Travel Spain

Join Suzy Karadsheh, New York Times best-selling author and founder of this site, and Matt Rodbard, editor in chief of TASTE, for a Mediterranean culinary adventure in Barcelona,Spain—one of the most exciting and unexpected food destinations.

This fully immersive trip is custom-designed to give you the experience of a lifetime as you take in this special part of the Mediterranean—food, history, culture, people—all of it!

We will visit Art Nouveau landmarks, survey the culinary canon of Catalonia, and uncover the secrets of traditional Spanish sparkling wine in the vineyards of Casa Codorníu. And, yes, we will enjoy hands-on cooking classes with local chefs, taste local cheeses and nougat desserts, and engage in insightful discussions about preserving traditional cuisine.

And while the superior boutique hotel Duquesa de Cardona–situated between the Mediterranean Sea and Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter–will be our homebase, we will have a packed schedule with fun day trips you will not want to miss.

The trip highlights and itinerary below will give you an idea of the exciting adventure that awaits you in Spain!

Space is limited! Secure your spot today with a $500 deposit.

Highlights

• Explore the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, learning about the city’s history and later sampling traditional tapas on a private walking tour
• Tour wineries and cava producers to see the blend of traditional and contemporary agricultural methods, tasting the flavors that make the wines of Catalonia unique
• Roll up your sleeves in a chef-led cooking experience that explains the origins of honored recipes and key ingredients of the Mediterranean diet
• Enjoy spirited discussions between your hosts, Suzy Karadsheh and Matt Rodbard, and local chefs, culinary gurus, and restaurateurs about the challenge of preserving traditional food practices in modern ways

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Barcelona: The Capital of Catalonia

• Arrive in Barcelona and make your way independently to the hotel.
• After settling in, embark on a walking tour of the Art Nouveau landmarks along Passeig de Gràcia, including buildings by Catalan architects Antoni Gaudí and Josep Puig i Cadafalch.
• Come together in the evening for opening remarks from your hosts and a welcome dinner featuring typical Catalan dishes at Restaurant L’Olivé, where bacalao (cod) is the focal point of the menu alongside complimentary seasonal produce and seafood.

Included Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Markets and Must-Try Tapas

• Start your morning with a visit to the most famous market in Barcelona, La Boqueria, for a guided tasting tour. You’ll get to sample local favorites like jamón serrano (salt-cured ham), churros, quesos nacionales (native cheeses), and traditional herbs and spices like saffron, sage, and thyme.
• Continue through the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter with a historical walking tour to learn about the evolution of the city, from its roots as a Roman colony through today.
• Lunch and your afternoon are at your leisure to explore Barcelona. For those interested, an optional guided tour of the iconic cathedral Sagrada Família is available.
• Gather in small groups in the evening for a walking tapas tour, sampling traditional and contemporary small plates like pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato), croquetas (croquettes), patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), and seitons fregits (fried anchovies).

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Cava, Cheese, and Catalan Cooking

• Today you’ll head just outside of the city to visit Casa Codorníu, a winery in operation for over 450 years. Tour the vineyards and wine cellars that produce cava, the traditional Spanish sparkling wine. The main buildings of the winery (pictured) were designed by the famous Catalan architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, and you’ll explore the relationship between art, history, and winemaking. Taste four premium cavas and a Paraje Calificado, a bottle with the highest rating for a single-vineyard cava, with the guidance of a sommelier.
• Return to Barcelona for a lesson in Catalan and Spanish cheeses. Sample world-renowned favorites like manchego and lesser-known gems like mató in an upscale neighborhood deli complete with its own wine cellar next door.
• Roll up your sleeves for an evening cooking class led by a team of local professional chefs who will guide you in creating signature recipes, like paella de marisco (seafood paella), tortilla de patatas (egg and potato omelette), and crema catalana (akin to crème brûlée). Once you have put the finishing touches on your dishes, dine together on your creations for a family-style meal.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Vineyards and Views

• After a leisurely morning, depart for a visit and tasting at Can Calopa de Dalt, a century-old winery located between the city and Montserrat. This vineyard produces both olive oil and wine in Catalonia with a social mission. Guided by one of the winemakers, you’ll taste two olive oils and four wines throughout the tour.
• Stay on for lunch at Can Calopa, featuring home-cooking favorites like roasted lamb (pictured), cod, or stuffed eggplant, accompanied by wines produced on-site.
• In the afternoon, return to the hotel for an afternoon of respite or exploration of the Barceloneta neighborhood.
• In the evening, enjoy Barcelona from a new point of view with special access to La Pedrera, a home designed for the Milà family by legendary architect Antoni Gaudí in the heart of the Eixample neighborhood, during sunset.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Empordà and Girona: Where Rice Is King

• Begin today with a visit to the medieval hilltop town of Pals and dive into the world of rice production. With three major producers in this town alone, learn about the impact of geography on the typical Mediterranean rice dishes served here.
• Stop and enjoy a three-course lunch at Cuina Sant Pau (pictured), a reimagined take on the famous restaurant that honors its history while offering an accessible Catalan-inspired menu with Brazilian touches under new culinary leadership.
• After lunch, you’ll hear from one of the head chefs in a roundtable discussion with Suzy Karadsheh and Matt Rodbard about keeping traditional cuisine alive and interesting in the 21st century.
• Upon our return to Barcelona, spend your evening at your leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: The Final Table

• Start your morning on a sweet note with a special visit and tasting at Torrons Vicens, one of the most popular producers of the iconic nougat dessert made from almonds. Go behind the scenes to see how this traditional treat is made and sample the playful taste combinations that pay tribute to global flavor influences.
• Spend your afternoon and lunch at your leisure in Barcelona with a chance to relax, try a new dish, or squeeze in a final favorite round of tapas.
• In the evening, meet with a local expert to learn the history of the famed jamon ibérico (pictured), cured ham from acorn-fed black pigs, and the concept of embutidos in tapas culture with a glass of cava.
• Join your hosts and travel companions for a farewell dinner at Windsor restaurant, specializing in contemporary Catalan cuisine with elevated plating. Toast to a successful exploration of Mediterranean cuisine in Barcelona!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Departure

• Depart the hotel for individual flights home.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations

Hotel Duquesa de Cardona, Barcelona

This is a four-star superior boutique hotel situated between the Mediterranean Sea and Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Guest rooms offer balanced, elegant decor and amenities, like individually controlled air-conditioning and coffee and tea facilities. Enjoy the picturesque views of Port Vell from the rooftop terrace bar and restaurant or a refreshing dip in the pool. There are plenty of restaurants and shops surrounding the hotel, with the Gothic Quarter just a few minutes’ walk away.

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