Carcassonne, France to Barcelona, Spain Tour Snapshot
From the Knights Templar and the Cathar battlefields of Languedoc, France, to the majestic Pyrénees Mountains and Catalonia, Spain; to Barcelona and the Penedès wine region: an exciting journey of history, rugged beauty, and exciting cuisine and culture.
Tour Price: $8,270
Tour price includes:
- Airport transfers*
- 11 nights in elegant accommodations of regional character: Toulouse (1),
Carcassonne (2), Bélesta (2), Andorra (2), Barcelona (4) - All breakfasts, 1 lunch, 9 dinners
- Full-time tour leader
- 2 wine tastings (1 in Limoux, 1 in Penedès); 1 tasting with a Pyrenees cheese producer
- 1 private cooking class in Barcelona
- Local expert English-speaking guides in Toulouse, Carcassonne, Saint-Hilaire, Narbonne, Couiza, Quéribus, Perpignan, Andorra, Montserrat/Benedictine Monastery and Barcelona
- All museum and attraction entrance fees
- Transportation by comfortable air-conditioned minivan or minibus
- All tips and taxes
Carcassonne, France To Barcelona, Spain, Crossing the Pyrenees Mountains Tour Snapshot
Depart the US, flying overnight to Toulouse.
DAY 1, TOULOUSE: Arrive at this lively university city with its grand monuments and rich history.
DAYS 2-3, CARCASSONNE: Head to Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with three kilometers of 13th-century ramparts and 52 towers. Our hotel is within the walls of the ancient village. Take an excursion to nearby Limoux to visit a family-owned winery and then tour the ancient Abbey of Saint-Hilaire.
DAYS 4-5, BÉLESTA: After stopping to visit the historic town of Narbonne, drive into the Pyrenees Mountain region and arrive at the lovely mountain village of Bélesta. Our hotel was designed by two architects who transformed a former winery into a unique boutique hotel like nothing you’ve ever seen. The hotel’s restaurant is run by a creative chef with a Michelin star. Our local expert guide takes us up to the castle of Quéribus, tragically the last Cathar stronghold. Learn about the fascinating history of the Cathars, the Knights Templar, and Catalan culture.
DAYS 6-7, ANDORRA LA VELLA: Drive through the Catalan Pyrenees mountains to Andorra la Vella, capital of the tiny principality of Andorra. Explore the town and beautiful countryside with an entertaining Catalan guide.
DAYS 8-11, BARCELONA: On the way to Barcelona, stop to see the most important monastery and pilgrimage destination in northeast Spain: the Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat. Four days in the Catalan capital of Barcelona. Take an excursion to the Penedès wine region to taste the sparkling Cava. See Barcelona’s amazing architecture, such as Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, enjoy a Catalan cooking class, take in a show with Flamenco dancers and live music. Dine on gourmet Spanish cuisine.
DAY 12: Depart for Barcelona Airport for the flight home.
