Days 1 & 2 – Depart U.S. and Arrive in Barcelona, Spain

Depart the U.S. on an overnight transatlantic flight to Barcelona, Spain. Arrive at Barcelona’s El Prat International Airport where you will be met and assisted with transfer to the upscale, centrally located Renaissance Barcelona Hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, you’ll receive a Welcome Package complete with maps and general information about the city and the region of Catalonia. There’s time to unpack and settle-in before joining fellow travelers and your Smithsonian Journeys Expert for a welcome reception and opening remarks. Afterward, dinner will be served at a popular restaurant. (R,D)

Day 3 — Barcelona

A full American-style breakfast will be served each day at the hotel. Begin with a morning visit to the Palau de la Música Catalana, a fascinating concert hall created by art nouveau architect Lluís Doménich i Montaner and designated World Heritage site. Later, learn about Catalan cooking traditions during an interactive cooking class with a local chef. Late in the day gather with your fellow travelers and your Smithsonian Journeys Expert for more casual conversation about your initial impressions of Barcelona in the Smithsonian Journeys Travelers Corner. This evening, dine independently. (B,L)

Day 4 — Barcelona

This morning enjoy a special visit to architect Antoni Gaudi’s Parc Guell, a public park and green space with Mediterranean views that is a remarkable showcase of Gaudi’s rich, vibrant imagination. Discover “local flavor” with lunch at the Masia de Can Cortada, a provincial farmhouse that began life as a medieval castle and has more recently been designated a Catalan Asset of Cultural Interest. After lunch, travel to Recinte Modernista Sant Pau, a World Heritage site. Built between 1901 and 1930 as a hospital, it is the one building in the city that can rival La Sagrada Familia for size and architectural ingenuity. Walk along the Avinguda Gaudi, one of Barcelona’s most historic avenues, then gaze upon La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s most defining work. This iconic modernist cathedral was begun in 1882 and has been designated a World Heritage site. Return to the hotel where the balance of the day is free of planned activities. (B,L)

Day 5 — Girona / Figueres

Travel outside Barcelona to Figueres, a town with deep connections to the renowned surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. The Dalí Theater Museum, the largest surrealistic object in the world, occupies the former Municipal Theater, destroyed at the end of the Spanish Civil War. Dalí imagined his museum rising, like a phoenix, from the ruins of the old theater. Explore the museum with its extraordinary collection of unique exhibits. Continue to Girona where you’ll have lunch at a local restaurant, then spend time exploring this important city, a gem of northern Catalonia. The medieval wall, narrow streets and alleyways provide glimpses into a bygone era. The Jewish Quarter, known as the Call, is a maze of alleyways, streets and plazas that still maintain their ancient Jewish legacy. Return to Barcelona late in the day for the remainder of the evening at leisure. (B,L)

Day 6 — Barcelona

Depart for the Picasso Museum to view stunning collections, more than 3,800 works, that showcases the artist’s early endeavors. Then spend time exploring an area of Barcelona where young Picasso lived and where his brilliant imagination was nourished. Stroll through Barcelona’s picturesque Barri Gothic to see the Carrer del Bisbe with its Pont del Bisbe, the Placa de Sant Jaume, the Placa del Rei, the Cathedral and Roman Walls. This area is considered to be one of the best-preserved historic quarters in Europe. Enjoy an evening relaxing at the hotel or exploring the city independently. (B,L)

Day 7 — Montserrat / Penedes Wine Region

During a morning excursion, explore the Monastery of Montserrat, a 9th-century Benedictine monastery built in the midst of dramatic sandstone mountains and home to the image of the Virgin of Montserrat the patron saint of Catalonia. Continue to the Penedes Wine Region that is renowned for producing Cava, a delightful sparkling wine. The wineries also produce young, fruity still white wines as well as full-bodied reds. Enjoy lunch featuring local specialties accompanied by a sampling the local wines. Return to the city late in the day. (B,L)

Day 8 – Barcelona

Begin with a presentation by a local speaker on Contemporary Catalonia. Afterward, you’ll have a choice of one of the following excursions. 

Choice #1: Barcelona and the Civil War - Return to the Gothic Quarter for a deeper dive into the time-period from the outbreak of the Civil War until the beginning of repression and dictatorship in 1939. Visits include the Road to Exile and the Placa de Sant Felip Neri. 

Choice #2: A Stroll through Barcelona’s Jewish District - Discover the history of Catalan Jewry from the Middle Ages until the pogroms of the late 14th century. Explore the Aljama, Jewish life, local poets, and social relationships. Stroll the enchanting streets of the Jewish neighborhood known as the Call. 

Choice #3: A Stroll along Las Ramblas - Stroll from Plaza Catalunya to Columbus Monument, and explore the evolution of this lively and important street for culture and trade since the Middle Ages.  

The balance of the day is free of planned activities. 

This evening gather for a festive farewell reception and dinner served at a local restaurant. (B,R,D)

Day 9 — Depart Barcelona for the U.S.

After breakfast, transfer to the Barcelona–El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport for your return flight to the U.S. (B)

Please note: The progression of this itinerary may change due to operational considerations.