| Today we promise to overload your senses of sight, smell and taste. After a leisurely ride up the beautiful California Coast to “America’s Riviera” where we’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared by the students of the Santa Barbara Culinary Institute. See the students at work as they deliver to you a salad, choice of delicious entrée and dessert. Following, a local guide will join us for a tour of Santa Barbara and highlight its history, architecture, gardens and more. Learn about the city’s early days and how it has evolved into the cosmopolitan city that we know today while remaining faithful to its roots. See the County Courthouse, a magnificent Spanish-Moorish "palace" surrounded by lawns and a sunken tropical garden. The beautiful architecture of this building combined with its hand-painted ceilings, wrought iron chandeliers, giant murals, and imported tiles give this relatively new building an ancient feel. Those that ascend to the tower will be greeted with a 360° view of the city, mountains, ocean and on a clear day the islands. Time at your leisure to do some browsing or buying at the trendy and boutique shops at Paseo Nuevo and along State Street. |