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Pairing culinary adventures and wine tasting tours with art history and architectural splendors, this 13-day journey celebrates the art of living in some of the most culturally rich destinations in Spain and France. Beginning in Barcelona travel along the coast and through the Payee Basque, Languedoc, Bordeaux, and the Dordogne to Paris – sampling the food, the wine, the art, and the rich cultural traditions that elevate life to an art form. Multi-night stays all along the way afford the opportunity to explore what makes the art of living in each place memorable and all its own.
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Buenos Dias, Barcelona
Your exploration of the art of living begins at 4:00 PM at El Palace Hotel Barcelona. A transfer is included from Barcelona Airport to the elegant El Palace Barcelona; the former Ritz Hotel, El Palace has been restored in the tradition of the city's grand hotels and is ideally located close to landmark sights. Your cultural feast and Barcelona travel begin this afternoon with a coach tour that showcases a taste of life in this Catalonian city. Drive up to Olympic-sized Montjuic Hill; site of the 1992 Olympic Games, it is Barcelona's largest recreation area and has seaside views that never fail to impress. Get a closer look at the waterfront when you head down to beautiful Barcelona Harbor where a tapas dinner awaits. Tapas, sometimes referred to as pinchos, originated in the 19th century as a welcome accompaniment to sherry and are traditionally eaten while standing at the bar; tonight you'll enjoy a delectable tasting of these small plate Spanish specialties, sitting down as you wish to savor them – and the views outside.
El Palace Barcelona
Past to present in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, Parc Guell and la Sagrada Família
Boasting a colorful 2,000-year history, Barcelona balances the medieval with the modern in a whimsical parade of fascinating sights. A guided sightseeing tour this morning down the narrow lanes of Barri Gòtic (the Gothic Quarter) in the heart of the city visits its cloistered cathedral to see its carved 15th-century choir stalls and medieval Catalan paintings. Barcelona sizzled with Modernisme artistic creativity around the 1900s, most notably in the Gaudí-inspired, unconventional architecture of Parc Güell and at the fantastical Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, still under construction today after more than 125 years. Your tour ends at Placa Catalunya at the beginning of the pedestrian promenade at Las Ramblas, one of the most famous streets in Spain. The rest of the day is free.
Art along Spain's Wild Coast and on to Carcassone
From Barcelona travel today along Spain's Costa Brava takes you in the footsteps of some of the world's most noted artists who found inspiration here; it wasn't just the Moors who were lured to the "Wild Coast." First, stop in Figueres to see a town that is alive with images of Salvador Dali. The internationally known, ultra-flamboyant artist was born here in 1904 and died here in 1989; a visit to the museum dedicated to his work showcases his sometimes controversial paintings, prints and sculptures. Next stop is Collioure, for a visit to the "City of Painters." Artists like Picasso, Matisse and Chagall immortalized the small Catalan harbor you'll see here in their paintings. The walled citadel town of Carcassonne is your final destination today; its fairy-tale setting of medieval turrets and ramparts is perfectly preserved to offer you an authentic look at life in the Middle Ages. Spend the next two nights right inside the ancient city walls at a former palace, lavishly restored.
Hôtel de la Cité
Mighty Carcassone, food and wine-making in the Languedoc
Medieval fortifications, dating to the 5th century, provide a storied setting for your explorations today in the fortress city of Carcassonne; hear stories about the crusaders and conquerors who occupied this remarkable place over the centuries on a guided tour, then spend some free time exploring the area as you please, enjoying lunch on your own. Later this afternoon, try your hand at viticulture with a make-your-own-wine workshop in the cellars of a Languedoc vineyard, yet another memorable experience in the art of living. Dinner tonight is à la carte at a local restaurant close to your hotel, within the impressive city walls of Carcassonne.
Of basilicas and beaches from the Pyrenees to Biarritz
Leave Carcassonne after breakfast and travel the Yellow Roads along the foothills of the snowcapped Pyrenees towards the southwest corner of France and the Atlantic coast, where beaches line the shores and surfing is a way of life. En route, stop in the town of Saint-Bernard-de-Comminges to see its renowned cathedral comprised of 12th-century Romanesque, 14th-century Gothic and 16th-century Renaissance sections; lunch at a local restaurant offers an authentic taste of typical Pyrenees cuisine. Arrive in the popular coastal Basque resort town of Biarritz on the Bay of Biscay, where your palatial oceanfront hotel is a treasured landmark. Dine tonight as you wish from a full à la carte menu at your hotel.
Hotel du Palais Biarritz
Spend the day in Basque country
One of the first things you'll notice about the Pays Basque is its distinctive architecture with white, half-timbered houses adorned with brightly colored trim; it's also one of the few places in France with its own language – one that is beloved and still enthusiastically spoken today by its fiercely independent people. The kitchen and the meals prepared there are at the heart of Basque culture; the local cuisine reflects the bounty of the sea and the fertile nearby valleys, with fish, grilled and cured meats, stews, cheeses, beans and other vegetables... and Basque cider. Following a walking tour of the village of Ainhoa, a hearty lunch provides a taste of daily life and insights into the importance of food in the art of living here. The region is also home to the fastest ball game on Earth – pelota – which you'll see demonstrated before heading off to the fishing village of St-Jean-de-Luz, with a long, sandy beach considered one of the best in France. Once the haunt of pirates, the town is home to France's largest Basque church, Eglise St.-Jean-Baptiste, where Louis XIV marred Marie-Thérèse of Spain in 1660... and the site of eclectic annual festivals honoring the tuna and the sardine. Back in Biarritz, the rest of the day and evening are free.
Discovering Bordeaux
Depart Biarritz after a leisurely morning and travel north to Bordeaux, welcoming with a graceful waterfront of Classical façades and, as you've probably guessed, great wine – as this French city is the capital of the world's wine industry. But Bordeaux is also a treasure-trove of historic architecture, some of it going back nearly a thousand years. Enjoy the city sights and architecture on a guided walking tour, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. The remainder of the day is at leisure as you settle into your elegant accommodations at the Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa – set opposite the Grand Theatre within the city's Golden Triangle – for a two-night stay.
Grand Hotel de Bordeaux & Spa
The vineyards and wines of St. Emilion
Among the over 44 million cases of fine wine produced in the Bordeaux region every year, St. Emilion and Pomerol are two of its finest vintages. Head into the vine-covered hills outside the city today to discover the bounty of the land – and the source of the region's famed local wines. On a visit with your local guide to Saint-Émilion, you'll see a wealth of Romanesque architecture and ruins that are now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including a 12th-century monolithic church hewn from a hillside. Then satisfy your palate with a private visit and lunch at a local château winery. Enjoy more culinary treats with dinner à la carte this evening at your grand Bordeaux hotel.
A Dordogne cruise in the Perigord Noir, ancient art at Grotte Lascaux II and a folkloric evening
Travel to La Roque Gageac in the heart of the Dordogne and Perigord Noir for a cruise along the Dordogne River. This afternoon, visit Grotte Lascaux II, a replica of the Lascaux cave, one of the most famous Paleolithic sanctuaries in the world – only a limited number of tickets are available each day! Spend the evening in the small village of Varetz at an entertaining dinner enlivened by a showcase of the local traditions, music and dance that have defined the art of living in this part of France for generations. Your accommodations for the next two nights are at the 18th-century Château de Castel Novel.
Chateau de Castel-Novel
Cheeses, churches and stones in Rocamadour and Collonges-la-Rouge
Sightseeing today explores cliffside Rocamadour, renowned for its cheeses and religious pilgrimage sites – including Chapelle Notre-Dame and the Citie Religieuse – and the red-sandstone town of Collonges-la-Rouge, dating back to the 14th century. The rest of the day is free to enjoy your castle hotel; the property was once owned by a husband of the famed writer Colette, who wrote several of her novels here. Dine à la carte at your leisure tonight.
Travel by rail to Paris for a two-night stay
Depart Varetz for Libourne today, where you will board a high-speed TGV train bound for the magical city of Paris, arriving early afternoon. A brief sightseeing tour en route to your landmark hotel introduces a parade of famous city sights from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower and more. The rest of the day is free to spend as you please in France's extraordinary capital city; choose from among the amazing culinary offerings of one of the world's greatest cities for dinner on your own today.
Sofitel Paris le Faubourg
Parisian pleasures, Musée de L'Orangerie and the Tuileries Gardens
Today in Paris, your local guide leads you on a tour of the Musée de L'Orangerie, displaying an extensive collection of Impressionist paintings by Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, and Claude Monet – including his water lilies. If you wish, join us for a guided walk through the 17th-century Tuileries Gardens. After some free time to explore more of Paris as you please, celebrate the end of your journey at our farewell dinner this evening at the quintessential Parisian brasserie, Fouquet's, on the Champs-Élysées.
Homeward bound
The Art of Living: Barcelona to Paris ends in Paris. Fly home anytime. A transfer from Sofitel Paris le Faubourg to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is included. You should allow a minimum of three hours for check-in.
Special Solo Traveler Savings – on select special departures you save $300 on the single room price; specific dates apply – select "Singles Departures" in the pull-down menu above for complete pricing.
Let Tauck reserve your flights
Traveling to Europe with Tauck ensures more than a memorable travel experience; it also enables you to take advantage of additional "do it for you" travel services that take the hassle out of arranging them yourself! As an added service, we can make flight arrangements for your journey, if your travels originate in the United States, offering you a number of welcome advantages. With Tauck, you can:
What's more, if you purchase Tauck's Guest Protection, you'll receive a refund should you need to cancel your flights due to covered reasons. Another great reason to buy your air from Tauck!
Tauck Guests enjoy complimentary Internet access in guest rooms!
Built in 1919 and located in the heart of the city close to Las Ramblas, El Palace Barcelona was totally refurbished in 2009 while retaining the spirit of classic elegance that has always been its hallmark. Spacious guest rooms feature a newly designed bathroom with a fully equipped dressing room, separate bath and shower and a hair dryer. Other amenities include a minibar, in-room safe, Wi-Fi, 37-inch TV with satellite channels, and air conditioning. Renowned chef Romain Fornell, who received a Michelin star in 2005 for his outstanding work at Caelis, oversees the Caelis Restaurant with a menu blending French nouvelle cuisine and emerging Catalan gastronomic trends as well as the more casual AE Restaurant. El Palace Hotel Barcelona is a proud and distinguished member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
At this special hotel set within the ancient citadel ramparts of fairy-tale Carcassonne, guests at Hôtel de la Cité find themselves in a magically medieval atmosphere as daytime visitors leave the city. As one might expect at a hotel of such unique character, each guest room is individually decorated with panache and aristocratic style. Spacious in dimension and highlighted by a marble bath with his-and-hers vanities, each room features windows that open, Wi-Fi Internet, minibar fridge, 100% cotton bed linens, bathrobes and slippers, hair dryer, widescreen LCD satellite TV and DVD player and individually controlled air conditioning. During leisure time, relax in the beautiful gardens, perhaps imagining the knights and their ladies who once strolled here… or take a dip in the heated swimming pool with a dramatic view of Saint-Nazaire Basilica. The neo-Gothic inspired La Barbacane restaurant, serving inspired French cuisine, proudly holds a Michelin star. During warm weather from June to September, there couldn't be a nicer spot to dine than under the towering trees at Restaurant Le Jardin de L'Evéque. Cocktails and canapés accompanied by live piano music wait in The Library Bar while The Bar Lounge, with its view of the nearby Count's Castle, is the perfect place to reflect on the day over a nightcap.
A virtual palace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Hôtel du Palais Biarritz is a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Built as the summer palace for Napoleon III and his wife, Eugénie, it was first called "La Villa Eugénie" and hosted the crowned heads of Europe who came to visit them. Today, guest rooms, furnished in Second Empire style, offer all the amenities that sophisticated travelers expect. The 15-meter-long indoor swimming pool, with swan neck taps, Jacuzzi and counter-current swimming, occupies one floor of four catering to fitness, beauty and the Guerlain Spa. From the Belle Époque splendor of La Rotonde restaurant facing the ocean to the one-Michelin-star Villa Eugenie restaurant spotlighting seafood and regional produce to special summer buffets at Hippocampe on the waterfront, dining is a delight. The Hôtel du Palais Biarritz appears on the Condé Nast Traveler 2010 Gold List.
Overlooking a vast estate including a 25-acre arboretum, the historic and atmospheric Château de Castel Novel was built in the 13th and 15th centuries, although its overall architecture today dates from the 18th century. After having been the grand, private château of several of the region's powerful families, it was purchased by Raymond and Yvette Parveaux in 1956 and transformed into a high-quality hotel which has been under their family's management, today including the third generation, ever since. Charming guest rooms, each decorated in a unique way, feature TV with international channels, minibar, in-room safe, air conditioning and free Internet access. During time at leisure, wander along the footpaths through the beautiful grounds, swim in the outdoor pool, play tennis or boules or borrow a bike. Dine on regional cuisine reflecting "pride of place" using produce from the surrounding countryside in one of three intimate dining rooms or on the terrace in summer. Château de Castel Novel is a member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux.
An oasis of calm surrounded by boutiques, embassies and cultural attractions at the center of Parisian haute-couture, the 5-star Sofitel Paris le Faubourg exquisitely reflects the fashion and luxury of the Faubourg St. Honoré district in a decidedly modern interior designed by Didier Gomez. With a contemporary design inspired by the opulence of the 18th century, luxurious guest rooms provide a cozy atmosphere in striking contrast to the bustle of the French capital, boasting a comfortable MyBed, marble bathroom with Hermès products and crystal-clear Bose sound system. Within the chic universe of the Sofitel Paris le Faubourg, savor the innovative cuisine of the Les Collections restaurant; discover the latest trends for lunch and cocktails in the popular Bar30; allow yourself a moment of relaxation in the 24-hour well-being center featuring an "Experience" steam room; or leave stress behind with the latest Technogym equipment in the fitness room.
Many Tauck travelers prefer arriving at their destination a day before
their Tauck journey begins, or often extend a stay at the end of their
trip. As a service, Tauck will make hotel reservations before and after
your journey.
El Palace Hotel Barcelona
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 668
Barcelona, Spain
Phone: 34 93 510 11 30
Fax: 34 933173 640
There are bound to be questions when travelling. Information on everything from weather to internet connections can be found below.
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation from Barcelona Airport or Franca Train Station to El Palace Barcelona is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. If you are arriving into another local train station please retain a receipt for your transfer and submit it to your Tour Director for reimbursement. Transportation from from Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.
The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
The Art of Living: Barcelona to Paris is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
Checked Luggage – General
Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).
Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.
Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
Carry-on Luggage - General
Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.
Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Spain and France. You are not required to obtain a visa to enter Spain or France for the short duration of this tour.
If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact a consulate or embassy of Spain and France to determine what travel documentation is required.
Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.
We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included.
To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Train and airport transfers are included for these extended stays as described above under Inclusive Prices. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult Extend Your Trip in the Accommodations section above on this webpage and discuss it with your Tauck Reservations Sales Counselor or your travel agent when you book your tour.
Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Travel Protection Product section below on this webpage for more information.
Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:
Your Tauck Director will assist you with airline and other carrier communications, but has no inside contacts to guarantee or expedite recovery of lost luggage. All recovery costs, including the communication costs, are your responsibility. Check your travel protection details for covered expenses.
Personal expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual train and airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director and local drivers are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Journey start and end times are provided at time of booking. The tour begins at 4:00 PM at El Palace Barcelona hotel on the first day. When making flight arrangements, please allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. The tour ends at check-out time at the Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg. Each carrier and each airport has different rules regarding how early you must arrive for flight check in. Please contact your individual carrier for this information.
We pledge to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.
Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many state, religious and civic holidays locally observed. You may wish to log on to Wikipedia.org to view a list of holidays by country by clicking here.
Occasionally, we will use photographs and/or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be "suspicious" charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone while on the motor coach, during group functions, when sightseeing and when your Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There will be many opportunities to make and receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your service extends to Spain and Portugal.
To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion.
Southwest France and northern Spain are home to innumerable historic buildings and sites, many dating from the Middle Ages. The "Old Towns" of Europe are often a maze of hills with narrow cobblestone streets and charming squares. Therefore, roads, walkways and architecture may present difficulties for some guests with physical disabilities. There is a great deal of walking on this tour.
PLEASE NOTE: We regret that this Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Likewise, we regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.
While drinking water is generally safe at all our hotels, bottled water will be available wherever the local water is not fit to drink. We also provide bottled water on the motor coaches.
If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.
If you are a resident of the U.S. traveling internationally, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Spain or France. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, please contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to obtain information about vaccinations that may be required for your journey. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here.
If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally, please contact an embassy or consulate of Spain and of France to determine what vaccinations may be required for you to visit.
Age Recommendations ― Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, we have a minimum recommended age for each journey to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. If you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
Special Travel Documentation for Children
Authorization for Travel
If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a notarized note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.
Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country's consulate or embassy.
Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child's parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
Children who are U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the journey.
We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver's license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.
If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.
For more information on the TSA's requirements, please visit their website by clicking here.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S., you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with New Headings who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site.
The weather in Northern Spain and the Southwestern part of France is generally temperate. Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing. For the welcome and farewell receptions, resort casual attire is appropriate; formal attire is never required for dining with your fellow guests at a Tauck provided dinner, however a jacket is required for men for dinner on night 5 at the Palais Biarritz.
In Spain and France, especially in finer restaurants, it is generally customary to dress somewhat formally. Slacks or a short dress for women and a jacket for men are acceptable dining attire. We advise that you avoid wearing jeans, sneakers or shorts for dinner.
You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room. Irons and ironing boards are not usually available, so guests may have to give their garment to the hotel to be ironed for a fee. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also available for a fee.
We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
We suggest that you pack the following items your journey:
All the hotels and motor coaches used on this tour are air conditioned for your comfort. European air conditioning in hotels should be considered as a climate-control system; most have three settings for the fan, plus a "cool" setting. Very few of the European systems actually have a temperature setting. In general, the amount of cool air that is produced from a European air conditioning system may be less than what you may have in your own home.
The official currency in Spain and France is the Euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents.While it is not necessary to exchange currency prior to joining your tour, we do suggest having a small amount of local currency when traveling in Spain and France. Currency exchange is generally available at most major airports, and all the hotels listed on this itinerary can exchange small amounts. Many foreign banks are able to provide local currency using a credit card, ATM card or travelers' checks. For the best exchange rate, we suggest using major credit cards for purchases, or ATM cards for cash.
To obtain the most current exchange rates for all national currencies, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to oanda.com by clicking here.
You should familiarize yourself with Spain and France's specific required customs declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries. You may find additional information by visiting VisaHQ.com by clicking here.
If you are a U.S. resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, you are entitled to a duty-free exemption based on the total value of merchandise purchase abroad, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the U.S. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.
If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own country's rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
Many countries levy Value Added Taxes (VAT) on consumer goods and services. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country's intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.
The electrical current in Spain and France is 220/230 V, 50 Hz, AC. If your electrical appliances do not conform to this standard, you may need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters.
Internet Access is complimentary basic Internet where available in hotel rooms; service levels are not guaranteed.
The maximum elevation on this tour is approximately 3000 ft (914.4 m).
Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate with mild, humid winters and warm, dry summers. Paris has a typical western European oceanic climate, which can be described as mild and moderately wet. The summers in southwestern France are significantly warmer and sunnier than in northwestern France. They can be rather wet, particularly towards the Pyrénées and the Spanish border, but the rain tends to be heavy and of short duration. Summers have more sunshine and longer spells of settled weather than farther north.
To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.
Average Temperature
Barcelona, Spain
Carcassonne, France
Hi/Lo ºF
Hi/Lo ºC
55 / 43
13 / 6
49 / 38
10 / 3
57 / 45
14 / 7
52 / 39
11 / 4
61 / 48
16 / 9
58 / 43
14 / 6
64 / 52
18 / 11
62 / 46
16 / 8
70 / 57
21 / 14
69 / 52
21 / 11
77 / 64
25 / 18
77 / 58
25 / 15
82 / 70
28 / 21
83 / 63
28 / 17
83/ /63
77 / 66
25 / 19
76 / 58
24 / 14
70 / 59
21 / 15
66 / 52
19 / 11
61 / 52
16 / 11
56 / 44
13 / 7
55 / 46
13 / 8
51 / 40
10 / 4
Biarritz, France
Paris, France
53 / 42
12 / 5
44 / 36
7 / 2
55 / 42
47 / 37
8 / 3
59 / 45
15 / 7
53 / 41
61 / 47
58 / 44
67 / 53
19 / 12
66 / 51
71 / 58
22 / 14
71 / 56
22 / 13
75 / 62
24 / 17
76 / 60
24 / 16
76 / 63
25 / 17
74 / 59
23 / 15
69 / 54
21 / 12
68 / 54
20 / 12
60 / 49
59 / 46
15 / 8
51 / 41
11 / 5
46 / 38
Average Rainfall
To help expedite your booking, please have the following information ready before you call us:
For reservations, call 800-788-7885 or contact your travel agent to book today!
Tauck Reservation Sales Counselors are available:
Monday through Friday 6 am - 8 pmSaturday 9 am - 5 pmSunday 12 pm - 5 pm (Eastern Time)
Monday through Friday 6 am - 8 pmSaturday 9 am - 5 pmSunday 12 pm - 5 pm (Eastern Time)
Special RequestsWe will be happy to advise hotels of any special requests, provided we receive them at time of booking. We regret that requests cannot be guaranteed.
Final Payment is due at Tauck's Norwalk, CT office 60 days before departure. Any bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice.
Final Documents, which may include airline tickets, when applicable, are sent by first class mail upon receipt of final payment. They include joining instructions, hotel lists, tour itinerary, clothing suggestions, luggage tags and other pertinent information. We recommend overnight mailing service for any reservation that is made within 30 days of the tour departure date to ensure timely delivery. The additional expense will be added to your tour cost.
Tauck's Guest Protection
Guests booking a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing cancellation protection from Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Travel Protection Plan is available to all travelers, with the exception of residents of Puerto Rico.
Under Tauck's all-inclusive Guest Protection, you can cancel your tour for any covered reason up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment. The following conditions apply:
Section I Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck: Should you have to cancel your journey for any reason, Tauck's Cancellation Waiver reduces the regular cancellation fees outlined herein, provided we are notified of cancellation before your journey departs. Certain terms and restrictions apply (see below*).
Section II – Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by Transamerica Casualty Insurance Company. Should you have to cancel your trip due to illness, injury, death or other covered reason, any cancellation or airline penalties not refunded by Tauck under Section I's Cancellation Waiver would be reimbursable under Section II. This Protection also provides 24-hour emergency assistance services as well as:
The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is $350.00 per person.
This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.
Travel insurance is underwritten by: Transamerica Casualty Insurance Company, Columbus, OH; NAIC #10952, (all states except as otherwise noted) under Policy/Certificate Form series TAHC5000. In CA, HI, NE, NH, PA, TN and TX Policy/Certificate Form series TAHC5100 and TAHC5200. In IL, IN, KS, LA, OH, OR, VT, WA and WY Policy Form #'s TAHC5100IPS and TAHC5200IPS. Certain coverages are under series TAHC6000 and TAHC7000. 26325543
The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.
This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Cost is not refundable under any circumstances. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.
*Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellations Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. Therefore, the following fees apply.
Guests choosing to purchase Tauck's Guest Protection will incur cancellation penalties of $350.00 per person regardless of cancellation date prior to tour departure date.
Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck's Guest Protection will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office.
In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.
Tour Interruption Fees – If you have to interrupt your tour en route, you may be entitled to a refund of land tour costs if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less $40 per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.
Partial Room Cancellation – A person who cancels or leaves a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.
Click here to download our complete Description of Coverage.
Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Overall Rating:
We loved the places we went on this trip -- the big cities like Barcelona and Paris to gorgeous towns like Ainhoa and Rockamadour. What we did not expect was how many stops we would be making. A lot of time was on the bus, which was tiring. The hotels and food, though, were top notch, the guides very good and the tour director excellent.
We loved sitting in cafes with a drink, talking with friends and people watching. Walking the cobblestone streets in St. Emillion was a wonderful moment, as was the tour of l'Orangerie in Paris where we saw Monet's Water Lillies.
Would you recommend Tauck to a friend?Definitely
I was skeptical at first about booking this trip, but once I arrived in Barcelona everything changed.
Food, Wine, Cheese, Scenery, Villages, Wineries, Castles, Chateaus, Barcelona, Paris, All the people in the tour group, especially our Tour Director.I can just go on and on about how Great this Tour was. I'm ready for my next Tauck Adventure.
I never realized how Beautiful the French countryside was with all the small villages, vineyards and castles.
We are so glad you enjoyed our journey from Barcelona to Paris! It is a wonderful part of the world, and we were glad we were able to share it with you. Thank you for your patronage.
-The Tauck Guest Relations Team
Winding our way from one idyllic village to the next was, for me, EVEN better than awesome Barcelona, impressive Bordeaux and perfect Paris. (And that's saying something, because I loved those cities as well!) The local guides along the way were ALL wonderful, and, IMO, more than made up for a so-so TD. Tauck's attention to detail is exceptional.
The underground cathedral in St. Emilion was simply magical. I didn't expect to find such a spiritual place in the midst of wine country, but then again, wine can be pretty spiritual, too!
Carol Beth
I never had to worry about any details associated with traveling. Tauck took care of everything and left me free to enjoy the wonderful journey. The hotels were lovely with excellent service. The sole exception was the hotel in Bordeaux where the lighting was poor. The local guides were informative, enthusiastic, and just plain delightful.
Caves at Lascaux, but also Barcelona and Paris.
I was not sure if the pace of the trip would be too hectic after many years vacationing by river cruises. I was delighted to find out not only all the visited spots and traveling routes were breath-taken beautiful, the food/wine and lodging were superbly arranged. Together with the other 38 travelers, the shared experience was unforgettable.
Each time we arrived at a medieval town with castle perched high above as the backdrop in a 21th century living, it just took my breath away to feel the old meets new in such a harmonious setting!
Val Rouse
Just an amazing experience. The tour director Nils made this a totally enjoyable trip. I'm telling all my friends to book a tour now. Our tour group was fun. The hotels and the food were beyond expectations.
Being in Paris with my wife.
I introduced my brother to Tauck and we both had a great time....the group was small and that made it even more enjoyable
Celebrating my birthday in Paris
The Art Of Living could be restated as The Art Of Wonderful Travel. From Barcelona to Paris our city hotel locations were excellent. Our Tauck tour director, Erica, was great throughout. The food was generally delicious and plentiful. The pacing was good. A very nice time was had by all!
I was simply amazed when visiting the interior of Basilica Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The exterior is quirky and complex. However, the interior is simply sublime. The whole experience was made possible thanks to Tauck's very smart inclusion of the Basilica on our itinerary. And playing pelote in Basque country was a lot of fun too!
We had a wonderful trip. There were 36 people including Bob and I and would like to have dinner with any of them. Our tour director
[Employee Name] was awesome. Erica is organized, pleasant, well groomed and fun. What more could you ask for.
All the different hotels was one. I loved Carcassonne France. We have been to Paris several time but the Musee de L'Orangerie has been closed. I just loved seeing Monet's Water Lillies. They were awesome.
We think Tauck does a fantastic job and we are already planning a trip next September "French Waterway". Can't wait.
The highlights were the Gaudi park & church & the Miro museum.
The remainder was interesting but did not justify the extensive bus rides & frequent need to pack & unpack. Barcelona & Paris are wonderful but very little guided Tauck time was allocated to those cities. You need to add extra days at the beginning and end of the tour on your own.
The interior of the Sagrada de familia.
Would you recommend Tauck to a friend?Maybe
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback on this journey. Rest assured, we will look into your comments and take corrective actions where necessary. We thank you fro your patronage and do hope you'll travel with us again.
September in France is a great place to be. The weather is great and there is so many interesting sites to visit and enjoy. Having Tauck take care of the details makes a trip so enjoyable and worry free. And, by hiring the best tour guides, any issues are quickly addressed. All you need to do is enjoy...
Visiting the Musée de l'Orangerie to once again to enjoy Monet's Water lilies is just a real visual delight.
What can you say? Wonderful people on the trip, excellent tour guide, wonderful excursions, awesome educational experiences...
This trip was great Wonderful sights, meals and fellow tavel companions.
Awaken to the morning mist on the valley from our window at the chateau near Brive.
We are so pleased you enjoyed your journey with us and look forward to hosting you again in the near future.
This was our 8th Tauck tour. The tour and the places we visited were excellent,but some of the hotels and many of the meals were well below expectations. Three of the hotels were excellent, one was O.K. and two were poor. Many of the meals were poor - two served inedible meat-and the included wine with 3 exceptions was well below par.
The Lascaux Caves
We are most apolegetic that some aspects of this journey fell below your expectations. One of our Guest Relations Specialists will contact you to discuss this matter in more detail.
Too many people in the group (38).
Good hotels, however, in some of them the service is not to the standards.
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that some aspects of this journey fell below your expectations. One of our Guest Relations Specialists will contact you to discuss this matter in more detail.
This was a great itinerary except for the boat trip on the Garonne River and stop in Bordeaux. It was a convenient stop for a large tour bus, but an overnight stay near St. Emilion or some other quaint village in the Dordogne would have been much nicer than a tacky hotel in a congested town. Otherwise everything was great!
While enjoying a fabulous dinner with music at a winery in the Languedoc region, one Tauck guest unexpectedly got up and started playing an Italian mandolin along with the rest of the musicians. Enchanting! Also, watching the sunset over the ocean on the night of the summer solstice in Biarritz.
We are delighted you enjoyed your overall journey. What a pleasant surprise that one of your fellow traveling companions was able to join in with the musicians!
Our trip started in Barcelona on a Sunday. We had a short day Sunday, the welcome dinner, then a full day on tour Monday. We should have stayed another day in Barcelona since it is a beautiful city. We traveled for 12.5 days through the south of France, stopping every two days in a different village or city. We spent 40 hours on the coach.
Gaudi in Barcelona. St Emillion. Our own personal excursion in Paris, and our own extra day in Normandy, not part of the tour.
We rode the coach half the time. We could not stop to "smell" the shops or anything we saw along the way. Too rushed! Our free time in Bordeaux was on a Sunday when everything was closed. These are "memorable" moments
Would you recommend Tauck to a friend?No
We are very sorry that some aspects of this journey fell below your expectations. One of our Guest Relations Specialists will contact you to discuss this matter in more detail.
What a wonderful trip!! Loved every minute.
We are so pleased you enjoyed your journey!
The Barcelona to Paris tour provided a wonderful variety of experiences for sightseeing, dining, hotels and entertainment. Prior to the trip, we compared this tour with other Tauck tours that focused on France and ultimately chose this one because it seemed the most diverse in its activities and the areas in which it traveled. A great vacation!
I cannot select just one memorable moment. The caves of Lascaux II can not be believed until you see them. Approaching Carcassone at night with the lighting of the walls was unforgettable. The tour of the Basque country provided much insight into an independent culture.
This tour exceeded my expectations, so it is a definite winner. If you like expressive art; quaint medieval villages; wonderful wine and the elegance of Paris and Barcelona, you will definitely enjoy this tour. If going next year during the first week in May, check out the holiday schedule in France and Spain. We had 4 National Holidays!
Loved staying on the ocean at Biarritz, but wish we were provided an ocean view. Just beautiful surroundings.
This is a must trip for those who enjoy food and wine and visits to quaint villages. We ate at Michelin star restaurants for 3 consecutive nights during one part of the trip, and drank excellent and reasonably priced wines every night. Especially enjoyed the trips to Carcassonne, Bordeaux, Grotte Lascaux II, Rocamadour & Collonges la Rouge.
Traveling to La Roque Gageac in the heart of the Dordogne and Perigord Noir for a cruise along the Dordogne River, a lovely way to relax and take in the beauty of the countryside in this region of France.
Arts Lover
Although we knew that we would enjoy Barcelona with its Gaudi buildings, parks and church and would LOVE Paris (how could anyone not....)and were so very interested in Carcassonne, we had little idea of what the rest of the trip would be like. What we discovered was lots of little medieval villages with surprises around every corner.
The view of Carcassonne at night and in the early morning light! I felt like I was part of the entourage of Eleanor of Acquitane! And being able to stay within the walled and fortified city was like playing a part in a novel of the Middle Ages, except now the city was a whole lot cleaner and more hygenic!
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Itinerary Subject To Change
Longitude Books has been recommending reading lists, maps, and travel guides to Tauck guests for many years. Our reading lists are custom-designed to complement specific Tauck destinations.
To view this tour's reading list or to purchase a selection, please click on the following link:
Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – and depending on the destination, what to pack might include footwear, sunglasses, binoculars, hats, etc. We've partnered with New Headings who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Just click the link below and check out all of the great suggestions to make what you pack that much easier!
The Art of Living could be restated as The Art of Wonderful Travel. From Barcelona to Paris our city hotel locations were excellent. Our Tauck Director was great throughout. The food was generally delicious and plentiful. The pacing was good. I was simply amazed when visiting the interior of Basilica Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, thanks to Tauck's very smart inclusion of the Basilica on our itinerary. And playing pelote in Basque country was a lot of fun too!
Tauck Traveler Review
The Art of Living could be restated as The Art of Wonderful Travel. From Barcelona to Paris our city hotel locations were excellent. Our Tauck Director was great throughout. The food was generally delicious and plentiful. The pacing was good. I was simply amazed when visiting the interior of Basilica Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, thanks to Tauck's very smart inclusion of the Basilica on our itinerary. And playing pelote in Basque country was a lot of fun too!
Tauck Traveler Review
Tell us a little about yourself and we'll make sure you get the most relevant information.
New to Tauck
A Past Tauck Traveler
A Travel Agent


text:
By RICHARD SHAWSun Advocate publisher
A report from one family about illness they thought was caused by bad water led officials from Helper and the Southeastern Utah Health District to look closely at the water in Helper on Monday.
"It was a report from one family," said Dr. Claron Bjork of the health district. "I think if we had a water problem we would have gotten many more calls about people being sick especially since there were a lot of extra people in town last weekend at the Helper Art Festival."
The report came after the family reported many of it's members had come down with stomach aches and had diarrhea. The family members suspected the water after a visit to a doctor.
"There is a monthly sampling of water in each drinking water system and both the samples for July and for August were good," said Bjork. The last regular sample taken was retrieved on Aug. 4.
Helper has three sources of water, including wells up Spring Canyon (toward Scofield), Colton Springs and springs on Fish Creek. There was some construction work on the system in Spring Canyon in the last month and investigative samples were done in that area at the time.
However, last week samples near the Spring Canyon wells showed some problems so the connection to that set of wells was immediately isolated from the system. That water is still not flowing into the system and the shortfall is being made up by purchasing water from the Price River Water Improvement District.
Dave Ariotti, the district engineer for the Department of Environmental Quality said on Tuesday morning that the investigation into the problems on those springs is continuing.
"The cause of the contamination could be several things," said Ariotti. "Tree roots can get into the system, it could be a broken pipe, or a number of other things."
While some tests can be done at the lab in Price, other kinds of tests on the water must be sent to a lab in Colorado so the delay time on some kinds of tests is longer.
"They examine the sample with a high powered microscope to see if any surface water has infiltrated the system," stated Ariotti.
Ariotti said that the water system Helper uses also supplies water to the Utah Department of Transportation shed near Colton as well as to the residents of Hilltop.
"There have been no reports of any problems with people working there or frequenting those places," he said.
The health district and Helper are continuing to test the water that is coming into the town and so far no bad tests have shown up.
"We take all reports of possible drinking water contamination seriously, as we are with this one," said Ariotti. "There have just been no bad samples taken within Helper City."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Unlocked HTC ( EVO 4G ) can soon be available for you at an amazing price of $149.99. The company does provide an initial $100 Best Buy rebate which makes this phone available to you for a price of $199. However it has come to our attention that Sprint is secretly offering the customers who are willing to deal with a mail-in discount. This gives the buyer a rebate of $50. Therefore, one can get this phone at an amazingly low rate of $149.99.
In terms of features, this phone is definitely well loaded. It boasts of
- 4.3 inch touch screen
- A really nice 8 GB camera with dual LED flash
- 1 GHz Snapdragon processor
- Wi-Fi, 4G connectivity and the novelty of a kickstand for watching movies on the mobile phone.
- Plus it works on the Android 2.1 OS like Google Unlocked Nexus One and has the HTC Sense UI skin.
However availing of this discount, does require some amount of maneuvering on the part of the customer. Once you can get this discount, the hottest Sprint mobile phone could be yours.
Follow these steps to get the discount that you are looking for-
- Apply for the phone by using the option which says "buy with new plan". By this, you can get yourselves on their logs
- Then you cancel your order. What will happen is that Sprint will mail you, offering you an additional $50 discount hoping that you change your mind. This additional $50 discount is compounded upon the mail in discount of $100.
Do not fear, this is completely genuine as Sprint is offering the rebate which makes this phone available at this incredible price. This is really cool and we here really like this as it definitely will swing a lot of consumers who would otherwise not have gone for the HTC EVO 4G.


text:
Wellington's new traffic semaphores began operating Tuesday morning. Highway 6.
They are not on timers, but are actuated by pedestrians pushing buttons on the corners. Cars approaching on 100 East will also activate sensors to get a green light.
The city has been asking for the devices for years because of safety concerns for pedestrians and cross traffic on the busy highway.


text:
[sny-libsyn url="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2037736/height/360/width/640/autoplay/no/autonext/no/direction/forward/thumbnail/yes"%5D
We're on itunes here.
We like feedback at mostlymetspodcast (at) gmail.com.
There are actually a lot of sneaky interesting things going on in the Mets' world right now that are not Matt Harvey. He's great, but we recorded before the game on Thursday. A fell rundown of stuff we talked about after the jump.
Stuff we talked about
2:30 – Welcome to Kelly Shoppach
17:30 – "I like watching Jordany Valdespin play, but he's just not good yet."
Twitter Topics
22:00 – Rooting for Melky Cabrera to win the batting title
28:00 – Lucas Duda's Trade Value
30:00 – What's the Plan?
45:00 – The Worst Outfield in Mets History
52:00 – More about Melky Cabrera and Baseball and Steroids
1:02:00 – Pedro Beato for Kelly Shoppach
1:06:00 – The Mets' next $100 million payroll. Sandy Alderson's Public Comments=
1:22:30 – The Mets' Six-Man Rotation
1:35:00 – One Good Thing, One Bad Thing
Good: King Felix, Jeurys Familia, Jon Niese
Bad: Josh Edgin use, Mike Leake shut down the Mets, the offense


text:
Best of News
View of the Jinhai Bridge bombed by the US Air Force in 1951 that was... News Photo2013 North Korean Crisis,Air Force,Bombing,Dandong,Horizontal,Liaoning Province,North Korea,Politics,Town,US Airforce,Yalu RiverPhotographer MARK RALSTONCollection: AFP 2013 AFPView of the Jinhai Bridge bombed by the US Air Force in 1951 that was one of the links across the Yalu River between the North Korean town of Sinuiju and the Chinese town of Dandong on February 9, 2013. US Secretary of State John Kerry warned that North Korea's expected nuclear tests only increase the risk of conflict and would do nothing to help the country's stricken people. The country has vowed to carry out a third nuclear test soon, and concerns have been raised over the type of fissile material used in the device. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)


text:
SLU LAW Emergency Response Guide
Emergency Numbers
Dean's Office: 314-977-2700
Assistance with a student in psychological crisis: 314-977-2323
Fire or Other Alarm
All alarms must be considered valid unless prior notification has been made announcing the testing of the alarm system. If you discover a fire, pull the fire alarm pull station as you exit the building. If you can do so safely, notify others as you leave the building. Close (but do not lock) all doors behind you as you exit the building. If there is access to a phone, call 911 or 314-977-3000 to notify DPSEP of the situation.
- Evacuate immediately
At the sound of any fire or other alarm in the School of Law, all occupants (faculty, staff, students and visitors) should immediately, but calmly, evacuate the building using the nearest exit. Individuals in an area without a ground floor exit should evacuate the building by using the stairs. The elevators should not be used.
- Individuals who cannot use the stairs
An individual who cannot use the stairs, and who is not in an area with a ground floor exit when the alarm sounds, should go to the North internal stairwell's landing area of the floor she is on. Rescue personnel have been alerted to check in these areas immediately upon their arrival.
- Report to designated gathering area to await further information
The School of Law designated evacuee gathering area is the park directly across the street from the School of Law on Tucker Blvd. All evacuees should wait in the gathering area for further information or direction. Only DPSEP can issue the order to return to the building.
Tornado or Other Weather Related Emergencies
Upon notification and/or warning siren, immediately seek shelter. School of Law occupants should take shelter within an interior room or bathroom and avoid any area with glass windows and doors. The following areas on each floor of the School of Law are specifically designated for tornado sheltering. The internal stairwells are also designated for tornado sheltering.
1st Floor - Hallway behind the elevator bank
Garage Floors - Seek shelter on 1st or 7th floors
5th Floor - Men's and Women's restrooms
6th Floor - Men's and Women's restrooms
7th Floor - Men's and Women's restrooms and Study Rooms
8th Floor - Faculty Workshop, Staff Lounge, Faculty Lounge
9th Floor - Classrooms 905, 913 and 983, Men's and Women's restrooms
10th Floor - Interview Rooms 1009, 1036, 1043, Men's and Women's restrooms
11th Floor - Men's and Women's restrooms
12th Floor - Seek shelter on the 11th or lower floor


text:
Alphabet Floor Puzzle
Masterpiece Puzzles • In Stock • 70883
3 - 6 years. Real images help children make connections as they match up letters and pictures. Educational and fun puzzle for the home or classroom. Helps increase letter recognition and development of visual perceptual, fine motor, critical thinking, memory, reasoning, sequencing, planning and logic skills. 36 pieces. Puzzle is 5' long.


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Understand your options, take a proactive approach in developing specific energy strategies and manage your energy costs. With i2i, Constellation provides the tools and experienced market experts to successfully answer these questions:
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Spring is here. Along with warming weather, blooming flowers and chirping birds, Spring also signals National Stress Awareness Month, which is observed every April.
Why is Stress Awareness Month so important? For a number of reasons, according to Nicholas G. Hanson, MD, of Castleview Hospital.
"Stress can take its toll on our health in many ways. It can cause depression or anxiety, lead to heart disease, and cause high blood pressure and obesity, among other things," saidDr. Hanson. "While some level of stress in our lives is inevitable and can even be positive, it's important for people to learn how to manage their stress for their physical and mental health and well being."
What is stress? According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), stress is the body's response to any demand or change. Most people can identify with stress caused by negative situations such as the loss of a loved one, an accident, a difficult relationship or interaction, or trouble at work. But stress can also result from positive situations, like getting married, having a baby or getting a new job. Stress can be either long-term or short-term, and can present itself in many ways.
Dr. Hanson emphasizes the importance of identifying "stressors" in your life - the events or situations that cause you stress - and recognizing how your body responds to those situations.
The following are 10 suggestions about how to improve your stress levels:
1. Be organized. Prioritize your to-do list and plan your time, being realistic about how long tasks will take.
2. Be flexible. While planning is good and can help prevent stress, it also is important to be prepared to change your plans and respond to situations as needed.
3. If you know a stressful event is on the horizon, be prepared. This could mean thinking through responses for an interview or getting a good night sleep before a long day at work.
4. Make it a habit to take a moment to breathe deeply and relax. Stretch your muscles, too. Doing these things can relax your body and your mind.
5. Exercise. Incorporating physical activity into your daily habits can help improve your mood and prevent stress.
6. Watch what you eat. Give your body plenty of energy by eating vegetables, fruits, and protein.
7. Avoid drinking alcohol excessively, and do not drink alcohol as a means to manage your stress.
8. Do something for yourself. Read a good book, listen to music, make plans with friends, or enjoy a good laugh.
9. Talk to people. Friends, families or co-workers may be able to help. In addition, verbalizing your stress can help relieve it.
10. Ask for help. If you feel out of control, depressed or too overwhelmed to cope, ask your doctor for help. There are medical professionals who can help you navigate and control your stress.
Recognize these Signs of Stress:
Not eating or eating too much;
Feeling like you have no control;
Needing to have too much control;
Lack of energy;
Lack of focus;
Trouble getting things done;
Poor self-esteem;
Short temper;
Trouble sleeping;
Upset stomach;
Back pain;
General aches and pains.
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Department Home
TSLA Home
Vital Data
Composite Photographs
Bills Filed
African American State Legislators
African American History
Civil Rights
Jim Crow
For Educators
One-Page Chart
Quizzes & Scavenger Hunt
September 19, 1848 – October 1, 1914
Slavery and the Civil War
Greene E. Evans was born into slavery on the B. B. Degraffenreid plantation in northern Fayette County, Tennessee. When he was eight years old, his name appeared on an 1855 inventory of Degraffenreid's property, along with the names of his mother, Adelia, and his siblings: Samuel (13), John (10), Martha (6), and Amanda (5). [The inventory called him "Green," but in adulthood he typically signed his name as "Greene," with a final "e."]
Evans later told an interviewer that his father was the slave of "the richest man in Fayette County," who owned "over 50 slaves." The slave schedule of the 1850 U.S. Census named Baker Boswell Degraffenreid* as the owner of 74 slaves; in fact, before he gave slaves as gifts to some of his children in the 1840s, he owned more than 100. Although Alfred Evans's wife and children lived on the Degraffenreid property, it is likely that Alfred himself was the slave of neighbors – probably Degraffenreid's son-in-law Elijah L. Evans.
The story of Greene Evans's experiences during the Civil War appears in several contemporary sources, so one can assume it was a tale he told many times. In their early teens when the war began, Greene and his brother John purportedly followed their master across several Southern states, dodging Yankees "from March 1862 almost to the end of the war." Eventually, he said, they contrived a way to escape, lashing their trunk to a pole, which they carried between them on their shoulders, until, having hiked for 38 miles, they came around a corner and walked straight into a squad of Yankee soldiers. The two terrified boys were, to their surprise, welcomed by the soldiers. One of the officers made Greene his personal servant, taking him back to Indianapolis after the war and helping him find a job in the Bates Hotel, where the youngster, still in his teens, paid a large portion of his salary to a man who would teach him to read. (Note that the story never tells what happened to John, whose whereabouts continue to be a mystery.)
It is a bit challenging to match this story to the known facts. After B. B. Degraffenreid died in 1855, Adelia Evans and several of her children became the property of Degraffenreid's daughter Agnes Fleece, while Greene and his brother John went to daughter Sarah and her husband Dr. Solomon Green. The Greens were kind-hearted people who treated their slaves with consideration and affection. In the late 1850s Dr. Green, who had fallen seriously into debt, chose to move his household, slaves and all, to Memphis. [The debt, according to family oral history, was, in fact, the fault of Solomon's son, Jack Nelson Green, an inveterate gambler, and the whole family had been forced into paying it off.] The conditions of Degraffenreid's will were very clear – no family member could split up slave families or take them more than a short distance from the home plantation, and none of his daughters' spouses could use their wives' inherited resources to pay off personal debts. An 1860 Supreme Court ruling, filed by Degraffenreid's son Henry against "Solomon Green and wife," ordered the Greens' slaves to be returned to Fayette County, where they would have been under Henry's complete control. Henry, who was characterized during the trial as "having been somewhat harsh toward his sister in the progress of these proceedings," was a man known to be excessively cruel to his slaves, beating them violently for every transgression and even reportedly rubbing salt into their wounds.
So who was the "master" Greene and John Evans followed across the South until close to the end of the war – a fearful Henry Degraffenreid, running from the Yankees, or Solomon Green, eluding his creditors (and/or saving the boys from the court's decree to return them to Henry)? It was unlikely to have been Henry, who, for all his cruelty, was no coward. He joined the 154th Tennessee Infantry, carried the rank of Captain, and marched off to defend the Confederacy, dying in the Battle of Stones River during the first days of 1863.o Therefore, we must look more closely at the Green family. It is likely that the gentle Sarah, who did return the field hands to the home farm, persuaded Henry to let her keep the two Evans boys as household servants – she may have realized that these bright, inquisitive youngsters would be sure to arouse Henry's violent temper. According to a post-bellum petition filed by a creditor hoping to recover some money owed to him by Solomon Green's estate, the Green family, with a few slaves, had moved from Memphis to Mississippi "in 1861 or 1862" (probably about March 1862, shortly before Memphis fell to Union forces). Dr. Solomon Green, who had actually joined the Confederate Army himself, died in Mississippi, intestate, sometime in 1863. He may have taken the two boys with him to the war as his body servants, and his death left them far from home. Thus, probably that very year, whether by design or accident, the boys ended up on their own, leaving them eventually to encounter the protective Union officer in Selma and to find themselves unexpectedly free.
Return to Memphis and education
Greene Evans seems to have altered a few of the details of this story in his frequent re-tellings – either to protect the Green family or simply to embroider his own legend. Whatever the truth may be, by 1866 he had returned to Memphis, where he worked during the day as a porter at a railroad depot and took classes at Tade's Academy at night. After contracting smallpox and enduring a lengthy period of recovery, he quit work in order to attend school full-time. In 1868 he entered Fisk University in Nashville, paying his way by working as a groundskeeper on the Fisk campus, hauling gravel, laying sod, and performing other strenuous tasks. During the summers he returned to an area of West Tennessee near the Mississippi border, where he taught school in a primitive schoolhouse he had built himself. Most of the timbers he cut and dragged from the nearby woods or, at least once, "borrowed" from a neighbor who had been unwilling to sell it to him. He frequently joked that his schoolhouse "did not lack for ventilation, for a bird could fly through anywhere!"
His first appearance by name in federal census records was among a group of Fisk University residents in 1870. This particular census sheet reveals a great deal about African American education during the first years after the Civil War. Except for S. Stephenson (a white teacher, 35, born in Ohio) and M. Duckett (a chambermaid, 35, black, born in Mississippi), everyone else on the page was identified simply as "Scholar." Although some of the students listed on this page were in their 20s, a surprising number were much younger, many 12 to 16 years old. About one-third were described as "black"; the rest (including Evans) were dubbed "mulatto." Eight were girls, all quite young (12, 15, 17, and 18). Of the 29 students listed on the page, 17 came from Tennessee, eight from Mississippi, and one each from South Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, and Alabama. African Americans were starved for education after emancipation, and most black colleges had a preparatory department, where students could learn the basics of reading, writing, math, history, and geography in order to be prepared to take college-level courses.
Early in his college career, Evans was selected as one of the original Fisk Jubilee Singers. He traveled with the group on their first American concert tour in 1871-1872 to raise money for the university. Described by one writer as "sober, industrious, and politically-minded" (Anderson 36) and by another as "decorous, fastidious, and enterprising" (Ward, p. 81), he sang bass with the group. He and the other three men in the Singers were all members of Fisk's Union Literary Society, as Andrew Ward described them,
honing their forensic skills in weekly debates on such issues as "Resolved: that we are under obligation to the North for our Freedom." By the time of their departure, all four . . . had become gifted extemporaneous speakers. Over the next years, they would move, amuse, and astonish white audiences with their eloquence and poise and do much toward demonstrating the intelligence and educability of freedmen. (124)
Because of Evans's commanding presence and disarming sense of humor, he was often the one chosen to explain the mission of the Jubilee Singers to audiences whenever the director was not present. On at least one occasion, he was able to convince a group of people listening to the concert through a window to come inside and pay their admission. He left the group the following year, reportedly after a falling out with the group's leader.
Freedman's Bank records between the years 1869 and1874 reveal additional information about Evans and his family. At the time of his 1869 Memphis application he was living with his parents, "Alfred and Ardillo" [Adelia], at 352 Court Street extension. He listed his occupation as "teacher." This was one of the rare documents that he signed as "Green" instead of "Greene." In 1872, while still a student at Fisk University, the 23-year-old Evans opened an account at the Nashville bank. He named his siblings and noted that his mother was no longer living. In 1873 he opened an account in Memphis for his father, who was described as 51 years old with a "light" complexion. The application named "Green," along with his brothers John and Samuel, sisters Mattie [Martha] and Amanda, and three sisters not listed on the Degraffenreid inventory: Lauretta, Valley, and Eliza. A note at the bottom of the page instructed, "Subject also to son's orders; see signature below," and was signed by Greene Evans.
By 1874, when Greene Evans listed his residence as "on the river," he had graduated from Fisk and was back in Memphis working as deputy wharf-master, an important political post he would hold from 1874-1876. Over the next few years he also served as a city councilman (1877-1880), census enumerator (1880), and mail agent for the Robert E. Lee steamship line (1881-1882). Ironically, the council seat to which he was elected in 1877 had previously belonged to Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, a former slave trader and the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
Marriage, occupation, and election to the state legislature
The 1880 Census, somewhat difficult to read because of bleed-through from the other side of the page, showed Greene E. Evans (31) to be married to Anna G. and working as a schoolteacher. They lived at 25 Allen Ave., their home until they moved to Chicago in 1892. Evans was also the census enumerator for Memphis District 142, so not only can we see a sample of his elegant handwriting on these pages, but we can also note again that he spelled his name with a final e.
The Memphis Board of Health Birth Register for 1882 (p. 260, file #5536) lists the birth of a daughter on December 4, 1882, to "Green Evans and ___ Evans," at 25 Allen Ave., Ward 5. Although many of the infants were named in the register, the name of the Evanses' daughter was not recorded. By the time of the 1900 census, the daughter had left the household, perhaps to marry or to attend college; no indication of her name has yet surfaced.
By 1884 Evans was running a coal and wood yard on DeSoto Avenue, often running quarter-page ads in the Memphis city directory. He and William A. Feilds, the two black Memphians elected as state representatives to the 44th General Assembly in 1884, became the targets of a scornful sketch in the Memphis Daily Appeal, titled "Who They Are – Sketches of the Recently Elected Senators and Representatives from This County and District." Feilds fared slightly better than Evans, whom the writer characterized as an arrogant dandy:
takes third place in the torchlight procession. He is a mulatto, about thirty-two years of age, wears a mustache, parts his hair in the middle, and runs a wood-yard down on Elliott street. When he is not engaged in selling stove wood he is at work on a composition or recitation for the Lyceum Society, of which he is a member. Evans is considerable of a swell in colored circles, and really has some respect for himself. He picks his associates among those of his own peculiar shade, and, in consequence, is called "stuck up" by the blacks. Evans began his political career as deputy wharfmaster, and afterward tried to be register of Shelby county, but was unsuccessful. He will now paralyze the country by the flow of oratory which he has been cultivating at the Lyceum, and which has not suffered any diminution by being occasional [sic] uncorked at conventions.
The Cleveland Gazette was somewhat kinder to Evans: "The Legislature of Tennessee has among its members three colored members, Mr. McElwee, Mr. Fields, and Mr. Green E. Evans. These three gentlemen are all school teachers, and give evidence of aspirations to become lawmakers. They are young, ambitious and full of zeal, and if an opportunity is given may prove themselves equals and superiors of many Tennessean Senators before the adjournment of the present session."
Service in the Tennessee General Assembly
In the legislature Evans was described as "polite and deferential to the House and to the Speaker" and "well liked." He introduced five bills, the first two of which were intended to protect working men and women. HB 99 sought to limit the garnishment of a worker's wages to his current, not future, wages. The second bill, HB 156, calling for apportionment of roadwork "among all able-bodied men" was an effort to amend the public road law to ensure the fair employment of African American workers. HB 447 was Evans's attempt to repeal Chapter 130 of the Acts of 1875 (one or another of the black legislators endeavored unsuccessfully to pass such a bill in nearly every session). HB 514, in support of a request by the governor, was an effort to provide for an assistant superintendent of public instruction to oversee the education of black students. (Leon Howard had carried this bill unsuccessfully during the previous legislative session, along with legislation to repeal Chapter 130.) Evans's fifth piece of legislation, HJR 108, was a resolution urging a particular cabinet appointment. Greene Evans's much praised oratorical skills seem to have failed him in the legislature, for none of his bills was successful. Of the four African Americans in the House that term, only Samuel McElwee would see any of his bills pass into law.
Evans was in attendance at the 1885 World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition in New Orleans, representing the General Assembly as Commissioner from Tennessee during the entire month of May. At the end of the month, other members of the Colored Department of the Exposition sponsored a farewell banquet in his honor.
Later years
In February 1889 Evans represented Tennessee at "an important conference of colored men" in Indianapolis. The dignitaries present issued a statement to newly-elected President Benjamin Harrison in support of appointing cabinet members who would support the 15th Amendment and protect black voters. In May Evans was appointed transfer mail clerk in Memphis. In June 1891 the social and entertainment column of the Tennessee News reported that "The debate Friday night between J. Bradford and G. E. Evans, and W. Ammons and I. F. Norris on whether marriage should be abolished, was decided in favor of the affirmative by the three judges." It is interesting to note that both Evans and Norris moved out of Tennessee within the next year or so.
Sometime after June 1891, Greene Evans moved his wife Anna and their ten-year-old daughter to Chicago, Illinois. The 1900 city directory listed him as a coal dealer, living at 2917 Wentworth Avenue. Greene and Anna had been married for 25 years by that time. The 1910 census shows their ages to be 52 and 47. They were renting a house a few blocks farther north, at 3212 La Salle Street – both these streets today lie beneath the Dan Ryan Expressway. The Evanses said that they had been married 27 years and that their only child was still living.
Greene Evans died in Chicago on October 1, 1914. His death certificate listed his age as 64, but he was probably closer to 66. He was buried three days later in Chicago's Lincoln Cemetery, an African American cemetery opened at the request of a group of black funeral directors in 1911.
*The B. B. Degraffenreid family was at the heart of a tragic event in Maury County in March 1835. A tornado still referred to as the "Degraffenreid storm" hit the western part of the county, killing Degraffenreid's second wife, Sarah, and four of his sons, as well as several people on a neighboring farm.
o"It was reported in August 1865 that Captain DE GRAFF, a Confederate killed a Murfreesboro, Tenn. during the war, left HARRY DE GRAFF (colored) and twenty other blacks on his place six miles from Somerville, Tenn., on the Brownsville road, when he went into service and these freedmen had remained there, raised a crop and were to be allowed to remain on the place for the time being as the government had taken over the "DE GRAFF" property. Later that month, Mr. SPRINGFIELD, legal administrator of the estate of HENRY DE GRAFFENREID, Fayette County, was allowed to 'gin, bale and bring' in Memphis the cotton raised on this man's property (650 acres), to await his portion of the money resulting from the sale of the crop. The blacks who had labored on the place were to be awarded their share of the sale of the cotton crop, too." (Smith, p. 82)
The Reverend Ewing Tade, a Congregational minister from Iowa, was known for reaching out to emancipated slaves from his pulpit. He set up preparatory schools in Chicago and Memphis to help African Americans prepare themselves for life in a new, more competitive society. KBL 11/06/2012
Based in large part on the research of John W. Marshall, Memphis, TN, author of The Early History of Mason (1985) and Mason: A Glimpse into the Past (1991).
Anderson, Toni P. "Tell Them We Are Singing for Jesus," The Original Fisk Jubilee Singers and Christian Reconstruction, 1871-1878. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 2010.
Cartwright, Joseph H. The Triumph of Jim Crow: Tennessee Race Relations in the 1880s. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1976.
Cleveland Gazette, January 24, 1885; April 4, 1885.
"Colored Conference," Columbus Daily Enquirer, February 15, 1889.
"A Curious Case in Tennessee," New York Times, July 8, 1866, from Memphis Avalanche, June 21, 1866.
"Disfranchising Laws." Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Nashville: Rutledge Hill Press, 1998.
Freedman's Bank records.
Freeman, May 4, 1889; June 13, 1891.
Leavenworth Advocate, May 11, 1889.
Maury County, TN 1860 Federal Census:
McBride, Robert M., and Dan M. Robinson. Biographical Directory, Tennessee General Assembly, Volume II (1861-1901). Nashville: Tennessee State Library and Archives, and
Tennessee Historical Commission, 1979.
Memphis City Directories: Boyle-Chapman, 1874, 1876; Sholes, 1877-1885; Weatherbe, 1883; Dow, 1885-1892; Polk, 1891-1892.
Memphis Daily Appeal, November 13, 1884.
Pike, Gustavus D. The Jubilee Singers and Their Campaign for Twenty Thousand Dollars. New York: Lee, Shepard & Dillingham, 1873.
"Political Pointers," Dallas Morning News, February 15, 1889.
Scott, Mingo Jr. The Negro in Tennessee Politics and Governmental Affairs, 1865-1965: "The Hundred Years Story." Nashville: Rich Printing Co., 1964.
"She Was Not His Aunty," Huntsville Gazette, September 28, 1889.
Smith, Jonathan Kennon Thompson Smith. Genealogical and Historical Gleanings from the Freedmen's Bureau Records, West Tennessee, 2003. "Miscellanea," p. 82.
"Speed the Parting Guest," Times-Picayune, May 23, 1885.
Tennessee General Assembly. Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Tennessee. Nashville: Tavel and Howell, 1881, 1883.
Ward, Andrew. Dark Midnight When I Rise: The Story of the Jubilee Singers Who Introduced The World to the Music of Black America. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000.
------- "Evans, Greene (1848-1914)." BlackPast.org: Remembered and Reclaimed.
Whitson, Mrs. L. D. Personal Sketches of Members of the Forty-Fourth General Assembly of Tennessee. Nashville: Southern Methodist Publishing House, 1885.
"Who They Are – Sketches of the Recently Elected Senators and Representatives from this County and District," Memphis Daily Appeal, November 13, 1884.
Work, Monroe N. "Some Negro Members of the Tennessee Legislature During Reconstruction Period and After." Journal of Negro History, Vol. V, January 1920, 114-115.
"World's Exposition: A Busy Day at the Grounds—Celebration by the Temperance Women. Continuance of the Session of the Immigration Convention. General Notes and Items—The
Tennesseans." Times-Picayune, March 14, 1885.