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On arrival at Madrid airport, collect your luggage and make your way to your centrally located hotel. For added convenience, a private is available on request. The remainder of the day is at leisure to begin exploring this cosmopolitan city.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then spend the day exploring Madrid as you choose, before meeting your guide in the evening for a unique small-group Tapas & Wine tour. There is a story to tell about every corner of Madrid and the markets that supply the city have been proof of this for almost a century. In the company of our professional culinary guide, discover a real signature cuisine, gourmet products and a vast amount of culinary culture, nowadays hidden in the reformed markets of San Miguel and La Cebada in the La Latina neighbourhood in Madrid. A blend of gastronomy and entertainment welcomes both locals and visitors to enjoy good drinks, exquisite tapas and live music. You’ll continue the tour with a tasting of different drinks and tapas, such that you can grasp a comprehensive overview of the gastronomy of Spain and Madrid. Enjoy the true art of Tapeo as you discover Spanish gastronomy moving from bar to bar and visiting different neighbourhoods. The tour will start at the San Miguel square, where we will move to La Latina, Cava Baja and Cuchilleros streets, most of the famous sites for Tapeo’: in there we will taste typical mushrooms tapas or Padrón peppers accompanied by a beer or cider. Near our first stop, the tour arrives at San Miguel Market where we will taste the famous Spanish Omelet pincho accompanied by a cold beer. From San Miguel Market we will walk through the Plaza Mayor and Barrio de las Letras, where famous poets and artists spent the best years of their lives. Next, we proceed to Huertas Street, visiting an old but renovated bar (or “Casa de Comidas”) to taste meat cheeks, known as “Carrilleras” with mashed potatoes and accompanied by a glass of good wine, preferably red. The route continues with a walk through Plaza de Santa Ana and the Spanish Theater. Our last tasting stop, deliver us a traditional Shrimp with Garlic served in terracotta or a clay dish. After several typical tastings, can you think of a better ending than going up to a terrace with excellent views of Madrid to enjoy a drink? Operated with no more than 15 participants, this tour has a duration of 4.5 hours. (B)
Enjoy a full day at leisure to spend as you please, perhaps visiting some of the many historic sites or museums Madrid has to offer. Then in the evening, you'll be treated to a traditional flamenco show at Tablao Flamenco la Carmela! Located very close of Puerta del Sol, in the old coal cellars of the Taberna "La Carmela" - former Convent of La Victoria, demolished in 1836 after the War of Independence - the Tablao Flamenco la Carmela is a mystical place full of history. Under the direction of the master Juan Andrés Maya and Raquel Martos, it is the most revolutionary and characteristic tablao on the current flamenco scene. Artists such as Kiki Morente, Farru, Remedios Amaya, La Lupi or Antonio Canales are present every night, the best dancers who will dazzle you with their passionate performance. Sit back and let the show amaze you as you sip a glass of wine or beer and enjoy a delicious tapas dinner, the "Picoteo Menu", which will delight you with the best traditional gastronomy. You'll discover the flavours that reflect the past & present of the tablao while enjoying the show. The show duration is approximately one hour. (B.D)
Today make your way to Madrid railway station to board your train to Barcelona. Sit back, relax and watch the scenery change as you are comfortably whisked to your next destination. On arrival in Barcelona, make your way to your centrally located hotel and enjoy the remainder of today to get acquainted with your new surroundings. (B)
Wine and gastronomy are part of Catalonia’s popular wisdom and today you can delve into the Penedès region to learn all about the fascinating world of wine. The influence of the sun and the Mediterranean Sea make the Penedès a privileged territory for winemaking. We will travel on a luxury private bus to visit 2 hand-picked selected wineries. Our first stop is a family-run boutique winery which has been cultivating vines for more than two thousand years. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by an expert winemaker who will tell you about the history of this millenary winery and guide you into the subterranean wine cellar. In this remarkable space, learn fascinating facts about grape varieties, vine growing, wine making or the optimal conditions for its storage. It is now time to savour 4 charming wines in a stylish tasting room, accompanied by an assortment of gourmet delicatessen. Next, we will visit the traditional manor house (current residence of the owner family) and the vineyards to discover the art and secrets of winemaking! To add a glamorous touch to the experience, continue the visit through the vineyards on board of a convertible 4x4 car (approx. 40 min.) accompanied by your guide and a viticulturist, a true passionate expert! A unique and exclusive way to visit a stunning rural landscape with endless vineyards. Along the way, admire a Romanesque church settled among the vineyards and belonging to the manor. The second cellar visited is an equally historical winery specialized in cava, a naturally sparkling wine with an unmistakable flavour deeply rooted in Catalonia. Here you have the exclusive opportunity to enter the Capella, the heart of the cellar & oldest part of the winery - an enchanting ancient candlelit room where time stands still. After visiting the vineyard and cellar, you'll taste 4 unique Cavas paired with a selection of appetizers to enhance the experience. Raise your glass for a toast to a great wine experience! Expect a mid-afternoon return to Barcelona and rest of the day free to pass as you chose. (B)
Today's comprehensive gourmet food tour of Barcelona, designed by Foodies for Foodies, offers a window into the world famous gastronomic culture of Catalunya. Walking through the narrow alleys while you enjoy amazing food is an experience that you cannot miss in Barcelona. Guided by a professional chef, you will visit the most genuine and emblematic restaurants & taverns of three different districts, each of them showing you the love we have for authentic food. You'll explore tapas bars and unique historic buildings, immersing yourself in foods & drinks specifically selected for each location. Our exclusive menu starts with a rich and typical Iberian appetizer including cheese, Iberian sausages and Iberian ham, all paired with the bests red wines, that you'll enjoy in one of the oldest delis in Barcelona, a place full of charm, history and anecdotes. We will continue to La Barceloneta where, in a modernistic atmosphere, we will have the chance to savour some typical seafood tapas including octopus, mussels, anchovies, baby squids & prawn croquettes in a modernistic atmosphere. We will then head to our last stop, located in the trendiest neighborhood of Barcelona - El Born. This stop is dedicated to the most traditional dishes, such as Russian salad, patron peppers and smashed eggs, all to be crowned by a sweet treat. Whether a gourmet pincho, or an artisan tapa, each plate comes accompanied by a matched local wine or carefully selected beer, helping you to unwrap a range of vibrant Spanish flavours! This small-group tour lasts about 4 hours and the remainder of the day is free to continue exploring Barcelona on your own. (B)
Sadly, today your gastronomic tour of Spain tour comes to an end. Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before making your way to the airport or railway station for your onward journey. An optional departure transfer is available on request. Adios! (B)
Our Spanish Flavours Tour departs on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays.
Some excursions featured in this tour do not operate daily; the itinerary will be modified to suit.