Experience Barcelona’s diverse architectural heritage. You’ll become well acquainted with Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona’s celebrity architect – his unmistakable style with its organic shapes, twisted iron sculptures and colored tiles is hard to miss. Begun in 1883, it remains unfinished to this day. Enjoy an inside visit at his towering masterpiece, la Sagrada Family (The Holy Family). Drive along the elegant Passeig de Gracia with its wrought-iron street lamps and fine array of Modernist buildings, including Gaudi’s Casa Batllo, with a mosaic façade and undulating roof. You´ll wander through the “Poble Espanyol”, an open-air architectural museum, which was built for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition. It consists of 117 full-scale buildings, which are replicas of the most characteristic buildings from all over Spain. It also contains restaurants, artisan workshops and shops offering quality souvenirs. There will be free time in the Old Quarter to explore, shop or have lunch on your own while strolling its narrow streets and handsome squares, lined with medieval buildings contemporary shops, bohemian artist workshops and cool bars and restaurants.

It is about an hour’s and a half drive to Montserrat, an unusual multi-peak mountain topped by pinnacles that look like fingers reaching for the sky offering stunning views of Catalunya. According to legend, villagers discovered a statue of the Madonna in a grotto a millennia ago. And as a result, it became a pilgrimage site, and still draws many of the faithful to venerate the image, which now resides in a grand basilica. Over the centuries the image has darkened by the smoke of millions of candles and she has come to be known as the Black Virgin. The Benedictine community, now numbering some 80 monks, has served the shrine for almost a thousand years. They are dedicated to a life of prayer, work and welcoming pilgrims. You’ll visit the sanctuary, and will have free time to explore on your own, visit the grotto, or take photos of the surrounding landscape. There are souvenir shops available, as well as food outlets.

Begin your tour with the view from the top, as you head to Montjuic hill for a panoramic view of Barcelona. Drive along the elegant Passeig de Gracia with its wrought-iron street lamps and fine array of Modernist buildings, including Gaudi’s Casa Batllo, with a mosaic façade and undulating roof. View his controversial and towering masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia (The Holy Family) Church.

It is about an hour’s drive to Montserrat, an unusual multi-peak mountain topped by pinnacles that look like fingers reaching for the sky and offering stunning views of Catalunya. According to legend, villagers discovered a statue of the Madonna in a grotto a millennia ago. As a result, it became a pilgrimage site, and still draws many of the faithful to venerate the image, which now resides in a grand basilica.

Over the centuries the image has darkened by the smoke of millions of candles and she has come to be known as the Black Virgin. You’ll visit the basilica, and have free time to shop and have lunch on your own.

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.

Experience Barcelona’s diverse architectural heritage. After a short panoramic drive, walk up to the Sagrada Familia and get acquainted with Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona’s celebrity architect – his unmistakable style with its organic shapes, twisted iron sculptures and colored tiles is hard to miss. The Sagrada Familia, which you will admire from the outside, was begun in 1883, and it remains unfinished to this day. Drive along the elegant Passeig de Gracia with its wrought-iron street lamps and fine array of Modernist buildings, including Gaudi’s Casa Batllo, with a mosaic façade and undulating roof. You’ll wander through the Spanish Village, where you’ll find full-scale replicas of the most characteristic buildings from all over Spain, as well as craft workshops, exhibitions of contemporary art and shops offering quality souvenirs. There will be free time in the old Quarter Quarter to explore, shop or have lunch on your own while strolling its narrow streets and handsome squares, lined with medieval buildings contemporary shops, bohemian artist workshops and cool bars and restaurants .

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.

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. 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.