Mediterranean Europe
Program Length:
15 Days
Program Dates:
Enrollment Closed for Summer 2023. Please view our Summer 2024 Programs.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Board your overnight flight bound for Barcelona.
Day 2 - Barcelona
Arrive in Barcelona. Meet your Travel Director at the airport and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Start exploring the city on an orientation walk before your group welcome dinner.
Day 3 - Barcelona
Get to know Barcelona on a guided tour of the city including highlights such as the main pedestrian boulevard Las Ramblas, the Sagrada Familia Basilica and Park Güell. For lunch you will visit the spectacular La Boquería market to buy provisions for a picnic on the beach. Later, partake in a Paella cooking lesson and enjoy your creation for dinner.
Did You Know?
The construction of Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia began in 1882, and is still not completed today. Knowing the project would not be completed in his lifetime, when asked when it would be finished, he famously replied “my client is not in a hurry." UNESCO has designated seven of Gaudi’s works in Barcelona as Heritage Sites.
Day 4 - Barcelona
This morning, take an excursion to Montserrat. Visit the 9th century, Montserrat Monastery, and the Black Madonna. Later, explore Montserrat Natural Park. This afternoon, return to Barcelona and participate in a Gaudi inspired mosaic art workshop.
Day 5 - Provence
Continue your journey to France. Enroute, visit the charming medieval walled city of Carcassonne. La Cité, the section of the city behind the walls is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Later, continue to Provence and the city of Avignon where you will enjoy your first taste of French cuisine.
Day 6 - Provence
Your first stop today is in the picturesque Les Baux de Provence. Admire one of the most beautiful villages in the area as well as visit the ruins of a fortified Medieval Castle. Continue on to Nîmes where you will see the spectacular Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard and enjoy kayaking along the Gardon River.
Lavender Fields
“Lavender is the soul of Provence”, said French author Jean Giono. The lavender fields symbolize the history and beauty of this region. The flowering season takes place in summer, and the best time to visit these beautiful fields is between the end of June to mid-July when the fields are in full bloom.
Day 7 - Nice
This morning you’ll visit Aix en Provence, a small Provençal town and birthplace of painter Paul Cézanne. Later, continue to Nice, on the Côte d'Azur (French Rivera). Enjoy a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, a 7 km long seaside promenade and explore the narrow cobblestoned streets of the Old Town.
Day 8 - Nice
Spend the day discovering the second-smallest independent state in the world - The Principality of Monaco. From the glitz and glamor of Monte Carlo to the regal Prince’s Palace and the beaches along the stunning Mediterranean coastline, Monaco does not fail to impress.
Days 10 - Cinque Terre Area
This morning drive from the French Riviera to the hillsides of the Italian Riviera and the beautiful and charming Cinque Terre, an area of five seaside villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) along the Italian Coast.
Cradle of the Renaissance
Florence is often referred to as the "cradle of the Renaissance" as It was home to some of the greatest artists and thinkers of the time including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael; as well as the great astronomer Galileo and the writer Dante Alligheri.
Day 9 - Florence
Take a walk along the Sentiero Azzurro cliffside trail which links each of the villages of the Cinque Terre while you admire the amazing views of Mediterranean Sea. Later, continue through the Tuscan countryside to Florence.
Day 10 - Florence
Today, a local expert will guide you around the highlights of the city such as Ghiberti's Baptistry Doors, Santa Croce and the beautiful Duomo. This afternoon, spend some free time shopping the markets, finding the perfect cafe or checking out a museum.
The Trevi Fountain
Legend has it that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain that you will return to Rome. Throw two and you will fall in love, throw three and you’ll get married. This legend is so popular that every day over 3,000 Euros are collected from the water and given to a local charity that supports families in need throughout Rome.
Day 11 - Rome
This morning, you’ll visit the hillside village of Assisi, a UNESCO world heritage site known for it’s medieval architecture and for being the birthplace of Saint Francis, the patron saint of Italy. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, the oldest Gothic church in Italy. This afternoon, you’ll spend time giving back and working with local children at a shelter. Later, continue to Rome for dinner.
Day 12 - Rome
Today’s focus will be on on the monumental vestiges of the Roman Empire. A local expert will guide you around the Colosseum and the Forum. In the afternoon be a gladiator for a few hours as you are taught the art of gladiatorial combat! Later, take an interactive cooking class to learn how to make the Italian specialty, tiramisu. In the evening, enjoy a walk around the Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps to see the city lit up at night.
Day 14 - Rome
Today, a local expert will guide you through St. Peters Basilica as well as the Vatican Museums to see highlights such as the Sistine Chapel. Meet with a retired member of the Swiss Guard - a force dedicated to the protection of the Popes. This evening a local chef will demonstrate how to make your own pizza as part of your farewell dinner.
Day 17 - Departure Day
Transfer to the Rome Airport for your group return flight to USA.
Join this Program!
Students will join other travelers from across the United States, join the group by yourself or invite friends to join you…the more, the merrier!
What’s Included:
Roundtrip Airfare
Accommodations
Group Leader
Full Time Local Program Director
Transportation to Included Activities
Breakfast and Dinner Daily
All Attractions and Activities
Guided Sightseeing by Local Expert Guides
All Tips and Gratuities
24-Hour Support
All Taxes and Fees
Global Citizen Certificate
Pre-Travel Preparation Meetings and Seminars
