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France/Spain/Portugal/Morocco/England

Grand Odyssey: Voyage Along the Coasts of Western Europe

Program No. 23856RJ
Cast off on an extraordinary learning adventure that explores the coastal wonders of seven countries in Europe, North Africa and the British Isles over the course of 26 days.

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At a Glance

Italy, France, Morocco, Spain, Portugal and England. Individually, they’re captivating countries, full of rich history and celebrated culture. Together, they’re an odyssey of discovery. Welcome aboard the Aegean Odyssey, where each day is a grand new adventure. Beginning in Italy, set sail along the Atlantic coast of Europe, where the flavorful charms of northern France and Portugal are sure to inspire. A stop in Morocco adds a new flavor — and a new continent — to your discoveries, a compelling mix of European and African influences. Then, journey along the rugged coast of Europe, from enchanting ports and unspoiled islands in France to bustling cities in Spain alongside our experts, before ending your journey in England.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Discover the historic charms of Aix-en-Provence’s Old Town, a city with an impressive architectural heritage ranging from the 5th to the 18th century.
  • Explore the gems of Barcelona, from the city’s historic Gothic Quarter to the extensive Picasso Museum.

General Notes

This voyage is a combination of two shorter Odyssey at Sea voyages, “From Provence & the French Riviera to Barcelona” and “Iberia, France & Morocco.” We’ll have up to 350 Road Scholar participants on the ship, divided into groups of 35 for shore excursions. Please note roommate matching is available in categories F, H and L.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
A Traveller's History of Portugal
by Ian Robertson
A lively, admirably concise survey from prehistory to the present, great for travelers to Portugal who would like an overview of the country's history and culture.
Two Towns in Provence
by M. F. K. Fisher
Celebrated food writer M.F.K. Fisher contrasts village life in Aix-en-Provence with bustling Marseilles, evoking both with anecdote and loving description.
Matisse and Picasso, The Story of their Rivalry and Friendship
by Jack Flam
Jack Flam explores the compelling, competitive, parallel lives of these two artists and their very different attitudes toward the idea of artistic greatness, toward the women they loved and ultimately toward their confrontations with death.
Tasting French Terroir: The History of an Idea
by Thomas Parker
This book explores the origins and significance of the French concept of terroir (the specific taste of a particular place), demonstrating that the way the French eat their food and drink their wine today derives from a cultural mythology that developed between the Renaissance and the Revolution.
Culture Smart! Portugal
by Sandy Guedes de Queiroz
A concise, well-illustrated and practical guide to local customs, etiquette and culture.
Homage to Catalonia
by George Orwell
Orwell's portrait of the Barcelona uprising and the spirit of a city at war is a classic, an observant and heartfelt report from the streets.
Antonio Gaudi, Master Architect
by Juan Bassegoda Nonell
This lavish little collection of Gaudi's work captures the evolution, imagination and exuberance of one of the most influential architects of the 20th century.
Journey to Portugal, In Pursuit of Portugal's History and Culture
by Jose Saramago
Jose Saramago's richly detailed account of his journey across Portugal in 1979. He combines his vivid impressions of the Portuguese landscape and people with a dose of history, fiction and meditations.
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook
by Marie-Helene Girard, Anny Monet
This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary
by Cristina Hernandez Montero
This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
Barcelona
by Robert Hughes
A Longitude favorite, this big, thoroughly enjoyable cultural history of the city touches on architecture, art, religion and literature from Roman outpost to the present.
Horse of Pride, Life in a Breton Village
by Pierre-Jakez Helias, June Guicharnaud (Translator)
A richly detailed novel of Breton lives, culture and folklore in the wake of World War I.
A Traveler's Guide to D-Day and the Battle for Normandy
by Carl Shilleto, Mike Tolhurst
A compact guide to Normandy's WWII battlefields, memorials, sites and cemeteries.
Lonely Planet Portuguese Phrasebook
by Clara De MacEdo Vitorino
A handy pocket phrasebook for Portuguese basics, covering pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.