APRIL 2013: IN PURSUIT OF PABLO Barcelona * Provence * Paris

IN PURSUIT OF PABLO

An Art Lovers Journey to Barcelona and the South of France

April 26 – May 7, 2013

“Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?”

- Pablo Picasso -

Join Earthbound Expeditions for a food, wine and art lover’s journey to Barcelona and the South of France. Your adventure is set to commence in Barcelona, where artists such as Picasso, Miro, Dali and Gaudi began his own remarkable carees. Enjoy a privately guided tour of the Picasso museum, dine in Pablo’s favorite cafés and discover the great Catalan artists. Then set off to the south of France, where you’ll walk in Picasso’s footsteps and stay in the charming seaside village of Collioure. The gorgeous light and scenery found in the South of France lured painters there, familiar names such as Signac, Matisse, Chagall, Dufy, Mackintosh and Picasso. Continuing our search we head deep into Provence and visit the very places where the artist painted and lived. Admire the works by the only painter Pablo considered his personal master: Paul Cézanne. Our journey culminates as we tip our hat to Marc Chagall and his life-long competitor, Henri Matisse. Wine tastings, world class art, towering hill towns, Roman ruins and Provençal markets are all included as together we relive the life and recreate the world of the 20th century’s greatest artist, Pablo Picasso!

JOURNEY OVERVIEW

  Overnight flight to Spain
3 Nights Barcelona, Catalonia
2 Nights Collioure, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
3 Nights Arles, Provence
3 Nights Mougins, Cote d’Azur
3 Nights Paris (Post-tour extension)
 

JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS

Private tours of the Picasso Museums of Barcelona, Arles and Antibes ♦ Additional outings to the Gaudí, Dalí, Matisse and Miró Museums ♦ The Musée Granet in Aix-en-Provence with works by Pablo’s inspiration, Cézanne ♦ The original art studio of Cézanne ♦ A private tour of Van Gogh’s legendary asylum in St. Remy ♦ Wine tastings with the producers in the Côtes du Rhone ♦ Dine in cafés and restaurants frequented by Picasso ♦ A tour of Provençal towns where Pablo spent his later years ♦ Outings to village markets ♦ The flower market of Nice ♦ Excursions to stunning Provençal hill towns ♦ The Roman ruins of Arles and the Pont du Gard ♦ Historic walks with local experts ♦ Time for personal discovery.

IT’S INCLUDED

• Fully guided by an Earthbound Expeditions program director
• Eleven nights of accommodation in centrally-located charming hotels
• Transport by luxury coach (private group airport shuttle included)
• All breakfasts, five lunches and five multi-course dinners featuring regional specialties
• Pre-dinner wine and cheese gathering with discussions on wine, cheese and art
• Museum entrances and tours led by knowledgeable docents
• All entrances as listed in your itinerary
• Outings to village markets, Roman ruins, monasteries, vineyards, hill towns
• Wine tastings with the producers in Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon
• Gratuities for your driver and guides
• A specially prepared reading list

TRIP FACTS

12 Days/11 Nights (excluding overnight flight via Paris)
$4,495 Dbl Occupancy Land (based on 18-26 guests)
 $875 Single Supplement
 Journey begins in Barcelona at 6:00pm on April 26, 2013
Ending in the Nice on the morning of May 7
Paris post tour dates: May 7-10
 Based on an exchange rate of € .76 Euro to $1 USD

WAYS TO SAVE!

1) Pay by check: Pay your final balance by check or money order and save $75 per person.

2) Alumni Discounts: All alumni of Earthbound Expeditions will receive $100 off the published journey price (private trips may be excluded). If Earthbound Expeditions has other discounts available, participants may choose the greatest available discount.

3) Refer a Friend: Refer a friend and save an additional $75 for each person new to Earthbound who travels with you on an Earthbound Expedition. “Refer a Friend” discounts may be combined with other discounts.

BARCELONA: In the footsteps of Pablo Ruiz Picasso

Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973) was born in Málaga in the south of Spain on 25 October 1881. In 1885 the Ruiz Picasso family moved to Barcelona, where arguably the world’s greatest painter spent his formative years and began his professional career as an artist. Picasso’s time in Barcelona is well documented. For the next three days you’ll be discovering the many places where Picasso lived, studied, dined and socialized from 1895 to 1904.

“The entire trip was far better than fabulous – the hotels, the meals, the sights – everything was beautifully organized!   I can see why two of the participants have been on several other Earthbound tours!!! ”   

Ellen Harden
 De Young Museum Senior Docent and 2012 Guest

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS…

DAY 0
Depart San Francisco for Picasso’s Barcelona
 

DAY 1
APRIL 27
“Buenos Días y Bon Dia”- Arrive in Barcelona!
The life and works of Pablo Picasso are inextricably linked to the Mediterranean and Provence. It is therefore fitting that our journey begins in Barcelona where the young Pablo spent much of his youth.

Today, Barcelona is exciting, modern and one of the world’s premier cultural centers. Cutting-edge artists, intellectuals and architects such as Dalí, Picasso and Gaudí have long been attracted to the city’s Mediterranean climate, charm and cuisine.

Make yourself comfortable, for this fascinating city will be your home for the next three nights. Enjoy Barcelona’s vibrant Gothic Quarter and the famous pedestrian shopping street “La Rambla,” of which Spanish poet Federico García Lorca once said, “It’s the only street in the world which I wish would never end.” While in Barcelona you’ll enjoy colorful markets and Gaudi’s dreamlike architecture. You’ll dine in Picasso’s old haunts and enjoy a private tour of the world-renowned Picasso Museum. This evening you’ll be treated to a welcome glass of “Cava,” a trip orientation and a dinner hosted by your Earthbound Expeditions program director and host Ellen Harden. Sleep in Barcelona (D)

DAY 2
The Gothic Quarter, School of Fine Arts & Miro
This morning we set out to discover Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. In doing so, we’ll also explore the world of Picasso’s youth. He dined here with friends and took evening strolls with family. We’ll see the Cathedral of Barcelona, known as La Seu, and go underground to view a well-preserved Roman temple.

Lunch will be in the Els Quatre Gats café. Opened in 1897, the café and restaurant on Carrer de Montsió 3 became a popular hang-out for Picasso and his friends. In fact, one of his first exhibitions was in Els Quatre Gats and Picasso’s design for the menu is still in use to this day.

After lunch, Miró enthusiasts will set out to explore the Joan Miró Foundation, which was designed by Josep Lluís Sert. The great architect created a space which offers visitors a moment of calm, where light and beauty interact in perfect harmony. Upon entering the museum you’ll discover the work of another Picasso contemporary, Joan Miró, who throughout his life took a particular interest in the diversity of materials, forms and colors. It led him to explore and experiment with different art forms such as painting, sculpture, printing techniques, ceramics, theatre and tapestry. For those with a bit of energy, we suggest a visit to the Ceramics Museum of Barcelona, where you’ll find 16 ceramic works by Picasso. Or you may wish to visit the National Art Museum of Catalonia or the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona.

The late afternoon and evening is free for you to discover the many charms of Barcelona at your own leisurely pace. Optional concerts this evening are available upon request. Your guide will also provide a list of optional events for this evening. Sleep in Barcelona. (B, L)

DAY 3
A Day with Picasso & Gaudi
Your day begins at La Boqueria, the most famous market in the city, located on the lively Rambla Avenue. Accompanied by your guide, you’ll explore this bustling market that has the freshest fruits and vegetables you can imagine and a unique display of fish and seafood stalls. Next, your walk continues to a nearby neighborhood bursting with early 20th century architecture designed by the world famous architect and Picasso contemporary, Antoni Gaudí. Situated on an asymmetrical corner lot lies a large apartment building that was immediately dubbed “La Pedrera,” or “the quarry” because of its cliff-like walls. This imaginative building was designed by Antoni Gaudí i Cornet and built between 1906 and 1910 for the Milà family. This is one of the main Gaudí residential buildings and one of the most imaginative houses in the history of the architecture. Then discover “La Sagrada Familia,” considered Antoni Gaudi’s most impressive work. This enormous church, as yet unfinished, is a summary of everything that Gaudí had designed.

The structural difficulties he faced and errors he committed in other projects are revisited and resolved in La Sagrada Familia. The architectural style of La Sagrada Familia has been called “warped Gothic,” and it’s easy to see why. The rippling contours of the stone façade make it look as though La Sagrada Familia is melting in the sun, while the towers are topped with brightly-colored mosaics which look like bowls of fruit. Gaudí believed that color is life, and, knowing that he would not live to see completion of his masterpiece, left colored drawings of his vision for future architects to follow.

Enjoy a delicious tapas lunch. Then we are off to the world-renowned Picasso Museum, which is a perfect expression of his time in Barcelona. Today the museum houses the world’s most important collection of his early work. You’ll have the late afternoon free. Take a siesta like the locals, or pull up a chair in a cozy café and watch the world go by. Sleep in Barcelona (B, L)

DAY 4
The Dalí Museum & Seaside Villages
After breakfast we depart for the Catalan town of Figueres. Located on the Costa Brava, Figueres houses the Fundacio-Gala Salvador Dalí, a museum and mausoleum where much of Salvador Dali’s most important and dramatic art is to be found. You’ll have plenty of time to experience the full breadth of Dali’s works before setting off for lunch at a restaurant frequented by Dalí himself. Then we cross into Languedoc, France, and drive to the quaint seaside village of Collioure. Tonight, let’s toast to France and feast on local specialties at a nearby bistro. Sleep in Collioure (B, L)

DAY 5
Relax in the Artful Seaside Village of Collioure
In the early 1900’s Collioure became a center of artistic activity, with several Fauvist artists selecting it as their favorite place to paint. Other artists were attracted as well. Among them were André Derain, Georges Braque, Othon Friesz, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Tsuguharu Fujita and Salvador Dalí. Collioure became the home of the Fauvist Movement because of the rare quality of the light. As Matisse said, “No sky in all France is more blue than that of Collioure.” In 1994 “Le Chemin du Fauvisme” Art Walk was created with works by Matisse and Derain and placed around town in locations from which the originals were painted, allowing viewers to compare the painting to the present view. Today the town remains a popular destination for inspiring artists.

Enjoy a restful morning, take a leisurely coastal cruise or go on an energetic hike—it’s up to you. We’ve intentionally left this morning unplanned so you can stroll the village of Collioure and soak up the French atmosphere. Wine lovers may choose to meet up for a wine excursion and tasting this afternoon. Sleep in Collioure (B)

Vincent Van Gogh and St. Remy, Provence Unable to live securely on his own in Arles, Vincent Van Gogh voluntarily entered Saint Paul-de-Mausole, a psychiatric asylum located in nearby Saint Rémy-de-Provence. When Vincent entered the asylum on May 8, 1889, his condition was diagnosed as a form of epilepsy. As long as he remained stable, the doctors allowed Vincent to paint, though for the first weeks of his residence, he was confined to the hospital for supervision.

DAY 6
West to Provence
A gem of Provençal history, ancient Arles, with its seven UNESCO World Heritage monuments and sites, roused the passion of Picasso. Reminding him of his Spanish roots, Arles inspired him with its arenas and corridas. His works,focusing on Arles being in 1960, including his famous “L’Arlésienne.” A series of portraits followed. Before he died, he bequeathed 57 drawings to the Réattu museum, all of which illustrate his attachment to Arles. Today we’ll head straight to Arles where we’ll enjoy lunch, a tour of the old town and the fine Réattu museum.   Sleep in Arles (B, L)

DAY 7
To Market- to Market! Saint Rémy-de-Provence & Les Baux
This morning we make our way to the village of Saint Rémy-de-Provence. Our first stop will be the Saint Paul-de-Mausole, the asylum that Vincent Van Gogh voluntarily entered once he left Arles and the place where he painted his famous “Irises.”

It’s market day in Saint Rémy-de-Provence and this is not one to miss! Stretching through the old town you’ll see antiques, clothing, tools, fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese mongers and baked goods, sometimes even animals for sale! You’ll have plenty of time to wander and shop in the market.

Enjoy a wine tasting and then continue on to the quaint hill town of “Les Baux” with gorgeous views of the olive groves and vineyards of the Luberon valley. Return to Arles for dinner. Sleep in Arles (B, D)

DAY 8
Le Pont du Gard, Avignon, the Wines of the Côtes du Rhône
This morning we make our way to Europe’s best preserved Roman ruin, the 2,000-year-old aqueduct, le Pont du Gard. Admire this feat of Roman engineering and beauty before continuing on to Avignon. Enjoy an independent lunch and see the summer palace of the Popes. Time permitting, we’ll take in the “Angladon,” a museum which houses works by Picasso, Modigliani and Van Gogh.

After our visit we are off to the Côtes du Rhône. This stunning area was the first region to produce wine in France. It is said that the first vine was planted by wine growers from Marseille, known then as “Massilia.” Using the nearby Rhône River, the bottles of wine could then be easily transferred to the harbor of Marseille. The Romans were next to further develop the vineyards, with the oldest remaining vineyards being “Côte Rôtie” and “Hermitage.” During the Middle Ages, monasteries began to manage vineyards such as “Châteauneuf,” which was renamed “Châteauneuf du Pape” when the Popes began spending their holidays there. Return to Arles for dinner. Sleep in Arles (B, D)

DAY 9
Cézanne and Picasso!
Aix-en-Provence, birthplace of Paul Cézanne, bursts with Baroque architecture, sparkling fountains and lively terraces. Cézanne, who spent most of his life in Provence, was 42 years older than Picasso, and never met his disciple. It was Cézanne’s work that inspired Picasso and his Fauvist contemporary, Georges Braque, to focus on the substance of things rather than their appearance from a single viewpoint — and in doing so, they invented cubism. Picasso made no secret of the debt: “Cézanne is the father of us all” he said, soon after the French painter’s death in 1906. It was a relationship that revolutionized modern art.

In 1959, Picasso, then in his 70’s, moved to Provence. It was partly to escape the glare of public life in Cannes, but mostly to be closer to Mont Saint-Victoire, the mountain near Aix-en-Provence that served as the subject of more than 40 paintings by Paul Cézanne, whom Picasso called “my one and only master.” After buying Château de Vauvenargues which is at the base of the mountain, Picasso contacted his dealer, Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler. “I have just bought Cézanne’s St.-Victoire,” he boasted. “Which one?” the dealer asked, assuming Picasso was referring to a painting “The original!” the artist replied. This was an essential acquisition for Picasso, who bought the chateau in 1958. Pablo and his wife, Jacqueline, rest here today under a statue of a curvaceous bronze nude by the artist.

Our tour of Aix will include the market, gorgeous back alleys and of course the Granet Museum. Today the museum is known for having one of the richest art collections outside the French capital. Here you can see works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Géricault, Ingres, Granet and Cézanne. In order to learn all we can about the man who would inspire Picasso we’ll stop by “Atelier Cézanne,” the artist’s studio, and then walk up a small hill to the place where Cézanne’s St.-Victoire may be viewed.

In the late afternoon we make the drive down the stunning Côte D’Azur to the famous village perched just above Cannes: Mougins!   Sleep in Mougins (B, D)

DAY 10
Flower Markets, Towering Hill Towns and Henri Matisse
Our home base of Mougins is a village to which Picasso will forever be tied. In 1961, Picasso moved to a hilltop home at “Notre-Dame-de-Vie,” next to a 12th century chapel across the valley about a km from Mougins village. Mougins is also where, from 1936 to 1939, he shared his life with the photographer Dora Maar. Pablo also introduced his own vision of photography, fine examples of which can be seen in the photography museum. It is here where, on the night of 8 April 1973, Pablo died in his home. He was taken the next day to his chateau at Vauvenargues where he was buried.

It’s a short drive east to Nice where we’ll visit the charming Old Town and flower market before we set out to investigate the works of Picasso’s rival, Matisse. The Matisse Museum is situated on the hill of Cimiez, not far from the Franciscan monastery and the Hotel Regina where Matisse lived from 1918 to 1954. The Museum’s collection of works was left by both the artist and his heirs. Together we’ll explore the intense rivalry between two of the greatest 20th century artists, then head for the charming hill town of Saint Paul-de-Vence to view more of Matisse’s work in the stunning “Chapelle du Rosaire.” Sleep in Mougins, Côte d’Azur (B, D)

DAY 11
Picasso Museum of Antibes, time in Mougins
Our morning begins with an outing to the seaside town of Antibes. We’ll tour the colorful market, then step back into the world of Picasso. Chateau Grimaldi became the “Picasso Museum” on 27 December, 1966. Picasso stayed here from mid-September to mid-November 1946 and produced a great deal of work: 23 paintings and 44 drawings, of which he donated to the town of Antibes. Beginning in 1952, many donations and purchases, including donations from Jacqueline Picasso in 1991, have greatly enriched the Picasso collection in the museum.

Mougins is famous for its restaurants and fine cuisine, so we have a perfect place to enjoy a gala farewell luncheon here and have a toast to Pablo and the fabulous artistic journey we’ve made together! Sleep in Mougins, Côte d’Azur (B, L)

DAY 12
MAY 7
Your Journey Concludes: Post tour Extension to Paris Begins
Transfer to Nice Airport, fly north to Picasso’s Paris and spend three glorious nights in the city of light or continue on and return home.

EXPLORING THE PARIS OF PICASSO, STEIN AND HEMINGWAY

POST TOUR TRIP FACTS

May 7 – 10, 2013
$995 pp double room
$295 Single Suppl.

INCLUDED

• Train or air transport to Paris
• Three Nights’ Lodging in the heart of Paris
• A bistro lunch upon arrival
• A Paris Museum pass
• Optional Cordon Bleu Cooking Class

PABLO, HEMINGWAY, MATISSE, STEIN AND BRAQUE

Contemporaries of Leo and Gertrude Stein, Matisse and Picasso became part of their social circle, and were a part of the early Saturday evenings at 27 Rue de Fleurus. Gertrude attributed the beginnings of the Saturday evening salons to Matisse. People began dropping by to see the Matisse paintings and those by Cézanne: “Matisse brought people, everybody brought somebody, and they came at any time and it began to be a nuisance, and it was in this way that Saturday evenings began.”

Among the Picasso circle who frequented the Saturday evenings were: Fernande Olivier (Picasso’s mistress), Georges Braque (artist), Hemingway (writer), André Derain (artist), Max Jacob (poet), Guillaume Apollinaire (poet), Marie Laurencin (Apollinaire’s mistress and an artist in her own right) and Henri Rousseau (painter).

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW…

Deposit and payment schedule: A $500 deposit per person is required to reserve your journey. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for our refund policy. A separate deposit may be requested for the air portion of your journey.

Not Included: Airline surcharges, taxes, baggage fees, alcoholic beverages with meals, meals not mentioned, room/mini-bar service, gratuities for hotel staff, travel insurance, items of a personal nature and activities not listed.

Pricing: In the event that there are fewer than the minimum number of participants listed on the itinerary, a small group comfort charge will be offered to ensure the journey departs as scheduled. Former guests have greatly appreciated the benefits of traveling with a smaller group. Earthbound staff or hosts are not included in the number of tour participants. Please refer to the detailed itinerary for pricing information specific to each journey.

Currency Fluctuations: The exchange rate on which the trip is based is listed on the itinerary under “Trip Facts” and was obtained through www.xe.com. Although no changes in the price of your trip are expected, Earthbound reserves the right to add a currency supplement or offer a refund due to unexpected currency fluctuations of plus or minus 5%. Seventy-five days prior to departure, rates will be reviewed and if necessary updated. Fluctuations greater then 5% will be noted in the final balance letter and invoice. Example: If the dollar falls against the Euro at a rate of 7%, a 2% surcharge will be added. In this case, Earthbound will absorb the initial 5% loss in the dollar. If the dollar gains against the Euro by 7%, a 2% reduction in price will be offered. NOTE: This policy pertains to euro zone countries (Russia, Western and Eastern Europe) only.

Dress: In general, our guests feel most comfortable when dressed in a “casually smart” (not formal) way. We are often asked about jeans and Europeans of all ages do indeed wear them. None of the places we visit or dine require that women wear dresses or that men wear suit jackets or ties or any other special clothing. You’ll dine in casually elegant bistros that are not at all stuffy.

Make Your Reservation