Catalonian Tastes & Treasures: Costa Brava Food and Wine Tours
As one of the most distinct and well-preserved regional cultures in Europe, Catalonia has much to offer its visitors: authentic local festivals and markets, age-old traditions of music, food, and crafts, and a wealth of historical and artistic sites, including the famed buildings of the early twentieth-century Modernisme architects. Whether you are strolling down Barcelona’s Ramblas boulevard, tasting delicious tapas at a local restaurant, exploring the many Gothic towns and local markets, or enjoying a glass of sparkling Cava wine, Catalonia will enchant and delight you, and draw you back again and again.
Your Catalonia cooking vacation will be based in the Empordá region, nestled along the coastline of the larger region of Catalonia in the northeastern 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.
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Catalonian Cooking Vacations Details
Experience the beautiful countryside while staying in Costa Brava. You’ll stay in a 4-star hotel right on the sea and see medieval villages, tour Dali’s route, visit local artisan producers, and learn how to create Catalanonian and avante-garde cuisine.
Itinerary
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.
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.
- Enjoy some free time, perhaps a stroll on the beach.
- Welcome dinner (drinks not included).
Day Two
Day Two- Following breakfast, your guide will meet you for a full day food tour of Catalonia.
- First stop is a dairy farm where you will tour the farm, see they way they produce cheese, and participate in making curd. Enjoy a tasting of various dairy products at the end.
- Stop at a gourmet shop and restaurant, where you will be able to have lunch on your own (if you are still hungry).
- Next, head to a winery for a wine tasting of fine Spanish wines.
- Dinner at the hotel (drinks not included).
Day Three
Day Three- Excursion to the nearby medieval village of Pals. 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.
- Next, your guide will take you to your first cooking lesson at the Cooking School of The Fishing Museum, a spacious and prestigious school that teaches the best specialties of Mediterranean cuisine. Late lunch with wine to follow.
- Back to the hotel where you will have free time to rest or have a inspiring walk around the hotels beautiful gardens.
- Dinner on your own this evening.
Day Four
Day Four- Following a full breakfast, you will visit the open market of Palafrugell and its lovely town by the sea to learn about the fresh produce of the region.
- Continue on 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.
- Head around noon to your next cooking class, with a late lunch to follow.
- Afternoon and evening on your own.
Day Five
Day Five- Following breakfast, around 10 am, you will embark on a full day excursion to the ancient city of Girona, with its narrow medieval streets, Jewish quarter, Arab baths, and 15th century Gothic cathedral.
- Enjoy a walking Tapas and cultural tour. You will see the cathedral, Jewish quarter, Arab baths while you sample local foods for lunch. You will also enjoy an amazing ice cream by Jordi Roca 3 Michelin star.
- Late in the afternoon return to the hotel for dinner.
Day Six
Day Six- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Nest, 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!
- Head to your next 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.
- Around 4:30 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.
- Then, 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.
- Back to the hotel around 6:00 pm.
- Dinner on your own this evening.
Day Seven
- Savour your last Mediterranean breakfast.
- Transfer to airport or hotel in Barcelona.
This wonderful Catalonia cooking vacation takes you to the Costa Brava, a land of amazing beauty, filled with fishing villages and well preserved medieval towns by the Mediterranean Sea.
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
Day Two- Following breakfast, your guide will take you to your first cooking lesson at the Cooking School of The Fishing 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
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 Spanish winery for a wonderful wine tasting.
- Dinner on your own this evening.
Day Four
Day Four- Following breakfast, you will embark on a full day excursion to 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.
Costa Brava Foodie Trip Details
Included in Our 6-Night Culinary Tour in Catalonia
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), plus tapas lunch day 5
- 3 dinners (beverages not included)
Classes & Instructors
Your 3 cooking classes will be held at the cooking school of the Fishing Museum in Palamós, where you will be introduced to the most traditional recipes of Catalonian cuisine. 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
- Visit to winery with wine tasting
- Visit of Girona
- Visit of an olive mill with tasting
- Trip to a kitchen supply store
- Visits to Pals, Palafrugell, and LLafranca
- Visit of a dairy producer with tasting
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
Not Included
- Nightly tourist tax (paid locally, a few euros per person per night)
Included in Our 3-Night Culinary Tour in Catalonia
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 Fishing Museum in Palamós, where you will be introduced to the most traditional recipes of Catalonian cuisine. 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
- Winery visit with wine tasting
- Visit of 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
Not Included
- Nightly tourist tax (paid locally, a few euros per person per night)
Country:
Spain
Region:
Catalonia
Tour Dates:
Available any dates you choose for a minimum of two people. Please review our complete pricing details.
6 Nights
Starting at
$3,970
3 Nights
Starting at
$2,325
Accommodation Information
Situated in Costa Brava and surrounded by pine trees, the Park Hotel San 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 of Catalonian Food & Wine Tasting Trips
Find pricing and dates for our Catalonia cooking vacations below, and contact us for availability or to plan your trip.
Costa Brava 6-Night Cooking Tours Regular Season Pricing:
January 5 – June 10 and September 12 – December 21
(excluding Easter)
6-night Program
US$3970 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$540 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!
Costa Brava 6-Night Cooking Tours Peak Season Pricing:
Easter, June 20-September 11, Christmas/New Year's
6-night Program
US$4570 per person based on double occupancy
Please inquire for single occupancy supplement during peak season.
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Catalonian 6-Night Culinary Holidays Dates
Our Catalonian cooking vacations are offered year round for a minimum of 2 people.
2024
Sample dates follow, other start dates also possible. Please inquire for availability!
January 7-13
January 14-20
January 21-27
January 28-February 3
February 4-10
February 11-17
February 18-24
February 25-March 2
March 3-9
March 10-16
March 17-23
March 24-30
March 31-April 6
April 7-13
April 14-20
April 21-27
April 28-May 4
May 5-11
May 12-18
May 19-25
May 26-June 1
June 2-8
June 9-15
June 16-22
June 23-29
June 30-July 6
July 7-13
July 14-20
July 21-27
July 28-August 3
August 4-10
August 11-17
August 18-24
August 25-31
September 1-7
September 8-14
September 15-21
September 22-28
September 29-October 5
October 6-12
October 13-19
October 20-26
October 27-November 2
November 3-9
November 10-16
November 17-23
November 24-30
December 1-7
December 8-14
December 15-21
3-Night Catalonia Food Tours Regular Season Pricing:
January-June 19 and September 12-December 21
(excluding Easter)
3-night Program
US$2325 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$325 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
Pricing can vary by specific dates booked, please inquire.
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
3-Night Catalonia Food Tours Peak Season Sample* Pricing:
Easter week, June 20-September 11, Christmas/New Year's
3-night Program
US$2725 per person based on double occupancy
Please inquire for single occupancy supplement in peak season.
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Tour Dates
Our Catalonian cooking vacations are offered year round for a minimum of 2 people.
2024
Sample dates follow, other start dates also possible. Please inquire for availability!
January 7-10
January 14-17
January 21-24
January 28-31
February 4-7
February 11-14
February 18-21
February 25-28
March 3-6
March 10-13
March 18-20
March 24-27
March 31-April 3
April 7-10
April 14-17
April 21-24
April 28-May 1
May 5-8
May 12-15
May 19-22
May 26-29
June 2-5
June 9-12
June 16-19
June 23-26
June 30-July 3
July 7-10
July 14-17
July 21-24
July 28-31
August 4-7
August 11-14
August 18-21
August 25-28
September 1-4
September 8-11
September 15-18
September 22-25
September 29-October 2
October 6-9
October 13-16
October 20-23
October 27-30
November 3-6
November 10-13
November 17-20
November 24-27
December 1-4
December 8-11
December 15-18
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Country:
Spain
Region:
Catalonia
Tour Dates:
Available any dates you choose for a minimum of two people. Please review our complete pricing details.
6 Nights
Starting at
$3,970
3 Nights
Starting at
$2,325
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- Hotels and Tours
- Transfers and Airfare
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