Upon your arrival in Barcelona, you will be transferred to your hotel.
INSIDER'S EVENING GOURMET TOUR
The tour starts at about 5pm and concludes in appropriate style at about 9pm.
While there is no fixed route, your epicurean host introduces you to some of the most inviting stores, markets and bars which all provide a fascinating insight and taste of Barcelona. For example, visit a beautiful and famous store that has been roasting their own almonds, hazelnuts and dried nuts for over 150 years… indulge in some pastries from one of Barcelona’s most historic pastelerias… drop into a specialized cheese store housed on the site of one of Barcelona's first butter-making factories. Here indulge in a tasting of several cheeses, including little-known Spanish and Catalan cheeses, all the more enjoyable when paired with wines! Based on your tastes and preferences, enjoy a tailored gourmet tour that promises fabulous experiences. You will have your fill of Tapas dishes to provide you with a substantial meal and an introduction into the world of Catalan food!
After breakfast, you will meet with our expert guide and enjoy an introductory private tour of Barcelona.
With typical Catalan pride and creativity, Barcelona remains determined to project itself as Spain’s most innovative city. This tour takes in the Passeig de Gracia, the most stylish street of Barcelona, lined with boutique shops and art galleries. Also La Rambla, with its outdoor cafes and street performers. Just off La Rambla are the antique stalls at La Boqueria, Barcelona’s outdoor market considered to be one of the best markets in the world. Barcelona gothic quarter is where you will spend most of the tour; this area rests on the ancient Roman city of Barcino. We will see interesting buildings from the 13th century to 15th century, peaceful plazas and winding alleyways, with its medieval Cathedral and Picasso Museum. Today we will also visit the famous church of La Sagrada Familia; which has been under construction for 131 years! Enjoy an informal lunch in a local eatery with the rest of the afternoon exploring on your own.
Morning at your leisure.
COOKING CLASS
From the Boqueria, head to a superbly laid out kitchen, located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter and just a few minutes’ walk from the market - a great spot to cook authentic typical dishes of Spain. Enjoy a hands-on introduction to Spanish cooking with your host, instructor and chef whose infectious passion for food and Mediterranean cuisine will set the scene for a fun way to learn about traditional and contemporary homemade specialties. With your chef involving you as much as you wish in the preparation of your dishes, prepare a delicious starter, main course and dessert. Finish the adventure enjoying the menu prepared in a friendly and casual atmosphere. (approx. 3 hr class & meal).
The rest of the evening will be at leisure.
Your guide and driver will pick you up in Barcelona for your full-day tour of Girona. The drive will be approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Girona’s history dates back to the Roman era, and you will find the town full of magnificent monuments, museums and archives. Successive rulers have left a mix of architecture in Girona ranging from the Gothic cathedral to the beautiful 12th century Arab baths. Your guide will lead you through the winding medieval alleyways of Girona. Girona’s Call, the old Jewish Quarter, was home to a prosperous community until the end of the 15th century.
You will continue exploring Catalunya’s medieval villages. The villages of Pals, Peratallada, de Montgrí (among others) with their castles and lanes that give you an idea of what life was like centuries ago. An intriguing insight into Spain’s past. Near Pals you will visit an artisan olive oil producer where owners will provide a private tour of their estate which dates back to the 11th century. They have painstakingly restored their house and due to their enthusiasm and determination their olive oil is now on the tables at the El Celler de Can Roca in Girona.
After breakfast you will be transferred to Sants train station. Here you will board on the AVE (High speed train) bound for Zaragoza. The ride takes 1 hour 40 minutes.
Upon your arrival in Zaragoza you will be transferred to Laguardia, and check in to your hotel. Your guide will ensure you have good options available for your lunch.
In the afternoon enjoy a stroll around Laguardia, one of the most perfectly preserved medieval villages in Spain, a medieval hill hamlet (called "villa" in Spanish), reminiscent of Tuscan hilltop villages. It is surrounded by an ancient wall, and has a delightful jumble of cobble stoned streets lined with "Tabernas", wine shops, palaces, and cafes. You will be visiting a subterranean wine cellar six meters beneath the historic home of Félix María Sánchez Samaniego, the famous Spanish fable writer. And at times, you’ll think the winery is part of a fable. Its two large vats in the entrance are not for decoration. It is here that every year, all the grape harvest is trodden and crushed under feet.
Dinner will be served at a traditional restaurant in Laguardia.
WINE EXCURSION TO LA RIOJA
Morning at leisure.
Lunch will be served at one of the traditional restaurants.
This afternoon, enjoy a specially designed wine tour, crafted to your tastes and preferences. It can be modified to include all sorts of wonderful characters who maintain the traditions and excellence of La Rioja.
Evening will be at leisure.
Morning you will be transferred to San Sebastian.
Afternoon at leisure.
COOKING CLASS IN A GASTRONOMIC SOCIETY
Basque men gather at sociedades gastronómicas to cook, eat, drink, sing, and socialize. (Until recently, women were excluded.) These clubs have nurtured the Basque culinary tradition, resulting in the current proliferation of top restaurants in and around San Sebastian. It is estimated that over 160 sociedades gastronómicas co-exist and Madrid & Beyond has arranged private access to the most prestigious gastronomic society of them all. Enter and learn about the society from the inside. And of course, enjoy hands on cooking class. Once prepared, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor for dinner accompanied by local wines in the society’s very egalitarian and modest dining area.
After breakfast, we will have a day trip to Bilbao.
Upon your arrival, you will meet your expert guide and enjoy a private visit to the Guggenheim Museum.
INSIDER’S PRIVATE PINTXOS TOUR
To every resident of San Sebastian, the terms “pintxos” conjures up images of mouthwatering delicacies, from simple snacks to highly elaborate haute cuisine creation. Such is the fervor of the residents of San Sebastian for its gastronomy and pintxos, every year the city stages a competition in which all the bars seek to create the tastiest, most original pintxos. Winners proudly proclaim their plaques outside their doors, and many establishments are renowned for one dish above all others. With almost one hundred bars to choose from, knowing where to go and what to order only comes with experience and local knowledge. Your host for the evening has plenty of both, and together you can enjoy an evening of fine food and good company. It’s a must-do experience in San Sebastian.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Bordeaux (France) 3.5-hour drive.
The balance of the day is at your leisure.
Today you will enjoy an half day biking tour of Bordeaux.
Today you will have a full day tour to Saint Emilion village and the Bordeaux wine region.
Private transfer to Bordeaux airport.
