Spain: A Gourmet Journey

Upon your arrival at Barcelona’s airport, you’ll take a private transfer to your hotel in the city. After getting settled and refreshed, dive in with a private walking tour of the historic center. The Gothic Quarter sits at its heart, bringing you back in time to the city’s origins while strolling the narrow streets and alleyways. Marvel at the gothic-style Barcelona Cathedral and walk a unique path to Sant Jaume Square which hosts the City Hall, hidden Roman ruins that will be revealed, and the Church of Santa Maria del Pi with its soaring bell tower. You’ll stroll the famous Las Ramblas and visit Boqueria Market too.

This morning is free for you to enjoy Barcelona at your leisure. However we recommend an optimal  private guided tour  to discover the highlights of architect Antoni Gaudi. In a city known for its spectacular architecture, Gaudi is a standout. You’ll visit the remarkable gothic/art nouveau Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell with its fantastical works, including a dragon, and the Gaudi House-Museum.

In the early evening you will immerse yourself in the culinary traditions as you learn to prepare one of Spain’s most famous dishes, Paella, or indulge in creating a delightful variety of tapas. Accompanied by our skilled chef, embark on a culinary adventure to a bustling market, where you’ll handpick the freshest ingredients for your dish then  return to the kitchen and unleash your inner chef as you create a delectable menu for lunch or dinner.

Enjoy a full day out of the city to striking Montserrat Monastery and the surrounding vineyards. Pick up from your hotel for a wonderful full-day excursion from Barcelona to the Benedictine monastery of Montserrat via the cable car which offers some of the best views in Catalunya. The monastery dates back to the 11th century, and highlights include the Sanctuary and its mighty basilica. After a tour, you will continue to a local winery top enjoy a tour an tasting, followed by a 3-course lunch. Return to the hotel late afternoon.

Heading to your next destination today, you’ll be met by our driver for a private transfer to Barcelona’s airport to catch your flight to San Sebastian. Upon arrival, take another private transfer to your hotel in the city. Rest and refresh or take a walk to explore on your own before joining a local guide this evening for a pintxos tour through the historic part of town. Your walk combines the city’s culture with stops at taverns and bars off-the-beaten-path for an authentic taste of the pintxos scene while learning about the local legends you won’t read or hear about anywhere else.

Enjoy a captivating private city tour through San Sebastian’s enchanting historic center. Discover more than 15 remarkable landmarks, including the magnificent Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus, famed for its extravagant baroque carvings, and the iconic Plaza de la Constitución, considered one of the finest examples of neoclassical architecture in Spain. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, delve into the rich history of each landmark, immersing yourself in fascinating tales and captivating anecdotes of this wonderful maritime city.

Enjoy a full day of touring and tasting in La Rioja, Spain’s most popular wine region, producing 80 to 300 million liters of wine annually. The scenery is impressive too, with verdant rolling hills, soaring mountains, winding rivers, and even lunar-like landscapes. Start in one of the region’s most emblematic boutique wineries that has been producing high-quality wines for generations, followed by two other boutique wineries. You’ll enjoy a traditional Riojan-style hot and cold tapas lunch paired with Rioja wine for lunch, concluding with a panoramic tour, visiting the hilltop walled village of Laguardia. Afterwards, you’ll be taken to your Rioja hotel.

Leaving Rioja this morning, a private transfer brings you to your hotel in Bilbao. The afternoon brings a private tour of the city’s historic sites for a better perspective of the history of the Guggenheim Museum. The highlight is a visit to this $100 million institution called “the beast” by locals due to its bizarre shape. It looks like a huge sculpture with a profile of tumbling boxes from a distance and was designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. A symbol of Basque economic revival, it’s a masterpiece inside too, with an impressive collection of modern and contemporary works of art.

On your final full day, our driver/guide will bring you to discover the Basque Coast with its picturesque natural landscapes that include estuaries that flow into the sea, steep escarpments, and mountain ranges dotted with oak and beech trees. You’ll visit the small island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe which is linked to the land by a stone bridge, explore charming Getaria, a fishing village that has managed to preserve its time-honored traditions, bringing history alive Finally, see Zumaia and the Flysch, a place where the mountains merge with the Atlantic on a steep cliff with remarkable rock formations.

With many memories made and likely plenty of photos captured, your journey through Barcelona, Basque Country, and La Rioja comes to an end. Our driver will meet you at your accommodation for a private transfer to Bilbao’s airport where you can begin your journey home or head out on other travels. If you’d like to extend this adventure with another unforgettable itinerary, we’d love to help. Otherwise, we wish you safe travels and hope to see you again soon.