Spain’s Culinary Delights: Autumn Food Tour

You will coast along the illustrious shoreline of the Mediterranean as you begin your epic culinary adventure in Spain. Upon your arrival, a private driver will greet and transfer you to your accommodation in the heart of Barcelona. After having some time to settle in to your new surroundings, you can enjoy some time for self-exploration. Later, as the sun begins to set, you can dine along the iconic Las Ramblas boulevard. Here, you can enjoy your first taste of delectable Spanish cuisine.

In the early morning hours, you will meet your expert guide for a custom tour of the city’s highlights, including Bishop's Bridge, Plaza Royal, Plaza de San Felipe Neri, and Antoni Gaudi's famed Sagrada Familia cathedral. Around midday, you will venture to the eclectic neighborhood of Gracia for an authentic paella cooking class. During this experience, you will learn how to marinate seafood, dice vegetables, and sprinkle in a healthy dose of saffron under the direction of a Michelin-starred chef. This evening, you will attend a wine tasting event in the Catalonian countryside.

Culinary intrigue is not limited to the big cities of Spain and is often tucked away in small towns and unassuming villages. Such will be the case when you travel to the lovely Catalan town of Girona. In the early morning, you will board a high-speed train from Barcelona to this culturally-diverse oasis. You will spend the morning beside your expert guide, walking the streets of the famous Jewish Quarter, which is home to one of the world's oldest synagogues. Later, you will venture inside the Arab baths. In the evening, you can sit beside the Gothic Cathedral and indulge in a classic seafood dinner.

Throughout the year, millions of tourists flock to Spain's national capital to experience big city life with a touch of local flavor. A visit to Madrid in the fall will offer you a unique opportunity to appreciate Madrid’s culinary delights and architectural excellence during the city's Architecture Week. In the morning, you will board the high-speed AVE train from Barcelona to Madrid. Upon your arrival in Madrid, you will settle into your accommodation before touring some of Madrid's finest architecture. In the evening, you will divert from the frenzy of downtown Madrid to the trendy bars of Malasana.

Today, you will meet your guide in front of your hotel and visit one of the oldest churrerias in all of Spain. Of course, there's no better way to experience this dough-filled delight than with a traditional cup of Spanish hot chocolate. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a leisurely lunch along Madrid's Plaza Mayor while street performers entertain you with a lively show. At dusk, the same vantage point offers panoramic views of the city by night. In the evening, you can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the magical Parque El Retiro.

It's impossible to experience the full essence of Spanish gastronomy without learning about the deep red saffron spice. Saffron plays an integral role in Spain's beloved paella dish. During late October in Spain, the region of Castilla-La Mancha welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world to celebrate this delightful spice during the annual Saffron Festival. In the early daylight hours, you will travel to the beautiful periwinkle fields for an up-close look at saffron cultivation before a guided demonstration of how to extract the internationally acclaimed spice. In the afternoon, you can witness traditional song and dance.

The final day of your journey will bring you to the mesmerizing coastline of Malaga along Spain's southern edge. You will spend your morning touring the grand Castle of Gibraltar, which is a grand medieval fortress. Nearby, you will discover iconic Spanish tradition as you step inside an authentic bullfighting ring. La Malagueta is also said to have been a major influence for internationally acclaimed artist Pablo Picasso. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a light lunch along the waterfront and partake in some souvenir shopping in downtown Malaga before transferring to the airport for your flight home.