Cooking Tours: Spain – Barcelona/Costa Brava

Catalan cuisine is internationally renowned for achieving a balance between innovation and tradition through the work of world famous chefs like Joan Roca, Santi Santamaria and above all, Ferran Adria who revolutionized the world gastronomy scene.

The secret of Catalan cuisine is in the quality and uniqueness of the products used, plus the combination of what is offered by the land and the sea.

Itinerary of the Cooking Tour to Spain: Day 1: Welcome Reception

day1_img-spain-calellaWe will pick you up at a specific hotel downtown Barcelona and drive you to our hotel located in one of the most exclusive beaches on the Costa Brava, Calella de Palafrugel. Upon your arrival at our hotel by the sea, take time to settle in or start enjoying the wonderful white-washed and preserved fisherman village on the beach.

In the evening, you will enjoy a welcome reception followed by a delicious dinner.

Day 2: From the Sea to Our Plate

day2_img-spain-waterMorning: The Pristine Seashore of the Costa Brava

This morning, your guide will take you walk along the most exclusive beach on the Costa Brava, our village Calella de Palafrugell. If you prefer, you can take in the sun from the patio of the hotel or have a drink in the Mediterranean breeze.

day2_img-palamos1All About Fish

In the afternoon, we will head off to Palamos, a cute small fishing town on the Costa Brava, a place to enjoy with all the senses.
Fishing is still an important business in Palamos. We will start with a guided visit at the fishing museum, a public tribute to old-fashioned fishermen and the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Then we will watch the arrival of the boats coming back from their fishing day.

The visit will continue with a unique experience: we will attend the fish auction -where chefs go and buy their fish (not open to the public but we have our way in!!!!).

day2_img-cooking-spain-group1Cooking Demonstration

The best is to come: eating the fish!

We will then attend a cooking demonstration by a fisherman chef. He will teach you typical recipes, like the aioli, the figueoa (catalan version of the paella) and much more. You are free to help the chef or relax with a glass of Catalan wine.

Day 3: Wine Tasting and Cooking in Dali's Surreal World

day3_img-dali-museumSurrealistic Dali Experience

We will start the day by visiting the largest surrealistic object in the world, the Dali Theatre-Museu in the town of Figueres, his birthplace.
Inside is a world of fantasy mixed with architecture, paintings and sculptures. It’s a completely surrealistic experience.

day3_img-cooking-spain-wine1Wine Tasting

Now, time to activate your senses for a superior wine tasting from different tripologies.

Live the experience of visiting an authentic winery full of excitement from the Emporda region. You’ll be immersed in an unique landscape of vineyards and centenary olive trees.

day3_img-cooking-spain-jordiCooking in the Cellar

Your chef Jordi has worked in two prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants and is currently the cooking teacher at the Ripoli School of Culinary Arts.

The location for this hands-on workshop is unique: not only will we be in the winery but we will be cooking inside the cellar.

Chef Jordi will immerse you in the Catalan traditions through his famous recipes

Day 4: Hands-on Cooking in a Peaceful Paradise Setting

day4_img-cooking-spain-laplacaThe Emporda region is a little paradise of gentle hills, with the village of Madremanya at its heart. The village has an Italian look where time seems to stand still. The jewel at the heart of this little paradise is the restaurant where we will be cooking, surrounded by a sweet-smelling garden and looking out over the green hills.

You will be preparing a three-course lunch, guided by a professional chef.

Followed the preparation, you will enjoyed your lunch served with wonderful wines.

Shopping for Potteries

La Bisbal d’Emporda is now one of the leading pottery centre in Catalonia. The brand name “Ceramica de la Bisbal” a guarantee of authenticity is engraved or stamped by local producers on all types of ceramic products.

You will be able to find all shapes, all colors, all design and all sizes of ceramic.

Day 5: Cava and Tapas with Michelin Chef

day5_img-spain-cooking-sonjaCava Tasting

The Penedes region is famous for the quality of its cava, a natural sparkling wine, produced following the method used in the Champagne region. You will learn about the process of creating cava and of course have a chance to taste it.

Leaving the countryside for a more urban atmosphere, we will drive to Barcelona and settle into our new hotel in the center of town.

day5_img-cooking-spain-fishA Night of Fusion Tapas Under the Barcelona Stars

In the evening, you will be treated a gourmet tapas dinner at a chef’s house. He will cook exclusively for our group.

You will first be welcomed with a glass of cava (Spanish Champagne), then the gourmet dinner will include dishes such as homemade gazpacho andaluz, Spanish Jamon, Truffle goats cheese with caramelized red onion, Catalan “Pa amb Tomaquet“, escalivada, lamb chops and much more.

Day 6: Market & Cooking Catalan Specialties

day6_img-spain-cooking-spicesThe morning class will start with a visit to the Boqueria Market where all the best products from Catalonia can be found: fruit, vegetables, fish, seafood and meat.

The chef will give you plenty of tips on picking local, seasonal products. You’ll be taught how to distinguish fresh fish from a friendly fishmonger and invited to taste Iberian jam in an exuberant cured meat shop. The chef will instruct you on a wide range of Mediterranean produces like olives and cheeses as well.

day6_img-cooking-girlsBack at the school, you will continue your cooking experience, learning how to prepare some Spanish’s authentic and typical dishes. You will prepare them yourself with the aid of the chef.

Back home, you will be able to impress your guests with these tasty recipes!

You will end today’s adventure enjoying the food you have prepared and of course drinking some fine wine.

Day 7: Under the Barcelona Stars

day7_img-cooking-spain-groupMorning: Barcelona is of course famous for Gaudi’s work. We will get up close to one of the best Gaudí’s grand designs by visiting the most impressive house in the center, la Casa Batlló.

Casa Batlló is the most emblematic work of the brilliant Catalan architect with a facade full coloured glass and ceramic discs. Just amazing!

For your last afternoon, we are giving you some free time for shopping or visiting a musem. Barcelona is such a rich city:

day7_img-spain-gaudi– Ramble down the colorful Ramblas, one of the most famous boulevards in the world. It bustles with artists, musicians, vibrant flower stalls, newspaper kiosks and cafés.

– Follow in the footsteps of the artistic genius Picasso at the Museu Picasso, a gallery that records his formative years.

– Head to the Fundació Joan Miró, one of the greatest Miros’s museum in the world or lay on the beach by the harbor in the center of town.

day7_img-cooking-spain-dinerDining at Michelin-Star Restaurant

Tonight for our farewell dinner, we will treat you to an upscale one Michelin Star Restaurant. Hope you didn’t have a big lunch because this dinner will just be over the top.

A nice way to end our wonderful gourmet week.

Day 8: Departure

day8_img-spain-usIt is time to say Hasta Luego! But don’t worry – you’ll be back. We just know it!

After our last breakfast together, you can decide to extend your stay in Barcelona for a few days or fly home if you have to.

Accommodation on the Cooking Tour to Spain: Peaceful Hotel by the Sea on the Costa Brava

accommodations_img-spain-roomFor the hotel on the Costa Brava, we have chosen a friendly and peaceful hotel overlooking the coves of a hidden and preserved beach.

Come and let yourself be carried away by emotions!

The village’s narrowing streets and picturesque fishermen’s cottages form an idyllic backdrop to the stunning Mediterranean coast.

Enjoy exceptional views of the white-washed fishing village and the blue sea in a comfortable, intimate and relaxed atmosphere. All rooms have TV, satellite, air conditioning, heating, hairdryer and safety deposit box.

accommodations_img-spain-hotel-med-terraceaccommodations_img-spain-hotel-med-room

Dates and Rates: Cooking Tour to Spain

May 1-8, 2019- Co-ed Tour

US $3,490

+ US $350 for a single standard room

+ US $700 for a single or double room with sea view

Includes

  • Pick-up and drop off at a specific hotel downtown Barcelona
  • A welcome reception
  • 4 nights at the hotel by the beach and 3 nights at the hotel in Barcelona
  • All breakfasts
  • 3 lunches and 4 dinners (incl drinks and wine)
  • Transportation in a comfortable van with A/C
  • A personal chauffeur/guide throughout the week
  • A complementary cooking apron
  • Entrance fees to all sites on the tour

Excludes

  • Flights to and from Barcelona
  • 4 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Optional activities (those not described in the itinerary)
  • Personal expenses and tipping
How to book

1To hold your spot, please fill out the reservation form below and send us a $600 deposit.
Note that the deposit is not refundable but is transferrable. See our Cancelation Policy below.

2Once you have submitted your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email with the details on how to submit your deposit via one of these 3 methods:

– by check (if you live in Canada, it needs to be a money order)
– via ZELLE (free instant money transfer offered by all major US banks)
– by credit card
– by bank transfer

3The remaining balance will be due 3 months before departure.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel a US workshop:Cancellation Fee per Person
More than 90 days before departureThe $600 deposit is forfeited
(however $300 can be transferred to another trip with a departure date within 1 year of cancelation date)
61-90 days before departure50% of total cost forfeited
31-60 days before departure75% of total cost forfeited
0-30 days before departure100% of total cost forfeited
If French Escapade cancels You get a full refund

Thank you for traveling with us!

French Escapade LLC | 2389 Blackpool Place | San Leandro, CA 94577 | 510-483-5713 | contact@frenchescapade.com
California Seller of Travel Licence-CST #: 2091909-40
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