Day 1 – To Barcelona: Fly from London
Heathrow to Barcelona with British Airways
and transfer to the Hotel H10 Casanova for 4
nights. Afternoon orientation walk. Evening
welcome dinner. (D)
Day 2 – Barcelona: Morning walking tour
of the Eixample district of Barcelona,
concentrating on the Passeig de Gracia, famous
for its contrasting modernista buildings.
See the Casa Lleo Morera, Casa Amatller
and Casa Battlo designed by Domènech
i Montaner, Puig i Cadafalch, and Gaudi
respectively, before continuing to Casa Calvet,
designed by Gaudi in baroque-Modernist
style, and Editorial Montaner i Simon, one of
the first examples of Modernista buildings in Barcelona. The final visit before lunch is to the
Unesco world heritage site of La Pedrera (‘The
Quarry’) with its striking stone facade and
wrought iron decoration. Spend the afternoon
at Palau de la Musica, Barcelona’s opera house,
where intelligent interplays of open space
and natural light combine with astonishingly
detailed traditional Catalan mosaics, stained
glass and sculpture. (B)
Day 3 – Barcelona: This morning, visit the
hillside garden complex of Park Güell, designed
by Gaudi to include many motifs of Catalan
nationalism and elements from religious
mysticism. Continue to the Hospital Santa
Creu i de Sant Pau, designed by Domènech
i Montaner, whose floral decoration and
abundant use of sculptures were intended to
instil a feeling of well-being and provide objects
of beauty for the hospital’s sick inhabitants.
Spend the afternoon at the Sagrada Familia
church, the magnum opus in Gaudi’s career,
which remains unfurnished to this day. A unique
mix of gothic and art nouveau styles inside
and out, explore the crypt where Gaudi’s
remains lie as well as the transept and central
nave with its giant, tree-like, pillars and
spectacular vaulting. It is also possible to ascend
one of the church’s many towers, which provide panoramic views over the city. (B)
Day 4 – Barcelona: Begin today’s sightseeing
with a stroll through the Las Ramblas district,
an important centre of Modernist architecture
and home to a series of short streets bustling
with street performers, cafes, restaurants and
shops. Visit the Gaudi-designed Güell Palace
followed by a stop at the Royal Plaza and La
Boqueria public market. After lunch, travel
by coach to Montjuïc and visit the National
Museum of Catalan Art notable for works
from the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection and its
outstanding collection of Modernist paintings,
furniture, glass and ceramics. Evening farewell
dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 5 – To London: Day at leisure for
independent exploration of Barcelona. Late
afternoon airport transfer for a return flight to
London Heathrow with British Airways. (B)
Extensions: If you wish to extend your stay to
discover more of what Barcelona has to offer,
please contact us for details.
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
