Name: Momentum Music School
Start: 2024-06-30T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Barcelona, Spain

Cross Cultural Journeys

Email address verified

7 reviews

Jun 30 - Jul 8, 2024

Group size: 20 - 37

Momentum Music School

Barcelona, Spain

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Cross Cultural Journeys

Email address verified

7 reviews

Jun 30 - Jul 8, 2024

Group size: 20 - 37

Momentum Music School invites students and their families on an exciting musical exchange journey to Barcelona. Located at the Mediterranean sea in the very north of the Spanish Costa Brava, Barcelona is the capital of the province of Catalonia, and is also one of the more cosmopolitan and important economic hubs of Spain.

With your base in the heart of the city, near the famous promenade of Las Ramblas, students and their parents/chaperones will enjoy not only the rich history of Barcelona and the natural beauty of Spain, but will also get a chance to meet with local Suzuki groups to rehearse and perform together.

Barcelona is home to many world famous monuments of the older Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance periods, but is probably mostly known for its Modernist architecture created in the past 100 years, especially by the works of Antoní Gaudí, known as the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism.

Travelers will get a chance to spend time with Spanish families and youth, enjoying a few guided tours, and of course, try authentic tapas as well as other local food and drink!

INCLUDED:

In-country transportation per itinerary; best available accommodations; meals as marked (B/L/D) per the itinerary; Momentum Music School tour leader; one Cross Cultural Journeys trip manager; English-speaking local guides; rehearsals and recitals with local schools and Suzuki ensembles; all entrance fees on itinerary; preparation materials;

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare from the United States to and from Spain. Meals not on itinerary; alcoholic drinks; excursions not on the itinerary; entrance fees to sites not on itinerary; tips for local guide and driver (optional, yet customary); travel insurance.

TRAVEL PROTECTION: Cross Cultural Journeys is not responsible for cancellation expenses that you might incur before or during our trip. You may want to check first to see if your current insurance policy covers travel abroad, but we have found that most do not. We strongly encourage considering taking out travel interruption and evacuation insurance to cover any emergencies abroad such as evacuation, or reimbursement for cancellation due to your own illness or an illness in your family. Some plans require you to take out this insurance within 21 days of your deposit to cover pre-existing conditions. CCJ has partnered with TravelSafe. You can visit our online portal to explore different plans. We encourage you to choose a plan covers travel interruption before you depart, as well as during the trip. CCJ is not responsible for events beyond our control in this regard.

Please visit the Cross Cultural Journeys - TravelSafe online portal to find a plan that works for you. You can also call TravelSafe directly at 1-800-523-8020. Make sure you mention that Cross Cultural Journeys is your tour operator for this trip.

This itinerary is a living document and subject to change based on local schedule changes and circumstances beyond our control. Hotels, events and restaurants may have to change, sometimes at the last minute to a similar category. This is also to be able to meet someone new while we are on our journey, or to engage in an activity we could not have foreseen.

Day 1 | Sun, June 30
Day 1 | Sun, June 30
Arriving in Barcelona
After arrival at Barcelona's Airport–El Prat, make your way to our hotel, Catalonia Atenas Hotel. The Catalonia Atenas is located on Avinguda Meridiana close to carrer Aragó, one of the main thoroughfares that cuts across the city. Just a 15-minute walk to the Sagrada Familia, and the Clot metro and train station is five minutes by foot to take you to downtown Barcelona. (Metro passes will be provided.)

Make sure to check out the incredible city views from the hotel's rooftop terrace, where there is also a pool and a solarium! Bring your suits!

After settling into our hotel, the group will meet for a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant (time and place TBD).

Sleep: Catalonia Atenas Hotel, Barcelona
Meals: (D)
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Day 2 | Mon, July 1
Day 2 | Mon, July 1
Palau de la Música
Today, we begin our intercultural and musical dialogue with our friends at the Suzuki Music Institute (SUMI) of Barcelona.

After breakfast at the hotel we will be led on a guided tour of the Palau de la Música Catalana. Built between 1905 and 1908, The Palau is an exuberant steel-framed structure full of light and space, decorated by the leading artists of the period. It has uniqueness, authenticity and beauty and is an unparalleled Modernista example of a public concert hall whose symbolic, artistic and historical value is universal.

1:00 - 6:00 PM: Rehearsal and performance with SUMI in La Casa de las Punxes.

Sleep: Catalonia Atenas Hotel, Barcelona

Meals: (B)
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Day 3 | Tues, July 2
Day 3 | Tues, July 2
Day Visit to Montserrat
After breakfast, we will head out for a guided excursion of Montserrat: a spectacularly beautiful Benedictine monk mountain retreat northwest of Barcelona. Montserrat offers you some of the most spectacular mountain views of Catalunya.

We will have a guided visit of the Magic Mountain and the Abbey of Montserrat, as well as an hour walk through the National Park. Snack will be included.

Afternoon rehearsal and performance with SUMI.

Dinner on your own.

Sleep: Catalonia Atenas Hotel, Barcelona

(B)
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Day 4 | Wed, July 3
Day 4 | Wed, July 3
A Day Filled with Visual Arts!
After breakfast at the hotel we will head out to begin a full day of exploring the beautiful city of Barcelona. We will be led on a guided tour of some of Gaudí's most famous works, including La Sagrada Familia and Parque Güell.

Everyone gathers in early afternoon for lunch and a tour of La Boqueria. Afterwards we will enjoy a guided tour of the Picasso Museum.

The rest of the day is free for whatever you choose!

Sleep: Catalonia Atenas Hotel, Barcelona

Meals: (B, L)

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Day 5 | Thur, July 4
Day 5 | Thur, July 4
Pere Pruna Civic Centre
This is the perfect day for a leisurely start since we've had some pretty full days already! In the afternoon we will meet with SUMI again for a rehearsal and performance at Pere Pruna Civic Centre, a former convent and chapel that was recovered for the neighborhood and for the city with a cultural program specializing in contemporary art and music.

Sleep: Catalonia Atenas Hotel, Barcelona

Meals: (B)
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Day 6 | Fri, July 5
Day 6 | Fri, July 5
Barcelona > Tossa De Mar
After breakfast, we board our bus for a trip north to Tossa de Mar where we will get a guided tour of Old Town. Lunch included today in Tossa.

Afternoon check-in at the Hotel GHT Oasis Tossa & Spa, located on the Costa Brava, close to city center, the beach and the wall surrounding the old town and castle. The hotel has a garden terrace, a children's park, outdoor pools for adults and children, as well as a spa area. Feel free to spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach or perhaps renting kayaks. This evening you have dinner on your own.

Sleep: Hotel GHT Oasis Tossa & Spa

(B, L)
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Day 7 | Sat, July 6
Day 7 | Sat, July 6
Exploring Tossa de Mar
After breakfast at our hotel, we will set out on our glass-bottom boat trip to a nearby beach with visits to a couple bays and caves.

(snacks & water included)

The remainder of the day is yours to do whatever you like! Possible evening performance if venue is available. Dinner on your own.

Sleep: Hotel GHT Oasis Tossa & Spa
(B)
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Day 8 | Sun, July 7
Day 8 | Sun, July 7
Farewell Catalonia!
After breakfast we will return to Barcelona. Stopping in Girona on our way. Girona is a city in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region, beside the River Onyar. It’s known for its medieval architecture, walled Old Quarter (Barri Vell) and the Roman remains of the Força Vella fortress. Landscaped gardens line the Passeig Arqueològic, a walkway following the Old Quarter’s medieval walls, which include watchtowers with sweeping views.

Evening activities in Barcelona will include a Flamenco show and farewell dinner.

Sleep: Catalonia Atenas Hotel, Barcelona

(B, D)
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Day 9 | Mon, July 8
Day 9 | Mon, July 8
Departure Day | Barcelona >> Seattle
Today we bid Catalonia and Barcelona farewell and return to the airport for our flights back home.

(B)
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Day 1 | Sun, June 30

Arriving in Barcelona

After arrival at Barcelona's Airport–El Prat, make your way to our hotel, Catalonia Atenas Hotel. The Catalonia Atenas is located on Avinguda Meridiana close to carrer Aragó, one of the main thoroughfares that cuts across the city. Just a 15-minute walk to the Sagrada Familia, and the Clot metro and train station is five minutes by foot to take you to downtown Barcelona. (Metro passes will be provided.)

Make sure to check out the incredible city views from the hotel's rooftop terrace, where there is also a pool and a solarium! Bring your suits!

After settling into our hotel, the group will meet for a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant (time and place TBD).

Sleep: Catalonia Atenas Hotel, Barcelona
Meals: (D)

I had a beautiful trip. I loved everything about it. The only criticism I have is to not make the schedule so tight because of unexpected events. Other then that it was fantastic.

By Donna H for SFJazz New Orleans on Jan 16, 2024

Exceeded expectations in most categories. Unexpected changes in the itinerary left us rushing around a bit, stopping in local lunch spots that were not good, and missing out on a banner dining reservation (Brennan's) due to a confirmation snafu. We enjoyed the tours and our guide was personable, knowledgeable and excellent. The hotel was great; accommodations, amenities and location. Might be good to schedule some down time along the way...most days downtime consisted of about an hour in the late afternoon...not a lot of time to explore on our own, unless we wanted to miss a scheduled activity, like a steam boat ride. All in all...a good trip, but fewer surprises would have been better.

By Rodman M for SFJazz New Orleans on Jan 16, 2024

A once in a lifetime experience given the unique opportunities to interact with New Orleans natives and residents who participate at the highest levels in the jazz and Mardi Gras communities. Felt the orchestration of activities was thoughtful and prudent (eg, ensuring a late afternoon break before commencing nighttime activities). The restaurants were all great, the hotel was terrific. Excellent support from members of the Cross Cultural team and the SFJazz team! I was disappointed in Keynin's efforts. While he was a lovely individual and certainly brought his local history to bear on his talks, he seemed disorganized and inefficient (ie, too much time at any one place when there was so much more to see). There didn't seem to be any rationale for many of our stops (eg, the torture house: why?), and I was surprised there wasn't more of an emphasis on the music history of New Orleans given the nature of our group.

By Matthew M for SFJazz New Orleans on Jan 10, 2024

What a wonderful adventure! My son and I had a great time traveling with our soccer community and had a chance to spend time with old friends and build new friendships as well. I personally loved the relaxed approach to travel and the openness to discovery. A big 'Thank you' to Cross Cultural Journeys for a memorable trip!