Spanish Culinary, Wine & Cultural Tours
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Food & Wine Tours
Costa Brava Tour; Indulge in Local Food & Wine
Itinerary | Features | Prices | Travel Options
Highlights of your unforgettable visit include:
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Accommodations in an authentic Spanish villa in the countryside, as well in an authentic stone Castle from the 13th century
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Gourmet cooking lesson with Spanish chef followed by a 3-course meal with wine
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Tours of a charming fishing village, Dali's Museum, a 13th century castle, medieval towns, Girona's old Jewish Quarter and the oldest rice mill in Europe
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A day visit to a local winery including a tour of cellars and vineyards, and complete with wine tasting
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A fine luxury dining experience at a 3-star Michelin Restaurant complete with wine pairings
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You will start your vacation with airport pickup by your guide and transport to check-in to an authentic and luxurious Spanish villa owned by a local Catalan couple. In your room you will find a welcome gift including fruits and chocolate. You and your guide will share a welcome cocktail where you will receive an itinerary of your personalized tour, a map, and plenty of suggestions of restaurants and activities for free time. You will have the afternoon free to get to know this alluring villa, which dates back to medieval times. Perhaps you will sip cava (Spanish Champagne) out by the pool in the breeze of the Mediterranean climate as you imagine the villa you are staying in as a once-upon-a-time refuge for bandits, but in a different time period of course!
This morning will start with an assortment of local products for a traditional Catalan breakfast. Afterwards, you will head to the city of Girona where the influence of Arab, Christian and Jewish cultures is apparent. From the remains of the Arab baths, to the magnificent Catholic cathedral, to the curiosities of the Jewish Quarter, you will explore all three cultures and see where they resided within the walls of this city centuries ago. You will wind through the narrow streets and stoned walls of the Gothic Jewish Quarter and encounter little shops, cafes and medieval homes that families have passed down through the generations.
After working up an appetite in the city, you will be treated to a true Catalan dining experience at a famed 3 Michelin starred restaurant owned by three Catalan brothers. Local recipes are the inspiration for the exquisite dishes served here. Chef Joan has adopted these traditional recipes and in combination with the freshest local produce and a little innovation, he creates memorable Catalan dishes. The enthusiasm and creativity of Chef Joan in his cooking is only matched by sommelier Josep's expertise at pairing the perfect wines with your dinner. Both of them are also complemented by their third brother, Jordi's, delightful desserts. From the aperitif to the dessert, you will remember this dining experience for years to come!
You will have the afternoon siesta time to relax at the villa, and then you will head to the medieval village of Besalú just 5 minutes away from your villa, renowned for its beauty and the 12th century Roman bridge that once was necessary to adjoin this small village to land. Here you will explore this ancient city before returning to your cozy villa hotel and spending a relaxing evening after your busy day.
A visit to an excellent vineyard with a long tradition of wine making, beginning in the 14th century by Carmelite monks, is the first activity of the day. Your visit will start with a stroll along the beautiful vineyards, where our expert will show you the local vine and soil types and describe the unique factors of Catalan geography contributing to the development of Emporda wines. You will visit the cellar and learn about the wine making techinques; afterwards you will cross the lane to a 13th century Romanesque Castle, which is home to an ancient wine press and current wine making facilities. The Gran Claustre cava or Grand Cloister cava, which is the finest cava available at this vineyard, is a cava that is still fermented with the same process and in the same location in which the Carmelite monks of the 14th century used to prepare it in their monastery. This cava was selected in a blind tasting between the world’s finest champagnes to be served at the wedding in 2004 of the Spanish Prince Felipe. You will finish your visit with a tasting of their best cavas and wines, including of course, the Gran Claustre.
For lunch, you will be the special guest of a local Catalan chef at his modern, but still cozy, cooking school, just 15 min. drive from Perelada. You and a representative of Gourmand Breaks who will translate, will join him for an afternoon of modern tapas, inspired by Dali, paella and wine in Catalan style! You will have the opportunity to participate in the chef’s preparations or, if you prefer, you can sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy his cooking from aperitif to dessert. Our chef appears frequently on local TV and has a charming personality, so feel free to ask him everything you would like to know about the Spanish cuisine!
Following lunch, we will see Dali's museum in Figueres. The great artist personally oversaw its reconstruction and renovation and it is home to some of his greatest surrealistic works. It is a very interactvive museum and with Dali's personality and fondness for "off the wall" art, it is an absolute must-see. And also, take into account the rarity of Dali building his own museum for his own works of art! The north wind that blows through this town typically has greater amounts of oxygen in it and is called “tramuntana”. After visiting Dali’s museum, you will have to decide for yourself if the “tramuntana” brings out the “creativity” in its recipients!
This morning your Guide will take you to visit two of the most exclusive beaches on the Costa Brava - Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc - where Barcelona’s fashionable spend their weekends. You will have ample opportunities to walk along the pristine seashore, take in the sun from a patio, or have a drink in the Mediterranean breeze. Afterwards you will visit Pals, one of the best-preserved medieval villages in all of Spain! As you walk through the narrow village streets, next to the city walls, towers and churches, you will feel as though you have walked into a new time altogether. The stone archways, cobblestone streets and wrought balconies adorned with flowers create a welcoming feel in this Romanesque village. In the surrounding area are rich rice fields, where locals grow the key ingredient of their paella. We can arrange a brief tour of the oldest rice mill in all of Europe for you, before visiting a lovely restaurant that is famous for its rice. Situated in the center of a medieval village, the restaurant gives you the perfect opportunity to taste the authentic seafood paella coupled with wine in an authentic Catalan setting.
In the afternoon we will transfer to your new home for the next 3 nights - an authentic Spanish medieval castle, an architectural jewel that was built eight centuries ago. This leisurely evening will be spent getting acquainted with the grounds of the castle, exploring the hundred-year-old forest and a splendid olive orchard surrounding the hotel, overlooking the hills of the picturesque Emporda countryside, and enjoying all the amenities of your fairy tale residence before enjoying a romantic dinner by candlelight. Or maybe you would prefer to explore the picturesque seaside fishermen's villages a short drive away? The choice is yours, our guide is at your disposal with suggestions for optional excursions, if you like.
After a delightful breakfast castle hotel, the picturesque fisherman village of Cadaqués awaits you! The town is known for its breathtaking beauty and history of famous Bohemian artists, including Dali. You will notice the artistic influence on this town as it is apparent in the lingering feel of the laidback and creative atmosphere. You will visit the summer seaside home of Dali, complete with his works and arrangement of rooms, where ou can have a glimpse into his life.
Next, you will follow in his footsteps as you dine on a delightful lunch in one of the charming local haunts of the artist. The fresh fish and seafood of this seaside village will be enjoyed in the same places the locals enjoy it. You will experience the atmosphere of this town in an authentic way as you try a few of the locals’ favorite seafood dishes.
After a rest at your castle hotel and an afternoon to yourself to spend at your leisure, you will be rejuvenated and ready for the fine Mediterranean cuisine of the romantic, charming hotel restaurant where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a lovely candlelit dinner before your journey home. You can maybe start with a pica pica - a selection of small portions of local delicacies such as seafood and Iberian ham, then follow with the excellent local fish and the famous house pear tatin dessert. All this paired with some of the best local wines and cavas to make this a truly unique Mediterranean dining experience.
Our tour concludes with a lovely breakfast at your castle hotel, followed by a transfer to Barcelona for your departure.
We hope you join us for this unforgettable experience.
Your Costa Brava Tour; Indulge in Local Food & Wine includes:top
- Accommodation for 3 nights in a charming hotel in a restored medieval stone masia (double occupancy)
- Accommodation for 2 nights in an authentic 13th Century stone castle converted into design 4 star hotel (double occupancy)
- 5 full breakfasts
- Assistance of English speaking expert culinary guide/driver as noted in the itinerary
- All transfers in luxury vehicle
- All culinary, cultural visits and tastings indicated in the itinerary
- 1 private cooking class followed by lunch with wines
- 2 lunches including wine in local restaurants
- 1 gastronomic menu married with wines in a famed 3-star Michelin restaurant
- Online Personal Travel Webpage including daily itinerary, general local information, details of places of interest, suggestions for restaurant reservations, and your free time, etc
- Customized Travel Journal, including the information from your Personal Travel Webpage, which you can take with you to use as a reference throughout your tour
- Travel Insurance
Your Costa Brava Tour; Indulge in Local Food & Wine does not include:
- Flights
- Meals and Drinks not Specified
- Personal Expenses such as Telephone, Minibar, etc
- Tips and Gratuities (Restaurants, etc)
- Cancellation Insurance
Costa Brava Tour; Indulge in Local Food & Wine dates:
Available upon request all year round.
Costa Brava Tour; Indulge in Local Food & Wine Prices:
Please note our tours are available for PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY and are not scheduled tours for mixed groups.
The tour price varies depending on the Travel Option you choose. Please click on the option which suits you best in order to request a quotation.
In order to find out more about Gourmand Breaks' Travel Options, please Click Here
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