Adventure and History
The food traditions of the Catalonia region of Spain are well worth experiencing first-hand. It is known for its fresh fish, oysters, and mussels; artisan olive oils and wines; tapas with the freshest ingredients; rice dishes; hazelnuts; and much more. And then there’s the rich tradition of world-class cava, vermouth, and wine. All this in the midst of postcard-worthy views, from the unique architecture to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and the breathtaking Pyrenees Mountains. This trip is sure to captivate all your senses and should not be missed.
catalonia, spain (SOLD OUT)
LOCATION - Catalonia, Spain
DATES - May 25 -June 2, 2019
TRAVELERS - 12 people
SEATS REMAINING - 0
PRICE - $6900 Per Person
Who?
We keep the group small. Up to 12 guests traveling with two experienced hosts. The trip is designed for experienced travelers with a passion for learning and enjoying great food and wine. Our guests are adults of all ages who enjoy traveling with a small group. They like walking, and are able to walk on uneven ground and up and down hills.
What’s Included?
Behind-the-scenes visits to artisanal food and wine producers
Hands-on cooking lessons and demonstrations with local chefs
Once-in-a-lifetime experiences with beekeepers, rice millers, hazelnut farmers, and a world-renowned Priorat wine maker
Tastings at prestigious wineries, and celebrating our days with Cava, Spain’s beloved sparkling wine
An afternoon of sailing and fishing on the Mediterranean sea
Most meals – we will enjoy traditional, regional specialties made from local, fresh ingredients
Visits to must-see towns in the Catalonia region: Barcelona, Gratallops, and more
Accommodation in beautiful, unique hotels
A Zingerman’s tour host and our Spanish guides at your side
Transportation by air-conditioned private bus during the tour
A little siesta time
What’s not included?
Airfare
Alcoholic beverages (other than beverages with dinner or when they are specifically included in the itinerary)
Personal spending money
A few meals on your own, which will be indicated in the itinerary
What about accommodations?
Hand-picked housing to reflect the local sense of place.
Itinerary
Activity Level: Medium
Expect some long strolls of up to 3 hours, standing for periods up to an hour, walking on uneven ground with occasional steep hills, and plenty of stairs. This tour will also have a few hours of standing in warm ocean water while learning to hand fish!
Day 1
Barcelona
We will meet up on the first day in the early afternoon at our hotel for introductions. (Some guests choose to fly in a day or two early to get adjusted to the time zone and visit some of the sites. Don’t miss the Sagrada Familia!) We will start with a guided walking tour of the city’s old quarter and the incredible Boqueria market, where every type of food from the area is beautifully showcased. We will relax over our first dinner together at a local Barcelona restaurant. Fair warning – we will be adapting to the local culture. Mornings are a bit later to rise, lunch does not start until around 2pm, and evenings are late to eat dinner and later to bed!
Day 2
Barcelona
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia La Selva Del Camp
We will start the day leisurely with breakfast at our hotel, and you’ll have a little time to say goodbye to Barcelona before we board our bus at 11:30 for the town of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, located in the epicenter of the land of Cava. There we will visit the winery Agustí Torelló Mata to see the Cava wine-making process and enjoy lunch at the winery. Once sated, we will proceed on up into the hills to the town of La Selva Del Camp and our hotel for the night, where we can relax poolside and enjoy a little tapas.
Day 3
La Selva Del Camp
This morning we will learn about the local agrarian cooperative and their excellent hazelnuts. And we couldn’t get too far into a food tour without spending some time learning about great olive oil! We will have lunch with the cooperative’s president. Then we head to Tarragona, to visit the Roman Museum with the museum’s director, and enjoy some tapas in the town before heading back to our hotel.
Day 4
La Selva Del Camp Gratallops
This morning we will check out of our hotel and head to Gratallops for our cooking day! We will learn about Spanish Catalan cooking, alternating hands-on cooking with chef Amparo, and touring the Costers del Siurana winery (of course, tasting the wines!) with our friends Carles and Mariona. We’ll divide up into two groups, one prepping lunch, the other dinner. No experience necessary! There will be free time in the afternoon for a siesta at our little hotel perched high up in the village.
Today we’ll say goodbye to the hills and work our way down to the water, where we’ll stay on the Delta del Ebro for 3 nights. First, a sweet stop to visit the beehives of Guillem Pastrana and taste some honey. Then a visit to the ancient hill town of Siurana to learn about the local history and enjoy a wonderful lunch—a tasting menu with wines from Priorat and Monsant, with Pau and Anaïs, owners of Els Tallers, a farm-to-table restaurant. Lunch will be followed by gin & tonics in the garden overlooking the gorgeous valleys and mountains of the Priorat. Then we’ll say goodbye to the hills and head for Poblenou with a light dinner of tapas.
Day 5
Gratallops
Siurana
Delta Del Ebro
We are now on the delta of the Ebro river—this is one of the largest wetland areas in the Mediterranean and it’s vibrant with life. Most of the area is a designated national park. This area is known for rice, salt, fish, and shellfish, and we’re going to enjoy all of them! This first day we’ll spend out on the water. We’ll head out to the sandbanks at the mouth of the river to catch fish with our bare hands, in the calm, warm water. Trust us, you’ll love it! For lunch we will enjoy the fish we caught that morning. After a well-deserved siesta and perhaps some local strolling, we’ll enjoy a light dinner.
Day 6
Delta Del Ebro
Today we will learn about the all-important rice, critical to so many traditional local dishes. We will visit the very special Molí de Rafalet, a family-run artisanal rice mill, producing hand-milled rice. We will enjoy a seafood lunch out on the water, at the Musclarium. And then, an early evening sailboat ride aboard The Butterfly, staying in the calm waters of the sheltered bay, where we will get closer views of the saltworks and the mussel and oyster traps. Dinner at a local restaurant near our hotel.
Day 7
Delta Del Ebro
This morning we will visit a cheesemaker in the hills near the delta. We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant and then board our bus to head back to Barcelona to the hotel we started in. A final tapas dinner together to say our farewells!
Some folks stay on a few extra days, now that they are more comfortable with the culture and language, to enjoy Spain on their own.
Day 8
Delta Del EbrO
Barcelona
**One thing to note: this itinerary is the current plan, and, things may change. We will make every effort to provide the tours and experiences that are described. However, the nature of the places we’ll be visiting — not typical tourist destinations — means that plans may change at the last minute. Also, you always have the option of skipping a particular excursion, but please note that we will be unable to make refunds for any missed meals or other events.
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