Spain Gastronomy Tour: Delectable Cuisine in Sunny Barcelona

As your plane coasts down along Barcelona's shimmering shorelines, a light breeze will welcome you. The wind carries scents of the city's intoxicating saffron-induced flavors and rich seafood variety, and you may catch a whiff as you step off the plane. In no time, you will be sampling Barcelona's most revered cuisine as you immerse yourself in the city's heritage and culture. You will pass through customs and collect your bags before your private driver transfers you to your hotel.

Your private driver will have you whizzing down vibrant avenues that are buzzing with pedestrian traffic and daring cyclists who are weaving through cars. You will wind around some of the city's most acclaimed public squares as locals and tourists gather around ornate central fountains. Soon, you will arrive at your luxurious accommodation, which will be just minutes from the acclaimed Las Ramblas pedestrian boulevard. After settling into your hotel room, you can explore the city. Along Las Ramblas, you can check out local artists' masterpieces and marvel at intricate jewelry designs. You can then stroll into the neighborhoods of Eixample and the Gothic Quarter, which is where the city's historical intrigue lies. Here, cathedral spires will pierce the sunny sky, and ornate palaces will pop out from behind cobbled alleyways. Shop owners will also line the streets with freshly cut flowers and an array of books, bags, and souvenirs. 

In the evening, once you have worked up an appetite, you will make your way to Barcelona's waterfront for an enchanting dinner along La Barceloneta. You may indulge in your first bites of Spain's delectable cuisine when you sample suquet de peix. This famous Catalan delight mixes potatoes and seafood into a mouthwatering stew. The dish is topped with a refreshing hint of saffron and lemon to seduce your senses. You can also pair your meal with a lovely glass of sangria as you conclude your first night in Spain.

What's Included:  airport transfer, accommodation, tour, breakfast, dinner

As an early morning breeze carries from the Mediterranean Sea to your private balcony, you will wake up to your first full day in Barcelona. The sun will begin to warm the sky with yellow and orange tones as shopkeepers prepare their outdoor patios for the day.

You will begin the day with an invigorating tour of the Mercado de La Boqueria outdoor produce market. The shady palm trees of Las Ramblas will guide you along the scenic avenues that border Barcelona's most popular districts. Soon, you will witness the ornate, wrought-iron structure of the market’s entrance. As you enter, you will be welcomed by the rainbow hues of every fruit, vegetable, cheese, and meat delicacies. Along the perimeter, sweet treats like chocolates and gummies will add to the dazzling display and entice children and adults alike to stop in for a visit. As charismatic vendors chat amongst themselves and with outgoing customers, you will have the opportunity to snack on several local delicacies, including freshly grilled ham or shrimp. Later you will also visit the Santa Caterina Market in the Old City to sample cheeses and fresh fruit. As you pass along the cobbled streets of the Old City, which is known as the Gothic Quarter, your guide will direct you to key historical features, such as the Plaza de San Felipe Neri and the Plaza Royal.

In the late afternoon, you will witness even more of the city as it livens while you embark on a tapas tour through Barcelona. You will begin in the downtown neighborhood of El Raval before moving to the neighborhoods of Sant Antoni, Les Corts, and Gracia, which is where you will sample tantalizing spreads of ham, cheese, and olives while sipping on a frothy cana.

What's Included: accommodation, tour, breakfast

Today, you will get in touch with Barcelona's vibrant architecture before tasting some of the region's most adored wines. Early morning bird songs may wake you from your sleep as sweet aromas of the city's fresh bakery and sugary churros waft into your room. You can enjoy a light breakfast before meeting your expert guide in front of your hotel.

During the first half of the day, you will travel along Barcelona's most scenic pedestrian walkways and cobbled streets as you admire the famed architecture of Antoni Gaudi. You will spend your morning at the awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site of La Sagrada Familia cathedral. Although just beyond the city's downtown, the luscious parks that surround the church are alive with energy as tourists from around the world flock to the famed building. The facade oozes with melting stone that looks like lava flowing down a hillside. Conic spires make up the building's rooftop, and careful stonework is etched into every archway. The cathedral's interior will take your breath away with its rainbow, stained-glass windows and intricate stone columns. Afterward, you will continue bto the Eixample neighborhood to view two of Gaudi's most famous residence masterpieces: Casa Mila and Casa Batllo. From the building's rooftop, you can see the entire city and the Mediterranean Sea.

In the afternoon, you will break away from city life to sample the most exquisite wines in all of Spain at an idyllic vineyard in Northern Catalonia. Your expert sommelier will lead you through a tasting event where you will experience the finest of Barcelona's wines. Meanwhile, you will pair each glass of wine with regional tapas favorites and a fresh variety of olives. As the sun begins to set, the rolling hills will glow. Your sommelier and expert tour guide will then lead you on a customized tour through the expansive, illustrious vineyard. After your tour, you will then be returned to your luxurious accommodation in Barcelona.

What's Included: accommodation, tour, breakfast

A cool ocean breeze and tranquil melody of crashing waves will beckon you to the coastal town of Sitges today. All year round, Sitges boasts some of the best beach festivals in the region. The town is best known for its towering backdrop of the Parc del Garraf mountains and a downtown that is flanked by opulent mansions. You will feel as if you are among the rich and famous when you descend on this beautiful city.

You will begin your tour of Sitges in the quaint downtown, where you can visit the San Bartholomew Church and the Cau Ferrat Art Museum. Then, you will meander down the iridescent coastline, where vibrant beach towel and striped umbrellas line the picturesque beaches. Grassy hillsides will offer you the perfect family picnic and shady respite, and you can dip your toes into the cool waters at Cala Morisca, which is a hidden bay with beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea.

In the afternoon, you will travel to the Bodegas Guell, where you can experience another authentic Catalan winery and appreciate the whimsical architecture of Antoni Gaudi once more. You will then marvel at the domed chapel and striking angular rooftops that adorn the building. The luscious grounds allow for ample exploration and relaxation, and in the evening, you will venture to the pristine beach that is known as Playa de La Ribera. Here, you will settle in at an exquisite, five-star restaurant for an authentic dinner of freshly-prepared seafood. You can sample dishes like fried octopus and squid as you look out on the fiery horizon.

What's Included: transfer, accommodation, tour, breakfast, dinner

When you travel to the town of Figueres today, you will feel as if you are stepping into a wonderland of intrigue and imagination. Only a 45-minute drive from Girona, this Costa Brava town boasts beautiful architecture and stunning, natural terrain. Here, you will witness the artwork of famed Spanish artist Salvador Dali come to life.

In fact, as you as your private transportation arrives in this charming town, you will be struck by the electric pink hues of the Dali Theatre-Museum, which features the majority of Dali's most famous works. As you approach the museum, you will immediately be reminded of the artist's eccentric style. Large golden eggs sit proudly on the museum's rooftop, and tall green trees line the museum's exterior. Inside, you will find Dali's numerous masterpieces, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures. The location also happens to be the site on which Dali is buried. Later, on your tour throughout the city, you can visit Dali's birth home.

In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit additional city highlights, including the Church of Sant Pere and the Toy Museum of Catalunya. The museum features fascinating depictions of Spanish entertainment throughout the ages, and you will also have the unique opportunity to visit the Castell de Sant Ferran, which is a stunning fortress and castle that dates back to the 18th century. While in use, the castle boasted a remarkable 4,000-person capacity, which was one of the largest in all of Europe. In the evening, you will relax along Figueres' Las Ramblas, where you can indulge in local delicacies and sip on sweet wine.

What's Included: transfer, accommodation, tour, breakfast

The last full day of your trip will lead you to the artistic city of Valencia, where street art bursts around every cobbled street and musicians serenade anyone who will listen. A grassy green parkway winds throughout the city toward the Mediterranean waters, and Central Valencia is always buzzing with shopping districts and a lively bar scene.

In the morning, your guide will lead you to Valencia's famous Central Market, where you will be met by a visually stunning array of olives and cheeses. You can speak with the local vendors who are experts about each type of locally-grown olives. Then, you can try a freshly squeezed fruit juice while you peruse handicrafts and jewelry. Next, you will be provided with a short detour to the City of Arts and Sciences, where you can behold the marvelous designs of local architect, Santiago Calatrava. His stark, futuristic domes and spires shoot into the sky, and large glass side panels reflect the sun and open the space for visitors to observe. You can stroll or bike around the central water basin's perimeter as you breathe in the fresh air.

Later this afternoon, you will return to the city center for dinner at a prestigious, five-star restaurant. Here, under the direction of a world-renowned chef, you will learn to craft one of the most famous staples in Spanish cuisine: paella. This intoxicating blend of rice, vegetables, chicken, seafood, and a sprinkle of saffron will create the best that Spain has to offer. You will mix the ingredients in a traditional iron skillet and cook the rice dish over a hot, open flame. Then, once it has cooked to perfection, you can enjoy the medley with a glass of sangria. You will sit out on the balcony and gaze at the moonlit city as you admire the spectacle of Spain for one last night.

What's Included: transfer, accommodation, tour, breakfast, dinner

On your last day in the city, you will enjoy some leisurely, self-guided time to shop for souvenirs and explore quaint stores, parks, and plazas. You will then return to your hotel, where you will meet private transportation services, who will take you to the airport. As you gaze out the window, you will say your final goodbye to the crashing ocean waves and the opulent architecture of downtown. Sadly, it will now be time to go home.

What's Included: airport transfer, breakfast