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ITINERARY: Barcelona, Costa Brava, Carcassonne, Avignon, Arles, Monaco, Nice
UPDATE
: Due to popular demand, a second group is now OPEN for enrollment!

INCLUDES: Roundtrip airfare, all breakfasts, guided tours, double-occupancy lodging in first-class hotels and more

Barcelona and the French Riviera

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.

Register

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.

Fira de Barcelona

Plaza España in Barcelona

Accomodation

Catalonia La Pedrera
or similar

Catalonia Barcelona Plaza

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

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

Student in Barcelona

GMU Student

Links: BArcelona

Montserrat

Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)

Las Ramblas

Montjuïc

Poble Espanyol

Antoni Gaudi

UNESCO: Gaudi

Park Guell

Sagrada Familia

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

Dali Museum in Figueres

Accomodation

Silken Park Hotel San Jorge at Calonge-Platja d’Aro
or similar

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, 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 Hotel

Silken Park Hotel San Jorge

Links: COsta Brava

Silken Park Hotel San Jorge

Dali Museum in Figueres

DAY 5
Meet with Group 2

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

Nice at night

Accomodation

Novotel Nice Centre
or similar

Novotel Nice Centre

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

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

Novotel Nice Centre

Cannes Film Festival

Official Nice Tourism Site

Old Town Nice

Principality of Monaco

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 .

Avignon Palais des Papes

Papal Palace in Avignon

Nimes

Pont du Gard, Nimes

Accomodation

Mercure Cite des Papes
or similar

The 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.

view from hotel window - Picture of Mercure Avignon Cite des Papes, Avignon

Mercure Avignon Cite des Papes
(courtesy of TripAdvisor)

Links: Avignon

Carcassonne Tourism

'Palais des Papes' in Avignon

Arles

Nimes

DAY 5
Meet with Group 1

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

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.

Read more

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 ...

Read more

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 .

Avignon Palais des Papes

Papal Palace in Avignon

Langlois Bridge at Arles

van Gogh's Langlois Bridge at Arles

Links: Avignon

Carcassonne Tourism

'Palais des Papes' in Avignon

Arles

Nimes

 

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.

Cote d'Azur

The French Riviera

Accomodation

Mercure Nice Centre Grimaldi
or similar

Catalonia Barcelona Plaza

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

Monaco, near the palace

Links: Nice

Cannes Film Festival

Official Nice Tourism Site

Old Town Nice

Principality of Monaco

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.

Dali Museum

Costa Brava

Accomodation

Catalonia Barcelona Plaza
or similar

This 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.

Read more

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.

Hilary in Barcelona

GMU Student at Parc Guell

Sagrada Familia

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.

Poble Espanyol

Montserrat Mountain

Links: Barcelona

Montserrat

Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)

Las Ramblas

Montjuïc

Poble Espanyol

Antoni Gaudi

UNESCO: Gaudi

Park Guell

Sagrada Familia

Return to the US

Day 9 / March 16 Sunday

Group 1

Barcelona > Nice

Flight

From

TO

Departs

Arrives

LH

2273

Nice

NCE

Munich

MUC

1:05pm

2:25pm

LH

414

Munich

MUC

Washington, DC

IAD

3:55pm

8:35pm

(same day)

Day 9 / March 16 Sunday

Group 2

Nice > Barcelona

Flight

From

TO

Departs

Arrives

LH

1811

Barcelona

BCN

Munich

MUC

12:05p

2:15pm

LH

414

Munich

MUC

Washington, DC

IAD

3:55pm

8:35pm

(same day)

Travel Map

Contact

Erin Mateu

Center for Global Education
4400 University Drive
Johnson Center, Rm 235
Fairfax, VA 22030

Email: emateu@gmu.edu

Phone: 703-993-3864

Update

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.

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 so please invite your friends and family!

*CGE reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

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.

Register


George Mason University | Center for Global Education | 235 Johnson Center, MSN 2B8 | 4400 University Drive Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
voice: 703-993-2154 | fax: 703-993-2153 | cge@gmu.edu

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