Barcelona to Monte Carlo

Barcelona’s seaside beauty, sprawling beaches, eclectic architecture, world-class tapas and Tempranillo are all reasons to fall in love with the city of Gaudí. Indeed, the treasures here are many and diverse, captivating travelers and experts alike. In fact, nine important sites in the city, seven designed by the famed architect himself, have earned the acclaim of UNESCO.

While the pretty village of Cassis and vineyards of Provence are just a stone’s throw from this seaside metropolis, you will want to linger in Toulon, capital of Var and a major naval center. Discover the narrow streets, lovely squares and elegant fountains in the Old Town. In the Upper Town, you may feel a touch of Paris—its design was overseen by Baron Haussmann, the same visionary who transformed the famous district of parks and wide boulevards in the City of Lights.

Monaco is an ancient principality steeped in rich and colorful history. Its proud monarchy is presided over by Prince Albert, who assumed the throne after his famed father Prince Rainier died in 2005.
Today when gazing on its modern skyline, it is hard to imagine that Monaco endured a turbulent past. Once a Greek settlement conquered by the Romans, it was bought from the Genoese in 1309 by the Grimaldis, who still rule as the world’s oldest monarchy. Monaco covers less than one square mile and is known primarily for its Grand Casino.