Mediterranean Summer

Barcelona, Carcassonne, Provence, Nice & Portofino 14 Nights – 15 Days

Hotel Options:
3 Nights – Gothic Quarter Barcelona, Hotel Neri
2 Nights – Carcassonne, South of France, Hotel de la Cite
2 Nights – South of France, France, Hotel Crillon le Brave
4 Nights – South of France, Hotel Chateau Saint-Martin and Spa
3 Nights – Portofino, Northern Italy, Hotel Belmond Hotel Splendido

Explore the Mediterranean coast of Spain, France and Italy with European Voyages, discovering historic cities, medieval fortresses, beautiful countryside and charming beaches as you go. This itinerary is filled with contrasts, and takes in three countries.

Description

Our Mediterranean Summer itinerary starts in Barcelona, where you can tour the city with one of our expert local guides and learn about the architectural, artistic and cultural history of this fascinating city. The Hotel Neri is located in the heart of the city’s Gothic Quarter, where picturesque medieval streets surround the magnificent cathedral. It’s an excellent starting point for discovering the Barcelona, old and new, from the 20th century developments around the Olympic Port to the architectural marvel that is Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia church.
Your journey across the Mediterranean is best undertaken by rental car, giving you the freedom to explore the towns, villages and countryside of the South of France at your leisure.

Your first stop, only a couple of hour’s drive from Barcelona, will be Carcassonne, at the Hôtel de la Cité. This hotel within the castle itself offers a fairytale-like experience during your stay here with its hidden secrets, romantic gardens and idyllic views. The hotel is brimming with history, however, it is not without the modern comforts of the 21st century. Being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the majority of the original features are still in place and have simply been retouched to turn it into a five star hotel.

Another scenic drive of about three hours takes you to the heart of Provence, where you can enjoy a few days in the countryside, taking delight in the beautiful scenery, fine wines, and great food. We recommend a stay at Crillon Le Brave, a charming hotel perched on top of a small hill village encompassed by stretching vineyards and olive groves. The hotel has a lovely relaxed and informal atmosphere to give you an insight in to the wonders of Provence. The hotel is surrounded by countryside but within easy reach of the historic cities of Avignon and Orange.
Another leisurely half-day drive will take you to the Côte d’Azur, where you can experience the glitz and glamour of Nice, Cannes and Monaco. We recommend a stay at a quiet location just inland from busy resort towns, in the hills close to the charming town of St Paul de Vence. Château Saint-Martin and Spa is a luxury hotel in a romantic secluded position with views of the Mediterranean. It is the perfect retreat to relax and to explore the nearby towns and beautiful beaches.

Château Saint-Martin was once a 12th century Templar Knight Commandery, however, today it is a byword for style, sophistication and total luxury. Having been built around the ruins of the Knight Templar castle and being surrounded by endless acres of natural beauty, Château Saint-Martin really is a unique place to stay. The combination of the sea and mountains provide fabulous and varied views from all angles, the immaculately maintained gardens provide a sense of tranquillity and the attentive service makes each guest feel special during their stay at this hotel. The resort exudes a peaceful serenity with an understated elegance. The hotel is within easy reach of the popular destinations on the French Riviera such as Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Grasse and Antibes. All these towns are unique in their own way and have fabulous beaches and a large variety of restaurants. Château Saint-Martin provides the perfect retreat to return to at the end of a busy day exploring.

The last drive of this trip is one of the most spectacular. Continuing eastwards from the Côte d’Azur you will cross from the French to the Italian Riviera, with the mountains of the Prealps on one side and the azure sea on the other. Overlooking the harbour of Portofino, one of the most beautiful towns on the Italian Riviera, Hotel Splendido is a luxurious and relaxing retreat. With a glamorous history and beautiful surroundings, this is a must see spot and the perfect place to finish your Mediterranean adventure in style.

When to travel
This part of Europe enjoys a Mediterranean climate, getting on average 300 days of sunshine each year, with warm but mild temperatures. Summer is high season here, with August bringing the hottest weather and the biggest crowds. Spring is a great time of year, the weather is warm, with temperatures swaying between 16 and 20°C, and the crowds are small. In October the weather starts to cool. Autumn is also the start of the wettest weeks of the year. Still, it never gets all that chilly and snow is rare. In January, the mercury rarely dips beneath the -1°C.