Fall 2010 SPAIN Tour: Catalunya with Barcelona & Girona, Central Spain with Madrid

• Day 1: Depart SeaTac

• Day 2: Afternoon arrival in Barcelona and transfer to Girona hotel followed by welcome dinner.

• Day 3: Girona city walking tour including Arab-Roman baths, the bull fighting arena, the Cloisters and the Ramblas. Then, in the afternoon, we will have Product Focus tastings – perhaps local cheeses & cured meats, or traditional spices. This region of the Catalan is known for their cured meats (Iberian/Serrano ham) and their fresh use of local produce as an essential element to many dishes. Later a winery tour and tasting some renowned Rioja red wines, and a visit to the famed city of Bisbal known for its pottery. Back to Girona for dinner and free evening to stroll the city and enjoy the nightlife.

• Day 4: Tour to the Greek & Roman ruins at Empuries. See the ingenious inventions that brought hot water into these ancient villas for use in their kitchens and to heat the floors for winter. The tiny tile mosaics that remain on many villa floors there are spectacular. Then we visit the Dali Museum in Figueras. Salvador Dali was one of the world’s true geniuses and his former home is full of his paintings, sculpture and personal effects. Later we transfer to our first hands-on cooking class. These are up front and personal. You will love our charming and talented Chef Instructors! And all cooking classes end in a group meal to reward your efforts!

• Day 5: Depart Girona. Optional boat tour on the Mediterranean Sea along the rugged Costa Brava to Blanes that is about 30 minutes North of Barcelona. Blanes is a seaside tourist resort with dazzling sun, deep blue seas, white sandy beaches and lovely boulevards. The nightlife in Blanes attracts the 18-30s crowd mainly from Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands, and offers a wide variety of night-time leisure activities; stylish discotheques and pubs, restaurants, clubs and live entertainment to enjoy the night with different ambiances and lots of fun right into the early hours of the morning. After the boat tour we visit a winery to taste Catalan Cava (Spain’s finest sparkling wine), then transfer to Barcelona and check into your hotel and have dinner.

• Day 6: Barcelona city tour including the Sagrada Familia, the Arena, Barcelona Stadium, the waterfront and Gothic districts, then free time on Las Ramblas. The Sagrada Familia which was commissioned for building in 1882 and is not scheduled to be complete until 2026. Antonio Gaudi, a famed international architect, set forth with a mission to dedicate the construction of this church, in it’s entirety, to the Catholic faith. This can be seen in the eighteen bell towers, which symbolize Jesus, the Virgin, the four evangelists and the twelve apostles; on the three facades, which represent the human life of Jesus (from birth to death); and in the interior, which suggests the celestial Jerusalem, where a set of columns, dedicated to Christian cities and continents, represent the apostles. Late afternoon traditional Spanish cooking class and dinner.

• Day 7: Visit to the sacred mountaintop monastery of Montserrat, Shrine of our Lady. The shrine and monastery are seated 4,000 feet high a top a mountain 1 hour north of Barcelona. According to Catholic tradition, the statue of the Black Virgin of Montserrat was carved by St. Luke around 50 AD and brought to Spain. It was later found hidden in a cave by shepherds and is now protected by the 60 monks who still live on the mountain top. Also visit the market Boquería, one of Europe’s finest food markets. Free afternoon. Optional tour of the Picasso museum, Parc Gaudi, a gondola ride over the city, some beach time or a stroll on Las Ramblas. It is yours to decide!! Dinner at hotel and free evening.

• Day 8: Transfer to Madrid. We will see the heartland of Spain as we pass through the countryside. Hotel check-in plus afternoon program as time allows. Dinner at hotel.

• Day 9: First a morning city tour of amazing Madrid. We will be in the city during the famous Madrid Autumn Festival with many theater, dance & concert options. We will see El Rastro, the Sunday flea market, Plaza Mayor with its wonderful architecture and shopping, Plaza de Tores, the Royal Palace, and Plaza Neptuno each unique and unforgettable. Dinner at hotel & free evening.

• Day 10: Morning departure to the enormous complex at El Escorial. Part country palace & gardens, part monastery, & part royal pantheon. This World Heritage Site is truly magnificent. In the afternoon we will participate in another Product Focus tasting. . Dinner is on your own tonight.

• Day 11: Free Day!! Option to visit the Museo del Prado full of art treasures by El Greco, Goya and more. Or maybe the Museo Arqueologico full of ancient treasures or the Centro Culturas Reine Sofi with more Spanish artists’ works including Miro, Dali and Picasso. And add shopping, strolling the boulevards, people watching – wow!! Time for a glass of wine. Then head to our final cooking class and “family style” farewell dinner

• Day 12: Early morning departure from Barcelona to USA.

NOTE: Should you wish to stay on for a longer tour on your own, you can request a “deviation” cost where you depart later from the group.