Flavors of Spanish Cuisine: Barcelona & Madrid Vacation for Foodies

Cars will whiz around hurried avenues as chatter stirs at open-aired cafes. Heels will click on the cobbled streets as friends and neighbors gather for an early morning coffee at sunny plazas. In the morning, you will set out for a full day of sightseeing and culinary delights. You will meet your guide in front of your hotel and be led in an immersive tour of one of the city's most beautiful neighborhoods: the Gothic Quarter. You will stroll along quaint boulevards and beneath shady palm trees as you marvel at the area's exquisite architecture that consists of careful stonework and wrought-iron detailing. During your tour, you will make stops at the Royal Plaza, the Royal Palace, and the Bishop's Street. You may even visit the Plaza de San Felipe Neri, where you will learn about Barcelona's integral role during the Spanish Civil War.

In the afternoon, you will be provided with the unparalleled experience of visiting one of the region's most prestigious vineyards. Here, you will not only delve deeper into the wine-making process, but you will also sample a luxurious variety of local vintages. Your expert sommelier will lead you in a wine-tasting class and on a tour of the vineyards. Later, as you gaze out on the lush green fields and relaxing patios, you will admire Spain's beautiful countryside. You will also be provided with a tour of the charming town that is adjacent to the vineyard that boasts stone walls and other remnants of the Roman Empire.

What's Included: accommodation, tour, breakfast

Vivacious souvenir vendors and charismatic coffee shop owners will greet you upon your return to Barcelona's downtown. You and your group can enjoy a refreshing breakfast that consists of cafe con leche, and that will be paired with fresh toast and a variety of spreads, including marmalade and tomato paste. Then, you will meet your guide in the city center, where you will fall in love with the whimsical architecture of Antoni Gaudi. His fantastical designs, innovative construction, and irreverent artistry have made him a beloved artist not only in the city of Barcelona but around the world.

You will begin your tour in the neighboring district of Eixample. Here, you will visit two homes that Gaudi designed: Casa Mila and Casa Batllo. First, you will arrive at Casa Batllo, which is highlighted against the surrounding architecture because of its sparkling mosaic facade that bursts with an array of greens and blues. Its jagged, serrated rooftop depicts a dinosaur or dragon-like creature. Next, you will visit the Casa Mila house, which will transport you to a desert oasis with its undulating facade. As you make the climb to the top of this massive structure, the same wavelike formation is reimagined as you traverse the high-arching steps and sloped ramps that offer panoramic views of the city. After visiting both homes, you can delight in an exquisite lunch along La Barceloneta. The ocean waters will sparkle as you look out on the port. Gulls will fly overhead as you partake in a variety of tantalizing tapas, including ham, cheese, and olive. In the afternoon, you will tour two of Gaudi's most famous works of art: La Sagrada Familia cathedral and Park Guell. The first, La Sagrada Familia, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and bursts with vibrant hues from massive, stained-glass windows. At Park Guell, you will walk through Gaudi's fairytale of charming cottages, emerald fields, stone archways, and unparalleled views of the city that stretch to the sea.

What's Included: accommodation, tour, breakfast, lunch

The ocean breeze will remain with you, but the rich flavors will morph as you venture to the lovely city of Valencia. The third-largest city in Spain boasts sunny beaches, a vibrant music and art scene, and the most revered paella in all of Spain. You will wake up in your luxurious, five-star accommodation, where colorful street art can be seen from every corner. You can enjoy a leisurely morning as you indulge in some self-exploration of the downtown area. You can check out local book shops, art galleries, and souvenir displays before meeting your expert guide in front of your hotel.

Today, you will explore Valencia's fascinating City of Arts and Sciences complex. Your guide will provide you with the option to partake in a scenic bike ride to the park or to indulge in a short car ride. Surely, you will feel as if you have stepped a few thousand years into the future when you arrive at this stunning location. The intricate designs of Santiago Calatrava cut into the blue sky and feathered clouds, and the massive facades are softened with the floor-to-ceiling windows. A central water basin at the convergence of these impressive structures sparkles with the sun's powerful rays, and in the afternoon, you will return to downtown Valencia, where you will participate in an authentic paella cooking class. You will roll up your sleeves as you follow along with a world-renowned chef. Together, you will craft an authentic, Spanish meal before indulging in the fruits of your labor.

What's Included: transfer, accommodation, tour, breakfast, dinner

The flatlands of central Spain will unfold as you travel from Valencia to the nation's bustling capital city. First, you will be provided with a brief tour of in the historically rich and gastronomically renowned city of Toledo. As you near the city's perimeter, you will be met by the stunning city skyline, the snaking Tagus River, and the stoic facade of the Alcazar with its imposing footprint and spired columns.

Initially, you will have time to explore the downtown and poke your head into several shops. In a matter of a few hours, you will meet your expert guide at the doors of the famed Alcazar. The stoic fortress was originally constructed in the third century and served as a representation of military might during the Moorish rule. During a period of nearly seven hundred years, the Moorish ruled over much of Central and Southern Spain. As you walk the halls, you will marvel at the soaring arches and sunbathed courtyard. You can also take a look at what is a history museum that displays Spanish military innovation of the last few hundreds of years. In the afternoon, your guide will lead you downtown, where you will participate in a local saffron sampling event. This crimson spice is a staple of Spanish cuisine and adds to its richness and red-tinted hue. You will have a chance to sample the spice and a few of the dishes that often feature the spice, such as chilled gazpacho and paella. You will also have the chance to purchase saffron at an adjacent shop, which due to its abundance in the region, comes at a steep discount compared to international standards.

What's Included: transfer, accommodation, tour, breakfast

By Day Six, you will arrive in the major metropolis of Madrid. Car traffic will zip around plazas while bikes maneuver around buses and taxis. Friends will catch up over coffee around sparkling fountains, and families will spend the afternoon at outdoor restaurants.

Soon, you will arrive at your five-star accommodation along the Plaza Mayor. As you settle in, you can catch breathtaking views of the city skyline from your private balcony and breathe in the sweet aroma of sugary churros. By late morning, you will meet your expert guide in the center of the boastful Plaza Mayor. You will spend the day exploring the city alongside your expert guide as you simultaneously indulge in some of Madrid's best tapas. To begin, you will make your way along the cobbled streets to Plaza del Sol, where you will visit the Puerta del Sol from which all Spanish highways are said to originate. Next, you will step inside the gold-leafed walls of the Royal Palace, where opulence and prestige abound. After strolling through the palace's luscious gardens, you will make your first stop for tapas, so you can indulge in a variety of exquisitely prepared fried calamari and a frothy cana. Later, you will keep up with the hurried pace along Gran Via, which is Madrid's central avenue, until arriving at Parque El Retiro, which is a massive public park that offers horse-drawn carriage rides, paddleboat rides in the central lagoon, and strolls along bursting foliage. Finally, you will return to the Plaza Mayor for an array of dazzling tapas, including finely cured ham and tangy olives.

What's Included: transfer, accommodation, tour, breakfast

On your last full day in Spain, you will get to know Madrid even better through the city's encompassing neighborhoods. Though life is always lively downtown, by indulging in a short walk from the high rises along Gran Via and the crowds of tourists in the city's main plaza, you will discover the true heart of the city in districts like Malasana and Lavapies.

In the morning, you will tour two fascinating museums: the Reina Sofia Art Museum and the National Prado Museum. At the Reina Sofia Art Museum, you will witness renowned masterpieces by famed Spanish artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. You will even catch a glimpse of Picasso's internationally acclaimed Guernica and a response to the Spanish Civil War in the Northern Basque city of Guernica. Next, at the National Prado Museum, you will see exquisite examples of classical paintings and other artwork. Then, in the afternoon, you will not only sample delicious ham, cheese, and tomato tapas, but you will also indulge in vivacious entertainment in both Malasana and Lavapies. First, you will travel to Malasana, which is the home to many university students and an eclectic music and art scene. Here, you can peruse the shopping district along Fuencarral street. Then, in the evening, you will venture to downtown Lavapies, where the live music scene booms into the early morning hours. You can sample pimientos de padron, which are deliciously salted green peppers, as you listen to the tunes that serenade patrons. On your final night in the city, you can even join a nearby dance class, where you can tap your feet and glide along the brick streets as romantic flamenco music ensues.

What's Included: accommodation, tour, breakfast

Come morning, you and your group can venture to a relaxing patio cafe to enjoy a final cup of cafe con leche. You will enjoy a leisurely morning downtown that will allow you to peruse handcrafted goods and souvenirs.

Around midday, you will meet your private transfer in front of your hotel and stroll down the cobbled streets one last time. Soon, you will arrive at Madrid's international airport and connect to your flights home.

What's Included: airport transfer, brunch