Tour description
The Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain
Treat yourself to this luxury chauffeured tour of Spain and indulge in local food & wine! On our Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain, you will experience the best of Spanish food, architecture, history and culture. In seven historic Spanish cities, our charismatic Officially Licensed local guides will show you both the hidden gems and majestic monuments which Spain offers. Explore local markets, partake in a Spanish cooking class and discover artisan producers – understand why the flavours of Spain are some of the best in the world! From cosmopolitan Barcelona to the proud Basque country and Moorish Andalucia, you will visit La Sagrada Familia, the Guggenheim museum and the exquisite Alhambra. Uncover the distinct regional differences of Spanish food and culture. For lovers of fine dining, there are many Michelin stars to enjoy, whether in Barcelona, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Ronda or Madrid – we would love to show you the best of what Spain can offer!
DAY 1 BARCELONA
On arrival at Barcelona airport our chauffeur will be awaiting you with a luxury vehicle ready to transfer you to your 4* boutique hotel, to begin your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain. Located in the vibrant Barcelona Gothic Quarter, the hotel is near to all major sights but at the same time on the port front. The bar on the rooftop terrace provides an astonishing view of the city as well as of the port, and your lovely room looks out onto the harbor. A representative of Gourmand Breaks will meet you for a welcome drink, and together you will discuss your personalized itinerary for your private food and wine tour of Spain. Apart from having available your Online Personal Travel Webpage, you will be handed your Personal Travel Journals containing all your itinerary details and plenty of suggestions for restaurants and free time activities. Our excellent guides and chauffeurs will attend you throughout your tour with us and you will also have our 24/7 back office assistance, for anything you might need.
Barcelona has a long and ancient history, but the city was replanned, with its medieval walls demolished in 1854; as the modern and eclectic place visited today. Over the next sixty years, much of modern Barcelona was built, its architecture funded by the bourgeoisie and designed by Antoni Gaudi and his Modernista contemporaries, Lluis Domenech and Josep Puig. On this first evening in Barcelona you might want to simply relax and unwind after your journey, otherwise we have several dinner recommendations for Barcelona’s best restaurants or informal tapas places nearby.
Tour in a nutshell: Private transfer from Barcelona airport. Welcome meeting with your Gourmand Breaks tour representative. Overnight in a 4* luxury palace hotel overlooking the port in Barcelona.
DAY 2 BARCELONA
This morning our charismatic Officially Licensed guide will await you at your hotel to continue your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain! Together you will beat the queues as you enjoy a private guided visit to Antoni Gaudi’s incredible architectural feat, La Sagrada Familia. Following, you will visit La Boqueria market, Spain’s largest marketplace, which is a display of the brightest and most delectable foods Spain can offer. Our expert guide will lead you around the best booths and you will taste some of the most delicious local seasonal produce at one famous La Boqueria bar, frequented by celebrities. Continuing your private walking tour through the Gothic quarter of Barcelona you will see Barcelona Cathedral, Sant Jaume Square and the amazing Santa Maria del Mar Church, which is considered the finest and most complete example of Catalan Gothic architecture. Next you will taste some of the best Spanish cheeses at an artisan cheese shop, paired with Priorat wine. For something sweet, your tour will stop at the oldest venue in Barcelona for dried nuts, fruits, nougats and chocolate. This quaint store, having specialized in roasting coffee beans and nuts for over 150 years, is still decorated with its original furniture and wood-burning stove.
Your private Barcelona food & wine tour will be rounded off with a light lunch at one of the best delicatessens in the city! Produce includes Spain’s best ham & cold meats, local preserves of wild tuna, anchovies, or clams and a selection of the best Spanish olive oils, etc. In addition there are English speaking sommeliers on hand to guide you through more than 6000 wines. The rest of your afternoon will be free to enjoy as you wish. Prior to leaving you, your Barcelona tour guide will be happy to provide suggestions for really good places to eat and shop, etc.
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of Barcelona. Gourmet food & wine tastings. Overnight Barcelona.
DAY 3 BARCELONA
Barcelona is yours for discovering solo today! You may have had your curiosity piqued by a certain area you visited yesterday with your guide, maybe an interesting cafe or a local atelier in the Born quarter. Otherwise, you might want to explore more of Barcelona’s architectural curiosities; there are many remarkable buildings to see. Gaudi’s first work, Casa Vicens, is a spectacularly decorated house in the up-and-coming Gracia area north of the centre. Here several small food and design businesses thrive; be it a bakery, a gelateria or a potter’s studio.
Optionally, we can arrange for you to have a Spanish cooking class today at a prestigious Barcelona cooking school, where you will learn the secrets of the best seafood paella, suquet or crema catalana. You will not only learn to cook a few key Spanish dishes, but with our fantastic Spanish chef, you will head to La Boqueria market to choose the best ingredients for your 4-course Spanish feast. Enjoy the attention of our chef and a delicious lunch with wines to follow. Alternatively, take time to do a little shopping on the Passeig de Gracia, the place for Barcelona’s best shopping, with over a kilometre of incredible designer shops and interesting boutiques where few major international designers are not present. Otherwise have a casual lunch, stroll along the seafront, visit Parc Guell, Montjuic Mountain or maybe there is another area you wish to see. Your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain takes a more oenologic turn this evening, as we have arranged for you to enjoy some top Spanish wines with a local expert. Your exclusive wine tasting will introduce you to some of the best wines of Spain. We can recommend a few fine dining venues nearby for a sumptuous meal to say goodbye to Barcelona in style!
Tour in a nutshell: Free day Barcelona. Exclusive pre-dinner wine tasting. Optional Spanish cooking class. Overnight Barcelona.
DAY 4 SAN SEBASTIAN
No ultimate gourmet tour of Spain would be complete without visiting San Sebastian, Spanish gourmet foodie mecca, with the highest per capita concentration of Michelin star restaurants in the world! Here you will stay at the iconic La Concha beachfront, the most amazing location in San Sebastian. Take a walk this afternoon along the bay and relax into the Basque way of life. The city of San Sebastian curves around the famous La Concha beach, guarded by scenic Mount Igueldo and Mount Urgull on the sides, whilst inland are the beautiful green mountain landscapes of Guipuzcoa. If you are feeling adventurous, why not climb one of the mounts for some amazing views over the city and the surrounding area? At the top of Mount Urgull you will see the remains of the walls and canons from the city’s military past and, guarding the city, stands the Sacred Heart statue (Cristo de la Mota). It’s no Rio de Janeiro, but this giant statue of Christ measures over 12 meters tall. On the other side of San Sebastian, Mount Igueldo, offers great panoramic views of the city and the bay.
This evening you may like to dine in style with a superb Michelin meal! With a total of 32 stars from 23 restaurants spread across the Basque Country there is no shortage of magnificent gourmet dining options. San Sebastian itself has three Michelin 3* restaurants; Arzak, Akelarre and Martin Berasategui – one of these is certainly worth a special splurge! We will be delighted to assist with restaurant bookings for you, so take advantage of the fact that 3 of the 6 best restaurants in Spain are in San Sebastian.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer. 1st class train tickets from Barcelona to San Sebastian. Overnight in a 4* boutique hotel in San Sebastian.
DAY 5 SAN SEBASTIAN
Our Officially Licensed tour guide will meet you at your hotel today and together you will experience a private food, wine & cultural tour of San Sebastian. This wonderful “beach in the city” is renowned as the best city to eat in Spain (if not the World!) Your guide will show you around the most interesting parts of the city, including the traditional markets of La Bretxa and San Martin, where many of the famous local chefs personally select their produce. You will also be privileged not only to go to the best locales, but to sample the specialties of each place; accompanied by the best Txakoli wine. Although tapas were invented in Andalucia they have been perfected in San Sebastian and are known here as ‘pinchos’. Each bar is bursting with so many different and creative pinchos that Spanish tradition suggests to have one or two and a wine in one bar and move on to the next. For sure you will try a glass (or two…) of the best local Txakoli wine! The rest of the afternoon on your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain, is free to discover more of San Sebastian at your leisure.
Your private guide will of course have given you many suggestions of interesting things to see and do. San Sebastian is known as a stylish city and an image-conscious one, so it is stuffed with high-end shops. Peruse La Parte Vieja (the old part of town) for cool boutiques filled with quirky designer gear. Stop, as the locals do, to get your strength back at one of the numerous bars and restaurants with a little glass of Txakoli wine and the odd ubiquitous pintxo!
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of San Sebastian. Lunch of a selection of fine pintxos with wine. Overnight in San Sebastian.
DAY 6 BILBAO
Your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain continues to Bilbao today, with a chauffeured transfer. You have tickets to the famous Guggenheim Museum, so enjoy exploring the works of art in this spectacular building, designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. The museum features permanent and visiting exhibits of works by Spanish and International artists. You could stay for lunch at the Guggenheim and enjoy a tasting menu paired with wines at Michelin 1* Nerua. This chic, modernist restaurant is under the direction of chef Josean Martinez Alija. Needless to say, the nueva cocina vasca (Basque nouvelle cuisine) is breathtaking and the ever-changing menu includes mouth waterers such as Iberian pork meatballs with carrot juice and curry. Even the olives are vintage classics: all come from 1000-year-old olive trees! We will be delighted to make a booking for you.
Afterwards take a stroll through the atmospheric old town of Bilbao, appreciating the worn facades of its bars, restaurants and shops. At the heart of the Casco are the original seven streets, Las Siete Calles. In the middle is the 19th-century arcaded Plaza Nueva, a rewarding pintxo haunt. The Gothic Cathedral de Santiago, has a splendid Renaissance portico, itself once the scene of medieval markets and civic meetings.For dinner, do as the locals and experience delicious, typical food in the center of the old town. We have a wonderful pinchos hopping route for you, so that you can try the best bars for pinchos in Bilbao!
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer. Bilbao Guggenheim Museum visit. Overnight in a 5* luxury hotel in Bilbao.
DAY 7 MADRID
Today you depart the Basque Country and head to Spain’s capital, Madrid for the next step on your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain. Your 4* boutique hotel is housed in an eighteenth century building which used to be the residence of the Duke of Noblejas and has maintained its frescoes, mirrors and stained glass whilst being equipped with modern comforts. The hotel’s location is perfect, next to the famous Plaza Santa Ana, within the Golden Triangle of Art, so you will not have far to walk to get an art fix. This afternoon, our Officially Licensed guide will take you on a tour of El Prado and Old Madrid. Starting with the Prado museum, which is the biggest art gallery in the world, your private guide, additionally qualified in Spanish History and Art; will make sure you don’t miss anything. It has more than 7,600 paintings, but can exhibit only one part of its collection due to a lack of space. However, a recent addition to the museum increased the space by 50%, so more paintings will gradually be displayed. Prado means meadow, and the museum got the name of Prado because there was an open meadow where the museum now sits. Your private tour of Madrid will then take you to the Plaza Oriente to see and learn about the Royal Palace and the Cathedral.
You will then walk through Madrid’s old town to San Miguel market, the hottest gastronomic spot in Madrid whose bars and restaurants make it the place to meet! On your journey, you will enjoy some fantastic bites to eat, and a beverage or two, as you sample the best variety of tapas the city has on offer!
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to Madrid. Private guided tour of El Prado & Old Madrid. Tapas-hopping meal with wine. Overnight in a luxury 4* hotel in Madrid.
DAY 8 MADRID
You have the day free in Madrid on your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain today. Perhaps you wish to visit the Reina Sofia Museum or the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection in the company of our expert guide? The Reina Sofia Museum is the national museum for 20th century art in Spain. The museum was officially inaugurated in Madrid in 1992 and is named after the former Queen of Spain. The Reina Sofia museum collection consists of more than 20,000 works from the late 19th century to the present day, mainly dedicated to Spanish art with highlights including two of the greatest 20th century masters; Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. The most famous painting displayed is Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ – incredible to see up close. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is a collection of art which in the 1980s, was one of the greatest coups in European art history. Amassed by a central European collector beginning around 1920, and formerly displayed in Lugano, Switzerland, its 700 canvases, by artists ranging from El Greco to Picasso, are arranged in chronological order. This fantastic collection rivals the legendary holdings of the Queen of England herself.
Maybe you wish to return to the Royal Palace (Palacio Real) to view its interesting interior. Otherwise, take a leisurely walk through El Retiro Park, a great place to enjoy the open air as you stroll along the paths, passing fountains, statues, the delicate Palacio de Cristal and the boating lake. This evening we have many recommendations for fine dining in Madrid, be it old style Spanish food or a Michelin starred extravaganza!
Tour in a nutshell: Free day Madrid. Overnight Madrid.
DAY 9 TOLEDO
Your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain takes you to Toledo! Our Officially Licensed tour guide will be waiting for you at the train station when you arrive, and will lead you on a visit to Toledo Cathedral, considered to be one of the high points of Gothic art. The construction of this monumental building, with a basilica floor plan and five naves, commenced in 1226, although it was not finished until the 15th century. On its main façade the outstanding feature is the doorway, made up of three doors: Infierno (Hell), Perdon (Forgiveness) and Juicio (Judgement). The exterior is topped by the two cathedral towers, one of them in flamboyant Gothic style and the other in Gothic-Renaissance.
Following on, your tour guide will lead you to the Synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca. Remains of the Jewish community are still preserved in the city in the synagogues of Santa Maria la Blanca and El Transito. In the synagogue of El Transito, built in 1357, you can admire one of the best Mudejar coffered ceilings of all those preserved in Toledo, along with walls richly decorated with geometrical and botanical designs and Hebrew inscriptions. Nowadays, this Jewish place of worship houses the Sephardic Museum, in which an interesting collection of art and objects used in Jewish ceremonies are exhibited. Your tour of Toledo, will finish with a visit to the church of Santo Tome, famous for housing El Greco’s El Entierro del Conde Orgaz (The burial of Count Orgaz). You will then have free time to enjoy Toledo and have lunch, for which we have several suggestions, prior to returning to Madrid. The remainder of the evening is free to do as you wish – relax, have dinner, wander around Madrid; the choice is yours. We have many suggestions for great restaurants.
Tour in a nutshell: 1st class high-speed return train tickets to Toledo. Private guided tour of Toledo. Overnight Madrid.
DAY 10 SEVILLE
Andalucia is your destination this afternoon, but first you can enjoy your last morning in Madrid. Perhaps you will want to explore more of an area of the city you visited with our guide; otherwise you could explore Lavapies, one of the oldest and most multicultural barrios of Madrid. Its steep streets are home to quirky bars, restaurants and artisan, authentic shops, well worth an hour’s ramble. Otherwise, the barrios of Malasana and Chueca can offer you comparison to the Born quarter of Barcelona; packed with unique shops and off-beat cafes, where you can nurse a coffee or two for an hour, and watch Madrilenos pass by…
Once in Seville on your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain, you can either choose to rest your feet at your luxury 5* hotel, or if you have the energy to discover this Andalusian gem, you may wish to wander through the charming streets nearby to your hotel, discovering the essence of this vibrant city. Seville is the capital of Andalucia and has distilled Spanish life into its purest and most intense form. Here you will find romantic medieval lanes, hidden plazas soaked in the scent of orange blossom and a nightlife which rivals Madrid. Seville has made enjoying oneself an art form, with tapas bars filled with people spilling out onto the pavements, music and chatter filling the air. This evening we have many suggestions for a local dinner where you will have the chance to soak up Seville’s atmosphere. To be out at night amongst relaxed and fun-loving Sevillanos is an experience you won’t forget!
Tour in a nutshell: 1st class high-speed train tickets from Madrid to Seville. Overnight in a 5* boutique hotel in Seville..
DAY 11 SEVILLE
Our Officially Licensed Seville guide will take you on the next venture of your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain; a private sightseeing tour of Seville’s Barrio Santa Cruz; the old Jewish quarter. You will amble around its beautiful squares and narrow streets, which form a labyrinth, but beware, it is very easy to get lost! This is part of the charm of the jasmine and orange scented Barrio because, when one is lost, a convent or a palace may be discovered. Many of the palaces have wrought iron gates that allow a sneak-peek into their beautiful patios. The area abounds in small food stores and artisan shops, as well as unique art galleries. Your tour continues through historic Seville, including a visit to Seville Cathedral, the oldest and most spectacular Gothic cathedral in the world, and La Giralda, a tower which provides spectacular views of the city.
Having worked up an appetite on your Seville food and cultural tour, your guide will lead you to a delicious tapas lunch. Seville boasts more than 4,000 tapas bars – roughly 1 for every 200 locals! Tapas-hopping is part of Andalusian life, so as you step into a tapas bar, you can try a variety of dishes that arrive fresh from the kitchen. Plate after plate of hot and cold food appears on the bar to tempt your palate: why not try cold roasted pepper salad? Or a dish of meatballs in sauce or a slice of potato tortilla? … the choice is yours! Of course, as is customary, you will accompany your mouth watering bites with a glass of dry Spanish sherry, wine or draft beer. In the evening prepare yourself to be wowed with a wonderful Gypsy Flamenco Show, where the swirling skirts and tapping heels of the dancers will excite and amaze you!
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of Historic Seville. Authentic gourmet tapas meal with wine. Gypsy Flamenco show. Overnight Seville.
DAY 12 SEVILLE
Today you are as free as you please in Seville. Our Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain guide will have given you many ideas and top tips for further sightseeing options and foodie hotspots, to experience the best of Seville. Maybe you would like to visit the Plaza De Espana and take a stroll in Maria Luisa Park? Otherwise, we could arrange a chauffeured day excursion through beautiful countryside, first to Almonaster la Real, a small Spanish village dating back to the 10th century; famous for its mosque. Then, onwards to enjoy the most exquisite Spanish hams. You will visit an authentic and unique family-run estate with a long tradition of Iberian Ham produce, started in 1818! You will see how the pigs roam freely in the pasture and have a full tour of the premises. At the end of your visit you will enjoy an extended tasting lunch in the bodega of this small, but excellent producer. You will be served their exquisite Jabugo ham, made from acorn only fed pigs, as well as other fine hams, accompanied with cheese and wine.
Alternatively, you may like to go to Jerez, the capital of sherry. It is here that Spanish Sherry grape cultivation dates back to the Roman era and where several different types of sherry are produced today by many famous bodegas. Included is a date at a fantastic Sherry winery, founded in 1896. After a full tour of the facilities with a bi-lingual wine guide you will then enjoy an extended tasting of their fabulous sherries. You may wish to visit more Sherry wineries this afternoon and we will be delighted to include another Jerez expert winery for you, on request.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day Seville. Overnight Seville.
DAY 13 RONDA
This morning our elegant chauffeur will drive you to the magnificent Spanish village of Ronda. The Serrania de Ronda is a mountainous area that is famous throughout the world for its beautiful white villages – in Spanish known as Los Pueblos Blancos. This part of Spain is unique, it is only here that the white villages exist in such abundance. Since the 19th century Ronda has attracted a host of illustrious visitors and its stunning position on the top of the Tajo gorge, means that it is much-photographed. Your 4*hotel, housed in the former town hall building, is situated in the most spectacular spot in the heart of the city, beside Ronda’s emblematic Puente Nuevo (New Bridge). The location is incredible, with unparalleled views of the Tagus River, a ravine 120 meters deep.
Ronda is remarkably appealing with a beautifully preserved old town, Arab Baths and many great bars and restaurants; but the most famous landmark in Ronda is the Puente Nuevo or New Bridge. Completed in 1793 the bridge took forty two years to build and joins the old Moorish town and the newer, El Mercadillo parts of the city. Ronda is also said to be the home of modern day bullfighting and the Real Maestranza bullring is one of the oldest and most picturesque in Spain. Your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain has you free this afternoon to discover Ronda, and then, maybe go for a swim or sunbathe in the gardens by the outdoor swimming pool. You may like to dine this evening at your hotel which, besides great views, offers typical local cuisine. Alternatively, you may like to dine at Restaurant Bardal. Here diners are offered a creative culinary experience where classic Spanish ingredients are reworked to design tasting menus of around 16-21 dishes.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer from Seville to Ronda. Overnight in a historic 4* hotel in Ronda.
DAY 14 GRANADA
From one incredible Andalusian city to another today! Granada is your next destination, and your 5* hotel located in the historic heart of the city, is a restored architectural masterpiece. A luxuriously converted former convent, it has also been declared an artistic and historic monument of Spain. Our Officially Licensed guide will meet you at your hotel this afternoon to commence your private guided tour of Granada. The city has its usual quotient of sights typical for a southern European city, but Granada also has the incredible Alhambra: considered to be one of the 10 Wonders of the World.
The Alhambra – gardens, fortifications and sumptuous palaces – has been home to many Arab Sultans over the centuries. 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. After being left 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 exhibits Spain’s most significant Islamic architecture and landscape interventions. You will surely be inspired by this incredible place and the stories and anecdotes your guide will reveal! For your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain dinner this evening, we have many suggestions to enjoy the best local Andalusian cuisine.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer from Ronda to Granada. Private guided tour of Granada. Overnight in a 5* hotel in Granada.
DAY 15 GRANADA
Granada is yours to discover alone today. Perhaps you would like to wander around the Albaicin, the ancient Arabic quarter located on the hill opposite the Alhambra. It is characterized by cobble stoned streets with white washed houses. Despite several centuries of neglect and architectural barbarities allowed by the town council, it still retains a strong Arabic feeling (the Arabic population was ethnically cleansed 500 years ago). There are many squares with terrazas and places to laze about and have a bite to eat. The Albaicin is an oil painter’s paradise, and almost at every turn of the head there is an attractive view, almost always involving glimpses of the Alhambra!
You may like to visit the Royal Chapel “Capilla Real” commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs and built in a flamboyant Gothic style. The Cathedral stands next to the chapel and is considered to be the first renaissance church in Spain. Otherwise why not see the Old Arab market, “Alcaiceria”. It is an interesting place to wander around and besides looking at the goods for sale; there are some good examples of Islamic architecture, and tiled wall decorations. The small archway off the famous Bib Rambla Square magically transports you to North Africa and into the narrow, tented streets of this market which is full of color, scents, music and vendors. This evening, for your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain, we can include a Gypsy Flamenco show in the famous Gypsy caves of Granada. It is said that this image is the most genuine in flamenco: caves full of people admiring gypsy performances of this dance art.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day Granada. Optional evening Flamenco show in the Cuevas of Granada. Overnight Granada.
DAY 16 CORDOBA
Your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain takes you today to Cordoba, where you will check into your 5* boutique hotel set amidst beautiful gardens, in the heart of the ancient city. Later this afternoon, our Officially Licensed guide will take you on a complete tour of everything that Cordoba has to delight! Jews formed a part of Cordoba’s cultural mix from as early as the 2nd Century until their expulsion from Spain in 1492. Once the biggest city in all of Europe, Cordoba thrived and expanded with its unique blend of cultures. These are beautifully expressed with a visit to the Mezquita, the most significant Muslim architectural achievement in the Western world. This 8th century structure was first a church, then a mosque, and today has a cathedral oddly placed in its center.
You will walk the street leading up to the Juderia, with its whitewashed houses and colorful courtyards and shops. The Jewish Quarter is the best-known part of Cordoba’s historic center, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984 and is one of the largest in Europe. As you wander down picturesque and evocative streets in the restored heart of Cordoba – one of the largest medieval quarters in Europe – it is not difficult to imagine the days when Cordoba was one of the most important cities in Europe. Cordoba’s large Juderia has been recently restored and is now filled with charming shops and cafes.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer from Granada to Cordoba. Private guided tour of Cordoba. Overnight in a 5* palace hotel in Cordoba.
DAY 17 CORDOBA
Cordoba is yours to uncover solo, today. Along with our personal Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain recommendations, your tour guide yesterday will have given you many ideas for further sightseeing and dining options. Cordoba has many charming squares to watch the world go by, but maybe the best is the Plaza de la Corredera which is like a mini version of Venice’s St Mark’s Square. The first bullfights in Cordoba were held here, but today the restaurant and bar terraces fill up with visitors taking in the grandeur of it all. Another renowned square in Cordoba is the Plaza del Potro featuring an interesting fountain dating back to 1577 and a historic inn mentioned by Miguel de Cervantes in his famous novel, Don Quixote.
As the city of Cordoba is located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, it is no surprise that you will find bridges here. The most famous is the ancient Roman Bridge that links the area of Campo de la Verdad with Barrio de la Catedral. It was built in the early 1st century BC, during the period of Roman rule in Cordoba, and the 16 arches stretch over a length of about 250 meters. It was the only bridge in the city for twenty centuries, until the construction of the San Rafael Bridge in the mid-20th century. Take time to visit the local taverns in Cordoba to savor some typical Cordobese tapas such as Flamenquin (battered pork or ham), Salmorejo (cold tomato soup thickened with breadcrumbs), Rabo de Toro (bull’s tail) and for dessert the typical Pastel Cordobes – a pastry filled with sweet pumpkin.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day Cordoba. Overnight Cordoba.
DAY 18 BARCELONA
Say goodbye to Cordoba this morning, because your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain is returning you to Barcelona! On arrival in Catalonia’s capital, you might like some time to settle into your hotel and relax after your journey, maybe sip a glass of something cold on the delightful roof terrace. Maybe you wish to see more of Barcelona’s fantastic architecture? Gaudi’s Parc Guell is located in uptown Barcelona and is one of the most beautiful icons of the city, an idyll where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll surrounded by nature and his colourful, modernist sculptures. If you wish to stay in the centre, you can always visit the other famous works of Gaudi, found on Passeig de Gracia; his outrageous Casa Batllo or whimsical La Pedrera. La Pedrera was built between 1906 and 1910 for the Mila family and is one of the most imaginative pieces of residential architecture in history. The building is halfway between a sculpture and a building, and even better up-close. Should you wish, we could organize our fantastic Officially Licensed guide to give you a private guided tour of the Modernista Route, so that you can really see the scope of beautiful buildings to be found in Barcelona.
Otherwise, should you just wish to meander around the area close to your hotel, we have many suggestions for quirky shops and places to visit, as well as cafes and plazas to relax in that will suit your mood of the moment. Then for dinner tonight, regardless of whether you are looking for an informal dinner or a Michelin Starred experience, we have you covered!
Tour in a nutshell: 1st class high-speed train tickets from Cordoba to Barcelona. Overnight Barcelona.
DAY 19 BARCELONA
Today you are as free as you please in Barcelona. Take a stroll along the Barceloneta beach front promenade, pick up some souvenirs or enjoy a long leisurely Michelin starred lunch or dinner. In Barcelona there are many fine museums, but the Picasso Museum is considered “the” museum to visit. The museum building itself is made up of five medieval palaces in the Gothic Quarter linked together. The Picasso Museum is indispensable for understanding Picasso’s formative years, and the genius of the young artist is revealed through the 3,500 works that make up the permanent collection. Also in Barcelona is The Catalan National Art Museum (MNAC) – housed in the magnificent palace overlooking the fountains of Montjuic containing mostly Catalan works of art from the 11th to the 18th centuries. Also atop Montjuic is the Joan Miro Foundation, a must-see gallery dedicated to one of the greatest artists to emerge from Barcelona. The collection includes hundreds of paintings, sculptures, drawings and textile works. Throughout his life Miro took a particular interest in the diversity of materials, forms and colours.
If you want to relax outside for this day of your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain, another pleasant place to visit is the botanic garden on Montjuic, created atop a municipal dump, which now includes 2000 species of Mediterranean flora, and is an idyll from the crowds. For the evening, we will be delighted to make a reservation for you to enjoy a fine dining farewell meal. Basque wonder Martin Berasategui received three Michelin stars for Barcelona city in 2017 with his wonderful restaurant Lasarte. Other fantastic options from the Michelin Guide are Jordi Cruz’s ABaC, and the compelling Disfrutar.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day Barcelona. Overnight Barcelona.
DAY 20 DEPARTURE
This is the last day of your Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Spain. After checking out of your hotel, our chauffeur will be waiting to transfer you to Barcelona airport for your onward journey.
We do hope you will join us for this delicious food, wine and cultural tour of Spain! Our insider knowledge ensures that you will enjoy some of the very best food, wine and cultural experiences that Spain can offer. No doubt it will be a truly memorable vacation!
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to Barcelona airport.
Tour quotation
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Tour in a Nutshell
The best of Spain: Barcelona, San Sebastian, Madrid & Seville
Top Michelin stars, hidden tapas bars & gourmet food tastings
Local market visits, cultural tours & fine wines
Travel in style with chauffeurs, first class trains & the best guides
20 days/19 nights, boutique 4* and 5* hand selected hotels
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