Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.

Suggested Private Excursions

Barcelona: A Walk Through Barcelona and The Sagrada Familia Park Guell for Families- 6 Hours

Art and Architecture in Barcelona (8 hours)

Gaudi’s Barcelona (4 hours)

Costa Brava means wild coast. Though the scenery is strikingly dramatic, below the rugged headlands and rocky promontories you'll find quiet, beach bordered bays rimmed by piney woodlands. Palamos is the southernmost of a series of small isolated ports that cling like oysters to tiny harbors set along Catalunya's northern coast. The "old" part of Palamos was founded in 1277. Palamos is a favorite destination for yachts that vie for space with local fishing boats.

Built around a sheltered bay with Mount Faron as an impressive backdrop, Toulon is an important naval port and a city of industry. Its large harbor serves as the base for the French navy's Mediterranean fleet and as home to a sizeable marina, with yachts and pleasure boats adding bright splashes of color. A maze of pedestrian streets constitutes the heart of old Toulon. Shops and colorful stalls make it an attractive area to explore. Avenue de la République runs parallel to the waterfront. At the western edge of the quay, the Naval Museum is visiting by those with an interest in Toulon’s maritime history. Most visitors come here to explore the hinterland and other parts of the Riviera.

Suggested Private Excursions

Toulon - Shore excursion Aix en Provence - 8 hours -

Toulon - Shore Excursion - Green Provence - 8 hours

Toulon Shore Excursion Marseille & Private Calanques Cruise - 8 hours

On the French island of Corsica, Ajaccio is famous as the birthplace of Napoleon. Visit the Bonaparte family home and the 16th century church where he was baptized. Or, take a tour into the wild and rugged outback countryside they call the maquis.

Portoferraio, with its lemon-yellow buildings, is among the most elegant of the old Mediterranean ports. Beyond the town lies an island of great natural beauty. The hills are covered with pine forests and the scent of wildflowers fills the air; discover the island's medieval and Napoleonic history on a countryside tour.

This tiny town on the Italian Riviera was strategically planned at the tip of a rocky peninsula overlooking the Gulf of La Spezia. Its 12th-century tall, narrow houses climb precipitously up the hillside from the sea. Portovenere is built on different levels; visitors enjoy strolling through the narrow streets, delighting in the town's unique ambiance. From Portovenere it is possible to explore the ruggedly beautiful Ligurian villages of Cinque Terre. With their steep-walled coastal cliffs, the villages of these "Five Lands" are perched high above the sea, commanding spectacular views. The 13th-century San Pietro church stands above a grotto named after Lord Byron. Brightly painted with black and white stripes, this striking landmark can be spotted from far out at sea. From the terrace enjoy a spectacular panorama of the Gulf of La Spezia and the hills of Cinque Terre.

Suggested Private Excursions

Portovenere/La Spezia: The Village of Portofino - 6 hours

Portovenere/La Spezia: Highlights of Pisa & Lucca - 6 hours

Portovenere/La Spezia: Forte Dei Marmi - 6 hours

Portovenere/La Spezia: Picturesque Cinque Terre - 8 hours

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Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.

Suggested Private Excursions

Barcelona: A Walk Through Barcelona and The Sagrada Familia Park Guell for Families- 6 Hours

Art and Architecture in Barcelona (8 hours)

Gaudi’s Barcelona (4 hours)