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We traveled on June 9 to Barcelona, and over the next 12 days made our way across Provence and southern France—Carcassonne, Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence and Monaco (not French exactly, but surrounded)—and then to the Italian Riviera and Milan. A dozen of us continued to Florence for a short “extension.” You never know what you will experience as you go to small, out-of-the-way places and we had our share of unexpected delights. Our tour director’s initial note to the group said we would see beautiful sites and landscapes, and it would just keep getting better. I thought it was just traveling hyperbole, but I was mistaken—he was exactly right.

Here are some highlights, as identified by members of our group on our last evening together, roughly in the order of our trip, with a few pictures so that you get a feel for it:

• Barcelona: The sights, especially Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familia, along with a trip to the pilgrimage site Montserrat and the statue of the “Black Virgin.” We also enjoyed a dinner with Flamenco music and dancing.
• Arles: The French town where Van Gogh lived for a while and painted many of his most famous works.
• Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer: The French seaside village known as “Saints Maries by the Sea.”
• Roman ruins: The Pont du Gard (a first-century aqueduct) and the amphitheater in Arles from the same period.

• Avignon: The city center right next to the 14th-century Papal Palace and churches, along with the bridge that goes halfway across the Rhône River—.
• Abbey of Sénanque: A 12th-century Cistercian abbey hidden deep in an isolated valley, where we also saw lavender fields nearing full bloom and the nearby village of Gordes. The beauty of both places was stunning.

• Cinque Terre: On the Italian Riviera, five small towns (we visited three by train and boat) hugging the hills and coast.
• Lake Como: On the edge of the Alps, with small villages all along its long shoreline, mansions and village churches dating back to the 10th century.
• Florence: The Duomo (Cathedral), Michelangelo’s David, the Baptistery and the Campanile. The Tour de France bike race was beginning there a few days later, and the town was decorated for it.

These were the main sites mentioned, but we also saw Milan, Carcassonne and many other museums and churches (works of art in themselves). We attended Mass in the Duomo and ate in local restaurants, pâtisseries and trattorias, enjoying Spanish, French and Italian foods.

We try as much as possible to stay in places within easy walking distance of the main sites of the region or city, and we build in free time so that individuals and small groups can explore on their own.

Our group came from Fresno/Clovis, Hanford, Lemoore, Strathmore, Bakersfield, Mendota and Aptos—with alums and friends of Fresno Pacific from 50 years ago to this year! In a post like this, I can’t convey the relationships that were formed or deepened, the fun we had, the moments of exhilaration and exhaustion, the serendipitous events we encountered and the insights into people, history and culture that we gained. And these, when it comes down to it, are the reasons we travel.