Catalonia’s peaceful fishing villages

Well, of course, we know what a finely preserved treasure Catalonia is-we’ve dedicated our careers to it! But just in case you need an outside opinion to elaborate on the subject, the New York Times (we’re fans of this publication too) put out a wonderful article one weekend about the quiet aquamarine shores of Catalonia’s peaceful fishing villages. You can read it here and browse its lovely slideshow here.

The quiet villages it references–Cadaqués, Pals, Empuries-are important pieces of our private Spanish culinary  tours because they do much more than give our clients a truly relaxing spot to vacation: They give our clients an opportunity to really savor a centuries-old culture undisturbed by the unfortunate overdevelopment that plagues so many other areas in Spain. From the bucolic scenery of farms and vineyards near Pals to the clear tropical-blue shorelines of real fishing villages, you are able to take advantage of the best in traditional Catalan cuisine, wine and personal hospitality.

Browse all of our tours through this area

The Sardana- Traditional Catalan Dance

Every Sunday, Catalans gather outside in their city’s plaza to do Catalonia’s centuries-old national dance, the Sardana. It’s a very sweet patriotic dance we are quite enchanted by.  The most recently we observed sardanas it was when we were in a charming little medieval town called Besalu. Older Catalans are especially proud of doing it because the Spanish dictator Franco, a fascist who ruled from the 1930s until 1977, made it against the law for Catalans to speak their own language or do the sardana on Sundays. This dance is just one testament to the strong pride and energy Catalans Read more

Catalan Castellers

One of the most entertaining things to watch at the town festivals going on all over Catalonia, Spain,  from May to October are the castellers, or human castle builders, at work.  A tradition since groups around Tarragona started it in the 1800s, teams of castellers from all over Catalonia participate in competitions to see how fast, how tall or how big they can make their castles. Their size ranges from the most common—about 6-8 stories tall—to even more suspenseful heights and sizes in which daredevil athletes risk a dangerous collapse.

Who needs bulls running in the streets when these strapping Catalans can flex their macho muscles without them?As devoted admirerers of this local tradition, we always take our guests to see them, if available, during our private Food Wine & Cultural Tours 

Tarragona

Once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, the seaside city of Tarragona in Spain still has a captivating amount of archeological finds. An amphitheater where gladiators made shows of courage and strength, a circus where legendary chariot races took place, museum of artifacts and archeological passage give visitors a fabulous setting to envision the ancient empire that once thrived here.

After enriching yourself with these archeological destinations, you can relax at the beach, an atmospheric fisherman’s quarter called El Serralló or go shopping on one the city´s wide avenues. If you feel like visiting a relaxing hidden treasure, Altafulla is a quaint seaside city near Tarragona with boutique hotels and quiet seashores to walk along.

Tarragona is an archeological treasure and we have included the city in our Luxury Wineries Tour of Spain   which includes gourmet cooking classes, excursions to Medieval villages and private tours of some of the most exclusive wineries in the area.

Costa Brava: Cadaqués

Cadaques: breathtaking sceneryAuthentic fisherman village in the Costa Brava

Fisherman arranging nets in their boats, Coffee, paella and crema catalana awaiting customers in white-washed buildings accented with brilliant blue hues. Children playing in soft waves lapping up on the shore. Painters still at work outside on the street. Feel such visions combine in the unforgettable atmosphere of what was once a haven for Salvador Dali here in Cadaqués.

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The Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

The monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is one of the most important of all Catalan Romanesque sites. Perched high on a hillside overlooking the Gulf of Léon, the setting is as impressive as the ruined walls and towers themselves.   The first written record of the monastery dates back Read more

Spanish Olive Oil- The Best in The World!

Spain is known world wide for its excellent quality olive oil and is actually the greatest producer in the world,  for its oil quality is unsurpassable.

Spanish olive oil contains no additives, colorants, flavorings or any other foreign matter and is obtained by decantation, centrifusion and filtration, its quality depends on several factors, Read more

Easter Processions in Catalonia, Northern Spain

Easter procession in Girona

Easter processions have been a tradition in Girona ever since 1566. Experience Easter in Catalunya, Northern Spain with a Luxury Food & Wine Tour of the Costa Brava.  Commencing near to the cathedral on Good Friday at 10pm it continues throughout the Old Town. Suffering and Death, accompanied with disharmonic music, have something to them that reminds the spectator of Verdi’s The Power of Fate. All penitents are traditionally clad in hooded cloaks with small peepholes for the eyes. Thus, nobody can be recognized and anonymity is guaranteed since penance is a private affair.  There are a number of different fraternities and they can be told apart by the different colours of their cloaks. Some pennants are also carrying big crosses made of wood and richly adorned altars. Standing on the latter, there are life-size figurines of Saints and different sceneries re-enacting the Sufferings of Christ, which are called Pasos procesionales. Chief Executive or factory worker, this day, it makes no difference. There is mystic, there is religion and there is mere Read more

Easter Traditions in Catalunya, Spain “La Mona de Pasqua”

LENT IS OVER! And we foodies celebrate it!!! Each country, each region has its own particular way and here in Catalonia every Monday of Easter, godfathers give to their godsons these special cake and chocolate compositions. Cake shops show all kind of Monas (that’s how they are called) and after a good lunch families eat them! Every single piece is edible, including the dolls and chicks which are usually made out of marzipan.  Experience delicious food in Spain with a Luxury Tour.

Originally, the tradition started as a symbol of the beginning of spring and abundance. The first Monas were made of a spongy cake with chocolate, egg and llonganissa (like a dry chorizo but not as red and spicy). The word Mona comes from the Arab word Munna which means “food you get to your mouth”. But nowadays in Catalonia you can see all kind of funny compositions though the original design, which always shows at least none egg, still exists.

Traditionally, the Godfather would give the Mona to the godson after the Sunday Mass and then on Monday the whole family and friends would eat it at home, preceded by some grilled rabbit or paella and lots of wine.

Mona de Pascua Traditional Spanish Recipe

TRADITOINAL SPANISH MONA DE PASCUA….EASTER CAKE

Ingredients for Traditional Spanish Mona de Pascua

For the Sponge

  • 4 eggs
  • 150g of Sugar
  • 150g of flour
  • 20g of ground almonds
  • 5g of yeast
  • 2 beaten egg whites
  • 50g of butter

For the Filling

  • 300g of Peach Jam (or any other rich tasting fruit jam)

To Garnish

  • 250g of dark chocolate
  • 125g of butter

Instructions for traditional Spanish Mona de Pascua 

1) Beat the eggs and sugar together in a bowl

2) Mix the flour and yeast together in a separate bowl

3) Gradually add the mixture of flour and yeast through a sieve (to avoid creating any lumps) to the egg and sugar mixture

4) Stir constantly while adding the ground almonds

5) Whisk the egg whites in a separate bowl until they form peaks

6) Once they are half whisked, add 50g of sugar, once whisked blend in with the flour and egg mixture

7) Turn the final mix out into a greased and flour sprinkled mould

8 ) Place in the oven at 180 ºC for about 40-45 minutes

9) Remove the sponge, allow to cool, cut in half and spread with the jam filling

10) Finally, stir and melt the chocolate and butter together, cover the sponge with the chocolate and allow to cool. Why not try adding your own final touch, some decorated or coloured eggs? A few feathers? A few miniature chicks? Or a little rabbit?

If you would like to learn to cook like a professional then our private Gourmet Cooking Tours introduce you to the best of Spanish cuisine as well as a range of culinary delights such as Michelin starred dining, exquisite wine tastings and authentic gourmet tapas tours.