Between the dazzling
Mediterranean sun, the bustling exuberance of
sidewalk cafes and pedestrian promenades, and
the curvilinear facades of contemporary and Art
Nouveau masterpieces, Barcelona has an undeniable
energy that has attracted visitors for centuries.
Its architectural wonders, top-rated museums,
delicious food, and amiable culture make it a
wonderful place to return to again and again.
Catalunya, the fiercely proud
region of which Barcelona is capital, boasts
its own language, national flag, and an amazingly
broad spectrum of cultural treasures. Few travelers
realize the wealth of beautiful monuments to
human creativity—both ancient and contemporary—that
blesses this picturesque region. Our tour goes
beyond the ordinary in exploring both the greatness
of Barcelona and the hidden jewels of the countryside
that surrounds it.
Leading our exploration will be
a native Catalan, Wellesley Professor Carlos
Ramos. Proud of his heritage, Dr. Ramos will
introduce us to hidden corners of Catalunya,
open special doors for us, and provide insight
into the character and history of this fascinating
part of Spain.
Our tour includes many of Barcelona's
amazing cultural monuments, including the Picasso
Museum, the remarkable buildings of Antoni Gaudí,
the Miró Foundation, the iconic Mies van
der Rohe pavilion, and the medieval Cathedral
and its romantic quarter.
We will view a remarkable
private art collection, attend a musical performance
at the stunning Palau de la Música, and
explore some of Barcelona's hidden charms. Outside
Barcelona, we stay three nights at a hilltop
parador, sampling fresh local cuisine and discovering
tranquil medieval villages, exquisite Romanesque
churches, and lovely mountain scenery. Nearby,
we will celebrate centuries of unbridled creativity
in both medieval Girona and Figueres, home to
the famed Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí.
In the Penedes wine region, we will be introduced
to some of Spain's finest wines.
The sunshine and cultural beauties
of Spain's Catalunya await you this October!
We hope you'll join us. |
Carlos
Ramos received his "Licenciatura
en Filologia Hispanica" from the University
of Barcelona in 1986. He has a Master's degree
in Mass Communication from Emerson College and
a Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures
from Boston University.
He teaches courses in
Post-Civil War Spanish narrative at Wellesley
College, as well as a seminar in "Modernity
and Avant-garde in Spain," and a class in "Cultures
and Civilizations of Spain." A specialist
in 19th and 20th century Peninsular literature,
his research interests also include the literary
and artistic Avant-garde, poetry, cinema, technology,
and the cultural history of contemporary Spain.
His book Ciudades en mente: Dos incursiones en
el espacio urbano de la narrativa española
de la narrativa española moderna (1887–1934)
explores how the modern narrative in Spain dealt
with urbanization and life in the big city. Born
in Lleida, Spain, Dr. Ramos speaks Catalan and
is an avid fan of his soccer team F.C. Barcelona. |
