Barcelona & Captivating Catalonia, Spain

Prepare to be inspired by the incredible quality of ingredients we'll have at our fingertips!  The Ebro River, flowing from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean, is one of Spain's most famous rivers, accounting for the region's legendary fertility, which explains the world-class wine, as well as the abundance of the best smoky piquillo peppers, potatoes, asparagus, artichokes, exquisite tomatoes, and incredible PDO protected pears, melons and luscious figs.  

Since it will be harvest season, let's start with the regional favorite appetizer, Pa amb tomàquet.  It sounds simple-- country bread rubbed with tomato and olive oil- yet we'll use the absolute best virgin olive oil and farm-fresh tomatoes.  Then we can create Escalivada, the word derived  from the Catalan word meaning "to cook on hot embers." This is precisely what gives the roasted red peppers, eggplant, and onions their characteristic smoky flavors.  The vegetables are roasted whole, peeled, torn into long strips, drenched in olive oil, and served.  These dishes will be a blissful start to a fantastic meal. 

Then we can move on to another Catalan classic, Arròs negre amb allioli, a black rice seafood dish with garlic mayonnaise.  In the Costa Brava region north of Barcelona, local fishermen eke out every last bit of worth from their catch.  Nothing gets wasted, not even the ink from a cuttlefish.  When added to rice, this jet-black liquid evolves into something wholly spectacular.  To take it up another level, allioli is served on the side.  Imagine the flavors of creamy rice with melting garlic mayonnaise on the top.  Heaven!

We simply cannot leave Catalonia without making their national dish with sausages and white beans.  And perhaps we should make a seafood paella.  Yet, can you imagine visiting Catalonia and not making the quintessential dessert, cinnamon-scented, Crema Catalana.  It's so fun to crack the thin burnt sugar crust with the back of your spoon!  Don't worry!  We've got you covered.  

With so much to explore, my Spanish associate and I plan to pack as much into your itinerary as humanly possible (with some time to rest, of course!).  We'll make our way through charming villages and historic sites, visit one of the best open markets in the Mediterranean, and talk with the artisans who are producing some of the areas specialties.

One day, we can visit the "Cradle of Modernism", Sitges, where we'll find a historic winery with an almost unbelievable story.  We'll taste their unique wines and enjoy the day's catch from the Sitges fishermen's guild.  On another day, we can visit a small family farm that produces a variety of honey—like rosemary, thyme, a thousand flowers, and chestnuts—using a process that follows the natural cycle of bees.  Or maybe we should head to the second-largest chocolate factory in Europe for a tour and tasting.  Since this is Spain, we must meet an artisanal cheesemaker before admiring the Medieval castle and beaches in a historic town in the Empordà region.  We've picked a perfect spot for lunch, where you can savor the true flavors of Catalonia.

While we encourage you to spend a night or two in Barcelona before the tour begins (there’s simply too much to see in the Catalonia region!), we’ll take a day to explore this city’s culinary gems.  We’ll visit gourmet shops featuring local cheeses and Iberian products, and explore the iconic Boqueria Market that’s brimming with colorful produce and delicious local specialties like Jamón Ibérico.  Then we’ll follow the aroma of fresh bread and pastries to meet local bakers at a tiny shop that has some of the flakiest crème filled pastry I’ve ever tasted. All of this is just to whet our appetites before lunch at a family run treasure of a restaurant that features a mix of traditional Catalan-Mediterranean cuisine, with modern touches, using the best seasonal and local ingredients. 

The group meeting point in central Barcelona, located ?????   The group drop-off location is Barcelona Airport (BIO). Our driver will meet the group for pick-up at approximately 4:00pm on the first day of the tour, and drop-off is on the morning of the final day of the tour. The precise timing of the group transfers will be confirmed before the tour dates.

We highly recommend flying in early and spending an additional night in Barcelona before our journey. This will help you adjust to the time differences and provide a buffer from any travel delays.  The tour begins with a welcome reception on the evening of the first day and concludes with breakfast and a return group transfer on the final day.

A non-refundable deposit of $2000.00 US per person is required to register for this tour.  A single supplement charge applies for solo travelers. The tour price includes accommodations, cooking classes, excursions and day trips, wine and tastings, and meals (excluding one or two). The package price does not include airfare. Final payments are to be made by personal check or money order to avoid additional surcharge. Please review the Terms and Conditions for details.

We strongly recommended that participants obtain travel insurance. Please note that travel insurance policies and their provisions vary greatly.

During this tour, we are committed to following Federal, State, and local health guidelines to the best of our ability.

Included:

• Limited group size and carefully curated itinerary
• Meals- breakfast, lunch and dinner (one exception) with wine
• Accommodations for 6 nights
• Hands on and demonstration cooking classes
• Excurions, day trips and multilingual guides
• Tastings
• Transportation during the tour
• Group transfer from the meeting point in Barcelona, and group transfer back to the Barcelona Airport at the conclusion of the tour

Not Included:

• Airfare is not included in the package price.
• One meal at a special location (optional)
• Tips for services and hospitality
• Trip insurance (optional, yet highly recommended)