Northern Spain Real Food Adventure

Welcome to Barcelona, Spain's vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Your journey begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, explore the old Gothic Quarter, visit the Picasso Museum, or stroll along the tree-lined La Rambla. After the meeting, immerse yourself in Barcelona's culinary scene with a tapas crawl, tasting bite-sized Catalan dishes and sipping locally produced cava or vermouth.

Start your day with a visit to La Boqueria Market, where you'll pick fresh ingredients for a cooking class led by a local chef. Learn how to craft the Spanish classic - paella, and enjoy a leisurely lunch with wine from the Penedes region. Spend the afternoon exploring more of Barcelona's food hotspots or marvel at Gaudi's architectural masterpieces at Casa Mila.

Travel east to Logrono, the capital of Spain's renowned La Rioja wine region. Known for its distinguished culinary traditions, Logrono is home to some of the best tapas bars in Spain. Explore the city's medieval fortifications and enjoy a walking tour of the Old Quarter. Sample a variety of tapas, each bar offering its own specialty, paired with the region's famous red wine.

Visit the Logrono market to pick up some treats for a picnic lunch, then travel to the historic town of Laguardia. Tour Laguardia's wine caves and enjoy a guided tasting of the region's distinct varietals. In the afternoon, transfer to the stunning seaside city of San Sebastian, a jewel of the Basque country known for its food obsession. Take an orientation tour of the Old Town and consider joining a Basque-style tapas crawl.

Visit the traditional food markets of La Bretxa or San Martin to experience the obsession with high-quality, local, seasonal ingredients. Participate in a masterclass in Basque cuisine, learning how to prepare signature dishes of the region. Spend the afternoon exploring the town or surrounding area. Consider a trip to the small fishing village of Getaria or discover San Sebastian's beaches, shops, and charismatic streets.

Travel to Bilbao, a city revitalised by the arrival of the Guggenheim Museum. Spend some free time exploring the museum before heading to the Picos de Europa National Park. This alpine landscape is lush and green, with forests, deep gorges, and grassland dotted with photogenic cows. For dinner, enjoy a classic Cantabrian dish - Cocido Lebaniego, a rich, hearty stew of black pudding, pork shoulder, chorizo, and locally grown chickpeas.

Head to the small mountain town of Potes, nestled in the National Park. Experience the wonderful weekly food market and enjoy a market brunch. On the way to Oviedo, the ancient capital of the region, stop at the charming hillside village of Arenas de Cabrales to taste the famous Cabrales cheese. After arriving in Oviedo, visit an Asturian cider house and enjoy a glass in the local style.

Explore the handsome city of Oviedo, known for its unique personality, quaint pre-Romanesque churches, elegant streetscapes, and grand houses. Visit the impressive Gothic San Salvador Cathedral and the excellent fish stalls at El Fontan market. The afternoon is free for your own exploration. Consider a trip to the port city of Gijon for fresh seafood or the fishing village of Luanco for a relaxing drink on the promenade.

Travel to A Coruna in the region of Galicia, where you'll visit the impressive fish market in the Praza de Lugo. Enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood before heading to Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia and the final resting place of the apostle St James. Explore the beautiful old city and its mighty cathedral. Spend the night in one of the cafes, bars or tapas restaurants in the Old Town.

Your culinary journey through Spain comes to an end today in Santiago de Compostela. Say goodbye to your group and leader. If you wish to extend your stay in this historic city, feel free to discuss with your booking agent.