FRIDAY, APRIL 27 Departure from Miami.

APRIL 28 Arrival Barcelona Airport. Transfer to accommodations in Lloret de Mar (~45 minutes Northeast of Barcelona). A seaside tourist resort with dazzling sun, deep blue seas, white sandy beaches and lovely boulevards. The nightlife in Lloret 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. Brief group meeting prior to dinner at the hotel. Free evening.

APRIL 29 Transfer to the nearby village of Tordera. Tordera is known for its Sunday Market which takes place in the old part of the town. There are many colorful stalls that sell everything from local cheeses to leather goods. The town is also known for its bars and restaurants. In the town center and the market is the Church of Sant Esteve with its Romanesque bell tower. Then after lunch on your own (perhaps try a tapas bar!), you will return to Lloret for a free afternoon to explore. Open dinner at hotel.

APRIL 30 Departure for Molecular Gastronomy workshop at ALICIA. This is a must for chefs, students and interns. Great location in the mountains next to an old monastery. Their labs will impress you and the workshop will show you cutting edge culinary technology in progress. Then lunch at their La Fonda Restaurant where you will partake of the fruits of their efforts. Afternoon visit to the Sausage tasting at Tresona XXI. This butifarra is located in Vic, a charming, old city nestled in the mountains. This family has been making cured meats and sausages since 1837.

MAY 1 Morning tour of La Boqueria, the large, public market in Barcelona. Seasonal fresh produce of every kind plus artisan oils, balsamics, cheeses, meats and more. Then a guided walking tour of old Barcelona including the Jewish quarter, Las Ramblas (their famed pedestrian boulevard) and the Christopher Columbus statue. Lunch on your own and a few hours of free time to explore.

MAY 2 Late morning arrival at the Costa Brava’s famous Restaurant Sant Pol with a special tour of their kitchen. Later a stop at Celler Can Sais, a family-run farm that makes its own wine and olive oil. You will have the opportunity to taste these local products and buy as well. After that you will go to Vall-llobrega for a hands-on cooking class at Aula. You will learn techniques and local recipes for a four course dinner from these talented Catalan chefs. The finale is dinner at Aula to reap the rewards of your labors!

MAY 3 Late morning departure for the mountain top monastery of Montserrat. Located north of Barcelona, this incredible facility was built 1,000 feet above the Catalonia plain for protection against invaders. It is truly awe inspiring. You will have lunch and time to visit the cathedral and see the “Black Madonna”. A trip to Codornui will follow. They are Spain’s premier cava (sparkling wine) producer. You will tour their underground wine caves in trolleys where over 15 million bottles are in storage. Once you return to Lloret, you will have a free night with dinner on your own.

MAY 4 Free day to relax, shop, walk the beach, or take the train back to Barcelona.

MAY 5 Travel to Girona, provincial capitol of Catalonia, and spend the morning exploring the old city center with its cathedral, its own Las Ramblas, and the Jewish quarter full of shops and café’s. Then on to the famed El Celler di Can Roca. You will tour this is a three Michelin star restaurant founded in 1986 by the three Roca brothers. The eldest, Joan, is the head chef. Josep is the sommelier and the youngest brother, Jordi, is in charge of desserts. It was voted 5th best in the world in Restaurant magazine’s Top 50 in 2009. Evening farewell dinner (traditional Catalonia style).

MAY 6 Transfer to Barcelona Airport. Return flight.

NOTE: Order of itinerary may vary based on vendor availability. Final itinerary available 45 days prior to departure.