Authentic Food & Wine Spain Tour

The world-class dining scene of Barcelona celebrates the unique setting set along the Mediterranean waters and the rich Spanish countryside. The fabled architecture captures the spirit of the city with treasures spanning more than 2,000 years and ranging from Roman-era temple columns to Gothic church facades, surreal homes to Modernist sculptural masterpieces. Art embodies the essence of Barcelona through the mosaics that decorate the social center of Las Ramblas all the way to the colorful produce on display in La Boqueria market.

Your flight will arrive at El Prat Airport, where your private transfer will greet you at customs. You can quickly settle into the comforts of your luxury hotel before meeting your guide in the lobby eager for an introduction to the culinary culture of the spectacular city. You will then venture deep into the atmospheric marvels of the Gothic Quarter during a special tapas tour of the city listening to the sounds of Spanish guitar emanating from small, hidden plazas. You will find the soothing aromas of traditional tapas like Catalan sausage and fried cod drifting through the doors of one of the oldest tapas bars in the Barcelona, where your tour guides you through the captivating flavors of local cultural gastronomy.  Zicasso works closely with the top Spain travel operators to ensure that you have a fully personalized trip of a lifetime, and it will begin on Day 1.

In the morning, you might choose to enjoy breakfast like a local Barcelonés by sipping a fresh cup of coffee accompanied by a piece of pa amb bomáquet—bread rubbed with garlic, drizzled with olive oil, and topped with a touch of tomato. Your private driver will meet you in your hotel lobby after breakfast and lead you inland from Barcelona to reach the mesmerizing mountain of Montserrat. The dramatic cliff rises 4,055 feet above the Catalan lowlands with eroded fragments of limestone resembling turrets or fingers branching out above the massif. More than halfway up the mountain stands a historical Benedictine monastery reflecting the penitent and secluded life of founders in the 9th century and expanded upon in the 11th century.

The cool mountain air contains hints of pine carried in the breeze as you enter the basilica, which was added after a local shepherd had a vision of Mary accompanied by a celestial light. Fifty-five monks continue to live in the complex caring for the needs of the structure, as well as growing fruits and vegetables. Many visitors hike around the peaks of the monastery for an unparalleled view of the shady valley below or ride the funicular to the top of the peak spanning over 492 feet.

You wake in the morning to the welcoming and soothing comforts of a proper Spanish country breakfast filling the dining room with the aromas of freshly pressed orange juice and the satisfying sweet flavor of torrijas, a bread pudding topped with sugar and cinnamon. The kitchen of your luxury accommodations uses only locally grown and seasonal organic ingredients. Your guide escorts you away from the hotel after the delicious breakfast to reach the local marketplace where you visit with farmers from around the Penedés. The surrounding town of Vilafranca del Penedés has a rich history dating back to the twelfth century growing as an important political and economic center for the region.

Medieval architecture contrasts with the modernist aesthetic that hides traditional restaurants with extensive wine lists that brim with the greatest offerings from local vineyards. At the market, the farmers will eagerly entertain you with samples of their tasty produce and delicious cheeses. You can continue into one of the customary caves found around the region where local winemakers, as well as wine provocateurs, have kept their wines safe from the elements for centuries. Your guide will pour you a sample of the cava. Vintners in the region have produced the sparkling wine since the 15th century with this particular producer aging the wine for 36 months leading to aromas of citrus fruits and a surprising mineral finish.

After returning to your accommodations, your guide will turn into a gourmet chef and introduce you to the fabulous flavors of the local cuisine during a private cooking class. The ingredients you learned about and purchased during your market visit become the tools with which you embrace local tradition. The kitchen will fill with the elegant aromas of garlic and almonds. You will begin with a simple dish of curly endive with cod, anchovies, and olives topped with a special dressing before creating traditional flatbreads and a sweet specialty of gelidencs, a small sponge cake with scorched cream.

You will have a quick ride to Barcelona to board the fast train bound for Madrid. Madrid bustles with the pace of a capital city and moves with locals eager to reach their destination, absent of the relaxed pace from which you came. The fascinating streets like the Gran Via boast contemporary architecture pronouncing itself as Spain’s forward-thinking, modern city featuring the first skyscraper in Europe, the Telefonica Building, which stands 292 feet tall.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel ready to show you how Madrid’s gastronomy intertwines with its history as an amalgamation of Spain’s diverse regional cultures. The rich flavor of Madrid comes from the atmospheric streets that combine the modern ambiance and historical city center that is layered with Puerta del Sol, Royal Palace, and Plaza Mayor. The latter public space was the first erected during the Habsburg period, and elegant arcades and sophisticated mansions wrap around the plaza. You will enter the Casa de la Panaderia, where the cellar and ground floor of the original principal bakery remains. The façade possesses murals depicting mythological figures associated with the history of Madrid including the figure of Cybele, the ancient Phrygian mother of the gods. As you make your way to the first sampling of traditional Madrileños tapas, you find the aroma of a customary stew with garbanzo beans, meat, and vegetables in winter, while summer inspires a delectable gazpacho.

At breakfast, you will delight in the sweet and rich flavors of churros dusted with cinnamon and sugar. You can follow the tradition of dipping the fried, sugar-topped Spanish donut into a cup of decadent hot chocolate for a mouthwatering flavor that balances the sweet pastry with a slightly bitter chocolate. After breakfast, your private driver will collect you at your hotel and escort you to the stunning city of Segovia before reaching the captivating wine region of Ribera del Duero.

The narrow, cobbled lanes of the medieval city hide cozy confectionaries that produce sophisticated chocolates and marzipan. The famous Roman aqueduct runs through the heart of town and dates back to the 1st century AD. The complex feat of engineering ran for 10.5 miles utilizing 20,400 granite blocks, and the intricate design slowly descended from a height of 92 feet tall in order to keep the water flowing in towards the channel beneath the Alcázar, the storybook castle crowning the neighboring hill.

You will continue into the gorgeous countryside of Ribera del Duero for a different view of Spain’s timeless landscape. The banks of the river rush against the edges of the ruined castles and the quaint traditional towns while adding drama to the scenery that carves two dramatic canyons. The fascinating vineyards look like waves of vines rushing along the river’s edge and spreading over the hills. You stop at a family-owned winery to sample the renowned Tempranillo wines produced in the region. The complexity of the wines consists of big, rich, and bold flavors stemming from 300 different wineries. The estate has a history that dates back to the 13th century. Your guide will pour a sample of the wine with fragrant hints of mocha and cranberries with a flavor reminiscent of spicy dark berries.

Traveling through the splendors of Ribera del Duero in the morning brings fascinating views of Castillo de Gormaz, one of the most remarkable castles in Spain. The stronghold rose above the virtual ghost town as a reminder of the prestige and power of the Moorish occupation of Spain in the 10th century. The structure was the largest Muslim fortress erected in Europe and remained a bastion and symbol of Muslim strength during the wars between Christian kings and Moorish forces until the Reconquista. At the first winery, your guide will lead you through the vines that sprawl along the ochre countryside of Rioja encapsulating both the thrills and the pleasures of growing grapes in the quiet province.

You can wander through the hidden forge on the property where the winery continues to measure, craft, and design their barrels with different types of oak including French, American, and Spanish varieties. The scent of charred wood fills the 270,000-square-foot studio with over two centuries of history. The barrels, along with the soil contain clay and limestone amongst the different microclimates and account for distinctive properties of the wine. You can sample a blend of Tempranillo, Mazuelo, and Graciano grapes resulting in an elegant purple hue with scents of black fruit and spicy black pepper leading to a sharp but satisfying acidity perfectly paired with the hard Zamorano cheese aged for six months and known for a slightly nutty and buttery quality.

The vibrant city of Bilbao embodies the transformation of the once rugged industrial ambiance to a walkable and welcoming city that celebrates culture with art and gastronomy. You will begin the day with a guided tour of the infamous Guggenheim Museum, whose architecture has both won plaudits and scorn for its contemporary design. The structure uses natural curvature around the exterior to allow natural light to enter the gallery from all angles utilizing stone, glass, and titanium across the 350,000-square-foot space to create an ethereal exhibition center. Entering the bright gallery offers visions of large-scale, site-specific works of contemporary art including the captivating, colorful Acrylics on Fine Art Paper by Iñaki Crespo.

Exploring Bilbao’s celebrated artistry offers a great introduction to the city’s culture and is bolstered by the gastronomy that has evolved from the working-class traditions of authentic Basque cuisine. Follow your guide through the historical streets of the city to find the customary restaurants serving pintxos, small dishes similar to the better-known Spanish tapas. The scent of spider crabs stuffed with bread crumbs, tomato, and onions then baked with a mixture of garlic, parsley, brand, and olive oil fills the restaurant. You can sample the remarkable kokotxas, a dish found only in Basque and consisting of cod cheeks served with a decadent garlic, white wine, and olive oil sauce.

Before arriving in the beautiful beachside city of San Sebastian, you can stop in the picturesque town of Hondarribia, located on an estuary across the border from France. The Gallic influence on old city winds through the streets leading to the popular, vibrant beaches. An archway crowning Calle San Compostela leads to the heart of town at Plaza de Gipuzkoa. The historical wall continues to surround the old city that dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries to protect the cobbled lanes and homes decorated with wrought-iron balconies.

The foundations of the church of Santa Maria de la Asunción were laid in the 15th century and completed three centuries later, which accounts for the combination of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles. The interior contains a fascinating painting that depicts the Holy Trinity with three merged heads. San Sebastian is a celebrated destination known both for its beauty and sensational gastronomy hosting a total of 18 Michelin stars including a number of three-starred restaurants. The elegant golden and white sands of La Concha beach fills with locals and visitors enjoying the lapping waves along the Bay of Biscay.

The streets of old town extend through the atmospheric arcades of Plaza de la Constitucíon amid the surrounding Neoclassical architectural design. The scent of traditional Basque pintxos emanates from the atmospheric quarter where locals relish the simple pleasures of the day found in deep-fried cod, handmade croquettes, and a glass of local wine. You will sit down for a fabulous dinner at one of the celebrated Michelin star restaurants in the city and indulge in the splendors of a seven-course tasting menu that highlights the traditional flavors in a modern fashion with dishes like foie gras bonbons and volcanic oysters with smoked vegetables.

In the morning, San Sebastian fills with the aroma of the sea breeze before the restaurants begin preparing their daily delicacies. You can explore the cobbled lanes of the city with your guide for an immersive view of the city celebrating both its culinary heritage and customs beginning at the Basilica de Santa Maria del Coro. The 18th-century Baroque façade stands out from the foot of Monte Urgull above the former foundations of a Roman temple. A statue of the city’s patron saint fills a niche on the façade beneath the two soaring towers. The lavishly ornamented exterior captures the enthusiasm of religion in the city as you step inside to find massive pillars and an exceptional vaulted ceiling of the neo-Gothic design.

Your tour of San Sebastian will continue with a fabulous immersion into the flavors of customary pintxos. You will soon enter a traditional bar lined with wooden shelves, a polished bar, and thick stone walls. Small plates decorate the bar top with classic, colorful plates like anchovies with peppers and txuleta—grilled beef steak from aged, grass-fed beef. The latter dish is most often served with a Basque cider in a traditional Basque Cider house, where the bartender fills a pouch directly from the barrel and pours the drink from a large distance. The showmanship does not just get your attention but also enhances the flavor by creating a delicious foamy effervescence releasing the natural aromas of the cider.

After a delicious breakfast, your private driver will whisk you along the coast outside of San Sebastian en route to Cangas de Onis. Before reaching the first capital of Asturias medieval kingdom, you can stop in the region of Cantabria, Santander. The charming seaside city retains the elegance of the Belle Époque and a grand waterfront completed in 2017. Urban beaches and sophisticated shopping streets attracted locals and visitors with chic aesthetics and interests in the golden shoreline. The landmark waterfront cultural center has a modernist appeal overtaking 26,910 square feet spanning two stories with viewing platforms that branch out from the building to make you feel as though you are standing atop the turquoise water of the Bahia de Santander.

The lively bar and restaurant scenes serve local favorites like mussels with olives or rice cooked with milk and salmon. Outside of the city stands the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cueva de Monte Castillo, the host of Europe’s oldest cave art. The damp, cool atmosphere fills the cavernous space as you wander over 1,640 feet into the gallery to view the 275 paintings and engravings depicting deer, bison, horses, goats, and mysterious symbols, as well as mammoths crafted between 39,000 and 11,000 BC. In the town of Comillas, the gorgeous historical buildings overlook the verdant rolling hills of the countryside.

The golden sands of the beach shine against the small fishing port that overflows with colorful traditional boats, a cobbled old city center and a number of eccentric mansions from the 19th century. Palacio de Sobrellano has a neo-Gothic aesthetic capturing your imagination with wood-carved fireplaces and dragons designed by surrealist architect Antonin Gaudi. The elaborate dining room nearly comes to life with a ceiling interlaced with decorative beams and stained-glass windows. The restaurants pour traditional cider and offer delicious local delicacies like maize cakes, scrambled-egg dishes, and stuffed breaded veal.

The historical town of Oviedo has an enchanting combination of modern shopping and sophisticated culture that emanates from the Fine Arts Museum. The galleries are divided between two of the palaces in the city center with collections featuring Spanish and European artists like Goya, El Greco, and Titian, as well as 19th to 21st century artists like Picasso and Dalí. Exploring the traditional Asturian district of the city will lead you to the Catedral de San Salvador, which possesses nearly 1,000 years of architectural designs beginning with the Gothic styles of the 13th century.

One of the most intriguing features is the remains of the pre-Romanesque chapel erected in the night century as a place to store holy relics. The Cross of the Angels, a jewel-encrusted gold cross presented to the city by Alfonso II and the historical emblem of Oviedo. The restaurants celebrate the heritage of the town and the greater Asturian region by creating traditional dishes passed down through the generations. The spacious hall of Yantar de Campomanes boasts panoramic windows and traditional menus drawing locals both young and old with cheese like the sharp blue Cabrales, sweet corn flour cakes known as tortinos, and a rich stew made with white beans topped with pork shoulder, morcilla, chorizo, and saffron.

The beauty and charm of Spain’s Asturias region rise from the pride and nobility of never having been conquered by Moorish invaders, and from the drama of the jagged coastline, the colorful fishing villages, and the verdant inland mountains. After breakfast, your private driver will escort you away from the Asturian notion of the “Real Spain,” to reach the distinctive culture and fascinating display of wild shores with precipitous cliffs, labyrinthine green valleys, medieval stone villages, and centuries-old vineyards of Galicia, where bagpipes and carved-stone crosses reflect the unique connection with Celtic ancestry. Traveling the distinctive countryside brings you to Monteforte de Lemos and its historic center. The 17th-century Monasterio de San Vincente has become a hotel with a charming courtyard, elegant café, and chic restaurants serving local specialties.

The regal ambiance emanates from the medieval castle that represents the former power of the Counts of Lemos. The medieval influence crossed the Cabe River into Monforte over two main bridges, including one made of stone. Romanesque temples rise out of the surrounding villages including the 8th-century Pantón, which retains stunning architectural elements as well as a Renaissance painting. The restaurants hidden inside the historical enclaves of town fill the air with the scent of traditional ingredients shaping delicious dishes like Galician empanadas—large pies typically stuffed with tuna, tomato, and onion or minced pork and vegetables.

The allure of Santiago de Compostela continues to draw pilgrims from around Europe with months-long journeys on foot with the ultimate goal of reaching the relic of Saint James in the Catedral de Santiago. Before reaching the city, your guide can take you on a portion of the famous pilgrimage trail with several starting points around the continent including in France and Portugal. Upon arriving in the grand city, the regal architecture and stirring air of the cathedral captivates you. The sacred monument was erected between the 11th and 13th centuries atop an older church destroyed by Moorish armies.

The mixture of Gothic, Plateresque, and Neoclassical designs creates a grandiose ambiance before reaching the Portico de la Gloria, which welcomes pilgrims with a sculpture containing 200 figures from the Apocalypse as well as the guiding figure of Saint James. The magnificent first impression prepares you for the grandiose interior spanning 89,340 square feet within which you find the Crypt of Saint James the Apostle and patron saint of Spain. After exploring the cultural marvels of the architecture and monuments, you can indulge in the heritage of the cuisine in search of the particular famous dishes like boiled octopus with paprika and olive oil or queixo de tetilla cheese, favored for its mild flavor and creamy texture. The simple pleasure of a Santiago Cake made from ground almonds, eggs, sugar, and brandy brings a saintly sweet taste to the last day of your culinary tour.

In the morning, the cafes in Old Town Santiago open their doors amid the arcaded streets and lavish boutique shops. Pedestrians return to the cobbled lanes away from the cars that wrap around the newer neighborhoods of the city. The sunlight washes over the impressive display of Baroque architecture found along the façade of Casa do Cabildo in Plaza de las Platerías. Your private transfer will greet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast and escort you to Santiago de Compostela Airport for your flight home.