Northern Spain Real Food Adventure - 9 Days

Hola! Welcome to Spain. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Barcelona. If you arrive early, maybe explore the streets of the old Gothic Quarter, check out the Picasso Museum or wander the tree-lined boulevard of La Rambla. After the meeting, maybe jump straight in and sip on a glass of cava or vermouth in a local bar, or head out on a tapas crawl with your group and taste some bite-sized Catalan dishes.

This morning, get ready for an authentic introduction to Catalan cuisine on an Urban Adventure market visit and tapas tour. Join locals as they indulge in the fine art of eating and drinking, something Spaniards are champions of! Immerse yourself in the buzz of street life and market stalls and listen to stories of the past and everyday life in Barcelona. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore more of the city's hotspots. You might like to get cultural with some Gaudi at the Casa Mila or check out the La Sagrada Familia. Maybe get lost in the mysterious alleys of the Gothic Quarter and finish the day with a sip of red wine from a porron (a traditional glass pitcher).

Ride the rails east to the prized vineyards of the La Rioja wine region and Logrono. Logrono sits on the banks of the Ebro River and is the capital of Spain’s most renowned wine region. It also boasts one of the most distinguished culinary traditions in the country and is home to some of the best tapas bars in Spain. When you arrive, get your bearings on an orientation walk, then visit a nearby winery and enjoy a tasting of their locally grown produce. Later, you’ll go on a walking pintxos tour – a Basque-style tapas crawl. This is the perfect opportunity to sample a bit of everything, as each bar has its own specialty. Taste some grilled chorizo or wild mushrooms and wash them down with a glass of the region’s famous red.

This morning you’ll travel to the seaside city of San Sebastian – a jewel of the Basque country and a city obsessed with food. When you arrive, take an orientation tour of the Parte Vieja (Old Town) – a mix of alleyways wedged between the bay and the Urumea River. This afternoon, maybe continue exploring the city before heading to your farm stay accommodation. Tonight, sit down to a traditional Basque dinner at your accommodation – maybe try marmitako (tuna and potato soup), bacalao al pil-pil (cod in olive oil sauce) or txuleton (grilled beef steak).

One of the secrets to the success of San Sebastian’s food scene is its obsession with high-quality, local and seasonal ingredients. This morning, you’ll head to Ondarroa Port – a small fishing village on the Basque coast. Here, you’ll stroll along the port and fish market, learn about the daily work and discover the historical role women have played in the fishing industry. After, visit a local business where you’ll explore different types of fish and the preparation process – and choose the fish you’ll cook later today! Back at your farm-stay accommodation tonight, you’ll join a cooking class. Here, you’ll prepare your chosen fish alongside locally produced vegetables and pair the dish with local wines before sitting down to enjoy your homemade meal.

Visit an organic cider house in the Picos de Europa National Park. Here, you’ll discover the artisanal cider-making process, from the organic cultivation of the apples to their final production. Taste different varieties of cider, including the exclusive Ice Cider, then sit down to lunch. Designed exclusively at the cider house, the apple will be the star of every dish and each bite will be a tribute to local cuisine and sustainability. Later, travel to Oviedo – the capital of Asturias located between the Cantabrian Mountains and the Bay of Biscay. When you arrive, set off on an orientation walk through the medieval Old Town and past pre-Romanesque churches, monuments and grand houses with your local leader.

This morning, take a bus to A Coruna in the region of Galicia, taking in the scenic Galician coastline along the way. Visit the fish market in the Praza de Lugo and see the range of seafood on offer. Maybe sit down to a fresh seafood lunch, then, like thousands of pilgrims before you, end your journey in the capital of Galicia – believed to be the final resting place of the apostle St James. The old city of Santiago de Compostela holds many delights within its walls, all overlooked by the mighty cathedral. Take a walk with your local leader around the Old District, through the arcaded stone streets and past the archbishop’s imposing palace. Maybe spend the night in one of the cafes, bars or tapas restaurants in the Old Town.

After breakfast, travel to Cambados – a municipality in Galicia known for its seafood and white wine. When you arrive, you’ll join a seafood workshop. Discover the ancient trade of shellfish gathers, see firsthand the different cultivation jobs of the prized mollusk, and learn how the specimens are harvested. Next, it's time to visit a canning factory. Watch the production process, ending with a tasting of different products paired with local wines. Tonight, head out for dinner with your group to celebrate your last night in Northern Spain!

Your journey through Spain comes to an end today. Say adios to your leader and group before parting ways. If you’d like to extend your time in Santiago de Compostela, just speak with your booking agent ahead of time.