…Xperitas is THE way to travel for language immersion and/or cultural experiences that go beyond tourism and sightseeing. I could not more highly recommend travel with Xperitas.
Iconic Art & Architecture Experience
Immersion-Based Art History Learning
Museums, Neighborhoods & Daily Life
Experience Paris & Barcelona Through Art, History & Creative Expression
Lumière and Colores is a 9-day educational travel experience designed for student groups seeking deep cultural connection through art and architecture. This Paris and Barcelona student travel program brings together world-class museum visits with vibrant street-level exploration, giving students an unparalleled window into Europe’s most celebrated artistic traditions.
The experience encourages students to actively engage with art history in real-world settings, from the grand halls of the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles to the mosaic-covered paths of Park Güell and the soaring spires of the Sagrada Família. Learning is reinforced through direct observation and hands-on encounters with art across many media and eras.
From Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny to Gaudí’s imaginative architecture and Picasso’s work in Barcelona, this art and architecture program invites students to explore the places, ideas, and techniques that shaped celebrated artists. Museum visits, neighborhood walks, and a street art workshop encourage students to observe closely, think creatively, and develop their own perspectives on art.
Why Choose This Experience
Immersive art history encounters across two of Europe’s most culturally rich cities
Real-world engagement with art and architecture beyond the classroom, from museums to city streets
Experience-based learning at iconic sites including the Louvre, Versailles, Sagrada Família, and Museu Picasso
Meaningful exposure to diverse artistic movements, from French Impressionism to Catalan Modernisme
Exploration of Paris and Barcelona’s distinct neighborhoods, landmarks, and creative landscapes
Programs with experienced in-country support
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Program Details
Price
- $3,939 per student PLUS cost of international flights*
- Travel Coordinator Included.
- For every six students the cost of one leader is included in the price.
- For every enrolled student on your program, there is a $50 leader stipend to help leaders offset expenses while abroad.
- Students can save $200 with Our Early Bird Discount!
*Travelers do not need to arrange their own air. Air travel is included in the program, but the cost will be added once the group air contract is confirmed. Price is valid for 2027.
Duration
9 days
Included
- Round-trip airfare from city listed (plus airline fuel surcharges at time of booking)
- In-country transportation (air, motorcoach, van, as applicable)
- All overnight accommodations
- Insurance for accidents, illness, and medical trip cancellation
- International phone allowance ($10/day for one leader)
- Local Travel Coordinator support in Paris and Barcelona
- 24/7 Xperitas emergency support
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary
- Entrance fee allowance of $75 per student
- Public transportation allowance of $50 per student
- Meal allowance of $100 per student
- Tipping allowance of $15 per student
Not included
- Airline baggage fees
- Airfare variances due to contract changes or group size
- Costs from late or missed flights
- Passport, visa, or documentation fees
- Transportation to/from departure city
- Meals not listed on the itinerary
- Spending money and gifts
- Advanced seat assignment fees
- Small-group supplement (fewer than 24 participants)
Activities
See What’s Part of the Program
- Entrance to Louvre Museum
- Guided street art walking tour and hands-on street art workshop
- Entrance to Palace of Versailles and Claude Monet’s House and Gardens (with
- full-day private coach transportation)
- Tickets to Bateaux Mouches Seine River cruise
- Entrance to Casa Batlló with audio guides
- Guided visit of Sagrada Família
- Entrance to Park Güell
- Entrance to Museu Picasso with audio guides
- Guided walking tour of Barri Gòtic
Suggested activities that can be covered by entrance fee allowance:
- Dalí Paris Museum
- Musée d’Orsay in Paris
- Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris
- Atelier des Lumières in Paris
- Miró Museum in Barcelona
- Casa Milà in Barcelona
Travel Coordinator
The role of the Travel Coordinator is as follows:
- Supports the group getting to and from activities and sites
- Manages logistics (transportation, schedule, tickets)
- Serves as the primary on-the-ground support and problem-solver
- May provide cultural context but is not a certified academic guide
- Supported by local guides at specific sites
Confident leading your group and don’t need the included Travel Coordinator? Contact us for pricing without the Travel Coordinator.
What You’ll See & Do
Day 1 | En Route
En route to Paris.
Meals Included: None
Day 2 | Paris
Bienvenue en France! Upon arrival, students will discover why the City of Lights is home to some of the world’s greatest innovations of art and architecture. Students will begin their exploration with a bateaux mouches boat tour on the Seine River, a perfect introduction to the city from one of its best vantage points, before enjoying an Xperitas welcome dinner, a first taste of the French art of cuisine.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 3 | Paris
Explore art across different styles and media, beginning with a visit to the Louvre to discover masterpieces from its extensive collection. Then, venture beyond the museum for a guided street art walking tour, learning about artists who are transforming the city’s urban landscape. Students will also take part in a street art workshop, bringing a practical, creative dimension to the day’s discoveries.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch using student meal allowance
Day 4 | Paris
Travel by private coach on a full-day excursion to Versailles and Giverny. At the Palace of Versailles, students will explore the grand halls and architecture of the royal residence closely associated with King Louis XIV. Continue to Claude Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny to discover the colors, light, and landscapes that inspired his paintings. Return to Paris by coach after the visits.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5 | Paris
One last full day in Paris offers opportunities to explore your group’s artistic interests. Optional visits include the Musée d’Orsay, the Institut du Monde Arabe, or Atelier des Lumières. Groups can also explore the city’s neighborhoods and discover the architectural styles that make Paris so distinctive.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner using student meal allowance
Day 6 | Barcelona
A high-speed train will whisk you away through the French countryside and to your final destination: Barcelona, Spain! There, you will learn about Gaudí, Picasso, and more. The first stop is Casa Batlló, one of the most imaginative buildings in Barcelona. Designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, the house feels almost alive with its curved walls, colorful mosaics, and balconies that resemble masks or bones.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch using student meal allowance
Day 7 | Barcelona
Gaudí’s work looms large over the city of Barcelona as students discover two of his most famous public works. Groups will learn about Gaudì’s life and vision as a guide leads you through the Sagrada Família. Then, students will stroll through Park Güell to take in intricate mosaics and sculptures.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner using student meal allowance
Day 8 | Barcelona
On the final full day, students will continue getting acquainted with the city on a guided walking tour of the Barri Gòtic. Afterwards, they will discover some of Picasso’s most famous works at the Museu Picasso. After some final sightseeing and souvenir shopping, the group will enjoy an Xperitas farewell dinner to reflect on their time abroad.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 | Return
After a final breakfast at the hotel, students will say “adiós” to Spain and all the amazing sites they have explored during their time abroad!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important Details
Prices are based on a minimum group size of 24 students. If the minimum is not met and your group cannot be combined, a small-group supplement will apply. Final pricing is determined by confirmed dates, air arrangements, family stay communities, program components, group size, and number of leaders at final billing.
Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in fuel prices, exchange rates, and airfare costs beyond the control of Xperitas.
The order of itinerary items may change due to unforeseen circumstances prior to or during the program.
See What Teachers Say About Xperitas
Year after year, Xperitas delivers incredibly curated language learning experiences for students that help open their eyes to the world. They are at the forefront of helping make the world a little bit smaller and empowering the next generation of global citizens.
Xperitas offers us flexibility to have host families and experience flexible travel as a group. We are on our third trip with them and have had no problems.
Definitely an organization that focuses on student safety and ensuring everyone that participates has a truly enriching cultural and language immersion experience.
Great organization that genuinely cares about the students experiences and running high quality authentic programs that immerse them fully into the culture.
