| The sights, scents and sounds of the Mediterranean come to Santa Barbara on this sixth tour of our California’s Mission Trail Tour Series that takes us to the popular beach city known as “America’s Riviera.” Enjoy time at leisure for lunch on your own at the variety of eateries within Santa Barbara’s Mediterranean-style, outdoor shopping complex, Paseo Nuevo or along the State Street Promenade, the newly created pedestrian mall along State Street. Characterized by distinctive architecture and palm-lined thoroughfares, downtown Santa Barbara also features a number of diverse eateries, charming shops and boutiques. This afternoon we’ll continue to Old Mission Santa Barbara where we’ll find the Santa Barbara Lavender Festival taking place in the Mission’s front courtyard. Enjoy time at leisure soaking up the marvelous sights, live music and soothing aroma of lavender at this festival that celebrates lavender and/or lavender themes by artisans, local lavender farmers and small business owners. Knowledgeable growers will offer talks on growing lavender while vendors will be selling lavender plants, fresh lavender bouquets and a variety of lavender products. Our visit inside Old Mission Santa Barbara includes an audio-guided tour of the Mission grounds, church, cemetery and museum. Founded in 1786 by Spanish Franciscans – led by Father Junipero Serra – the “Queen of the Missions” features grand bell towers, lush gardens and views of the San Ynez mountains and Pacific Ocean. As a special bonus, we’ll have access to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel – The Exhibition, on view here for a limited-time. Featuring near life-size reproductions of the Renaissance master’s 34 iconic frescos in the Sistine Chapel, this immersive experience recreates the awe and wonder of one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements and will make you feel that Rome has come to Santa Barbara! Brought to life using state-of-the-art technology, special expertise and great care, the paintings from the Sistine Chapel have been reproduced to their original size so you can view the artwork and all the detail (including specific brushstrokes) much better than the originals. |