Drive along the elegant Passeig de Gracia with its wrought-iron street lamps and fine array of Modernist buildings, including Gaudi’s Casa Mila, with its arches and spiral chimneys. It is known locally as “the stone quarry,” because of its wavy facade of rough stone. Originally designed as an apartment building, it now houses a cultural center. Stop for a photo of Gaudi’s controversial and towering masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia (The Holy Family) Church. Begun in 1883, it is still unfinished. A panoramic drive takes you through the memorial Arch of Triumph and Ciutadella Park, home to State of Catalona’s parliament, museums and a monumental fountain designed by a student of Gaudi. You’ll also enjoy spectacular views of the harbor and the Olympic Stadium from the top of Montjuic. Last but not least, stroll at your leisure the narrow streets and handsome squares of the old Quarter, lined with medieval buildings contemporary shops, bohemian artist workshops and cool bars and restaurants.

Enjoy an enlightening panoramic drive around Barcelona as a prelude to a hands-on cooking class, after which you will dine on the paella that you have prepared. You will see some of Barcelona’s most iconic architecture, including two UNESCO World Heritage sites that famed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí designed. One is his La Sagrada Familia, a masterpiece church begun more 130 years ago that is still unfinished. The other is Gaudi’s imaginative Casa Batllo, a whimsical residence with undulated balconies and a façade covered with mosaics inspired by nature. Upon reaching the Paella Club, you will be treated to an immersive culinary experience during which you will learn the foundations of Spanish cuisine and how to make authentic paella. Your host chef will show you exactly how to prepare the dish and different versions of it at your workstation. The cooking class will culminate by dining on the paellas, perhaps the most well-known dish in Spain.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• See Barcelona’s architectural treasures, including two UNESCO World Heritage sites. • Learn to prepare authentic paella in a hands-on cooking class at the Paella Club. • Dine on the paella and the different versions of it that you just made in class.

HELPFUL HINTS:
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Walk through two modernistic buildings with an architectural historian that will describe their design challenges in vivid detail. As futuristic as Torre Glòries tower is, its bullet shape resembles the steeples of Sagrada Familia, architect Antoni Gaudí’s famed but controversial basilica that has been under construction since 1882. Torre Glòries also has had its share of distractors, as the glass-covered, multi-colored building has been criticized for issues ranging from its small windows to awkward donut-shaped floor plan. However, seeing it in person with an informed architect will shed light on the tower’s design and how it was achieved. In the same vein, the quirky triangular Forum Building overcame initial design flaws to become an admired symbol of Barcelona’s urban renewal. The expert guide will point out its bold technologies and use of materials of alternating textures and patterns. Be sure to ask why much of the building is lifted off the ground. As you continue, you'll be led to the magnificent Sagrada Familia, where you'll have some free time to admire and contemplate its intricate façade and the beautiful surroundings. It's a truly remarkable piece of art. Finally, the tour culminates with an exterior visit to Barcelona's Cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic architecture, as you stroll through the historic Gothic Quarter. Embark on an unforgettable journey through Barcelona's treasures.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow an architectural historian through two controversial buildings for an insider’s perspective.
• Gain insight into the cutting-edge technologies used in the bullet-shaped Torre Glòries tower.
• Learn how the futuristic Forum Building endured a rocky start to become a beloved icon.
• Stroll by two well-known landmarks in the city, the Sagrada Familia and Barcelona's Cathedral.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Drive along the elegant Passeig de Gracia, one of Barcelona’s most important shopping and business districts, lined with wrought-iron street lamps and some of the city’s most celebrated Modernist architecture. Both the Passeig and the Rambla radiate out from the enormous Catalunya Square, considered to be the heart of the city. Stop to admire Gaudi’s controversial and towering masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia (The Holy Family) Church. Begun in 1883, it is still unfinished.

For the grand finale you’ll head to the Spanish Village, where you’ll find full-scale replicas of the most representative buildings and squares from all over Spain. At the Tablao de Carmen in the Andalusian Quarter you’ll be entertained by a lively flamenco show. This very expressive Spanish dance form features guitars, song, dance, and much rhythmic foot stomping and hand clapping.

Make the most of your time in Barcelona by visiting the top-rated attractions without worrying about how to get to them or the cost. Your Attraction Pass includes transportation and the entrance fees to the most popular destinations. Start your journey by taking a Walking Tour around Barcelona´s highlights to learn more about the city and experience the day-to-day first-hand. Discover Plaça Catalunya, a large plaza embossed with sculptures and monumental buildings, continue exploring and choose to enter Casa Batlló or Casa Amatller, the façade of both building are beautiful with many hidden details inside! Visit other attractions such as the Casa Vicens Gaudí and Poble Espanyol that shows all of Spain's architectural history in one open air museum. The pass also entitles you to skip the line at the Sagrada Familia, so you won’t waste any time. You can spend about seven hours, exploring the destinations by the hand of your escort, and at the end you can explore on your own or board the double-decker to get panoramic views of the city.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Use the Attraction Pass to see Barcelona’s best attractions at no additional cost.
• Ride a coach around town, stopping at the attractions included in our curated path.
• Stay as long as your escort suggested at each attraction to enhance your understanding of it.
• Return to the cruise ship with your group.

Explore the wonders of Barcelona at your own pace by riding a double-decker bus around the city, hopping on and off whenever you please at the attractions you find most intriguing. After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a brief but scenic drive to Plaça Catalunya, an expansive plaza surrounded by shops and department stores. Being centrally located, the plaza is an excellent place to begin your Hop On Hop Off tour of Barcelona. Using the complimentary bus pass, you can explore the destinations that are most appealing to you. Simply hop on one of the buses and then hop off when it reaches an attraction of interest from the dozens of designated stops on the two different bus loops. You might hop off at the 14th-century La Seu cathedral, Barceloneta beach at Nova Mar Bella and at the hilltop Olympic Ring that was constructed for the 1992 Olympic Games. If you wish to see some of the architectural treasures that architect Antoni Gaudí designed, his masterpiece Church of the Sacred Family is a great choice. Stay for as long as you like, and then hop on another bus whenever you’re ready. The buses operate throughout the day and make a continuous loop around Barcelona’s must-see landmarks. Once onboard, you will receive a route map and headphones that explain the destinations, making it easy to choose your favorite ones. You can remain in the city for up to five hours before returning to Plaça Catalunya for your transfer to the ship.

Enjoy an enlightening panoramic drive around Barcelona as a prelude to a hands-on cooking class, after which you will dine on the paella that you have prepared. You will see some of Barcelona’s most iconic architecture, including two UNESCO World Heritage sites that famed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí designed. One is his La Sagrada Familia, a masterpiece church begun more 130 years ago that is still unfinished. The other is Gaudi’s imaginative Casa Batllo, a whimsical residence with undulated balconies and a façade covered with mosaics inspired by nature. Upon reaching the Paella Club, you will be treated to an immersive culinary experience during which you will learn the foundations of Spanish cuisine and how to make authentic paella. Your host chef will show you exactly how to prepare the dish and different versions of it at your workstation. The cooking class will culminate by dining on the paellas, perhaps the most well-known dish in Spain.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• See Barcelona’s architectural treasures, including two UNESCO World Heritage sites. • Learn to prepare authentic paella in a hands-on cooking class at the Paella Club. • Dine on the paella and the different versions of it that you just made in class.

HELPFUL HINTS:
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Delve into the world of chocolate and the sparkling wine cava, two classic Catalan products that are as traditional as they are delicious.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a picturesque drive through the country to the town of Roses, where you will find the Simón Coll chocolate factory. During an enlightening tour and through audiovisual exhibits, you will learn fascinating details about the chocolate-making process and how it has changed at Simón Coll over the past 100 years.

A sampling follows, during which you will discover how texture, creamy fillings and the percentage of cocoa affects the taste of the chocolate. As you will see firsthand, chocolate tastes even more extraordinary fresh off the production line. You might also purchase favorites such as cocoa nibs, milk chocolate bars with almonds and white chocolate drops.

You might even find delicacies such as chocolate in the shape of a cava bottle cork. It couldn’t be more appropriate, as your next destination will be Pagès Entrena, a winery that has been making cava in a converted 18th-century paper mill since 1987.

A tour of the winery will reveal much about cava, a sparkling wine made from indigenous Spanish grapes. You will gain great insight into how the grapes are harvested, the process of fermentation and why the wine bottles are periodically turned by hand during storage.

Afterwards, you will be served tapas and several cavas to taste. Weather permitting, you will dine outdoors in the beautiful Catalan countryside.

Enjoy a leisurely, mostly downhill walk from Montjuic hill to historical Plaza España while admiring the lovely views and attractions in between. The lookout atop the hill presents a sweeping panorama of Barcelona all the way to the sea, which will give you an excellent understanding of how the city lays out. As you follow the descending footpath, you will soon pass the ramparts of Montjuic Castle, a 17th-century fortress that played a key role in the War of the Spanish Succession. The guide will elaborate on Barcelona’s history and most intriguing landmarks such as the iconic La Sagrada Familia basilica as you descend to the beautifully terraced Mirador de l’Alcalde lookout and on to the National Palace. The domed Spanish Renaissance-style building was constructed for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition and now houses the National Art Museum of Catalonia. The nearby Plaza España was also built for the exposition. The bullring there is now a shopping center.

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Barcelona ! Instantly share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site as some of the stops might include wi-fi. Your accompanying guide will help you choose the spot to take the best selfie photo including composition, posing, lighting etc. Capture the spirit of this incredible destination.

Your tour begins with a scenic drive to the Sagrada Familia Park. You will have designated selfie stops at:

• La Sagrada Familia
• Paseo de Gracia – Gaudi´s Houses
• Triumphal arch

Wine is an integral part of the Mediterranean diet. Grapes have long been grown in this region and known for the quality of its wines as far back as the Roman Empire. Immerse yourself in a world of bubbles and delve into one of Spain’s leading producers of the sparkling wine known as cava. Cavas Freixenet is an approximately 45-minute drive from Barcelona, through picturesque countryside. Once there a brief audiovisual presentation will provide background, and a guide will lead you through the oldest section of the cellars, where you will learn about the process of creating cava. Then visit the latest enhancements to the cellar, where tradition and state-of-the-art technology coexist harmoniously. In the tasting room, you’ll sample various cavas, and will have an opportunity to purchase wine related items and cava in the gift shop. Once back in the city, you’ll drive along the elegant Passeig de Gracia, one of Barcelona’s most important shopping and business districts, lined with wrought-iron street lamps and some of the city’s most celebrated Modernist architecture. Both the Passeig and the Rambla, the city’s wide promenade, radiate out from the enormous Catalunya Square, Before reaching the pier, a stop will be perform and ,if you wish, you may stay to explore further and return to the pier on your own.

OVERVIEW

Experience the thrill of the Football Club Barcelona Immersive Tour, a new and innovative interactive museum. Enjoy a unique experience with an included audio guide ( downloadable on your device) that will take you through the most iconic moments in the club's history, as well as the new Spotify Camp Nou Live immersive room, one of the largest circular immersive content rooms. The stadium is currently being extensively modernized. Legendary Camp Nou was Europe’s largest football stadium and will be even more spectacular once its renovation is complete. On the drive there, you will pass the Olympic Ring, where the FCB will play until the renovation of Camp Nou is finished and enjoy panoramic views of Barcelona. Immerse yourself in the history of the club and live an unforgettable experience with the Barça Immersive Tour! Discover the new stadium construction viewpoint: the highlight of your visit to the new Barça Museum. From this small observation point, you'll have a close-up view of the exciting transformation of FC Barcelona's new stadium. Feel the excitement as you witness the ongoing construction and be a part of the greatness that is yet to come. What's more, you'll have direct access to the Barça Store from here. Don't miss out on this unique experience and take home a piece of Barça's history.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Become immersed in the world of Football Club Barcelona through the new immersive tour of its museum.
• Learn about the stadium’s renovation and future facilities.
• Relive epic moments in the stadium’s storied history as if you were on the field.
• Drive by the facilities See where the Football Club Barcelona will play until Camp Nou is completely renovated.
• Behold the sprawling urban landscape of Barcelona from atop Montjuïc Hill.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.