus ticket
Lunch and dinner are on your own
Overnight at the Ohla Eixample or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check out from the hotel
Transfer to the airport based on the time of your flight. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer time.
Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
April – 17C or 63F
May – 23C or 73F
June – 25C or 77F
July – 29C or 84F
August – 30C or 86F
September – 26C or 78F
October – 24C or 75F
November – 14C or57F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
Ohla Eixample
C/ de Còrsega, 289, L'Eixample, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
NOTE: Design rooms include a rain shower that is visible from the bed. For more privacy, a vinyl cover can be placed over the glass walls.
Program includes:
•3-nights at the Ohla Eixample or similar hotel (Junior Suite) with buffet breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
•English-speaking official guides on Day 1 and Day 2
•Lunch on Day 1 including water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•1-day voucher for the Hop On Hop Off bus
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their situation
Please note: Land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Discover the considerable charms and natural beauty of Costa Brava by exploring medieval villages, browsing extraordinary attractions such as the Dalí Theatre-Museum and dining on authentic regional cuisine.
Day 1
Upon flying into the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the ARRIVALS HALL (after the luggage claim area). Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then transfer in a private car to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona, where you will spend the evening.
Although rooms may be available before the 3:00pm check in, this cannot be guaranteed. Guests with an early arrival may wish to book an extra night at the hotel, so a room will be ready when you arrive.
The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with meals on your own.
Day 2
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will depart for Vic, an ancient city formerly known as Ausa and then Vicus Ausonensis in the 2nd century. As you meander through its most historical quarter, you will view Vic’s Neoclassical cathedral and Roman temple.
After a bit of free time to explore and shop on your own, you will visit Casa Riera Ordeix, a family-owned business that has been producing an extraordinarily high-quality summer sausage known as salchichón since 1852.
As the visit will whet your appetite, an authentic Catalan lunch will soon follow, after which you will proceed to the medieval town of Girona. While strolling its narrow cobblestone streets and bridges that crisscross the rivers, you will pass all sorts of architectural treasures such as the 11th-century church.
Fans of “Game of Thrones” may recognize certain locations from the TV series. For instance, Girona’s Benedictine monastery, Plaza del Jurats and cathedral steps all served as sets.
Later in the afternoon, you will check into the Hotel Carlemany and spend the remainder of the day however you wish. Dinner will be on your own.
Day 3
After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Besalú, another medieval town in the province of Girona. Chances are, you will enter the oldest section of town by walking across the fortified 11th-century bridge over the Fluvia River. It wasn’t constructed straight across the river, but rather at angles so the foundations could be built into the bedrock. While walking around the historical district, you will see Romanesque churches and perhaps a 13th-century Jewish bathhouse near the bridge.
Following lunch, you will drive to Figueras, where you will browse the namesake theatre-museum that Salvador Dalí founded. It is often called the “world’s largest surrealistic object.” He designed everything inside, and the setting reveals much about the celebrated surrealist. The collection showcases Dalí’s genius through extraordinary paintings, illustrations and rare self-portraits. Few experiences offer such artistic insight.
After browsing the works inside the Dalí Theatre-Museum, you will return to the the Hotel Carlemany and spend the remainder of the day as you wish. Dinner will be on your own.
Day 4
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will depart for Pals, a medieval town in Costa Brava. As you wander the twisting cobblestone streets in the atmospheric old town, you will soon understand why Pals has been declared a Historic Artistic Site. It is that beautiful and memorable.
The feeling is similar in nearby Peratallada, your next stop. Its name means “carved stone,” a reference to the village’s buildings, archways and defensive walls, all of which are stone. In fact, there is such a uniformity of building materials that Peratallada looks monochromatic. Other architectural highlights include the medieval Century Palace and a twin-towered castle.
Following lunch, you will drive to the pier in Barcelona to embark the cruise ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport.
Transfer to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona for 3:00 pm check in.
The evening will be at your leisure with meals on your own.
Overnight at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. A transfer is not included for guests arriving independently before the program start date.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided. Guests will then be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Transfer to the city of Vic
10:30am Visit the city of Vic
1:15pm Lunch
2:45pm Transfer to Girona
4:00pm Walking tour of Girona
6:00pm Transfer to the hotel and check-in
Remainder of the evening at leisure with dinner on your own
Overnight at the Hotel Carlemany Girona
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Transer to Besalú
9:45a m Visit Besalú
1:00pm Lunch
2:30pm Depart for Figueras
3:15pm Visit the Dali Theatre-Museum
5:15pm Return to the hotel
Remainder of the evening at leisure with dinner on your own
Overnight at the Hotel Carlemany Girona
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Depart for Pals
10:00am Visit Pals
11:00am Depart for Peratallada
11:30am Visit Peratallada
12:30pm Lunch
2:00pm Depart for the Barcelona pier
4:00pm Arrival at the pier for embarkation
Please Note: This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or for those who use a wheelchair, walker or scooter due to the amount of walking, many steps and cobbled surfaces.
Expected Weather
April: average temperature 15º C
May: average temperature 18º C
June: average temperature 20º C
September: average temperature 20º C
October: average temperature 18º C
November: average temperature 10º C
What to Bring
Weather-appropriate clothing, hats, flat comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sun protection, umbrellas and cameras.
Currency
Euro
Electricity
220 volts. We recommend bringing your own travel converter for electric devices, as hotels do not provide them.
Luggage
Luggage handling for two suitcases per person at each hotel is included.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel addresses
NH Gran Calderon in Barcelona
Rambla de Catalunya, 26, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
+34 933 01 00 00
Hotel Carlemany Girona
Plaça Miquel Santaló i Pavor, 1, 17002 Girona
+34 972 21 12 12
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
Program includes
• English-speaking guide for all tours
• 1 night at NH Collection Gran H. Calderon in Barcelona or similar (premium room)
• 2 nights at Hotel Carlemany Girona or similar (standard double room)
• All touring and entrances per the itinerary
• 3 lunches but without beverages
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program excludes
Gratuities to drivers and guides
Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Meals and beverages not listed above
Touring not listed above
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Explore Barcelona and Girona in depth by visiting their architectural landmarks, often on guided walking tours and on your own with a liberating Hop On Hop Off bus voucher in the capital of Catalonia.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
Day 1:
After disembarking the ship in Barcelona, you will begin a guided tour of the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing on, you will begin a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from throughout Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A tapas-style lunch follows, after which you will check into your hotel to spend the first of three nights. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Your hotel is located in the L’Esquerra de L’Eixample district of Barcelona and stone’s throw from La Pedrera, Casa Batllo and the Sagrada Familia should you wish to visit those on your own.
Day 2:
After breakfast, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the gleaming commercial center.
During the comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona to spend the evening at the hotel.
Day 3:
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will receive a Hop On Hop Off bus voucher that will allow you to explore the attractions that interest you the most. Simply hop on the buses and hop off whenever you wish. The buses travel in a continuous loop between attractions that include the Picasso Museum, the Gaudí-designed houses Casa Battló and Casa Mila, and various shopping areas.
The entire day will be yours to spend as you please, with all meals on your own before retiring to the hotel for the evening.
Day 4:
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will check out by noon (subject to change). Transfers to the airport will be based on flight times. See your Welcome Letter for details. For guests with late-departing flights, luggage storage is available at the hotel.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
8:30am Disembark the ship, meet your guide
9:00am Panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
10:30am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:30pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour
1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:00pm Transfer to your hotel and check in
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Ohla Eixample or similar hotel
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Ohla Eixample or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
The day is at your leisure to use the complimentary Hop On Hop Off bus ticket
Lunch and dinner are on your own
Overnight at the Ohla Eixample or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check out from the hotel
Transfer to the airport based on the time of your flight. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer time.
Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
April – 17C or 63F
May – 23C or 73F
June – 25C or 77F
July – 29C or 84F
August – 30C or 86F
September – 26C or 78F
October – 24C or 75F
November – 14C or57F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
Ohla Eixample
C/ de Còrsega, 289, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 937 37 79 77
*Note: The Design rooms with one bed include a rainshower that is visible from the bed.
*We will only substitute the hotel in unforeseen situations. If the hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.
Program includes:
•3-nights at the Ohla Eixample or similar hotel (Design room) (or similar hotel) with buffet breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
•English-speaking official guides on Day 1 and Day 2
•Lunch on Day 1 including water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•1-day voucher for the Hop On Hop Off bus
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their situation
Please note: Land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
On this small group program, experience Barcelona from every angle through its landmark architecture including a hands-on cooking class and other authentic gastronomic experiences, all enhanced with a day trip into the Catalan wine region. Program is limited to 20 participants.
Day 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall, which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then be transferred to the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or a similar hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals will be on your own today.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage, plus 2 carry-on bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus, 2 or 3 carry-on bags. If you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required for additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide in the lobby for a morning tour of the Sagrada Familia. The basilica’s heavily ornate exterior walls, its eye-catching and complex designs, the play of light and shadow on the wall reliefs and the magnitude of the construction are enough to overwhelm even the most ardent of design aficionados. Famed architect Antoni Gaudí envisioned the Sagrada Familia with 18 monumental spires, 10 of which are still under construction.
Next, follow your guide on a leisurely walk along the pedestrian-friendly Avinguda Gaudi, passing cafés and shops until you reach Sant Pau Hospital, another modernist masterpiece of Barcelona. This UNESCO World Heritage site complex was built between 1901 and 1930 and designed by the Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It was a fully functioning hospital until June 2009, when a new hospital opened next to it. The original building has been restored and is now a museum and cultural center.
After visiting the Sant Pau Hospital, enjoy lunch in a lovely restaurant in the upper part of the city offering beautiful views over Barcelona.
A panoramic drive ending at the Gothic Quarter follows lunch. This is the oldest part of Barcelona. You will follow the guide along pedestrian-only alleyways and through lively squares on the way to Plaça Sant Jaume, where you will find the magnificent town hall. You will also see from the outside, the 600-year-old Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia, which was built on the site of a Roman temple dedicated to Hercules, and a section of the medieval walls that once protected the city.
Afterwards, you will return to the hotel to spend the evening. Dinner is on your own.
Day 3
After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet the guide and drive to the magnificent Abbey of Montserrat. Perching atop a multi-peak mountain with fingerlike pinnacles, the abbey offers stunning views of the Catalonia region.
According to the legend, villagers discovered a statue of the Madonna in a grotto centuries ago and as a result, it became a pilgrimage site that still draws thousands to venerate the image, which now resides in a grand basilica. Over time, candle smoke darkened the image, which is now known as the Black Virgin.
Benedictine monks have served the abbey for almost a thousand years. They are dedicated to a life of prayer, work and welcoming pilgrims. You will ascend the mountain on a rack railway, a trip that will present stunning views. Upon arriving at the abbey, you will visit the sanctuary and its museum before enjoying free time for further exploration or simply to admire the beauty of the surroundings.
In time, you will drive to the Pere Ventura wine estate in the Penedes wine region, an area revered for its white wines and sparkling cava. During a comprehensive tour of the estate, you will visit the vineyards, the wine cellar and its underground chapel. A wine tasting follows, as does a spectacular lunch made with locally sourced ingredients.
Afterwards, you will return to your hotel for the evening. Dinner is on your own.
Day 4
After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a short transfer to the Born Quarter, a trendy neighborhood located between the Gothic Quarter and Ciutadella Park. It is one of the liveliest, most historic areas of Barcelona.
Although notorious in medieval times for public executions and the burning of alleged witches, the Born Quarter became more prosperous and respectable in the 13th century. Its labyrinth of narrow streets reveals a wonderful mix medieval and more contemporary architecture that includes the 14th-century Santa Maria del Mar church, a 19th-century market hall and the Center for Culture and Memory.
Upon reaching the Santa Caterina Food Market, you will meet a chef that will accompany you through the stalls and describe the ingredients in many of the most popular local dishes. You will then follow the chef to a nearby venue and prepare a meal for lunch in a hands-on cooking class. The meal will be paired with a selection of cava and wine.
After this enlightening culinary experience, you will return to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure and dinner is on your own.
Day 5
After breakfast at the hotel, the morning will be at your leisure. Around noon, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to the pier to embark the ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at the hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night, as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and transfer in a private vehicle to the Nobu Hotel Barcelona for a 3:00 pm check-in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed.
If you have an early arrival, you may wish to book an extra night, so a room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Transfers are not included for guests arriving independently before the program start date.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Meet your guide in the lobby, transfer to Sagrada Familia
9:30am Visit Sagrada Familia
11:00am Walk to Hospital de San Pau
11:30am Visit Hospital de San Pau
12:30pm Drive to your lunch venue
1:00pm Lunch
2:30pm Transfer to the Gothic Quarter
3:00pm Walking tour of the Gothic Quarter
5:00pm Depart for your hotel
5:30pm Arrive at the hotel, remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Meet guide in the lobby and drive toward Montserrat
9:30am Ride a rackrail train to the monastery
10:00am Visit the monastery and its museum
11:30am Free time for independent exploration
12:00pm Drive to the Penedes wine region
1:00pm Lunch and visit the winery
4:00pm Drive back to Barcelona
5:00pm Arrive at your hotel, remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Transfer to the Born Quarter
9:30am Walking tour, ending at Santa Caterina Market
11:00am Market tour with chef
12:30pm Gastronomic hands-on experience, including tastings and lunch
3:00pm Depart for the hotel
3:30pm Arrive at your hotel, remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 5
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check-out and transfer to the pier for embarkation
What to Bring
Weather-appropriate clothing, hat, flat comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a converter for electrical devices, as hotels do not provide them.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
Nobu Hotel Barcelona
Av. de Roma, 2, 4, Distrito de Sants-Montjuïc, 08014 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 936 42 88 88
*We will only substitute a hotel in unforeseen situations. If a hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.
Program Includes for guests
4 nights at the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or similar including breakfast (Run of House Deluxe or Premium Room)
Private transfer from the Barcelona International Airport to the hotel on Day 1
Group transfer to the port on Day 5
Tours and meals per the itinerary
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests
Gratuities for drivers and guides
Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released. Arrangements for accommodations and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Explore landmarks in and around Barcelona, including UNESCO World Heritage sites designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, and enjoy a walking tour of medieval Girona that lends more insight into the Catalonia region.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
Operational Note: Hotel Sophia is now called the Grand Hyatt Barcelona
DAY 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then be transferred to your hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals will be on your own today.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage plus 2 carry-on size bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus 2-3 carry-on size bags. If you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required for an additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
DAY 2
After breakfast at your hotel, you will meet the guide and begin touring the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing on, you will begin walking through the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from several regions of Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A lunch including local specialties follows, after which you will return to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 3
After breakfast at your hotel, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the commercial center.
During a comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona, where the remainder of the evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Day 4
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will travel to Colonia Güell, another one of Gaudí’s unfinished works. Like La Sagrada Familia, this church is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Businessman Eusebio Güell commissioned Gaudí to build it for his textile factory workers in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló. The church is particularly noteworthy because the famed architect introduced advanced technology on it that he finetuned in later projects.
In time, you will travel to Cavas Freixenet in the heart of the Penedès region, a region well-known in Roman times for producing quality wines. There, you will tour the cellars, learn about the production of its sparkling cava wine and enjoy a lunch of local specialties.
Afterwards, you will return to Barcelona for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and private transfer to your hotel for a 3:00 pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival, you may wish to book an extra night so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet your guide, panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
10:30am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:30pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour
1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:00pm Return to your hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona or similar
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona or similar
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel and check out
9:45am Meet your guide in the lobby
10:00am Visit Colonia Güell
11:00am Drive to Freixenet Cellars
11:45am Visit the cellars and enjoy lunch
2:15pm Drive toward Barcelona
3:15pm Arrive at the Barcelona pier for embarkation
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
April – 17C or 63F
May – 23C or 73F
June – 25C or 77F
July – 29C or 84F
August – 30C or 86F
September – 26C or 78F
October – 24C or 75F
November – 14C or57F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
Grand Hyatt Barcelona
Plaça de Pius XII, 4, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 935 08 10 00
*We will only substitute the hotel in unforeseen situations. If the hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.
Program includes:
•3 nights at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona – Junior Suite King Bed (or similar hotel) with buffet breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water. This room also includes Spa access and is guaranteed on floors 12-16
•Lunches on Days 2 and 4 to include water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•Touring and entrances per the itinerary
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released. Arrangements for accommodations and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Explore landmarks in and around Barcelona, including UNESCO World Heritage sites designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, and enjoy a walking tour of medieval Girona that lends more insight into the Catalonia region.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
DAY 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then be transferred to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or a similar hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals will be on your own today.
Your hotel is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, just a 10-minute walk to Las Ramblas. Passeig de Gràcia, the city’s nicest shopping street, is easily reached on foot. Emblematic buildings and sights such as Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), La Sagrada Familia and the Picasso Museum are also nearby if you wish to visit them.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage plus 2 carry-on size bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus 2-3 carry-on size bags. If you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required for an additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
DAY 2
After breakfast at your hotel, you will meet the guide and begin touring the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing on, you will begin walking through the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from several regions of Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A lunch including local specialties follows, after which you will return to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 3
After breakfast at your hotel, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the commercial center.
During a comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona, where the remainder of the evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Day 4
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will travel to Colonia Güell, another one of Gaudí’s unfinished works. Like La Sagrada Familia, this church is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Businessman Eusebio Güell commissioned Gaudí to build it for his textile factory workers in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló. The church is particularly noteworthy because the famed architect introduced advanced technology on it that he finetuned in later projects.
In time, you will travel to Cavas Freixenet in the heart of the Penedès region, a region well-known in Roman times for producing quality wines. There, you will tour the cellars, learn about the production of its sparkling cava wine and enjoy a lunch of local specialties.
Afterwards, you will return to Barcelona for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and private transfer to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona for a 3:00 pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival, you may wish to book an extra night so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure. You will spend the evening at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or a similar hotel.
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet your guide, panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
10:30am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:30pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour
1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:00pm Return to your hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the NH Calderon or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the NH Calderon or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel and check out
9:45am Meet your guide in the lobby
10:00am Visit Colonia Güell
11:00am Drive to Freixenet Cellars
11:45am Visit the cellars and enjoy lunch
2:15pm Drive toward Barcelona
3:15pm Arrive at the Barcelona pier for embarkation
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
April – 17C or 63F
May – 23C or 73F
June – 25C or 77F
July – 29C or 84F
August – 30C or 86F
September – 26C or 78F
October – 24C or 75F
November – 14C or57F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón
Rambla de Catalunya, 26, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 933 01 00 00
Program includes:
•3 nights at the NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón – superior room (or similar hotel) with buffet breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
•Lunches on Days 2 and 4 to include water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•Touring and entrances per the itinerary
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released. Arrangements for accommodations and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Explore landmarks in and around Barcelona, including UNESCO World Heritage sites designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, and enjoy a walking tour of medieval Girona that lends more insight into the Catalonia region.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
DAY 1 - October 19, 2024
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then be transferred to the Hotel Torre Melina Grand Meliá or a similar hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals will be on your own today. The hotel is located in uptown Barcelona about a 30-minute drive from La Rambla.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage plus 2 carry-on size bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus 2-3 carry-on size bags. If you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required for an additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
DAY 2 - October 20, 2024
After breakfast at your hotel, you will meet the guide and begin touring the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing on, you will begin walking through the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from several regions of Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A lunch including local specialties follows, after which you will return to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 3 - October 21, 2024
After breakfast at your hotel, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the commercial center.
During a comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona, where the remainder of the evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Day 4 - October 22, 2024
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will travel to Colonia Güell, another one of Gaudí’s unfinished works. Like La Sagrada Familia, this church is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Businessman Eusebio Güell commissioned Gaudí to build it for his textile factory workers in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló. The church is particularly noteworthy because the famed architect introduced advanced technology on it that he finetuned in later projects.
In time, you will travel to Cavas Freixenet in the heart of the Penedès region, a region well-known in Roman times for producing quality wines. There, you will tour the cellars, learn about the production of its sparkling cava wine and enjoy a lunch of local specialties.
Afterwards, you will return to Barcelona for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and private transfer to the Overnight at the Hotel Torre Melina Grand Meliá or similar hotel Barcelona for a 3:00 pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival, you may wish to book an extra night so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet your guide, panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
10:30am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:30pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour
1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:00pm Return to your hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Hotel Torre Melina Grand Meliá or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Hotel Torre Melina Grand Meliá or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel and check out
9:45am Meet your guide in the lobby
10:00am Visit Colonia Güell
11:00am Drive to Freixenet Cellars
11:45am Visit the cellars and enjoy lunch
2:15pm Drive toward Barcelona
3:15pm Arrive at the Barcelona pier for embarkation
Weather
Average - October – 24C or 75F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
Hotel Torre Melina Grand Meliá or similar hotel a
Av. Diagonal, 671, Les Corts, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 933 64 40 40
*We will only substitute the hotel in unforeseen situations. If the hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.
Program includes:
•3 nights at the Hotel Torre Melina Grand Meliá or similar hotel - deluxe room
•Breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
•Lunches on Days 2 and 4 to include water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•Touring and entrances per the itinerary
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released. Arrangements for accommodations and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Explore landmarks in and around Barcelona, including UNESCO World Heritage sites designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, and enjoy a walking tour of medieval Girona that lends more insight into the Catalonia region.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
DAY 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then be transferred to the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or a similar hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals will be on your own today.
Your hotel is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, just a 10-minute walk to Las Ramblas. Passeig de Gràcia, the city’s nicest shopping street, is easily reached on foot. Emblematic buildings and sights such as Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), La Sagrada Familia and the Picasso Museum are also nearby if you wish to visit them.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage plus 2 carry-on size bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus 2-3 carry-on size bags. If you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required for an additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
DAY 2
After breakfast at your hotel, you will meet the guide and begin touring the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing on, you will begin walking through the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from several regions of Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A lunch including local specialties follows, after which you will return to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 3
After breakfast at your hotel, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the commercial center.
During a comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona, where the remainder of the evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Day 4
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will travel to Colonia Güell, another one of Gaudí’s unfinished works. Like La Sagrada Familia, this church is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Businessman Eusebio Güell commissioned Gaudí to build it for his textile factory workers in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló. The church is particularly noteworthy because the famed architect introduced advanced technology on it that he finetuned in later projects.
In time, you will travel to Cavas Freixenet in the heart of the Penedès region, a region well-known in Roman times for producing quality wines. There, you will tour the cellars, learn about the production of its sparkling cava wine and enjoy a lunch of local specialties.
Afterwards, you will return to Barcelona for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and private transfer to the Nobu Hotel Barcelona for a 3:00 pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival, you may wish to book an extra night, so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided,and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet your guide, panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
10:30am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:30pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour
1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:00pm Return to your hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel and check out
9:45am Meet your guide in the lobby
10:00am Visit Colonia Güell
11:00am Drive to Freixenet Cellars
11:45am Visit the cellars and enjoy lunch
2:15pm Drive toward Barcelona
3:15pm Arrive at the Barcelona pier for embarkation
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
April – 17C or 63F
May – 23C or 73F
June – 25C or 77F
July – 29C or 84F
August – 30C or 86F
September – 26C or 78F
October – 24C or 75F
November – 14C or57F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
Nobu Hotel Barcelona
Av. de Roma, 2, 4, Distrito de Sants-Montjuïc, 08014 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 936 42 88 88
Program includes:
•3 nights at the Nobu Hotel Barcelona – Deluxe (or similar hotel) with buffet breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
•Lunches on Days 2 and 4 to include water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•Touring and entrances per the itinerary
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released. Arrangements for accommodations and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Explore Barcelona and Girona in depth by visiting their architectural landmarks and prior to embarkation, discover one of Gaudí´s best kept secrets including a and visit to a renowned wine cellar to taste authentic cava.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, possibly over cobbled areas, this program is not recommended for guests who use a wheelchair, walker or cane or have any other mobility restrictions.
Day 1:
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will meet your local English-speaking driver outside the luggage pick-up area who will then accompany you to your hotel.
At check-in, you will receive a Welcome Letter with details on your daily tours and the hospitality desk hours.
Meals are on your own today.
Day 2:
After breakfast, meet your local guide who will introduce you the city of Barcelona. Begin with a guided tour of the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing, you will begin a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from throughout Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A tapas-style lunch follows, after which you will check into your hotel to spend the first of three nights. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Day 3:
After breakfast, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the gleaming commercial center.
During the comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona to spend the evening at the hotel.
Day 4:
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, meet your guide and depart for a visit to Colonia Guell, one of Gaudí's most emblematic works for the architectural solutions he used. Businessman Eusebio Güell commissioned Gaudí to build a church for his textile factory workers in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló. This job allowed the architect to try out many of the practical solutions he would employ in later projects. This Church is one of the seven properties Gaudí built near Barcelona that are Unesco World Heritage Sites.
Continue to Cavas Freixenet whose cellars were set up in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia (Catalonia, Spain), a town situated in the heart of the Penedès region, well-known from the era of the Roman Empire, for the quality of the wines produced there.
In the 20’s and 30’s, the energy of the founders and their confidence in the quality of their products had achieved fame for the company. By the beginning of the 1970s Freixenet was well established in the Spanish market as a strong brand with a clear vocation to expand on the international stage. Visit the premises and learn the history of the brand and its wines. Enjoy a cocktail style light lunch of local specialties before returning to Barcelona for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and private transfer to your hotel.
Check in time is at 3:00pm. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival you may wish to book an extra night, so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight at the Majestic Barcelona or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
From 7am Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am After breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby
9:15am Panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia for an outside visit
11:00am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:45pm Drive to Montjuïc, guided walking tour of Spanish Village
1:45pm Lunch at local restaurant and some free time
3:30pm Return to your hotel, remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Majestic Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 3
From 7am Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet your guide in the lobby and transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona’s old quarter
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration on your own
3:30pm Return drive to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure and dinner on your own
Overnight at the Majestic Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 4
From 7am Breakfast at your hotel
9:15am Check-out and meet your guide in the lobby
9:30am Depart for Colonia Guell
10:00am Arrival and visit (both small town and church)
11:30am Drive to Freixenet Cellars
12:15pm Arrival, visit and cocktail style light lunch
2:30pm Drive to the port in Barcelona
3:30pm Approximate arrival to the pioer for embarkation
Expected Weather:
Maximum temperature: 19° C or 66.2 F
Minimum temperature: 11° C or 51.8 F
November is considered a transitional seasonal month, so there can be days as warm as the high 60s F, with average monthly temperatures in the mid-60s.
What to Bring:
Warmer, comfortable clothes and shoes for walking visits, any medications, and umbrella in case of rain.
Local Currency:
Euro
Electricity
22O V, an adaptor is needed therefore we recommend brining your own universal travel adaptor for any electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is required to travel to Spain
Hotel addresses:
Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona
Passeig De Gracia, 68, Barcelona, 08007, Spain
Phone: +34 93 492 22 44
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of changes before departure, then the hotel(s) listed in this program will be used
Program Includes for guests:
-3 nights at the Majestic Hotel or similar – Deluxe Room
-Breakfast daily
-Transfer from airport to hotel on day 1
-Transportation and guided tours as per program
-Lunch on day 2 and entrance fees to Spanish Village (drink package includes Wine (1 bottle every 4 guests) or beer or soft drink + water
-Visit Colonia Guell and Visit to Freixenet Cellars with cocktail style lunch on day 4 ending at pier
-Porterage and city taxes at hotels
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Any meals or beverages not listed above
•Gratuities for drivers and guides
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar, laundry and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Explore landmarks in and around Barcelona, including UNESCO World Heritage sites designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, and enjoy a walking tour of medieval Girona that lends more insight into the Catalonia region.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
DAY 1 - October 22, 2024
Disembark the ship in Barcelona and meet you guide before starting out on a city tour.
Pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing on, you will begin walking through the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where time permitting, you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from several regions of Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A tapas style lunch including local specialties follows, after which you will check in to Hotel Torre Melina Grand Meliá or a similar hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals will be on your own today. The hotel is located in uptown Barcelona about a 30-minute drive from La Rambla.
The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 2 - October 23, 2024
After breakfast at your hotel, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the commercial center.
During a comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona, where the remainder of the evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 3 - October 24, 2024
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will travel to Colonia Güell, another one of Gaudí’s unfinished works. Like La Sagrada Familia, this church is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Businessman Eusebio Güell commissioned Gaudí to build it for his textile factory workers in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló. The church is particularly noteworthy because the famed architect introduced advanced technology on it that he finetuned in later projects.
In time, you will travel to Cavas Freixenet in the heart of the Penedès region, a region well-known in Roman times for producing quality wines. There, you will tour the cellars, learn about the production of its sparkling cava wine and enjoy a lunch of local specialties.
Afterwards, you will return to Barcelona where the remainder of the day is at your leisure and dinner is on your own.
Day 4 - October 25, 2024
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and meet your local English-speaking driver at the time indicated at your welcome letter to transfer to the Barcelona International Airport. Should you have a later flight, luggage storage will be available until your departure. Hotel check out time is at 12:00pm.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage plus 2 carry-on size bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus 2-3 carry-on size bags. If you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required for an additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
8:45am Disembark the ship in Barcelona, meet your guide
9:00am Panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
11:00am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:45pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour of Spanish Village
1:45pm Lunch at a local restaurant, some free time
3:30pm Transfer to your hotel for check-in
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Hotel Torre Melina Grand Meliá or similar hotel
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Hotel Torre Melina Grand Meliá or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:45am Meet your guide in the lobby
10:00am Visit Colonia Güell
11:00am Drive to Freixenet Cellars
11:45am Visit the cellars and enjoy lunch
2:15pm Drive toward Barcelona
3:15pm Arrive at your hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Hotel Torre Melina Grand Meliá or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check out from the hotel
Transfer to the airport based on the time of your flight. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer time.
Extra Nights:
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
•Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
October – 24C or 75F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
Hotel Torre Melina Grand Meliá or similar hotel a
Av. Diagonal, 671, Les Corts, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 933 64 40 40
*We will only substitute the hotel in unforeseen situations. If the hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.
Program includes:
•3 nights at the Hotel Torre Melina Grand Meliá or similar hotel - deluxe room
•Breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
•Lunches on Days 1 and 3 to include water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•Touring and entrances per the itinerary
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their situation
Please note: Land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
This tour begins in Barcelona and ends in Tarragona for embarkation. Arrival flights should be booked into the Barcelona International Airport.
Discover the Abbey of Montserrat as well as the medieval charms of Cardona, a town founded in the 10th century.
Note: This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or for those who use a wheelchair, walker or scooter due to the amount of walking, many steps and cobbled surfaces.
Day 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then be transferred to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or a similar hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals are on your own today.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage plus 2 carryon size bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus 2 -3 carry-on sized bags. Should you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required with additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
Day 2
After breakfast meet your driver and guide and begin the journey to the magnificent Abbey of Montserrat, located approximately 1.5 hours from the city.
This unusual multi-peaked mountain is topped by pinnacles that look like fingers reaching for the sky and offers stunning views of Catalunya.
According to legend, a millennium ago, villagers discovered a statue of the Madonna in one of the grottos which has since become a popular pilgrimage site. Montserrat draws millions of faithful to revere the statue, which now resides in the Santa Maria de Montserrat Monastery.
Over the centuries the statue has been darkened by the smoke of millions of candles and as such has become known as the Black Virgin. The Benedictine community, now numbering some 80 monks, has served the shrine for almost a thousand years. They are dedicated to a life of prayer, work and welcoming the pilgrims.
From the bottom of the mountain, you will reach the peak of Montserrat in about 15 minutes on the rack rail which allows some stunning views on the way up. At your arrival, follow your guide on foot for a visit of the sanctuary and the local museum. Lunch is also included at local restaurant. Time will also be allowed for some independent exploration before your return.
Note: There is substantial walking on this tour, approximately 1.5 hours – over sloped and uneven terrain.
Your journey continues with a 1-hour drive to Parador de Cardona, a charming hilltop hotel in Cardona that was once a medieval castle. It’s an exquisite setting with unrivalled views over the city and the Cardener River. The atmosphere inside the hotel is just as memorable, as the architectural features and furnishings are medieval in style.
Important Note about the hotel: being a medieval castle, guests should not expect this property to have the same feel as a luxury city hotel. There is now luggage porterage available at the hotel, however due to the size of the hotel and depending on the number of guests on this program, it may take some time before your luggage reaches your room.
All 54 rooms at the Parador de Cardona are spacious, well equipped and furnished in Gothic style. They are decorated with fine, rich fabrics in light pastel tones and bright colors. The rooms enjoy lovely views over the countryside, Cardoner river or the medieval-style town of Cardona. Guests will find rooms encased by ancient walls and arches, but offering modern comforts such as marble bathrooms, satellite TV, minibar and free Wi-Fi. From the atmospheric cellar vaults right up to the furnished roof terrace, the hotel exudes a charming atmosphere – one where guests may feel like they have travelled back in time to the Middle ages. On this 9th-century fortified site, guests can also visit Minyona Tower and a lovely church, both dating from the 11th century.
A group dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Also Note: There are approximately 100 steps to reach the town center from the hotel. A shuttle service between the town and the castle will be offered on day 3. The local representative that accompanies you on the transfer from Barcelona / Montserrat does not remain at the hotel with you.
Day 3
After breakfast, you will meet your English-speaking guide in the lobby of your hotel and start your walking tour of the castle. A number of wealthy salt barons lived here between the 11th and 15th centuries. Amazingly, the fortress was never conquered and survived intact through the Spanish Succession of 1711, the Spanish Civil War and other conflicts.
Because of its age and excellent condition, the castle reflects the evolution of military arts from the Middle Ages to modern times. It is now a state national monument, as is the adjoining Collegiate Church of Sant Vicenç.
Leaving Parador De Cardona behind, you will continue to the Old Historic Quarter where you will walk through the narrow medieval streets in Cardona. The Old Town is typically quiet and immensely charming, and if time permits you will visit the massive Church of St. Miquel. The Catalan Gothic-style building dominates the main square.
Next proceed by shuttle bus to the salt mines for a visit. The Vall Salina of Cardona is a depression of the land in the form of an elongated ellipse, having a surface area of 100 ha. The outcrops of salt are located within the depression and were thus formerly known as the Salí (salt warehouse) and are today known as the Vall Salina (salt valley).
Enjoy a walk through the old mining facility, Mina Nieves. See the imposing tower of the old mine shaft ‘Maria Teresa’ and the museum, which explains the history of the industrial exploitation of the valley. The shaft’s mining machinery can also be seen just as it was when fully operational.
NOTE: The visit of the mine is not exclusive – there will be other people visiting as well. Personal audio guides are used inside the mine. The salt mines are closed on Mondays. Should this occur during your stay, guests will visit the mines on day 2 or day 4. Guides will provide an updated itinerary.
Return to Old Town by shuttle bus and enjoy some free time in the centre or take the shuttle to return to the Parador. Lunch is on your own.
Later in the day a group dinner will be arranged at the hotel.
Note: If you visit Old Town on a Sunday, expect crowds from the local market. Respectful attire is required to enter all churches. If you arrive at a church during mass, you may only visit the outside, where the guide will elaborate on the history and construction of the church.
Reminder: This tour not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or those who utilize a walker, wheelchair or scooter due to the amount of walking, many steps and cobbled surfaces. There are over 100 steps from the castle between the Old Town and the hotel.
Day 4
After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet your driver in the lobby for the transfer to the pier in Tarragona, where you will embark the ship. This transfer is neither guided nor escorted.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and private transfer to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona for 3:00 pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival you may wish to book an extra night, so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Checkout, meet your guide at the hotel. Load luggage on bus
9.30am Drive to Montserrat
11:00am Arrival, visit of Montserrat & free time
1:00pm Lunch in a restaurant in Montserrat
2:30pm Drive to Parador de Cardona
3:30pm Arrival and check in, afternoon at leisure
8:00pm Group dinner at Parador de Cardona
Overnight at Parador de Cardona or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Meet your guide and start you guided tour through the Castle of Cardona
10:15am Transfer to the Old Town by shuttle bus
10:30am Guided tour of the Old Town
11:15am Transfer to the salt mines by shuttle bus
11:30am Change to local minibus & briefing of audio-guides
11:45am Visit salt mines
1:00pm Transfer by shuttle bus back to Old Town
Afternoon at leisure, lunch at own expense
8:00pm Group dinner at Parador
Overnight at Parador de Cardona or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
10:45am Check out, meet your driver and drive from Cardona to Tarragona
12:45pm Approximate arrival at the pier and embark the ship
Expected Weather:
April: average temperature 12º C
May: average temperature 15º C
June: average temperature 20º C
August: average temperature 28º C
September: average temperature 22º C
October: average temperature 15º C
November: average temperature 10º C
What to Bring:
Weather-appropriate clothing, hats, flat comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sun protection, umbrellas and cameras.
Currency:
Euro
Electricity:
220 Volt. Bring a travel converter, as hotels do not provide them.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is required.
Luggage:
Luggage will travel with guests at all times.
Hotel addresses:
NH Gran Calderon in Barcelona
Rambla de Catalunya, 26, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 933 01 00 00
Parador de Cardona Hotel
Castell de Cardona, s/n, 08261 Cardona, Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 938691275
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of changes before departure, then the hotel(s) listed in this program will be used
Program Includes:
1 night at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel in Barcelona (Premium room) – subject to change
2 nights at the Parador de Cardona Hotel – (Standard double) - subject to change
3 breakfasts, 1 lunch including 1 water, glass of wine or beer and coffee
2 group dinners at the Parador de Cardona Hotel including one glass of wine, water and coffee.
Transfers
All touring and entrances per the itinerary
City tax
Luggage porterage in Cardona
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes:
Gratuities to drivers and guides
Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Meals and beverages not listed above
Any touring not listed above
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Delve into the genius of Antoni Gaudí by visiting the legendary architect’s most emblematic creations, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and enhance your understanding of Barcelona with a walk-through of the charming Gothic Quarter. One evening enjoy an authentic flamenco show and spend a day at leisure to experience the city as you please.
Day 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport and after exiting Customs, Immigration and luggage collection, meet your local English-speaking driver who will accompany you to the avant-garde Melia ME Hotel which is located in the heart of the Passeig de Gracia, a vibrant shopping and business hub for the city.
Check-in is at 3:00pm. Should you arrive sooner, your room may not be ready. However, luggage can be stored at the reception desk if needed.
Once you have checked-in, you will receive a Welcome Letter with further details for the program, including the final timing of your visits and hospitality desk hours.
Meals will be on your own today.
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet a local guide in the lobby for a panoramic drive through Barcelona to La Sagrada Familia. Your guide will describe the church’s exterior and interior features and offer little-known facts about the construction. You will learn that the first architect to undertake this project originally planned a neo-Gothic church but died before it began. Legendary Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí took over the project and while conserving the original layout he soon stamped his personal imprint and distinctive style on the building.
Continuing on, you will soon reach the centrally located Passeig de Gracia – the so-called Champs-Élysées of Barcelona – and follow your guide on an enlightening walking tour along the avenue. Along the way, you will visit architectural treasures such as Casa Batlló, a UNESCO World Heritage site residence that Gaudí designed.
The Batlló family commissioned Gaudí to remodel an existing house, which the architect turned into an Art Nouveau masterpiece. The interior courtyard is covered in ceramic tiles that Gaudí designed – dark blue at the top, shading through lighter blues to white at ground level. The top floor attic has an organic structure formed by Gaudí's characteristic catenary arches. On the roof terrace, the roofline looks like a dragon's flank, pierced by a marble cross with four arms and four sets of chimneys.
You will also visit Casa Milà, a block of flats also known as La Pedrera or The Quarry, which is considered Gaudí's most iconic secular building. Its innovative construction, functionality and aesthetic are outstanding. It too is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the architect’s final residential building.
Following lunch at a well-established restaurant in the heart of downtown, you will return to the hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Day 3
After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet your guide and travel to the outskirts of Barcelona to visit Colònia Güell, a 19th-century industrial village where some of Gaudís architectural innovations were first featured. Industrialist and patron of the arts, Eusebi Güell funded the project.
Back in Barcelona, you will visit Park Güell, which was conceived as a residential town inspired by English garden cities. The houses were never built, and the project was turned into a public park named for Güell. At this UNESCO World Heritage site, you can expect to see Gaudí-designed organically inspired buildings decorated with colorful mosaic tiles, a dragon staircase guarded by a salamander sculpture and a portico shaped like a giant wave. The landscape architecture is breathtaking.
A lovely walk will bring you to a little-known gastro-club set in an ancient Catalan country house now surrounded by the bustling city. It is the private home of a young, but vastly experienced chef, who will open its doors for you. A luscious 5-star lunch will be served in the patio, while a Spanish guitarist plays.
From there, you will travel to Casa Vincens, the first modernist residence that Gaudí designed. Now a museum, it exhibits his architectural concept of textured materials, bold colors and flora and fauna motifs.
Free time follows at the hotel, after which you will visit Montjuic Hill, where El Poble Espanyol – The Spanish Village – is located. Built in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exhibition, it was intended to represent an “ideal model” of a Spanish village that contained the main characteristics of all the towns and villages in the peninsula.
After a brief introduction, you continue on to the Tablao de Carmen, a prominent venue for authentic flamenco music. During the show, local delicacies will be served for dinner. Afterwards, you will enjoy a panoramic drive through Barcelona, which will be beautifully illuminated for the evening.
Day 4
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will receive a voucher for the hop-on hop-off bus that will allow you to easily explore Barcelona on your own. There are numerous stops along the way such as the world-renowned Picasso Museum and Passeig De Gracia, a street lined with one fabulous boutique after another.
Lunch and dinner are on your own today.
Day 5
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will meet your guide for a visit to the Güell Palace, a wonderfully unique mansion that Gaudí designed in 1888 for the Catalan industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell. Although the building’s footprint is small, the design creates an optical illusion that makes the palace seem larger than it is.
After visiting, you will enjoy an enlightening walking tour through the emblematic street Las Ramblas, following a route towards the Gothic Quarter, the center of the old city. Sights along the way include Plaça Nova, the cathedral and city hall. You will then drive to the pier to embark the cruise ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the BCN airport and transfer to the hotel.
The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with meals on your own.
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on Page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:45am Meet your guide in the lobby
9:00am Panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia church and interior visit
11:00am Drive to Passeig de Gracia, short walking tour
12:15pm Visit Casa Battlo
1:30pm Lunch at Cafè La Pedrera or similar venue
3:00pm La Pedrera visit
4:30pm Return to the hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the ME Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:30am Meet your guide in the lobby, drive to the outskirts of the city
10:00am Visit Colònia Güell
11:00am Return to Barcelona and visit Park Güell
1:00pm Walk to La Huerta gastro-club for lunch
3:00pm Walk to Casa Vincens and visit
4:00pm Return to the hotel to freshen up before dinner
7:00pm Meet your guide in the lobby and drive to The Spanish Village
8:30pm Flamenco performance with dinner
10:30pm Return to the hotel
Overnight at the ME Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
Day at your leisure with hop-on hop-off bus tickets
DAY 5
AM Breakfast at the hotel and check out
9:00am Meet your guide in the lobby and drive to Palace Güell
9:30am Visit to Palace Güell
10:30am Walking tour of the Gothic Quarter
12:30pm Drive to the pier
1:30pm Arrive at the pier for embarkation
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
March – 12C or 53F
April – 17C or 63F
May – 23C or 73F
June – 25C or 77F
July – 29C or 84F
August – 30C or 86F
September – 26C or 78F
October – 24C or 75F
November – 14C or57F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted.
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
ME Barcelona Hotel
Carrer Casp 1-13, Barcelona.
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
Program includes:
•4 nights at the Melia ME Barcelona Hotel or similar - Superior ME City View room including breakfast
•Transfer from airport to hotel on Day 1
•Tours and entrances per the itinerary
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released. Arrangements for accommodations and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Experience Barcelona from every angle through its landmark architecture, a hands-on Catalan cooking class, an evening walking tour and by dining in a private residence, all enhanced with a day trip into the wine region.
Day 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall, which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then be transferred to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or a similar hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals will be on your own today.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage, plus 2 carry-on bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus, 2 or 3 carry-on bags. If you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required for additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide in the lobby for a morning tour of the Sagrada Familia. The basilica’s heavily ornate exterior walls, its eye-catching and complex designs, the play of light and shadow on the wall reliefs and the magnitude of the construction are enough to overwhelm even the most ardent of design aficionados. Famed architect Antoni Gaudí envisioned the Sagrada Familia with 18 monumental spires, 10 of which are still under construction. You will have access to one of the completed towers, to enjoy breathtaking views of the city from what has become an iconic symbol of Barcelona.
Next, follow your guide on a leisurely walk along the pedestrian-friendly Avinguda Gaudi, passing cafés and shops until you reach Sant Pau Hospital, another modernist masterpiece of Barcelona. This UNESCO World Heritage site complex was built between 1901 and 1930 and designed by the Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It was a fully functioning hospital until June 2009, when a new hospital opened next to it. The original building has been restored and is now a museum and cultural center.
After visiting the Sant Pau Hospital, you will return to the hotel to relax and have lunch on your own. Later in the day, you will meet in the lobby for an evening walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, the oldest part of Barcelona. You will follow the guide along pedestrian-only alleyways and through lively squares on the way to Plaça Sant Jaume, where you will find the magnificent town hall. You will also see the 600-year-old Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia, which was built on the site of a Roman temple dedicated to Hercules, and a section of the medieval walls that once protected the city.
A short, but panoramic drive through Barcelona will present other attractions, including the area that hosted the Olympic Games in 1992. You will then enjoy dinner in a restaurant uniquely located in the former throne room of the Palau Nacional, an wonderfully ornate building constructed in 1929 to host the International Exhibition.
Afterwards, you will return to the hotel to spend the evening.
Day 3
After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet the guide and drive to the magnificent Abbey of Montserrat. Perching atop a multi-peak mountain with fingerlike pinnacles, the abbey offers stunning views of the Catalonia region.
According to the legend, villagers discovered a statue of the Madonna in a grotto centuries ago and as a result, it became a pilgrimage site that still draws thousands to venerate the image, which now resides in a grand basilica. Over time, candle smoke darkened the image, which is now known as the Black Virgin.
Benedictine monks have served the abbey for almost a thousand years. They are dedicated to a life of prayer, work and welcoming pilgrims. You will ascend the mountain on a rack railway, a trip that will present stunning views. Upon arriving at the abbey, you will visit the sanctuary and its museum before enjoying free time for further exploration or simply to admire the beauty of the surroundings.
In time, you will drive to the Pere Ventura wine estate in the Penedes wine region, an area revered for its white wines and sparkling cava. During a comprehensive tour of the estate, you will ride through the vineyards in a 4x4 vehicle and visit the wine cellar and its underground chapel. A wine tasting follows, as does a spectacular lunch made with locally sourced ingredients.
Afterwards, you will return to the hotel to spend the evening.
Day 4
After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a short transfer to the Born Quarter, a trendy neighborhood located between the Gothic Quarter and Ciutadella Park. It is one of the liveliest, most historic areas of Barcelona.
Although notorious in medieval times for public executions and the burning of alleged witches, the Born Quarter became more prosperous and respectable in the 13th century. Its labyrinth of narrow streets reveals a wonderful mix medieval and more contemporary architecture that includes the 14th-century Santa Maria del Mar church, a 19th-century market hall and the Center for Culture and Memory.
Upon reaching the Santa Caterina Food Market, you will meet a chef that will accompany you through the stalls and describe the ingredients in many of the most popular local dishes. You will then follow the chef to a nearby venue and prepare a meal for lunch in a hands-on cooking class. The meal will be paired with a selection of cava and wine.
Free time at the hotel follows, where you might relax before an evening stroll through the charming Quarter of Gracia. The birthplace of the gypsy-created music genre rumba catalana, this popular quarter features a mix of lively plazas and narrow streets lined with cafés and bodegas. During the walk, you will see firsthand and up-close what local life is like.
For an even deeper look into the culture, you will be treated to a traditional Catalan dinner in a private home. The owner will explain the history of the house, how the neighborhood was once on the outskirts of Barcelona and why the home décor hasn’t been changed in generations.
After this enlightening culinary experience, you will return to the hotel to spend the evening.
Day 5
After breakfast at the hotel, the morning will be at your leisure. Around noon, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to the pier to embark on your cruise ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at the hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night, as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and transfer in a private vehicle to the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona for a 3:00 pm check-in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed.
If you have an early arrival, you may wish to book an extra night, so a room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
Please check the Welcome Letter that you will receive at the hotel for hospitality desk hours and information about your program.
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Transfers are not included for guests arriving independently before the program start date.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Meet your guide in the lobby, transfer to Sagrada Familia
9:30am Visit Sagrada Familia and one of its towers
11:00am Walk to Hospital de San Pau
11:30am Visit Hospital de San Pau
12:30pm Drive back to the hotel
1:00pm Arrive at the hotel
Lunch on your own
5:45pm Meet guide in the lobby, transfer to Gothic Quarter
6:15pm Arrive in Gothic Quarter for an evening walking tour
7:15pm Transfer to Oleum Restaurant
7:45pm Dinner at Oleum Restaurant
9:45pm Depart for the hotel
10:00pm Arrive at the hotel
Overnight at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Meet guide in the lobby and drive toward Montserrat
9:30am Ride a rackrail train toa the monastery
10:00am Visit the monastery and its museum
11:30am Free time for independent exploration
12:00pm Drive to the Penedes wine region
12:45pm Tour Pere Ventura vineyards in a 4x4 vehicle and enjoy lunch
4:30pm Drive back to Barcelona
5:30pm Arrive at the hotel
Dinner on your own
Overnight at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Transfer to the Born Quarter
9:30am Walking tour, ending at Santa Caterina Market
11:00am Market tour with chef
12:30pm Gastronomic hands-on experience, including tastings and lunch
3:00pm Depart for the hotel
3:30pm Arrive at the hotel
6:30pm Meet guide in lobby and transfer to Gracia Quarter
6:45pm Walking tour of Gracia Quarter
7:45pm Arrive at a private home for dinner
9:30pm Return to the hotel
Overnight at the NH Gran Calderon Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 5
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check-out and transfer to the pier for embarkation
What to Bring
Weather-appropriate clothing, hats, flat comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sun protection, umbrellas and cameras.
Currency
Euro
Electricity
220 volt. Bring a converter for electrical devices, as hotels do not provide them.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Luggage
Luggage will travel with guests at all times.
Hotel
NH Gran Calderon in Barcelona
Rambla de Catalunya, 26, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 933 01 00 00
*We will only substitute a hotel in unforeseen situations. If a hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotels listed in this program will be used.
Program Includes for guests
4 nights at the NH Calderon Hotel in Barcelona or similar including breakfast (Premium Room)
Private transfer from the Barcelona International Airport to the hotel on Day 1
Group transfer to the port on Day 5
Tours and meals per the itinerary
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests
Gratuities for drivers and guides
Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged
activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
Experience the magic of motorsport in Barcelona! Join us for expertly curated motorsport adventure that blends exotic cars, gourmet cuisine, shopping, and guided tours in the vibrant city of Barcelona, Spain. Take a guided tour of Circuit De Catalunya, the iconic Formula 1 racetrack, and learn about the historic Montjuïc F1 street racetrack. Feel the adrenaline as you drive an exotic supercar like an Aston Martin, Lamborghini, or Ferrari through stunning Spanish landscapes. Witness captivating Flamenco dancing, savor exquisite Andalusian and Catalan culinary delights with a private lunch and wine pairings at MontRubi Vineyards and take to the skies with a breathtaking helicopter ride over Montserrat National Park.
Ray Chang:
Join award-winning travel host Ray Chang, owner of Motorsport Lab. With over 1000 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor and accolades from DuPont Registry Exotic Car Magazine, Ray is the ultimate guide for motorsport enthusiasts. As an Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini owner, Ray’s passion for motorsport shines through his unique travel adventures. Experience the origins of iconic brands while immersing in the local culture, design, and cuisine. Enjoy driving exotic cars, visiting Formula 1 racetracks, touring auto museums with exclusive previews, dining at top restaurants, shopping at boutique stores, and even having an espresso with factory workers. Ray’s personable nature, “help-first” attitude, and extensive knowledge of local cultures and cuisines make every trip unforgettable. Join Ray for a journey filled with thrilling motorsport experiences and rich cultural insights.
Day 1 - July 19, 2025
Welcome to the beautiful city of Barcelona. Upon your arrival at Barcelona’s International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, the ME Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel.
Check in time is at 3:00pm. Should you have an early arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night to guarantee your room’s availability upon your early arrival otherwise luggage storage is available at the hotel until the rooms are ready.
Take some time to settle into your accommodations and start immersing yourself in the vibrant culture and history of this iconic Spanish city.
In the evening, join your fellow enthusiasts for an Informal Meet and Greet at the hotel’s bar. Here, you'll meet Ray Chang and get acquainted with the group, setting the tone for the thrilling days ahead. The rest of the evening is on your own to take in Barcelona, have dinner by yourself. Or feel free to join Ray for an impromptu dinner at one his favorite local restaurants (on own account).
Day 2 - July 20, 2025
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide in the lobby and dive into motorsport history with a group supercar driving experience on the historic Montjuïc street circuit.
Transfer to the Experience Center where you will have a briefing on learning the Spanish racing culture followed by learning how to drive a supercar. Next, participate in a group road rally to experience MontRubi. Here you will tour the vineyard with lunch and wine pairing.
Soon after, enjoy an exhilarating helicopter tour that provides a unique aerial perspective of Montserrat, one of Barcelona’s treasured National Parks.
Return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at your leisure and dinner is on your own giving you the chance to explore the city's diverse dining options.
DAY 3 - July 21, 2025
Day three promises even more excitement! Meet your guide in the lobby and depart for the F1 Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The scenic 60-minute drive will give you a chance to see more of the beautiful city of Barcelona.
Upon arrival, experience the thrill of the F1 Circuit with a comprehensive ninety-minute tour. Learn about the history of the track, explore the paddocks, and maybe even catch a glimpse of some racing action.
After an exhilarating morning, return to Barcelona for lunch at a traditional Catalonian restaurant. Enjoy a sumptuous meal paired with a tasting of exquisite Catalan wines.
The afternoon offers you the chance to leisurely explore Barcelona on a walking tour, uncovering the city's wonders, with additional opportunities to shop and sightsee at your own pace. Discover iconic landmarks, charming streets, and hidden gems.
Celebrate the end of your Barcelona adventure with a vibrant farewell dinner. Experience the passion and energy of a live flamenco show at the renowned Tablao de Carmen or similar venue, accompanied by yet another delicious meal.
Day 4 - July 22, 2025
As your incredible journey in Barcelona comes to an end, prepare for your departure. After breakfast and check out, transfer to the port of Barcelona where you will join your cruise, carrying with you unforgettable memories of your time in this magnificent city.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive one last final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review that Welcome Letter and your final itinerary carefully for any further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Please note: Due to mandatory vacation and maintenance work in the summer months, some of the tours may not be available. As such, Motorsport Lab reserves the right to modify the itinerary, where necessary.
Extra Nights
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive in Barcelona, you are met in the arrivals hall after Customs, Immigration and luggage claim, and transferred to your hotel
3:00pm Check in time at the hotel
Lunch on own
5-6:00pm Meet Ray in the lobby for drinks
Dinner on own or join Ray for an impromptu dinner (on own account)
Overnight at the ME Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:15am Meet your guide in the hotel lobby
9:30am Transfer to Experience Supercar
10:30am Driver’s briefing on Barcelona’s Historic Urban F1 Circuit
11:30am Group Drive to MontRubi in a Mix of Supercars with a Switch
1:00pm Lunch at a winery with tasting menu and wine pairing
4:00pm Helicopter experience of Montserrat National Park
5:00pm Return to your hotel
6:00pm Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the ME Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at your hotel
8:15am Meet your guide in the lobby of the hotel
8:30am Depart for F1 Circuit of Barcelona Track Tour
10:00am F1 Circuit of Barcelona Track Tour
11:30am Depart for lunch
1:00pm Traditional Spanish lunch in Barcelona
3:00pm Guided, leisurely walking tour of Barcelona
5:00pm Transfer to Poble Espanyol or similar venue for a Farewell Dinner
6:00pm Dinner and Flamenco Show
8:00pm Return to your hotel
8:30pm Remainder of the evening at your leisure
Overnight at the ME Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check out and transfer as a group to the port of Barcelona for embarkation
Extra Nights:
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers:
•All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Weather
In July, the average temperature in Barcelona should be approximately 27 C / 80 F.
What to bring
Dress will be casual throughout. When visiting churches your knees and shoulders must be covered. Bring good walking shoes, a hat, weather-appropriate clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Guests opting to drive during the program must bring with them a valid International Drivers Permit and license as well as credit card for any damages. A waiver form will be required to be signed.
One location where guests may purchase an International “Drivers Permit is from AAA. You do not need to be a member for this.
Guests will need to wear closed-toe shoes for driving.
Currency
Euro, USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
ME Hotel Barcelona
C/ de Casp, 1-13, L'Eixample, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 932 77 94 18
Program includes:
•3 nights at the ME Hotel Barcelona– Standard Room (or similar hotel) with breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
•Touring and entrances per the itinerary
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
•Each guest will receive a 20KM Super Driving Experience. Supercar models include Aston Martin Vantage, Lamborghini Huracan, Ferrari 458/488 and Ferrari Portofino. Models may change and higher-end models may be available for an additional fee payable on site.
•Day 2 and Day 3 - lunch with Catalan wine tasting including two beverages (wine/beer/soft drinks/coffee)
•Day 3 - Farewell dinner with Flamenco Show at Tablao de Carmen or similar venue including two glasses of wine or beer or soft drinks, bottled water
•Transfers
•Any touring and entrances per the itinerary
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service, mini bar and laundry
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Explore Barcelona and Girona in depth by visiting their architectural landmarks, often on guided walking tours and on your own with a liberating Hop On Hop Off bus voucher in the capital of Catalonia.
Day 1:
After disembarking the ship in Barcelona, you will begin a guided tour of the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing, you will begin a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from throughout Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A tapas-style lunch follows, after which you will check into your hotel to spend the first of three nights. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure. The hotel is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona just a 10-minute walk to Las Ramblas. Passeig de Gràcia, the city’s nicest shopping street, is easily reached on foot. Emblematic buildings and sights such as Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), La Sagrada Familia, and the Picasso museum are also nearby should you wish to visit them on your own.
NOTE: if your cruise ends in Tarragona, transfer from Tarragona to Barcelona before starting your city tour.
Guests on Navigator's August 27, 2025 sailing will stay at the NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón as Ohla Eixample is not available
Day 2:
After breakfast, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the gleaming commercial center.
During the comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona to spend the evening at the hotel.
Day 3:
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will receive a complimentary Hop On Hop Off bus voucher that will allow you to explore the attractions that interest you the most. Simply hop on the buses and hop off whenever you wish. The buses travel in a continuous loop between attractions that include the Picasso Museum, the Gaudí-designed houses Casa Battló and Casa Mila, and various shopping areas.
The entire day will be yours to spend as you please, with all meals on your own before retiring to the hotel for the evening.
Day 4:
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will check out by noon (subject to change). Transfers to the airport will be based on flight times. See your Welcome Letter for details. For guests with late-departing flights, luggage storage is available at the hotel.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
8:30am Disembark the ship, meet your guide
9:00am Panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
11:00am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:45pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour
1:45pm Lunch at a restaurant
3:30pm Transfer to the hotel and check in
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Ohla Eixample or similar hotel
NOTE: if your cruise ends in Tarragona, transfer from Tarragona to Barcelona before starting your city tour.
Guests on Navigator's August 27, 2025 sailing will stay at the NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón as Ohla Eixample is not available
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Ohla Eixample or similar hotel
Guests on Navigator's August 27, 2025 sailing will stay at the NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón as Ohla Eixample is not available
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
The day is at your leisure to use the complimentary Hop On Hop Off bus ticket
Lunch and dinner are on your own
Overnight at the Ohla Eixample or similar hotel
Guests on Navigator's August 27, 2025 sailing will stay at the NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón as Ohla Eixample is not available
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check out from the hotel
Transfer to the airport based on the time of your flight.
Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Weather
Average minimum temperatures at this time of the year - 53 ºF (12 ºC)
Average maximum temperatures at this time of the year - 79 ºF (26ºC)
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for spring-like temperatures and possible rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel Address:
Ohla Eixample
C/ de Còrsega, 289, L'Eixample, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
NOTE: Design rooms include a rain shower that is visible from the bed. For more privacy, a vinyl cover can be placed over the glass walls.
Program includes:
•3 nights at the Ohla Eixample– Design Room (or similar hotel) with breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
including juice, tea or coffee and water
•English-speaking official guides on Day 1 and Day 2
•Lunch on Day 1 including water and ¼ bottle wine, beer or a soft drink
•1-day voucher for the Hop On Hop Off bus
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Explore landmarks in and around Barcelona, including UNESCO World Heritage sites designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, and enjoy a walking tour of medieval Girona that lends more insight into the Catalonia region.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
Operational Note: Hotel Sophia is now called Grand Hyatt Barcelona
DAY 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then be transferred to your hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals will be on your own today.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage plus 2 carry-on size bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus 2-3 carry-on size bags. If you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required for an additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
DAY 2
After breakfast at your hotel, you will meet the guide and begin touring the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing, you will begin walking through the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from several regions of Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A lunch including local specialties follows, after which you will return to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 3
After breakfast at your hotel, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries, and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the commercial center.
During a comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona, where the remainder of the evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Day 4
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will travel to Colonia Güell, another one of Gaudí’s unfinished works. Like La Sagrada Familia, this church is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Businessman Eusebio Güell commissioned Gaudí to build it for his textile factory workers in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló. The church is particularly noteworthy because the famed architect introduced advanced technology on it that he finetuned in later projects.
In time, you will travel to Cavas Freixenet in the heart of the Penedès region, a region well-known in Roman times for producing quality wines. There, you will tour the cellars, learn about the production of its sparkling cava wine, and enjoy a lunch of local specialties.
Afterwards, you will return to Barcelona for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released.
Extra Nights
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and private transfer to your hotel for a 3:00pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival, you may wish to book an extra night so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet your guide, panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
10:30am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:30pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour
1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:00pm Return to your hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel and check out
9:45am Meet your guide in the lobby
10:00am Visit Colonia Güell
11:00am Drive to Freixenet Cellars
11:45am Visit the cellars and enjoy lunch
2:15pm Drive toward Barcelona
3:15pm Arrive at the Barcelona pier for embarkation
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
April – 17C or 63F
May – 23C or 73F
June – 25C or 77F
July – 29C or 84F
August – 30C or 86F
September – 26C or 78F
October – 24C or 75F
November – 14C or57F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella, and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
Grand Hyatt Barcelona
Pl. de Pius XII, 4, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 935 08 10 00
*We will only substitute the hotel in unforeseen situations. If the hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.
Program includes:
•3 nights at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona (or similar hotel) with buffet breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water – King Room type
•Lunches on Days 2,3 and 4 to include water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•Touring and entrances per the itinerary
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released. Arrangements for accommodations and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Explore landmarks in and around Barcelona, including UNESCO World Heritage sites designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, and enjoy a walking tour of medieval Girona that lends more insight into the Catalonia region.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
Operational Note: The Hotel Sophia is now called the Grand Hyatt Barcelona.
DAY 1
Upon arriving at the Barcelona International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
You will then be transferred to your hotel, where you will spend the evening. Meals will be on your own today.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage plus 2 carry-on size bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus 2-3 carry-on size bags. If you have more luggage than is permissible, a larger vehicle may be required for an additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 21 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
DAY 2
After breakfast at your hotel, you will meet the guide and begin touring the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing on, you will begin walking through the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from several regions of Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A tapas-style lunch follows, after which you will return to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 3
After breakfast at your hotel, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the commercial center.
During a comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona, where the remainder of the evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Day 4
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will travel to Colonia Güell, another one of Gaudí’s unfinished works. Like La Sagrada Familia, this church is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Businessman Eusebio Güell commissioned Gaudí to build it for his textile factory workers in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló. The church is particularly noteworthy because the famed architect introduced advanced technology on it that he finetuned in later projects.
In time, you will travel to Cavas Freixenet in the heart of the Penedès region, a region well-known in Roman times for producing quality wines. There, you will tour the cellars, learn about the production of its sparkling cava wine and enjoy a lunch of local specialties.
Afterwards, you will return to Barcelona for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and private transfer to your hotel for a 3:00pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival, you may wish to book an extra night so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight at the Grand Hyatt or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet your guide, panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
10:30am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:30pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour
1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:00pm Return to your hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Grand Hyatt or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Grand Hyatt or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel and check out
9:45am Meet your guide in the lobby
10:00am Visit Colonia Güell
11:00am Drive to Freixenet Cellars
11:45am Visit the cellars and enjoy lunch
2:15pm Drive toward Barcelona
3:15pm Arrive at the Barcelona pier for embarkation
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
April – 17C or 63F
May – 23C or 73F
June – 25C or 77F
July – 29C or 84F
August – 30C or 86F
September – 26C or 78F
October – 24C or 75F
November – 14C or57F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
Grand Hyatt Barcelona (previously named Hotel Sophia)
Plaça de Pius XII, 4, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 935 08 10 00
Program includes:
•3 nights at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona – King room (or similar hotel) with buffet breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
•Lunches on Days 2 and 4 to include water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•Touring and entrances per the itinerary
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space will be released. Arrangements for accommodations and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Explore Barcelona and Girona in depth by visiting their architectural landmarks, often on guided walking tours and on your own with a liberating Hop On Hop Off bus voucher in the capital of Catalonia.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
Operational Note: The Hotel Sophia is now called the Grand Hyatt Barcelona.
Day 1:
After disembarking the ship in Barcelona, you will begin a guided tour of the city. You will pass the Columbus monument and the waterfront on the way to Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary still-unfinished church that famed architect Antoni Gaudí worked on until his death in 1926. The guide will explain the history of the church and its lengthy ongoing construction during your outside visit.
Continuing on, you will begin a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, passing landmarks such as the La Seu Cathedral and city hall. A more sweeping view of Barcelona awaits you upon reaching Mount Juic hill, where you may pause for photos. You will then visit Spanish Village, an open-air museum with replicas of characteristic houses from throughout Spain. As you meander the grounds, you may observe artists such as glassblowers demonstrating their talents.
A tapas-style lunch follows, after which you will check into your hotel to spend the first of three nights. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Day 2:
After breakfast, you will settle in for a direct transfer to Girona, accompanied by a guide. Northern Catalonia’s largest city, Girona is full of museums, galleries and Gothic churches, strung around a tangle of cobbled lanes and medieval walls. Reflections of modernist mansions shimmer in the river that divides the historic center from the gleaming commercial center.
During the comprehensive walking tour of the city center, you will enjoy an inside visit of the 12th-century Arab baths and see the remains of Girona’s historical Jewish community. During free time that follows, you might savor lunch on your own before transferring back to Barcelona to spend the evening at the hotel.
Day 3:
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will receive a Hop On Hop Off bus voucher that will allow you to explore the attractions that interest you the most. Simply hop on the buses and hop off whenever you wish. The buses travel in a continuous loop between attractions that include the Picasso Museum, the Gaudí-designed houses Casa Battló and Casa Mila, and various shopping areas.
The entire day will be yours to spend as you please, with all meals on your own before retiring to the hotel for the evening.
Day 4:
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will check out by noon (subject to change). Transfers to the airport will be based on flight times. See your Welcome Letter for details. For guests with late-departing flights, luggage storage is available at the hotel.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
8:30am Disembark the ship, meet your guide
9:00am Panoramic drive to Sagrada Familia and outside visit
10:30am Drive to Gothic Quarter and walking tour
12:30pm Panoramic drive to Mont Juic and walking tour
1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:00pm Transfer to your hotel and check in
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona or similar
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin transfer to Girona
10:30am Walking tour of Girona
12:30pm Free time for lunch and further exploration
3:30pm Return to Barcelona
Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona or similar
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
The day is at your leisure to use the complimentary Hop On Hop Off bus ticket
Lunch and dinner are on your own
Overnight at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona or similar
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check out from the hotel
Transfer to the airport based on the time of your flight. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer time.
Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Weather
Average monthly temperatures in Barcelona:
April – 17C or 63F
May – 23C or 73F
June – 25C or 77F
July – 29C or 84F
August – 30C or 86F
September – 26C or 78F
October – 24C or 75F
November – 14C or57F
What to Bring
Dress is casual throughout the program. Bring comfortable clothes including a warm waterproof jacket for cooler months and in case of rain, waterproof walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
USD are not accepted
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a travel adaptor if you have electrical devices, as converters aren’t typically available at the hotels.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
Grand Hyatt Barcelona or similar
Plaça de Pius XII, 4, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 935 08 10 00
Program includes:
•3-nights at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona– King Room (or similar hotel) with buffet breakfast daily including juice, tea or coffee and water
•English-speaking official guides on Day 1 and Day 2
•Lunch on Day 1 including water and 1 glass wine, beer or a soft drink
•1-day voucher for the Hop On Hop Off bus
•Luggage handling at the hotel for up to 2 suitcases per person
•VAT and city taxes
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their situation
Please note: Land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
