Optional tours bookended the Conference on both Thursday and Sunday, offering alumni and guests the opportunity to explore some of the finer details of Barcelona.  Tours included:

Modernism Tour: Gaudí’s Barcelona
The tour began with a visit to the Sagrada Familia Church, which is still under construction a century after building works began.  It is without a doubt, Gaudí’s most impressive building.

The tour continued on to the Paseo de Gracia, the main avenue of Barcelona where most modernist buildings are located.  After lunch on the Paseo, at a traditional Tapas restaurant, the tour made a stop at the Pedrera building, whose undulating stone façade and extraordinary rooftop make it the pinnacle of Gaudí’s work.  The tour continued on the Paseo de Gracia to then view the exterior of the Casa Batlló, a spectacular refurbishment by Gaudí, topped by a roof of ceramic tiles that resemble the skin of a dragon.

The tour concluded with a visit to Park Güell, a fusion of architecture and the natural environment, and perhaps the biggest and most imaginative work by Antoni Gaudí. 

Gothic Quarter Tour: A Walk through the Roman, Gothic and Jewish Barcelona
The tour explored the main monuments and places of interest of this emblematic part of the city: Las Ramblas, the roman walls, the Gothic Cathedral, and Sant Jaume Square, where the palaces of the regional and local government are located.

The tour continued on to Plaça del Rei square where visits to a series of splendid monuments gave insight to the medieval Barcelona: the Palau Reial Major (the medieval Royal Palace), which houses the Voltes Romàniques (Romanesque vaulted chambers), the Saló del Tinell (great hall), and the Santa Agata Chapel.

Ribera District and Catamaran Excursion
The Ribera District became the new city center during the 13th and 14th centuries, when Catalans were expanding their trade and sea links throughout the Mediterranean.  Here, participants were able to experience the church of Santa Maria del Mar, a symbol of the maritime empire and a superb 14th century Gothic church.  Additionally, the tour visited the Passeig del Born, or Montcada streets, where additional Gothic buildings and palaces are found.

The final portion of the tour continued on to the Old Harbour for a two-hour catamaran ride.  The excursion allowed guests to see the city of Barcelona from a different perspective.

Codorníu Winery Tour
The tour began with a trip to the Penedes region (45 minutes from Barcelona), which is traditionally associated with producing cava, the local variety of champagne.  Cava production plays an important role in Catalan culture, and Codorníu has been one of its leading producers. Codorníu is the story of a wine-producing family that dates back to the 16th century.

The imposing Codorníu winery buildings in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia were constructed between the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries (1895-1915). They were declared a Monument of Historical and Artistic Interest in 1976 and represent one of the most outstanding examples of winery architecture designed specifically for the production and ageing of cava.

This visit included a tour of the winery and cellars, a cava tasting, and lunch in a traditional restaurant.