Barcelona & Paris

Feel the pulse of Spain when you attend an unforgettable flamenco performance! Born of Indian, Moorish, Arabian, and gipsy influences, flamenco dance is a passionate display of dramatic poses and colourful costumes, accompanied by song and guitar. Marvel at the intricate rhythms created by a dancer’s steps, castanets, and clapping. Note: A beverage is included during the one-hour performance. 

It’s one thing to sit down at a dinner table and try regional cuisine; it’s quite another thing to first visit a local market and pick out the ingredients for the meal. This is your opportunity to do both—and gain a true understanding of Catalan culture. At the market, an amazing variety of local fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat await. Take your groceries back to a cooking demonstration with a local chef, where you’ll learn professional techniques and tips as you help prepare a meal. 

Enjoy an excursion to the grand palace of Versailles, where Louis XIV held court in the most lavish style imaginable. On a tour, stroll through the elegantly landscaped gardens, the historic Hall of Mirrors, and the ornately decorated State Apartments. Note: Versailles is closed on Mondays.

Explore the heart of the Dutch countryside on this half-day excursion! Visit the picturesque fishing village of Volendam and the living and working neighbourhood of Zaanse Schans, re-created to look like an old Dutch village. Make your way down the winding, cobblestone streets past charming shops and crooked houses. Enjoy cheese- and clog-making demonstrations as well as a visit to a windmill.