Barcelona and the French Riviera
Barcelona Some reasons from nueveojos on Vimeo.
Dates
March 7-16, 2014*
Credit
Not available on this program.
Eligibility
This program is open to the entire Mason community including students, alumni, faculty, and staff and to the general public. Please invite your friends and family!
Contact
Erin Mateu, emateu@gmu.edu, 703-993-3864
Registration
Register online and submit the $500 non-refundable deposit with your application by September 16th, 2013 to secure your spot on the program. First come, first serve. The program has a limited number of 40 slots available. The CGE office can take VISA or MasterCard payments for deposits only. Balance will be due by check (payable to George Mason University) by October 1st, 2013.
Program Fee
$2,995
This fee covers roundtrip airfare from Washington DC (Dulles Airport) to Barcelona, Spain and returning to the U.S. from Nice, France; all breakfasts and one lunch; guided tours and entry into museums and sites as specified in the itinerary below; transportation on a deluxe motor coach with AC; and double-occupancy lodging in first-class hotels.
Single room supplement available for an additional fee ($780).
Please Note
Tips for the driver and guides, as well as dinners are not included. Special drinks other than tap water at meals will be charged separately.
Update
The first 40 spots have filled, but due to popular demand we have opened a second group for this program!
Group 1: Barcelona > Nice
Group 2: Nice > Barcelona (NEW)
Group 2 (Nice > Barcelona) will enjoy the same trip with the reverse itinerary (i.e. starting in Nice and traveling westward to Barcelona). The two groups will meet for a group lunch in Carcassonne on Day 5!
The dates, hotels and visits are all the same for both Group 1 and 2 with the exception of a later flight outbound on March 7 for Group 2.
Itinerary
Group 1
Departure | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9
Group 2
Departure | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9
Group 1
BCN > NCE
Departure / March 7 Friday
Group 1: Barcelona > Nice
We depart on Friday, March 7, 2014 from Washington Dulles International (IAD) at 5:55pm, transfer through Frankfurt, and arrive in Barcelona the next day at 11:45 in the morning.
Please plan to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to departure.
Flight |
From |
TO |
Departs |
Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LH 419 |
Washington, DC IAD |
Frankfurt FRA |
5:55pm |
8:05am (next day) |
LH 1126 |
Frankfurt FRA |
Barcelona BCN |
9:50am |
11:45am |
Day 1 / March 8 Saturday
Welcome to Barcelona
You will arrive at your hotel and have the rest of the day to use at your own discretion.
You will also spend the night in Barcelona.

Plaza España in Barcelona
Accomodation
Catalonia La Pedrera
or similar
Catalonia La Pedrera
This fantastic hotel is situated on a modernist route, a few minutes from La Sagrada Familia and near to Paseo de Gracia. Its location will allow you to discover the charm of the city's commercial area and places as magical as La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. Thanks to its central location, you will be able to experience the heartbeat of Barcelona firsthand.
Day 2 / March 9 Sunday
Barcelona
After breakfast we will start with an exhilarating city tour of Barcelona. We will exlore the old Barri Gòtic, including the cathedral and Las Ramblas.
We will also visit the Olympic Arc, climb up the Montjuïc hill to see the Olympic Stadium and tour the Poble Espanyol.
In the afternoon, we will discover Montserrat, one of Catalonia's icons. We will ride to the top of the Montserrat mountain with the rack railway, enjoy the panoramic views and visit the unforgettable monastery.
We will return to Barcelona in the evening.

Poble Espanyol
Day 3 / March 10 Monday
Barcelona
This tour will show you the best of Gaudí.
Antoni Gaudí, a visionary architect during Barcelona's modernista (art nouveau) period, graced Barcelona with his extraordinary and beautiful buildings. Seven of which have been listed as World Heritage sites by UNESCO. What makes these buildings so special is their incredible detail, the symbols, the structural secrets, and the technical innovation. On this day, we will also provide a guided tour of Park Guell and the Sagrada Família. Gaudí's master work, the Sagrada Família, is the last destination on the tour so you can enjoy it with peace and tranquility.
After the tour, we will then return to your hotel.
El Parque Guell: A Time Lapse Video

GMU Student
Links: BArcelona
Day 4 / March 11 Tuesday
Barcelona - Costa Brava
After starting the day with an interesting drive along the breathtaking Costa Brava, we will explore the Dali Museum in Figueres. Then we will continue our journey and venture into the area of to Roses, right in the heart of the Costa Brava.

Dali Museum in Figueres
Accomodation
Silken Park Hotel San Jorge at Calonge-Platja d’Aro
or similarSet in a beautiful part of the Costa Brava, high above two coves filled with crystal-clear water and surrounded by pines framing an immense blue Mediterranean, the Silken Park Hotel San Jorge at Calonge-Platja d’Aro is a modern building with a swimming pool overlooking the sea. The perfect place to enjoy a peaceful holiday or a weekend break.
Silken Park Hotel San Jorge
Links: COsta Brava
Group 2
NCE > BCN
Departure / March 7 Friday
Group 2: Nice > Barcelona
We depart on Friday, March 7, 2014 from Washington Dulles International (IAD) at 9:55pm, transfer through Munich, and arrive in Nice the next day at 4:20 in the afternoon.
Please plan to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to departure.
Flight |
From |
TO |
Departs |
Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LH 415 |
Washington, DC IAD |
Munich MUC |
9:55pm |
12:25pm (next day) |
LH 2274 |
Munich MUC |
Barcelona NCE |
2:55pm |
4:20pm |
Day 1 / March 8 Saturday
Nice
You will arrive at your hotel and have the rest of the day to use at your own discretion.
You will also spend the night in Nice.

Nice at night
Accomodation
Novotel Nice Centre
or similar
Novotel Nice Centre
This Novotel Nice Centre is a four-star hotel located in the heart of Nice, opposite the Acropolis convention center and the exhibition center, and just a short walk from the Old Town.
The hotel has air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant and bar, as well as five conference rooms for meetings and seminars.
Day 2 / March 9 Sunday
Nice
We will start the day with a visit to the city of Nice. This old city can be traced back to settlements as early as 350 BC. Its privileged location allowed the Greeks and Romans to establish their first cities.
We will take a short visit to the Principality of Monaco where you can let your imagination fly with stories of royal weddings and extravagant casinos!
Later, we will return to Nice for our last overnight stay.

Monaco, near the palace
Day 3 / March 10 Monday
Nice - Avignon
After breakfast we will drive to the French Riviera. We will visit the incredibly charming city of Cannes, home of the world renowned Cannes Film Festival. We will then continue to Avignon for our visit and overnight stay.
Links: Nice
Day 4 / March 11 Tuesday
Avignon
Breakfast will be provided at the hotel and we will tour the city of Avignon in the morning. Avignon was once the seat of the papacy for seventy years. Today we can visit the Pope's Residence (Palais des Papes). We will also visit the UNESCO heritage site of Avignon Bridge, built in 12th Century. In the afternoon we will continue to the Camargue region to visit the old Roman cities of Arles and, time permitting, Nimes, with impressive Roman arena and amphitheater. We will spend our second night in Avignon .

Papal Palace in Avignon

Pont du Gard, Nimes
Accomodation
Mercure Cite des Papes
or similarThe modern, Mercure Cite des Papes Hotel features 89 comfortable soundproofed rooms with air conditioning, mini bars, safes and satellite and pay TV service. The hotel also offers free wi-fi access, 24-hour front desk services, a bar and a gift shop.The Mercure Cite des Papes Hotel is located on the main square, Place de L’Horloge, just 50 meters from the Popes Palace and close to many of the city's best restaurants, cafes and shops.
Mercure Avignon Cite des Papes
(courtesy of TripAdvisor)Links: Avignon
Day 5 / March 12 Wednesday
Lunch with both groups in Carcassonne
Today we will continue our journey to France where we will enjoy a medieval experience in the unique city of Carcassonne. The city was once a place of cruel fights against the heretical Cathars in 13th century France and was destroyed during later battles. Carcassonne was revived in the 19th century. We will tour the city, meet the second group, and have lunch in a medieval restaurant in the old town.

Carcassonne
OVERNIGHT: GROUP 1
Avignon
The modern, Mercure Cite des Papes Hotel features 89 comfortable soundproofed rooms with air conditioning, mini bars, safes and satellite and pay TV service.
OVERNIGHT: GROUP 2
Costa Brava
Set in a beautiful part of the Costa Brava, high above two coves filled with crystal-clear water and surrounded by pines framing an immense blue Mediterranean ...
Day 6 / March 13 Thursday
Avignon
Breakfast will be provided at the hotel and we will tour the city of Avignon in the morning. Avignon was once the seat of the papacy for seventy years. Today we can visit the Pope's Residence (Palais des Papes). We will also visit the UNESCO heritage site of Avignon Bridge, built in 12th Century. In the afternoon we will continue to the Camargue region to visit the old Roman cities of Arles and, time permitting, Nimes, with impressive Roman arena and amphitheater. We will spend our second night in Avignon .

Papal Palace in Avignon

van Gogh's Langlois Bridge at Arles
Links: Avignon
Day 7 / March 14 Friday
Avignon - Nice
After breakfast we will drive to the French Riviera. We will visit the incredibly charming city of Cannes, home of the world renowned Cannes Film Festival. We will then continue to Nice for our visit and overnight stay.

The French Riviera
Accomodation
Mercure Nice Centre Grimaldi
or similar
Mercure Nice Centre Grimaldi
Ideally located in the town centre, the 4-star Mercure Nice Centre Grimaldi hotel lets you combine work and pleasure during your visit to the capital of the Cote d'Azur. Your will like the Art Decor design of the building, and appreciate its closeness tothe Promenade des Anglais and to bus and tram stops. For a moment of relaxation together with the family, enjoy the solarium and the fabulous view from the roof of the hotel.
Day 8 / March 15 Saturday
Nice
We will start the day with a visit to the city of Nice. This old city can be traced back to settlements as early as 350 BC. Its privileged location allowed the Greeks and Romans to establish their first cities. We will take a short visit to the Principality of Monaco where you can let your imagination fly with stories of royal weddings and extravagant casinos!
Later, we will return to Nice for our last overnight stay.

Monaco, near the palace
Links: Nice
Day 6 / March 13 Thursday
Avignon - Costa Brava
After starting the day with an interesting drive along the breathtaking Costa Brava, we will explore the Dali Museum in Figueres. Then we will continue our journey and venture into the area of to Roses, right in the heart of the Costa Brava.

Costa Brava
Accomodation
Catalonia Barcelona Plaza
or similarThis imposing hotel is situated in Plaza España, next to the Fira de Barcelona and Montjuïc. Guests can enjoy excellent connections through the city's public transport.
Day 7 / March 14 Friday
Barcelona
This tour will show you the best of Gaudí.
Antoni Gaudí, a visionary architect during Barcelona's modernista (art nouveau) period, graced Barcelona with his extraordinary and beautiful buildings. Seven of which have been listed as World Heritage sites by UNESCO. What makes these buildings so special is their incredible detail, the symbols, the structural secrets, and the technical innovation. On this day, we will also provide a guided tour of Park Guell and the Sagrada Família. Gaudí's master work, the Sagrada Família, is the last destination on the tour so you can enjoy it with peace and tranquility.
After the tour, we will then return to your hotel.

GMU Student at Parc Guell

Sagrada Familia
Day 8 / March 15 Saturday
Barcelona
After breakfast we will start with an exhilarating city tour of Barcelona. We will exlore the old Barri Gòtic, including the cathedral and Las Ramblas. We will also visit the Olympic Arc, climb up the Montjuïc hill to see the Olympic Stadium and tour the Poble Espanyol.
In the afternoon, we will discover Montserrat, one of Catalonia's icons. We will ride to the top of the Montserrat mountain with the rack railway, enjoy the panoramic views and visit the unforgettable monastery.
We will return to Barcelona in the evening for our last overnight stay.

Montserrat Mountain
Links: Barcelona





