March 25Depart USA

March 26Arrival Barcelona Airport. Transfer to accommodations in Lloret de Mar (~45 minutes North of Barcelona). A seaside tourist resort with dazzling sun, deep blue seas, white sandy beaches and lively boulevards. The nightlife in Lloret attracts people of all ages from Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands and offers a wide variety of night-time leisure activities; stylish discotheques and pubs, world-class restaurants, clubs and live entertainment to enjoy the night with different ambiances and lots of fun right into the early hours of the morning.

March 27Late morning departure to the charming fishing village of Palamos. Open lunch with time to explore, shop, lay on the beach. Afternoon visit to the famous fish market, then off to AULA Gastronomica de l’Emporda Culinary School for a hands-on traditional Catalan cooking class. Dinner will follow where you dine on the fruits of your labor! You will love Chef Oriol.

March 28Mid-morning departure for the seaside village of Sant Pau and a visit with renown Chef Carme Ruscalleda at her Three Michelin Star restaurant Sant Pau. She is the only woman in Spain to have achieved this acclaim. She offers a creative and delicate cuisine which is produced by the fusion of Catalan traditional and her modern sensitivity. You have a complex tasting of cheeses which are paired with amazing creations on her famous cheese platters. Then open lunch in Sant Pau and off for a cava tasting (Spanish sparking wine) at the famous Codorniu Winery which was established in 1551. This unique wine uses local Penedes varieties. The winery produces millions of bottles annually. Their cellars are four levels with miles of aging wine. Return to hotel for evening dinner.

March 29Transfer to the ancient Roman city of VIC for a class on cured meats. We visit a shop that has carried on the family tradition since 1837 and produces delicious products including the local specialty, butifarra. You will be able to taste several of their products and see how the flavors change with the curing treatments. Later you will have lunch at a local café recommended by the locals with a little time for sightseeing. Then off to the awesome sacred mountain of Montserrat and the chance to see the Shrine of Our Lady. The statue (carved by St. Luke) was brought to this Spanish mountain top monastery in 50 A.D. It was hidden in a cave during one of many sieges and was rediscovered by sheppards. The 50 monks now live in the monastery and maintain this national treasure. On a clear day, you can see Barcelona and the blue Mediterranean some 50 miles away! Transfer back to hotel.

March 30Morning departure for Barcelona. First stop will the enormous La Boqueria food market that offers everything you can imagine. Arriving in the morning is important to see the restaurant owners bartering for their seafood, produce, etc.. Then back on the bus for a one hour, guided, drive-by tour of this huge city. This will get you oriented. You will be dropped off at Plaza Catalunya and will have access to a guide for two more hours if you wish to see the Gothic District and waterfront on foot. Then you are on your own including for dinner. You will have time to see the enormous Gaudi cathedral, the Familia Sagrada, the wonderful pedestrian boulevard, Las Ramblas, the Christopher Columbus statue and the Nina, Pinta & Santa Maria replicas floating in the harbor, or just sit in a café and watch the vibrant Spanish people as they pass by. Meet the bus at 8:00pm to return to the hotel.

March 31Depart for the Provincial capital, Girona. Tour another Michelin Three Star restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca, voted 5th best in the world in 2009 by Restaurant magazine. Founded in 1986 by three brothers, this restaurant only serves dinner 6 nights a week with 12 tables. Reservations are at a premium. The oldest brother, Joan Roca, is the head chef. The middle brother, Josep Roca, is the sommelier and he has a passion for the wines in his huge cellar. The younger brother, Jordi Roca, is in charge of desserts. You will be impressed. Next is a visit to Alicia for a workshop on molecular gastronomy. You will find this fascinating. This is followed by lunch at their La Fonda restaurant. Then into Girona for some sightseeing. Don’t miss Girona’s Jewish quarter, the cathedral, the Moorish baths and its own Las Ramblas. You won’t want to leave. Back to the hotel for open dinner in town.

April 1 Free Day!! Use this day to get your last tastes of Catalunya. Perhaps take the train back into Barcelona for the day. Do some shopping? Or just go down to the beach. But be back for the farewell dinner and trip awards.

April 2 Early morning departure from Barcelona to US. Options to extend the trip for individuals can be arranged upon booking.