Barcelona & Penedes- Cava, Cuisine & Culture
Description
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Main Grape Varieties
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Barcelona could be the most visually interesting city in the world. Unique architecture greets you wherever you turn, from the Gothic cathedral to the Eixample district’s Modernist hallucinations to the beachfront sail of the modern W Hotel. You’ll want to explore every inch of its varied neighborhoods: mysterious Gothic Quarter with its winding streets, the sun-soaked Barceloneta, filled with authentic fisherman’s bars, the Eixemple’s orchestrated layout and beautiful buildings, or Gracia’s bohemian soul. The Catalan capital has incredible cuisine and nightlife, from traditional restaurants and sleek tapas bars to expert wine bars and glitzy beachfront lounges. No matter what calls to you, Barcelona will make you want to come back.
Although Cava can be produced in several parts of Spain, the best and most famous Cava is from the Penedès, a small region between mountains and the Mediterranean about an hour’s drive south of Barcelona. Wineries in the Penedès produce red and white wines within the D.O. Penedès and sparkling wines within D.O. Cava. In order to be Cava, the wine must be produced in the Champagne method. In recent years there has been a growing movement in the region to produce higher quality vintage Cavas, and shed the image of Cava as a low-cost mass-produced wine. High-caliber Cava-on a par with Champagne de Vigneron – can now be found at a handful of bodegas in the region.
Highlights
- Explore Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and its winding streets, artisan shops and medieval seats of Catalan government
- Seafood lunch on the Mediterranean coast
- Private Gaudi tour in Barcelona with an expert architecture guide
Suggested Itinerary 4 nights
Itineraries are hand crafted with extra care to create the right mix of food, wine, and culture for a memorable and unique experience. Here are some ideas and a sample itinerary. Contact us to get started.
Day 1 – Barcelona
- Transfer from the Barcelona airport
- Private walking tour in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter
- Traditional seafood and arròs lunch in the beachfront Barceloneta district
- Stroll the streets of the lively Born district where you will find cutting-edge designer shops, picturesque cafés and wine bars
- Dinner at our favorite restaurant at the bar overlooking the kitchen
- Overnight Barcelona
Day 2 –Barcelona
- Market breakfast before shopping with a chef for lunch in a private home
- Gaudí & Modernism tour: See Gaudi ́s masterful Sagrada Familia and La Pedrera apartment building
- Walk the length of the Paseo de Gracia where multiple Modernist buildings are found, including Casa Batlló and Casa Amatller
- Dinner at a 1 Michelin-starred restaurant
- Overnight Barcelona
Day 3 – Barcelona – Penedès
- Transfer to the Cava-producing Penedès wine region
- Visit a family-owned biodynamic Cava producer
- Lunch in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia
- Tasting with an artisan producer of Champagne-style Cavas
- Dinner in Barcelona at a modern tapas restaurant
- Overnight Barcelona
Day 4 –Barcelona
- Barcelona gourmet tour stopping at traditional shops, bars and cafés to sample Catalan creativity
- Market lunch (think grilled fresh seafood) at Quim de la Boqueria in the Boqueria Market
- Overnight Barcelona
Day 5- Departure
- Transfer to the Barcelona airport for departure
Options
- Your private guide to explore the city’s traditional heritage of artisan workshops and ateliers. Visit traditional forged wrought-iron artisans, potters, weavers, jewelers and other artists creating in 21st century Barcelona. We will customize the visits according to your interests.
- Visit Casa Vicens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Antoni Gaudí and built as a summer home for Catalan art dealer Manuel Vicens i Montaner. Afterwards visit Casa de les Punxes designed by Modernist architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, whose stained glass and decorative sculpture, ironwork, glass and ceramics adorn the façade.
- Drive with a private guide to the spectacular Benedictine Monastery at Monserrat and the Shrine of the Black Madonna. You may be able to attend a concert of the Monserrat choir while there as well as attend Mass.
- Spend a day in the Priorat wine region tasting world-class Garnacha and Cariñena wines.
- Venture out from Barcelona on a sailboat for a private wine tasting experience with views of Barelona.
- Spend a few days wandering through prisitine villlages and secluded coves on the Costa Brava. Taste Empordà wines and visit the Salvador Dali museum and house.