NPC Travel: Barcelona and Bilbao April 21-26

Sign up NOW for the National Press Club's April trip to Barcelona and Bilbao.

Barcelona is a vibrant city with a warm climate and a lovely seaside setting. It is "The City" to visit in Spain. Our English speaking guide who will show us the highlights of this incredible area including the unique Park Guell, famous Sagrada Familia, and other Gaudi monuments.

While in Barcelona you will have an opportunity to experience cosmopolitan "Catalonia," its various museums and superb restaurants. Of particular interest is the Picasso Museum, the most visited museum in Barcelona. While Picasso was born in Malaga, he lived in Barcelona during his formative years, and upon his death his wife donated much of his best loved work to this museum.

You will also have an opportunity to visit the Maritime Museum which displays replicas of Columbus' and Magellan's famous ships. We will visit the Cathedral de la Seu, which is on a small hill in the heart of the Gothic Quarter then stroll the famous Las Ramblas.

Leaving Barcelona, we will enjoy a six-hour train ride through picturesque northern Spain to Basque Bilbao. Bilbao is famous for the Guggenheim Museum, which opened in 1997. The highlights start with the museum itself, an extraordinary $100 million Frank Gehry design, a true architectural landmark. The "outer skin" of the building consists of 33,000 paper thin titanium sheets that change color with the weather.

The "Marman" spider sculpture and the Jeff Koons plant covered 43-foot "Puppy" sculpture are on display in the area surrounding the Museum. Once inside the museum, we will view an extensive art collection that spans a period from the mid-20th century to the present day.

The trip includes four nights in Barcelona and two in Bilbao, tax, breakfast daily, two dinners at local restaurants, Preference Class train between the cities, transfers and privately guided sight-seeing. Economy class airfare is also included, roundtrip Washington to Spain and return. The trip price is $3275.00 per person sharing a room. For a single add $685.00. Deposit is $400.00 to reserve your place. Final payment is Feb. 19. Full itineraries and sign up instructions are available at press.org/travel or call Richard Meyer at (703) 356 6884.

Hurry and sign up. Space is limited.