The MICHELIN Stars are on their way – Spain 2015

November sees the air temperatures lowering in Spain, but in the kitchens the heat is definitely  on as mid-month the much anticipated Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2015 is to be presented revealing the Michelin Starred Restaurants for Spain and Portugal for 2015.

This year’s ceremony will be presented from Marbella, on the 19th of November 2014, at the Salón Real of the Hotel Los Monteros.  We’ll keep you updated on the results of the New Michelin 2015 restaurant guide to Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and Portugal, but, in the meantime, there is a lot of speculation around and many chefs hope, not only for extra stars but to hold on to the ones they’ve got!

Joan Roca on tour

Joan Roca on this Summer’s El Celler de Can Roca Tour

Last year saw DiverXO joining the Michelin 3 star restaurants in Spain list bringing the total up to 8. El Portal del Echaurren and M.B. joined the Michelin 2 star restaurants in Spain list bringing the total to 17.  Michelin 1 star restaurants in Spain are rife and the list is long but a total of 20 NEW Michelin 1 stars were awarded to Spain for 2014.

But what’s in store in the Michelin stars restaurant world in Spain for 2015?

Barcelona is still shooting for that 3rd Michelin starred restaurant! Will the talented Jordi Cruz, with his Michelin 2 star restaurant ABaC, produce the goods to give the city of Barcelona its first Michelin 3 star restaurant ?

And, what about Mugaritz in the Basque Country?  Year after year it fails to be recognized with the top Michelin star honor. Seem strange? Well, it has been considered one of the World’s best restaurants since 2006 by the prestigious Restaurant Magazine!

Mugaritz, in the hands of Andoni Luis Aduriz, is currently ranked the sixth best restaurant in the World behind Dinner (London) in 5th place, Eleven Madison Park (New York) in 4th , Osteria Francescana (Modena) in 3rd ,  El Celler de Can Roca (Girona) in 2nd and  Noma (Copenhagen) in the Number 1 spot.

Mugaritz earned the first Michelin star in 2000 and, five years later, in 2005, the prestigious Michelin Guide awarded the second one. Maybe this restaurant is going up in multiples of 5 and now, 10 years since the last Michelin Star, Mugaritz may finally get that 3rd Michelin star!

Paco Pérez, too, is a hopeful for a 3rd Michelin Star as he looks to promote at least one of his Michelin 2 star restaurants by Paco Pérez – Miramar in Llançà and Enoteca in Barcelona – and our bet, shhhhhh, is on Miramar which has been a Michelin 2 star restaurant in Spain since 2010.

lob

In the run-up to the presentation of the Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal 2015 we’ll be showcasing some of the Best Michelin starred Chefs in Spain, if not the World, with our own Pre-Michelin Starred Restaurants 2015 SuperChef Series by Gourmand Breaks – An insight into the world of some of the current Michelin 3 star and Michelin 2 star chefs in Spain!

Here’s a recap of the current Michelin 2 and 3 star restaurants in Spain:

The 8 Wonders of Spain – Michelin 3* restaurants 2014 (in alphabetical order)

Akelarre. Pedro Subijana (Guipúzcoa)

Arzak. Juan Mari Arzak (Guipúzcoa)

Azurmendi. Eneko Atxa (Vizcaya)

DiverXO. David Muñoz (Madrid)

El Celler de Can Roca. Joan Roca (Girona)

Martín Berasategui (Guipúzcoa)

Quique Dacosta (Alicante)

Sant Pau. Carme Ruscalleda (Barcelona province)

 

Michelin 2 Star Restaurants in Spain for 2014 (in alphabetical order):

Abac. Jordi Cruz (Barcelona)

Atrio. Toño Pérez (Cáceres)

Calima. Dani García (Marbella)

Casa Marcial. Nacho Manzano (Asturias)

El Club Allard. María Marte (Madrid)

El Portal. Francis Paniego (La Rioja)

Enoteca. Paco Pérez (Barcelona)

La terraza del Casino. Paco Roncero (Madrid)

Lasarte. Martín Berasategui. (Barcelona)

Les Cols. Fina Puigdevall (Girona)

M.B. Martín Berasategui (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)

Miramar. Paco Pérez (Girona)

Moments. Raül Balam (Barcelona)

Mugaritz. Andoni Luis Aduriz (Guipuzcoa)

Ramón Freixa (Madrid)

Santceloni. Óscar Velasco (Madrid)

Sergi Arola Gastro (Madrid)

We’ll keep you posted with the results of the Michelin Guide Spain 2015 on the 19th ! In the meantime, we’ll be running our pre- Michelin Stars Spain Super Series – An insight into some of the best Michelin 3 star and 2 star chefs in Spain, by Gourmand Breaks.   “Bon Appetite!” and Good Luck chefs!!

 

With Spanish Chefs taking the World by storm, now is the time to visit Spain with 10% of the World’s Best Restaurants and numerous Michelin starred Restaurants!  On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain.  Contact us for your personalized quote.

 

Panellets – Traditional Fall Spanish Recipe

Leaves are changing color, the nights are closing early, pumpkins are being carved and windows are being adorned with spiders webs and ghouls. But, Halloween, in Spain, won’t consist of “trick or treaters” knocking at your door! In fact only in recent years has Halloween started to dominate the shops in Spain and in a few more years will probably become as big as in the U.S and the U.K.

Halloween, October 31st,  is All Saint’s Eve and in Catalonia, Spain,  it is All Saints Day, November 1st, which is the day that is celebrated.

All Saints is a time to be with the family,  by the fire and recounting stories, eating chestnuts and sweet potatoes and a day to visit your departed ones in the cementery.  A traditional delicacy for All Saints Day are the sweet “panellets” and here below is a Traditional Spanish Recipe of step by step Panellets for you to try at home!

Various Panellets

Panellets, Catalan for “little breads,” are a traditional dessert served in Catalonia, Spain, on All Saints Day, November 1st.  To serve in traditional Catalan style, drink some Spanish cava (Spanish champagne) or moscatel with them.

Ingredients for Traditional Spanish style Panellets Recipe (Servings: 32):

  • 1 lb. ground almonds
  • 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 -1 cup water
  • 1 small potato
  • grated peel of 1 lemon
  • 3-4 drops lemon juice

 

Topping for Traditional Spanish style Panellets Recipe:
  • pine nuts (and egg whites if using)
  • sweetened cocoa powder
  • candied fruit

 

Flavourings for Traditional Spanish style Panellets Recipe:
  • instant coffee powder
  • coconut flakes
  • cinnamon

 

Method for Traditional Spanish style Panellets Recipe:

Blanch almonds, then grind in a food processor into a fine dust.

Peel potato, cut into quarters and boil until cooked. Drain the water and mash with a fork.

Place sugar in a medium saucepan with ½ cup of water and heat over a medium flame until sugar is dissolved (pour more water in if necessary). Then bring to a boil, stirring often.

Add 3-4 drops of lemon juice. Lower heat and simmer until mixture is a thick syrup.

After removing the pan from the heat, use a large wooden spoon to gradually stir in the ground almonds, cooked potato and grated lemon peel. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate overnight.

Pre-heat the oven to 380 ºF  and grease cookie sheets. Spoon out the dough with a teaspoon and roll into small balls with your palms. Then roll the balls in powdered cocoa or whole pine nuts. Before using pine nuts, brush each with a bit of egg white. Put on greased cookie sheet.

You can add flavor to the mixture if you want by separating a portion of the dough with your hands and working in a bit of instant coffee flakes, candied fruit or cinnamon. Then roll back up into individual balls.

Bake just long enough to brown the pine nuts, usually about 4 minutes. Remove the panellets immediately using a spatula before they cool and stick to the cookie sheet.

Panellets

Not just for All Saint’s Day, these warm, squishy sweets are especially comforting during the cold and crisp days of fall – that’s why we always stop to try some in our favorite Barcelona pastry shops on our Barcelona food and Wine Weekend Tour.

World’s Best Restaurants of 2014 – TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards

It seems we could dedicate our whole blog just to the Roca Brothers and their restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca, in Girona, Spain.  These boys do not stop with their award-winning perfection and this time, it’s the World’s Best Restaurants of 2014 – TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.

germans_roca

TripAdvisor, the world travel reference for many, has announced its annual Travelers’ Choice awards and in the best restaurants around the world category, Michelin 3* restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, in Girona, Spain is in 1st place!!  This year they beat off over 350 fine dining establishments, worldwide, to take the Number One spot for their “sublime” (a word we hear frequently from diners there) cuisine.

El Celler de Can Roca, run by 3 Catalan brothers, is currently ranked, by Restaurant Magazine, as the second best restaurant in the World (Nº1 in 2013) on their acclaimed World’s Best Restaurants for 2014 list.  At the same awards ceremony, held in London back in April, Jordi Roca not only celebrated the restaurants’ success with his brothers, Joan and Josep, he was also crowned The World’s Best Pastry Chef.

Jordi Roca

But, apart from El Celler de Can Roca, in Girona, at Nº1,  2 other Spanish restaurants feature in the Top 10 list of the World’s Best Restaurants of 2014 – TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards:

CLUB ALLARD

El Club Allard, in Madrid, at Nº6.

This now Michelin 2 star restaurant started life as a private club in 1998, but opened its doors to the public in 2007.

 

 

Martín Berasategui

Martín Berasategui, in Lasarte – San Sebastián, at Nº10.

This Michelin 3* restaurant is also ranked   35th in the acclaimed World’s Best 50 Restaurants List compiled by Restaurant Magazine.

 

Special mention should also be made to DiverXO in Madrid, awarded 15th place in the World’s Best Restaurants of 2014 – TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. Groundbreaking chef David Muñoz is on the rise and received the 3rd Michelin Star for DiverXO when the NEW Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2014 was presented last November. Madrid’s only Michelin 3 star restaurant DiverXO was then awarded 94th place in the acclaimed World’s 50 (well 100) Best Restaurants Awards List of 2014.

 

The Top 10 World’s Best Restaurants of 2014 – TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners are:

  • 1.   El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain
  • 2.   Midsummer House, Cambridge, England
  • 3.   Maison Lameloise, Chagny, France (last year’s winner)
  • 4.   The French Café, Auckland, New Zealand
  • 5.   Alinea, Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • 6.   El Club Allard, Madrid, Spain
  • 7.   Epicure, Paris, France
  • 8.   Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, Great Milton, England
  • 9.   Le Gavroche, London, England
  • 10. Martin Berasategui, San Sebastian, Spain

 

Spain is the country with the most restaurants featured in the list of the 25 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners with a total of 4! The UK, France and the USA each feature 3 restaurants. Argentina and Denmark are presented by 2 restaurants each, while Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Greece, South Africa, China and Hungary each have 1.

The TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winners are based on the TripAdvisor travelers’ community and the millions of unbiased reviews and opinions received over a 12month timeframe. The procedure evaluates the quantity and quality of the  reviews that worldwide restaurants receive on TripAdvisor.

With Spanish Chefs taking the World by storm, yet again, now is the time to visit Spain with some of the World’s Best Restaurants and numerous Michelin stars!  On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Catalonia, Madrid and The Basque Country.  Contact us for your personalized quote.

 

The Boys are Back in Town !!

Rock Stars tour World stadiums and artists exhibit in International galleries so why shouldn’t Super-chefs get out and about and spread their art, knowledge, creativity and expertise. This is exactly what happened on the The Roca & Roll World Tour 2014!

Roca Brothers on Tour

Foto courtesy of BBVA Celler Tour : http://www.bbvacellertour.com/en/home/

The month of August saw Michelin 3* restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, Girona – Spain, close its doors. But the Boys (Joan, Josep and Jordi) weren’t soaking up the sun on the beach for the Summer holidays, they were on a Cooking Tour Experience for 5 weeks!

Along with the collaboration of the financial group BBVA, the Roca brothers, and the restaurant’s exquisitely trained chefs and team, headed first to the United States, to Houston and Dallas, before going south to the Mexican cities of Monterrey and Mexico City, followed by Bogotá, Colombia and ending in Lima, Peru.

A tour about spreading knowledge but also of aquiring it.  The best local talent and products were sought out to prepare the four different menus designed specifically for each country culminating in nearly 50,000 dishes for 2,700 BBVA customers and guests over the four countries.

Celler de Can Roca

But, home is where the heart is and The (Roca) Boys are Back in Town (Girona) and Michelin 3* restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca, has opened its doors again.

Not that you need proof that they’re back, but, we had some guests have lunch there last week and these are their words :

” ….. would you believe that we have just left the restaurant after 4 and a half hours of eating!!! It was a once in a lifetime experience. The food was magically displayed with a global concept for each course. Impeccable service.‎ We were fortunate to speak with Joan Roca at the end of our adventure. What a day! “

Join us on a Private Food and Wine Tour of Spain to include the Emporda region, North of Barcelona, like our Highlights of Spain Luxury Tour, and you too could have the opportunity to dine at El Celler de Can Roca. But, be warned, this fantastic Michelin 3 * restaurant has a waiting list longer than its capacity!

Wine Regions of Portugal – Map

Heading to Portugal and want to visit some of the great wine areas?  Here’s an easy and straight forward map of  The Wine Regions of Portugal,  courtesy of “Wines of Portugal”, to point you in the right direction.

Join us on a Private Tour of Portugal (or a combined tour with Spain) like our  Luxury Tour of Portugal – Wine and Culture  to experience the beautiful Douro Valley, among others, to enjoy winery visits and tastings as well as a relaxing picnic in a vineyard and a cruise along the Douro River.

More info about Portuguese wine on the Wines of Portugal website 

San Sebastián – Food, Films and Fun!

Everyone loves the glitz and glamour of a Film Festival and even more in a beautiful city that lights up the sky! Spain is no exception and ‘Lights! Camera! Action!’ San Sebastián – Donostia – will host The 62nd San Sebastián Film Festival!

San Sebastian - Donostia - Spain

There are more International Film Festivals in the World than you may realize, but what about specifically in Europe? We, the general public, off the top of our heads can name the “biggies” like Cannes, France, one of the world’s oldest, most influential and prestigious festivals – it came and went in May, or maybe Berlin, Germany, the 64th Festival came and went in February and obviously Venice, Italy.

The 71st Venice International Film Festival is in the Silver Screen’s Eye right now!!  It is filling the airwaves, and print, with up to the minute movie and A-list celebrity news.  Cheek to cheek Hollywood stars are boat and gondola ridden in the fantastically isolated Venetian atomosphere until the end of next weekend.

But, what next? Where do the lights, camera and action go after Venice? and if we say Spain! What do you know?

San Sebastián Film Festival 2014

From the 19th to the 27th of September 2014 in San Sebastián – Donostia – all Hollywood shining stars and cinema going buffs eyes will be on Spain!!!  San Sebastian, or Donostia in the Euskera language, is in the Basque Country of Spain and is famous for it’s ‘La Concha’ scalloped bay, great gastronomy, friendly people and leisurely pace.

The San Sebastián Film Festival was established in 1953 in San Sebastián (Donostia) in the Spanish Basque country. The Film Festival is a minor event in the film calendar compared to Venice, Cannes, Toronto and London, but still holds some clout and is celebrity A-List worthy. The San Sebastián Film Festival has seen attendance by many great actors and directors over the years such as Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Roman Polanski, Michael Douglas, Mel Gibson and Brad Pitt to name but a very few!  It has been acknowledged by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations) as an A category festival and considered one of the most important in Europe.

Next month, Denzel Washington will be opening the 62nd San Sebastián Film Festival with the European premiere of “The Equalizer”, a film directed by Antoine Fuqua.  The actor and the director will be presenting the film at the festival on the 19th of September 2014.

During the opening gala, of The San Sebastián Film Festival, the star of the film, Denzel Washington, will be presented with the Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award.  This prestigious prize is an honorary award given each year during The San Sebastián Film Festival to one or several actors and occasionally to directors.  Past winners include:  Gregory Peck (1986), Bette Davis (1989), Lauren Bacall (1992), Al Pacino (1996), Anthony Hopkins, Jeanne Moreau and John Malkovich (1998), Michael Caine and Robert de Niro (2000), Meryl Streep and Antonio Banderas (2008), Glenn Close (2011) and last years winners Hugh Jackman and Carmen Maura.

The San Sebastián Film Festival has seen many premiers over the years, such as “Melinda and Melinda” by Woody Allen and the European premier of “Star Wars” and also been paramount in the advancement of directors such as Polanski, Coppola and Almodóvar.

Pintxo

San Sebastián may glitter each September with Celebrities for the Film Festival but Michelin Stars shine brightly in and around the city all year with the likes of Akelarre ***, Arzak ***, Martín Berasategui *** and Mugaritz **.  But, away from the Michelin starred restaurants San Sebastián’s  famous ‘Pintxo’ culture finds bars packed with tourists and locals as they hop for a bite from one bar to the next. San Sebastián is a culinary dream whenever you visit !!!

We’re not going to lie to you – hotel rates are sky high during The San Sebastián Film Festival but if you’re not bothered about snapping A-list celebs, then this Basque Country city is a great place to visit any time of year.  Enjoy San Sebastián’s leisurely pace, friendly people and fantastic food on our Best of Barcelona and the Basque Country Gourmet Tour, you won’t be disappointed!

 

Pollo al Ajillo – Garlic Chicken – Traditional Spanish Recipe

This quick and easy classic Spanish dish is not only finger-lickin’ tasty but can be adapted to suit your tastes.  Not a fan of sherry? Then add white wine instead! Like a bit of spicy? Then add some paprika or chilli!

Pollo al Ajillo – Chicken sautéed with Garlic – A Traditional Spanish Recipe

Pollo al Ajillo - Garlic chicken

Ingredients for Pollo al Ajillo Traditional Spanish Recipe : Makes 12 tapas or 6 main dishes.

  • 900g/2lb chicken wings or a whole chicken cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt & pepper
  • 1 head garlic (about 12 cloves)
  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 120ml/4 fl oz dry or medium-dry sherry
  • Chopped parsley

Method for Pollo al Ajillo Traditional Spanish Recipe :

Cut off the wing tips and discard (or save them if you’re making stock).

Divide each wing into two and sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.

Lightly smash the garlic cloves to split the skins, but do not peel them.

Heat the oil in a deep frying pan or anearthenware casserole.

Add the chicken pieces and garlic to the oil and sauté very slowly.

When the chicken pieces are browned on all sides, add the bay leaf and sherry.

Continue cooking until the liquid is reduced and the chicken begins to sizzle again.

Serve hot garnished with chopped parsley.

If serving as a main meal why not accompany with salad and crusty bread.

 

Learn to cook tasty local dishes with an excellent in situ chef as part of your Private Luxury Tour.  Our  wonderful Spanish Cooking and Wine Tour takes you into the world of Spanish Cuisine and Spanish Wine  …….. the best way to learn about Spain!

Penedes Wine Region, Spain – Visit Vines and Taste Wines

Looking to escape the bustling city for the day while you’re staying in Barcelona ? Then why not get out into the country and include the Penedes Wine Region in your custom-built tour itinerary, where you will Visit Vines, Taste Wines and enjoy an excellent local lunch overlooking the vineyards of the Penedes Wine Region of Spain.

Here’s what you can expect on your exclusively Private Penedes Wine Day :

Our friendly chauffeur will collect you this morning from your Barcelona hotel  and whisk you away in his luxury vehicle to the Penedes wine region of Spain.

You will start your day with an unforgettable visit to an exceptional Vineyard, owned by one family since 1790 and situated in the heart of the Penedés wine region of Spain. A bilingual in-house expert will take you on a private tour of the vineyards, which have been ecologically cultivated for more than 300 years. It is no wonder their wines have been officially certified as “ecological-organic” since 2004. You will be amazed at how the “intervention” of bees, sheep, and lunar phases can help create such outstanding wines. What’s more, the grapes in this vineyard are all hand picked to ensure harvest at the ideal time for each vine.

Back at the cellar, the in-house oenologist will proudly show you the entire wine making process and finally guide you through a complete tasting of an array of ecological and organic varieties of wines and cavas. Additionally, the vineyard owners make their own olive oil, and they will gladly explain to you the process and properties of this “liquid gold” while you enjoy a tasting, accompanied by local bread.

Surely after this intense vineyard morning visit you will be ready to be treated to a fine lunch of delicious local home-made cooking at an elegant, yet cozy restaurant located in a charming typical Penedes village with magnificent views to the Montserrat mountains. Enjoy delicious Catalan cuisine with superior presentation, accompanied with fine wines from the surrounding vineyards.

In the afternoon, your venture will take you to a very well known cava cellar in Spain and one the most important vineyards in the Penedes Wine Region. The owner was born into a dynasty of tailors and musicians but went into the world of cava at a very young age, a world that turned into his profession and his passion. Pioneering, passionate and tireless, he created the first wine analysis laboratory in the industry, managed important wineries in the Penedès region and set up his own cava winery in 1950.

The top-quality sparkling Spanish wines, made by this Penedes winery, use the traditional method of making Champagne but with a blend of the classic Penedes region grape varieties of Macabeo, Xarel·lo, Parellada. They only produce Reserva and Gran Reserva vintage cavas here because it’s the long ageing that creates the complex bouquet and fine bubbles of the cavas. You will have a private visit with an in-house bi-lingual wine specialist and will enjoy the beautiful masia and grounds, as well as the underground stone cellars and several private tastings!

Sit back and relax now, as your chauffeur will return you to Barcelona after your wonderful Penedes Wine day.

 

Explore the Penedes Wine Region of Spain on one of our great Private Wine Tours.  

Our Extensive Grand Wine Tour of Spain and France is an incredible private wine tour covering top wine regions in Spain & France, including Ribera del Duero, La Rioja, Bordeaux, Priorat and Penedes. With time in between to explore the wonders of Madrid, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Carcassonne, Emporda and Barcelona, this truly all encompassing private wine tour also provides a smattering of culture, delightful accommodation and an opportunity to sample the differing foods of the regions.

Fascinating Facts – Barcelona, Spain

Park Guell, Gaudi Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia in Spain

Barcelona is situated in the North East of Spain, on the Mediterranean coast

Barcelona city has a population of around 1.7 million people

The country dialing code is 0034 and the Barcelona prefix is 91

The official currency is the Euro. Before the Euro was introduced the Peseta was used

The official language of Spain is Spanish although in 1975 the official language of Barcelona was declared Catalan

Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city, behind Spain’s capital Madrid

The most walked along street in Spain is in Barcelona. Each hour an approximate 3500 pedestrians walk down Portal d’Angel

The most famous street in Barcelona is Las Ramblas – 5 boulevards making up 1 – which starts at Plaça de Cataluya and 2kms later ends at the Columbus monument

Barcelona hosted the Olympic Games in 1992

Before 1992 Barcelona had no beaches for public and local use. The area was purely industrial but after redevelopment 7 beaches are now in use along 4.5kms of coastline

Barcelona Port is the no 4 worldwide and is Europe and the Mediterranean’s leading cruise port.  2.6 million passengers embarked or disembarked in Barcelona in 2013

Surprisingly Barcelona city has no Michelin 3 star restaurants although there are many Michelin 2 and 1 stars.

Barcelona’s world famous Football Club – F.C Barcelona – is nicknamed the ‘Blaugrana’ after the colors they most commonly wear namely blue (blau) and maroon (grana)

F.C Barcelona is also represented in other sports such as Basketball, Handball and Hockey

Antoni Gaudí was Barcelona’s most famous architect and 7 of his works have been declared UNESCO world heritage sites

Gaudí’s most famous Sagrada Familia was started in 1882 and is still being built today long after his death in 1926

The patron saint of Barcelona is the Virgin of Mercy. The day is declared a bank holiday and La Mercè festivities are held on (and during the week of) the 24th of September.

Many of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural tours include stays in Barcelona to discover this fantastic city via private tours and/or giving you free time for your own sightseeing.

What to see in Granada, Spain? – The Alhambra!

The Alhambra – gardens, fortifications and sumptuous palaces – was home to many Arab Sultans who ruled the whole province over the years.  Stretched along the top of the hill known as La Sabika, the Alhambra is the stuff of fairy tales.  From outside, its red fortress towers and walls appear plain, yet imposing, as they rise from cypress and elm woods, with the Sierra Nevada forming a magnificent backdrop.

Alhambra Granada

The Alhambra was originally constructed as a small fortress in 889 AD and was then largely ignored until its ruins were renovated and rebuilt in the mid-11th century by Moorish king Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar who built the current palace and walls.

Later, in 1333, it was converted into a royal palace by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada and in 1527 Charles V, demolished part of the architectural complex to build the palace which bears his name. With each new section that was added the consistent theme of “paradise on earth” was followed. Column arcades, fountains with running water, and reflecting pools were used to add to the aesthetic and functional intricacy. In each case, the exterior was left plain and austere.

After being allowed to fall into disrepair for centuries, the Alhambra was rediscovered in the 19th century by European scholars and travelers, with restorations commencing.

Today, the Alhambra is one of Spain’s major tourist attractions, exhibiting the country’s most significant and well known Islamic architecture, together with 16th-century, and later Christian, building and garden interventions.

Alhambra

The Generalifepalace and gardens were built during the 14th century. Originally the palace was linked to the Alhambra by a covered walkway across the ravine that now divides them.  The garden areabecame a place of recreation and rest for the Muslim kings when they wanted to flee the tedium of official Palace life and is one of the oldest surviving Moorish gardens.

In 1984, the Alhambra and the Generalife were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In 2007, the Alhambra was a finalist to be included as one the NEW 7 Wonders of the World

Join us on a Private Cultural Tour of Spain like our Majestic Madrid and Authentic Andalucia to fully appreciate the splendor of the Great Granada Alhambra , as well as Madrid, Ronda, Cordoba and Toledo.