Runway to Rail: Barcelona and Nice - Carcassonne - Toulouse - Paris

Barcelona, the old Roman Barcino, is Spain's second city, always on the biting edge of fashion, architecture, food, style, music and good times. Walk its narrow streets and wonderful plazas, or along the Ramblas, stretching from Plaza de Cataluna to the Harbor, encompassing the magic of the city: stalls full of books, birds and flowers. The city's most powerful monuments open a window onto its history: the intricately carved edifices that comprise the medieval Gothic Quarter; the curvilinear modernism (Catalan Art Nouveau) that inspired Gaudi's Sagrada Familia; and the seminal surrealist works of Picasso and Miró, found in museums that peg Barcelona as a crucial incubator for 20th-century art. The recent restoration of the port area began with the development of a harbor for the Olympic Games of 1992. New modern squares, designed by leading artists such as Miro and Barcelo have created a new style alongside Gaudi's modernist buildings. Now the city is ready to show every visitor how it has been transformed into one of the most moderns and active cities in Europe.

Explore The Sagrada Familia, Picasso Museum, La Rambla, Barri Gotic, Park Guell, modernist buildings, Montjuic Hill, Barceloneta and so much more!

Nice is the capital of the French Riviera, yet far less glamorous and expensive than Cannes. It's also one of the most ancient cities, having been founded by the Greeks, who called it 'Nike' or Victory. Because of its brilliant sunshine and relaxed living, it has attracted famous artists and writers in the past. Being the best trip base on the Riviera, you can choose to explore the region or lounge in its famous cafes. But the most obvious hangout spot here is the beach. The beach in Nice consists of rocks so wear a pair of good sandals.

Explore the Promenade des Anglais, Musee Matisse, Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Cours Saleya, Castle Hill, Old Town, Place Massena, and so much more!

Land of history and tourism, this great fortress city, perched on a rocky hilltop, rises against the spectacular background of the Montagne Noire, the Black Mountain, to the north. The fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children's storybook when it's seen from afar, and time seems to stand still in this magical place. Whether it's the Cathar castles, fortified Cité de Carcassonne and the more expansive lower city, or the Canal du Midi, Carcassonne offers a land with a unique character to be explored.

Visit Pont Vieux, La Cité de Carcassonne, Château Comtal and Ramparts, Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, Lac de la Cavayere (Lake), The Australian Park (Le Parc Australien), Canal du Midi, Hill of Pech Mary, the 4 Castles of Lastours, wine vineyards, and so much more!

Toulouse is at the center of the aeronautics industry in Europe. With three major universities and a thriving high-tech center, France's fourth largest city hums with inventiveness and creativity. Its winding cobbled streets are lined with lovely rose-colored buildings that give the Pink City its nickname. The tree lined Garonne River divides the city in two with the vieux Quartier (Old Town) falling to the east and the former suburb of Saint-Cyprien rising in the west. The heart of it all is the Place du Capitole, a lovely square that's presided over by a magnificent town hall of the same name. Toulouse's laid-back vibe in the sunny southwest is France's fastest-growing city!

Visit The Basilique Saint-Sernin, Couvent des Jacobins, Place du Capitole, Musee des Augustins, Fondation Bemberg, Musee Saint-Raymond, Canal du Midi, Pont-Neuf, Cite de l`Espace, Jardin des Plantes, Aeroscopia Museum, and so much more!

Paris is regarded as one of the most dynamic cities in Europe, and for good reason. The city assaults the senses, demanding to be seen, heard, touched, tasted, and smelled. Gaze at impressive monuments and savor its gourmet cheeses, chocolates, wines, and seafood. Paris is relatively small as capitals go, with many of its major sights and museums within walking distance of each other. A world of discovery awaits in every hidden corner and at all the famous sites, there is so much to explore.

Visit the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Jardin des Tuileries, Latin Quarter, Avenue des Champs Elysees, Musee d'Orsay, Place de la Concorde, Sacre Coeur, and so much more!