BLACKOUT Dining in the Dark

A former convent and theatre, the Liceu hasn't always resembled the opera house we see today. Its history is full of ups and downs and mysteries that make this cultural icon a key venue which we invite you to discover on a guided tour of the building. You'll walk through its most representative areas, starting with the historic lobby, in the eclectic Catalan Renaixement style. From there, you'll continue to the auditorium, an exact replica of the impressive horseshoe-shaped hall designed by the architect Miquel Garriga i Roca in 1847. You'll go up to the Hall of Mirrors, an imposing room with a ceiling decorated with allegorical paintings and texts referring to art and music. You'll discover the new foyer, the area where people used to relax during the interval and currently a multi-purpose room which hosts small-scale performances. You can also visit the Cercle del Liceu, a private club and one of the most important examples of Catalan and Spanish art nouveau.

The day begins with a hotel pick-up between 06:15 and 07:00. Heading east across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge offers great views of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge. En Route to the park we cross through the Central Valley, where we will stop at a fruit stand for some local produce. Famous for its rich volcanic soil, the Central Valley is the largest agricultural region in the United States. The section we drive through is best known for specialty fruits and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cherries, and strawberries. After this quick rest stop, we enter the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Continuing into the mountains brings us to California gold country and the gold rush town of Groveland before we wind our way into Yosemite National Park. Maps in hand, we begin with a one and a half hour in-coach narrated tour of Yosemite's glaciated valley. You will see famous waterfalls and rock formations including Yosemite Falls - the tallest waterfall in North America - El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, Sentinel Dome, and much more. During the tour you will see Yosemite Valley from a number of great vantage points, the best of which is perhaps Inspiration Point. At 4,500 feet above sea level, this viewpoint gives you a commanding view east up the valley. Yosemite is a mecca for rock climbers, and the sight of people climbing El Capitan's 3,200 ft. (1000m) sheer rock face is quite amazing. Because of our small group size, we can incorporate multiple photo stops into our tour so you can better enjoy your time in the park. After the tour, we stop for the afternoon near the base of Yosemite Falls, where there are a variety of options for lunch (not included). After eating, you will have 3-4 hours of free time to explore the valley as you choose. You can walk to the base of Yosemite Falls, check out the visitor center, visit the Ansel Adams Gallery, stop in at the Ahwahnee Hotel, rent a cruiser bike, or hike some of the trails that originate from the valley. Although you could spend three weeks in Yosemite, the three hours you get on your own is enough time to understand why Yosemite is one of America's most popular national parks. Regrouping again in the late afternoon, we head for San Francisco, stopping for a short break before arriving back in the city and dropping you at your lodging between 8:30 and 9:00pm. Highlights: See El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Inspiration Point (aka Tunnel View), and Yosemite Village Free time in Yosemite Valley to explore/hike Eco-friendly transport in biodiesel mini-coaches   Inclusions: Complimentary pickup/dropoff from your San Francisco hotel Full-time professional, knowledgeable guide Narrated in-coach tour of Yosemite (1.5 hrs) 3 hours of free time in the Valley Yosemite Park entrance fee Transportation to/from Yosemite in biofuel mini-coach ​ Not Included: Meals (stops will be made to purchase food) Guide gratuity (optional)   Gear List:  May-Oct: Camera & charger Small bag that can fit under seat Spending money for incidentals and lunch Sneakers or hiking boots Swimwear, towel, sandals (optional) Bug spray Sun protection Water bottle   Nov-Apr** - Additional items recommended are: Warm clothing, coat Knit hat, gloves **Winter temperatures in Yosemite are on average 50 F/10 C, but can be as low as 28 F/-2 C. 

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The tour starts at the Turia gardens, a beautifully landscaped park built on the dried-up river that used to wind its way through the city. Pedal past the main monuments of this sophisticated city, including its splendid and rather unique-looking cathedral, which while mainly Gothic with early Romanesque influences also has Renaissance, baroque and neo-classical features.  See the imposing Torres de Quart, the bustling Central Market and the buzzing Carme district, heading for Valencia’s newest landmark, the ultra-modern City of the Arts and Sciences. Then, if you wish, on the way back we'll stop at a local bar for a well-earned drink. ​

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What is Included: Healesville Sanctuary entry Historic Steam train ride Friendly & informative tour guide Take a small group day trip from Melbourne to check out the Healesville Sanctuary and the Puffing Billy Steam Train. At Healesville Sanctuary you’ll meet Australia’s native animals including koalas, kangaroos, monitor lizards and dingos. Then head to the Puffing Billy Steam Train for a ride through the rainforest on the century-old steam train. After pickup from the centrally located meeting point on Flinders Street in Melbourne, travel by comfortable modern mini-buses about one hour through the Dandenong Ranges, known for cool-climate rainforest and extensive Eucalyptus forests. First you’ll visit the Healesville Sanctuary, one of the best places in Victoria to see and interact with native Australian wildlife. You’ll walk through a stunning bushland setting where you can see wombats, birds of prey, platypus, wallabies and other amazing animals that are native to Australia. Once you have enjoyed all Healesville Sanctuary has to offer, you’ll reboard your mini-bus and head to the Puffing Billy Steam Train in Belgrave. Climb aboard the century-old steam train, maintained in mint condition by dedicated volunteers. The Puffing Billy still runs on its own mountain track between Belgrave and Gembrook, through the heart of the rainforest. Travel back in time as you chug through the gorgeous Sherbrooke Forest waving at friendly bystanders as you go. In the late afternoon you’ll be returned to 570 Flinders Street in Melbourne where your tour ends.