Catalonian Tastes and Treasures
Catalonian Tastes and Treasures
This wonderful gourmet food and wine tour takes you to the Costa Brava, a land of outstanding beauty, filled with charming fishing villages and well preserved medieval towns by the Mediterranean Sea.
You will be based in the Empordá region, nestled along the coastline of the larger region of Catalonia in the north-eastern part of the country and bordering France. It is a land of interesting contrasts. Here is where the surrealist art movement was born, but here is where fishermen have plied their trade (and still do) for centuries in the small fishing villages of the coast. There are prehistoric caves and megalithic structures, settlements by the ancient Greeks and ancient Iberians, Roman ruins, and more.
Girona is the main city of the region, a beautiful ancient town lying on a confluence of four rivers, and boasting a wonderfully preserved city center. It is so picturesque that it has been a frequent location for film production, including the Game of Thrones series. But the area is also known for its picturesque, quaint fishing villages, which you will explore on your Costa Brava culinary vacation.
The Costa Brava’s miles of rugged coastline and beautiful beaches, coupled with the ideal climate, have made it a very popular tourist destination for Spaniards and other Europeans. This is the Mediterranean as you have always imagined it. Sunny, warm, gorgeous, and of course full of Mediterranean flavors and ingredients. Visit the region’s olive groves and wineries, see the catch brought in by the fisherman at the end of the day, and learn to prepare amazing Spanish dishes under the friendly eye of the local chefs.
In short, the Costa Brava is a true feast for the senses, and a spectacular display of Mediterranean life.
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Trip Details
Your 3 cooking classes will be held at the prestigious cooking school of L’Empordá , where you will be introduced to the most traditional recipes of Catalonia as well as a few avante-garde recipes called ‘Cocina de Autor.’ The staff of instructors are all professional chefs, speak English, and are delighted to pass on their secrets of this cuisine. The classes will be a mixture of demonstration and hands-on.
Itinerary
Day One
- Transfer from Barcelona airport to the Empordá region to a beautiful and charming four-star Park Hotel San Jorge, well known for its unique design and beautiful surroundings. This is an ideal place to relax and enjoy a magical ambiance, and taste superb Mediterranean dishes.
- Your guide will give you a briefing of your fantastic culinary tour.
- Enjoy some free time, perhaps a stroll on the beach.
- Welcome dinner (drinks not included).
Day Two
- Following breakfast, your guide will take you to your first cooking lesson at the Cooking School of The Fish Museum, a spacious and prestigious school that teaches the best specialties of Mediterranean cuisine. The class begins with a visit to a local market, followed by preparation of typical dishes of the region.
- Lunch to follow based on your culinary efforts with excellent wines!
- In the afternoon, visit the interesting Fishing Museum to learn about fishing methods, modern and ancient ones, as well as fish specialties and catches particular to the local waters.
- Around 4 p.m., experience a guided visit to the “Lonja” to welcome boats coming back from a hard day of work and to see where the fresh fish of the day are sold.
- Dinner on your own this evening.
Day Three
- Delicious full breakfast followed by your second cooking class with lunch to follow.
- In the afternoon, a visit to the fishing village of LLafranc, where you will enjoy a lovely seaside walk along a beautiful pine grove. At the top of the hill you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Mediterranean sea.
- Following the tour of Llafranc, visit a 350-year-old country house, which is situated in the middle of a vineyard and overlooking the sea. During the visit, experience a fascinating tasting of different Spanish wines.
- Dinner on your own this evening.
Day Four
- Following breakfast, you will embark on a full day excursion along Dali’s route. First you’ll visit Figueres, a bustling country town and home to the Dali Museum.
- Lunch on your own.
- After lunch visit the ancient city of Girona, with its narrow medieval streets, Jewish quarter, Arab baths, and 15th century Gothic cathedral.
- Late in the afternoon return to the hotel for dinner.
Day Five
- After a full breakfast, your third cooking class. You will continue learning how to prepare recipes based on the healthiest and tastiest Mediterranean ingredients.
- Lunch to follow, based on your efforts, complete with Empordá’s wine.
- Afternoon visit to an olive oil mill and learn about the “gold liquid” and sample the olive oil they produce.
- Following the olive oil tour you will then visit a huge kitchen store where you can find anything you could imagine for cooking or your kitchen!
- Return to the hotel where you will have free time to shop and explore nearby towns.
- Dinner on your own this evening.
Day Six
- Following a full breakfast, you will visit the open market of Palafrugell and its lovely town by the sea.
- Excursion to nearby medieval villages such as Pals, Peratallada and Ullastret. Your guide will take you through the town’s cobblestone streets and amazing walled villages.
- There will be some free time to shop, wander around, and have lunch on you own at any of the surrounding restaurants.
- In the afternoon, you will visit a jam and preserves factory/museum. The visit includes an introduction to the museum as well as a demonstration in the workshop of the different methods for producing jams and preserves. The visit ends with a tasting of different jams and preservers and a glass of sparkling wine.
- Back to the hotel where you will have free time to rest or have a inspiring walk around the hotels beautiful gardens.
- Farewell dinner (drinks not included).
Day Seven
- Savour your last Mediterranean breakfast.
- Transfer to airport or hotel in Barcelona.
Day One
- Transfer from Barcelona airport to the Empordá region to a beautiful and charming four-star Park Hotel San Jorge, well known for its unique design and beautiful surroundings. This is an ideal place to relax and enjoy a magical ambiance, and taste superb Mediterranean dishes.
- Your guide will give you a briefing of your fantastic culinary tour.
- Enjoy some free time, perhaps a stroll on the beach.
- Welcome dinner (drinks not included).
Day Two
- Following breakfast, your guide will take you to your first cooking lesson at the Cooking School of The Fish Museum, a spacious and prestigious school that teaches the best specialties of Mediterranean cuisine. The class begins with a visit to a local market, followed by preparation of typical dishes of the region.
- Lunch to follow based on your culinary efforts with excellent wines!
- In the afternoon, visit the interesting Fishing Museum to learn about fishing methods, modern and ancient ones, as well as fish specialties and catches particular to the local waters.
- Around 4 p.m., experience a guided visit to the “Lonja” to welcome boats coming back from a hard day of work and to see where the fresh fish of the day are sold.
- Dinner on your own this evening.
Day Three
- Delicious full breakfast followed by your second cooking class with lunch to follow.
- In the afternoon, a visit to the fishing village of LLafranc, where you will enjoy a lovely seaside walk along a beautiful pine grove. At the top of the hill you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Mediterranean sea.
- Following the tour of Llafranc, visit a 350-year-old country house, which is situated in the middle of a vineyard and overlooking the sea. During the visit, experience a fascinating tasting of different Spanish wines.
- Dinner on your own this evening.
Day Four
- Following breakfast, you will embark on a full day excursion along Dali’s route. First you’ll visit Figures, a bustling country town and home to the Dali Museum.
- Lunch on your own.
- After lunch visit the ancient city of Girona, with its narrow medieval streets, Jewish quarter, Arab baths, and 15th century Gothic cathedral.
- Return transfer to the Barcelona airport in the late afternoon.
Trip Details
Included in the 6-Night Trip
Accommodations
6 nights in a double room with sea views at a 4* hotel on the Costa Brava
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 3 lunches (beverages included)
- 3 dinners (beverages not included)
Classes & Instructors
Your 3 cooking classes will be held at the prestigious cooking school of L’Empordá , where you will be introduced to the most traditional recipes of Catalonia as well as a few avante-garde recipes called ‘Cocina de Autor.’ The staff of instructors are all professional chefs, speak English, and are delighted to pass on their secrets of this cuisine. The classes will be a mixture of demonstration and hands-on.
Excursions
- Market visit
- Visit to the fishing museum
- Visit to the ‘Lonja’ to see the fishermen return to the wharf
- Excursion to Llafranca
- Visit to country wine estate with wine tasting
- Visit of Figueres (home to the Dalí Museum) and Girona
- Visit of an olive mill with tasting
- Trip to a kitchen supply store
- Visit to Palafrugell, Pais, Peratallada, and Allastret
- Visit of a producer specializing in jams and preserves
Transfer Details
- Arrival transfer from Barcelona airport in the afternoon _(please note that transfers before 11 am will incur a 50 Euro surcharge)_
- Return transfer to the Barcelona airport as per itinerary
Included in the 3-Night Trip
Accommodations
3 nights in a double room with sea views at a 4* hotel on the Costa Brava
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 2 lunches (beverages included)
- 1 dinner (beverages not included)
Classes & Instructors
Your 2 cooking classes will be held at the prestigious cooking school of L’Empordá , where you will be introduced to the most traditional recipes of Catalonia as well as a few avante-garde recipes called ‘Cocina de Autor.’ The staff of instructors are all professional chefs, speak English, and are delighted to pass on their secrets of this cuisine. The classes will be a mixture of demonstration and hands-on.
Excursions
- Market visit
- Visit to the fishing museum
- Visit to the ‘Lonja’ to see the fishermen return to the wharf
- Excursion to Llafranca
- Visit to country wine estate with wine tasting
- Visit of Figures (home to the Dalí Museum) and Girona
Transfer Details
- Arrival transfer from Barcelona airport in the afternoon _(please note that transfers before 11 am will incur a 50 Euro surcharge)_
- Return transfer to the Barcelona airport as per itinerary
Accommodation Information
Situated in Costa Brava and surrounded by pine trees, the Park Hotel Sant Jorge, features elegant rooms with modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, TV, desk, minibar, air-conditioning, heating, safe deposit, hair dryer, and phone. As for the property, enjoy a view of the sea while dining on traditional Catalan cuisine, relax in the spa’s infinity pool and sauna, or head outside to the terrace and outdoor pool. The hotel also has access to a number of local coves. (If unavailable we will propose a comparable alternative.)
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Pricing & Tour Dates
Looking for tour date information?
Regular Season Pricing:
January 1 – June 12 and September 19 – December 31
(excluding Easter period)
6-night Program
US$3750 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$525 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Peak Season Pricing:
Easter period, June 13-September 18
6-night Program
US$4250 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$1500 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Tour Dates
Available the following dates for a minimum of 2 people. Other start dates also possible, please inquire.
2021
April 25-May 1
May 2-8
May 9-15
May 16-22
May 23-29
May 30-June 5
June 6-12
June 13-19
June 20-26
June 27-July 3
July 4-10
July 11-17
July 18-24
July 25-31
August 1-7
August 8-14
August 15-21
August 22-28
August 29-September 4
September 5-11
September 12-18
September 19-25
September 26-October 2
October 3-9
October 10-16
October 17-23
October 24-30
October 31-November 6
November 7-13
November 14-20
November 21-27
November 28-December 4
December 5-11
December 12-18
December 19-25
2022
January 2-8
January 9-15
January 16-22
January 23-29
January 30- February 5
February 6-12
February 13-19
February 20-26
February 27-March 5
March 6-12
March 13-19
March 20-26
March 27-April 2
April 3-9
April 10-16
April 17-23
April 24-30
May 1-7
May 8-14
May 15-21
May 22-28
May 29-June 4
June 5-11
June 12-18
June 19-25
June 26-July 2
July 3-9
July 10-16
July 17-23
July 24-30
July 31-August 6
August 7-13
August 14-20
August 21-27
August 28-September 3
September 4-10
September 11-17
September 18-24
September 25-October 1
October 2-8
October 19-15
October 16-22
October 23-29
October 30-November 5
November 6-12
November 13-19
November 20-26
November 27-December 3
December 4-10
December 11-17
December 18-24
Looking for tour date information?
Regular Season Pricing:
January-June 12 and September 19-December 31
(excluding Easter period)
3-night Program
US$2150 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$275 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Peak Season Pricing:
Easter week, June 13-September 19
3-night Program
US$2425 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$750 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Tour Dates
Available the following dates for a minimum of 2 people. Other start dates also possible, please inquire.
2021
April 25-28
May 2-5
May 9-12
May 16-19
May 23-26
May 30-June 2
June 6-9
June 13-16
June 20-23
June 27-30
July 4-7
July 11-14
July 18-21
July 25-28
August 1-
August 8-11
August 15-18
August 22-25
August 29-September 1
September 5-8
September 12-15
September 19-22
September 26-29
October 3-6
October 10-13
October 17-22
October 24-29
October 31-November 3
November 7-10
November 14-17
November 21-24
November 28-December 1
December 5-8
December 12-15
December 19-22
2022
January 2-5
January 9-12
January 16-19
January 23-26
January 30-February 2
February 6-9
February 13-16
February 20-23
February 27-March 2
March 6-9
March 13-16
March 20-23
March 27-30
April 3-6
April 10-13
April 17-20
April 24-27
May 1-4
May 8-11
May 15-18
May 22-25
May 29-June 1
June 5-8
June 12-15
June 19-22
June 26-29
July 3-6
July 10-13
July 17-20
July 24-27
July 31-August 3
August 7-10
August 14-17
August 21-24
August 28-31
September 4-7
September 11-14
September 18-21
September 25-28
October 2-5
October 9-12
October 16-19
October 23-26
October 30-November 2
November 6-9
November 13-16
November 20-23
November 27-30
December 4-7
December 11-14
December 18-21
Reviews
[Response from The International Kitchen:] Thank you for your feedback! Our website has been updated to more accurately reflect that the classes are a combination of demonstration and hands-on.
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Country:
Spain
Region:
Catalonia
Tour Dates:
Available any dates you choose (except June 23-September 15) for a minimum of two people. Please review our complete pricing details.
6 Nights
Starting at
$3,750
3 Nights
Starting at
$2,150
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