Mediterranean Coastal Journey: Spain, France & Italy

Barcelona
Barcelona is an enchanting seaside city with boundless culture, fabled architecture and a world-class drinking and dining scene. Barcelona's architectural treasures span 2,000-plus years. Towering temple columns, ancient city walls and subterranean stone corridors provide a window into Roman-era Barcino. Fast forward a thousand years to the Middle Ages by taking a stroll through the shadowy lanes of the Gothic quarter, past tranquil plazas and soaring 14th-century cathedrals. In other parts of town bloom the sculptural masterpieces of Modernisme, a mix of ingenious and whimsical creations by Gaudí and his Catalan architectural contemporaries for which this city is so well known. Barcelona has also long-inspired artists, including the likes of Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró, whose works are in bold display in the city's myriad museums.

La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia, the Holy Family, is a church of the people, built by the people, with the money of the people. While it is not the cathedral of Barcelona, it is widely known due to its unique architecture and phenomenal design initiated by architect Antoni Gaudí. Work on the exploratory church began in 1882 and continue to this day, but with modern technology and the rising number of visitors and donations, the church’s completion date has rapidly become closer. The facades of the church are breathtaking in their intricate and artistic details all of which were inspired by Gaudí. The church is divided into parts including the apse, chapels, cloister, crossing and transepts, crypt, glory façade, the nativity façade, the passion façade, the main nave and the sacristies.

Aix-en-Provence
The abundant springs that supply the "City of a Thousand Fountains" have given this unofficial capital of the Provence its name. Aix-en-Provence is excellently located between the Mediterranean, the French Riviera, and the Languedoc-Rousillon region. It has been the seat of a University for 600 years and continues to be a center of learning for the study of Law. The city retains a certain distinction due to its cultural life and its handsome 12th and 18th century mansions as well as Roman ruins and its medieval cathedral. Thermal baths, a picturesque fresh produce market and the lively artisanal craft and wares market highlight the city's many attractions.

French Riviera
The "Côte d'Azur" is that portion of the Mediterranean coast in southeastern France that extends from Menton in the north to Hyères in the south. The region is dotted with both large cosmopolitan centers like Nice, Antibes, and Cannes and smaller towns and villages lining the coast as well as straddling on precarious peaks and hilltops. The region is renowned for its glitzy towns and beaches where the rich and famous both play and hideout. The Alpilles shield the region from inclement weather giving the area mild temperatures year-round.

Portofino
Located in the center of the Italian Riviera, Portofino is a small fishing village turned playground for the rich and famous. The village is situated facing the sea and its small protected harbor. The village’s many colorful buildings boast many small cafes and designer boutiques.

Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre is made up of five small villages that cling to the rocky cliffs of the southern Italian Riviera. Each village has its own unique charms with views over the terraced vineyards and the small beaches of the Ligurian Sea. The villages are linked together by trains, hiking paths, and seasonal boat service. From the north to the south the villages are: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare.

Florence
Florence is the regional capital of Tuscany and home to countless Renaissance masterpieces. The city developed great wealth during the late Middle Ages and was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance that produced great artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, Brunelleschi and many others. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with numerous museums, stunning architecture and charming piazzas. The city offers something for everyone from culture, to great food and excellent shopping (like their famous gold or leather).

Mediterranean Coastal Journey: Spain, France & Italy

Hotel Catalonia Passeig de Gracia
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 644, Barcelona, Spain


Park Hotel San Jorge
Av. Andorra, 28, Costa Brava, Spain


NH Collection
37 Bd des Dames, Marseille, France


Hotel Massena, Nice
58 Rue Gioffredo, French Riviera, France


NH Collection Genova Marina, Genoa
Molo Ponte Calvi, 5, Italian Riviera, Italy


Hotel Borgo di Cortefreda, Chianti Countryside
Via Roma,, Tuscany, Italy