Culinary & Wine Tours> Spain> The Foods and Wines of the Penedés

Spain: The Foods and Wines of the Penedés
(Options: Customized Tours, Long Weekends, One Day and Weekend Wine Tours, Tapas Tours, Day Cooking Lessons, Wine/Cheese/Chocolate/Olive Oil Tastings)
Barcelona/Penedés, Spain - 3 or 5 nights
 
Learn the basics of Catalan cuisine with a total of four cooking classes each of approximately three hours. The fourteen meals you will be having during this time, five of which are in restaurants, will allow you to sample a wide variety of different Catalan dishes.

The Penedés wines will no longer be a secret to you after the wine tasting session at “El Almirall de la Font”, and the many trips to vineyards and a wine museum. You will not only love the olive oil that you will be using on a daily basis, but you will also get a chance to see how it is made.

The daily excursions will unveil most of the Penedés and its history so that when the time comes to leave, you will truly feel you have discovered the essence of this beautiful region.


Six (6) Night Program
Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Pick-up in Barcelona
Arrival at Almirall de la Font. Time to settle in rooms.
Welcome apéritif (this is actually almost a meal!)
The basics of Catalan cuisine cooking class. We will start with a healthy sofregit, many dishes start with it, a base of mainly onion but which can also use garlic, tomatoes, peppers,- that is slowly cooked in olive oil until it is caramelized and consistent.
Dinner

Day 2
Full Catalan Breakfast
Visit to Barcelona
You'll visit the famous market of La Boqueria, where culinary aficionados can find just about anything, from sea scorpions to mushrooms! Chefs from the area's best restaurants buy their ingredients here every day. Then it's on to Las Ramblas, Barcelona's best known promenade, and other famous sites.
Cooking class followed by lunch
Free time in Barcelona
Return to the villa
Dinner (no class): Seafood banquet: different small seafood dishes

Day 3
Breakfast
Visit Vilanova’s famous fish market
Aperitif in Vilanova’s oldest Wine cellars
”Mar i Montanya” Cooking class followed by lunch
Free time
Dinner at a local restaurant

Day 4
Breakfast
Visit Vilafranca, its wine museum and the weekly market
Time for some shopping in its many specialized wine stores
Lunch based on Penedès duck and fideuà
Visit Jean Leon winery and a stroll among their vines
Free time for dinner in Sitges at your own

Day 5
Full Catalan Breakfast.
Private visit to the Raventós winery, producers of Cava. Cava, the Spanish champagne is distinguished for its quality and renowned the world over. Raventós is the cradle of the first cava, surrounded by the oldest vineyards of the Penedés county.
Exclusive lunch at the winery. Free time Wine and cava tasting session at the villa
Cooking class followed by dinner

Day 6
Breakfast followed by drop-off in Barcelona

Four (4) Day Program
Sample Itinerary

This culinary vacation program is for those guests who do not have the available time for the full 6 day program. With three hands-on classes, it is a perfect introduction to the basics of Catalan cuisine.

Three visits to local wine producers and vineyards, along with wine tastings will allow you to discover and appreciate the fantastic Penedés wines and cavas (sparkling wine) A trip to the Sitges will enable you to learn of the areas history as well as indulge in the landscapes of this beautiful region.

Day 1
You will be collected at your hotel in Barcelona or at the airport
Transfer to Almirall de la Font (around half hour).
Time to settle in rooms
Welcome apéritif (this is actually almost a meal!)
Fist private VIP winery visit to Jean Leon winery. Jean Leon combines tradition with the most modern winemaking techniques.
”Mar i Montanya” Cooking class followed by dinner.

Day 2
Full Catalan breakfast of cured sausages, rustic cheeses, country bread with olive oil, tomato and garlic (pan amb tomaquet), superb coffee and fresh juices.
Visit to the Raventós winery (producers of Cava)
Class on Olive oil and its applications in cooking with tastings and followed by an special lunch matching food with olive oil and wine. Olives and olive oil are fundamental ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine along with high-fibre grains, vegetables and pulses.
Free time
Dinner at a modern creative cuisine local restaurant

Day 3
Full Catalan Breakfast
Visit Sitges, a town that has preserved its heritage and its environment without ceasing to be one of the most tolerant and hospitable towns on the coast, it houses of a quite blinding whiteness and beautiful Modernist architecture.
Tasting of Malvasia wine, a sweet wine, it is an authentic marvel, typical from Sitges. It is made by artisans and its production is of only 4.000 bottles a year.
Sunday Spanish aperitif and lunch at a local fish and paella restaurant in Vilanova
Cooking class followed by dinner

Day 4
Breakfast followed by drop-off in Barcelona

*All winery visits are quite extensive and include full tour of the premises, complete explanations of how their wines are made, wine tasting, etc...

*The above programs are subject to possible changes, but will always have the same quality and content.

BOOKING INFORMATION
2007 FEES PER PERSON (US Exchange Rate ($) will be calculated on day of booking)	DEPOSIT
Six Day Program Double Occupancy  2100€ Single Supplement    650€ Four Day Program Double Occupancy 1450€ Single Supplement   350€	After availability is confirmed, a 30% deposit and the completed and submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full 60 days before your arrival date.
2007 DATES	INCLUDED
Available year round.	Six Day Program A trilingual chef Transport to and from the Barcelona airport to 'Almirall de la Font' Welcome apéritif Five (5) nights accommodation Five (5) breakfasts Four (4) lunches Four (4) dinners Four (4) Catalan cooking classes All of the Penedés wines and drinks Diploma, apron, gift Transport and entrance fees for all of the excursions Insurance Not Included: Travel to and from Spain, and Barcelona Optional excursions, expenses and meal Four Day Program A trilingual chef Transport to and from the Barcelona airport to 'Almirall de la Font' Welcome apéritif Three (3) nights accommodation Three (3) breakfasts Two (2) lunches Three (3) dinners Three (3) Catalan cooking classes All of the Penedés wines and drinks Diploma, apron, gift Transport and entrance fees for all of the excursions Insurance Not Included Travel to and from Spain, and Barcelona Optional excursions, expenses and meals Airfare and personal expenses are not included.

For further inquiries or to register, click here.



CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellation must be made in writing by the person who has made the booking. Any such notice will become effective from the date of receipt.
Cancellation charges per person will be levied as:

Days prior to program start date:

More than 60 days: loss of deposit
Less than 59 days: 75% of total cost
Less than 30 days: 100% of total cost
Deposit cant be applied to another course date.

Operator reserves the right to cancel courses with less than 8 participants. In the unlikely event of cancellation of a course, participants will be notified 60 days before the first day of the course and will have the option to receive a full refund or reschedule to a different course. Travel Insurance is highly recommended.

CLIENT REMARKS
Furnished upon request.