Europe's Winter Riviera

 

 

Setting out from the port by coach, you will find it easy to relax and enjoy this driving tour of Spain’s most fascinating city, Barcelona, a lovely Mediterranean stronghold of architectural interest. You will drive along one of Barcelona’s most famous streets, the Passeig de Gracia, lined with different Modernist buildings, many of which were designed by architect Antoni Gaudí. Watch for Casa Batlló, an iconic Barcelona landmark and Casa Mila. You will drive by one of Gaudí’s masterpieces – the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) Church (outside visit). This is a site not to be missed. Though construction was started in 1882 it is still unfinished. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most-visited building in Barcelona, and immediately identifies the city around the world. From here you’ll head up to the viewpoint in Montjuic with the most exceptional views of Barcelona and its impressive harbor.

 

Please note: This tour will end at the airport. This tour is available only to guests whose flights leave at 3:00 p.m. or later. An inside visit to the Sagrada Familia is not included.  The Cathedral is closed to tours.

            

This tour is perfect for those who would like to visit Rome but do not feel like walking the cobblestone streets. You will meet the local guide at disembarkation  and board a coach for Rome to start the tour with  Via Veneto, which became popular in the 1960s as the heart of the “Dolce Vita” of Fellini’s Cinema, Castel Sant’ Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, the monumental square surrounded by four sets of 284 columns on 88 pillars. It is the masterwork of Bernini and welcomes pilgrims  to the largest temple in Christianity. The dome was designed by Michelangelo.  Your tour will continue to the Ostiense Gate, right next to the amazing Pyramid of Caio Cestio, built in 12 B.C., and the Baths of Caracalla, the second largest spa in ancient Rome.  Then you will head to the Circus Maximus, which could welcome 320,000 spectators who watched chariot races there. Pass by the Colosseum, constructed in only 8 years, where over 70,000 spectators could take a seat and leave the building in only a few minutes through its 80 entries. Your drive will continue to St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls, where you will have free time to explore on your own. The coach will wait for you in the vicinity to return you to the airport.

 

Please note: There are 3-4 steps to enter and exit the coach and a few steps in St. Paul’s Basilica.

This tour is perfect for those who would like to visit Rome but do not feel like walking the cobblestone streets. You will meet the local guide at disembarkation  and board a coach for Rome to start the tour with  Via Veneto, which became popular in the 1960s as the heart of the “Dolce Vita” of Fellini’s Cinema, Castel Sant’ Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, the monumental square surrounded by four sets of 284 columns on 88 pillars. It is the masterwork of Bernini and welcomes pilgrims  to the largest temple in Christianity. The dome was designed by Michelangelo.  Your tour will continue to the Ostiense Gate,right next to the amazing Pyramid of Caio Cestio, built in 12 B.C., and the Baths of Caracalla, the second largest spa in ancient Rome.  Then you will head to the Circus Maximus, which could welcome 320,000 spectators who watched chariot races there. Pass by the Colosseum, constructed in only 8 years, where over 70,000 spectators could take a seat and leave the building in only a few minutes through its 80 entries. Your tour also includes The dome of the basilica was designed by Michelangelo. Your drive will continue to St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls, where you will have free time to explore on your own. The coach will wait for you in the vicinity to return you to the Windstar Cruises hotel.

 

Please note: There are 3-4 steps to enter and exit the coach and a few steps in St. Paul’s Basilica. If you are not staying at the Windstar hotel you will be dropped of at the Piazza Repubblica where many taxis are available to take you to your independent hotel.