Overview
The provinces of southern France and northeastern Spain - Provence, Languedoc, Roussillon, Catalonia - comprise a remarkable region. Here the people have preserved their own languages, cuisine, and music, making each province distinct from the rest of France and Spain. Yet in spite of the rich cultures and the especially rich artistic heritage, most travelers tend to overlook this corner of the Mediterranean. Aboard the 100-guest ship Corinthian, explore well-known sites in Nice and Aix-en-Provence, then discover lesser known sites such as Nîmes, Carcassonne, and Céret in France, as well as Spain's ancient Tarragona and Girona before concluding in glorious Barcelona.
Throughout your voyage, you'll be treated to exclusive private concerts by renowned musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, making this a truly exceptional cruise!Smithsonian Experts
Throughout your cruise, travel in the company of Extraordinary Experts. Alex Saragoza is a professor of history at the University of California, Berkeley. Among his current research is an examination of Old World legacies, an area that has led to courses on the history of Catalonia, which at one time included Roussillon and Languedoc in southwest France. During your cruise you will be treated to exclusive, private concerts by a group of highly esteemed and influential classical musicians, including renowned cellist David Finckel, pianist Wu Han, and violinist Philip Setzer.Special Highlights
Experience art works by masters such as Chagall, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Gaudí.Enjoy outstanding concerts by a group of exceptional musicians, as they perform in historic sites and aboard ship.Explore medieval French villages and fortified towns, including St.-Paul-de-Vence, Eze, and Carcassonne, and ancient Roman sites in Nîmes and Spain's Tarragona.Visit the Monastery of Poblet, one of the largest Cistercian monasteries in Spain.Experience the dazzling city of Barcelona, capital of Catalonia and renowned for its vitality, museums, and breadth of architecture (from Gothic to Gaudí).Don't forget to check out our photo slide show to glimpse the excitement of this special program!
View photos by clicking "Next Photo" at top of page!World Heritage Sites
This tour features the following World Heritage sites:- Carcassonne, France
- La Sagrada Familia, by Gaudí, Barcelona, Spain
- Poblet Monastery, Spain
- Archaeological Ensemble of Tárraco (Tarragona), Spain
See a complete list of all Smithsonian tours featuring World Heritage sites.
