PRICE: from 599€
WHEN: April to October
DURATION: 3 days
NEAREST AIRPORT: Barcelona
Tour Summary
A thousand years before Christ, the Phoenicians were producing wine in the Penedés region, about a day's march from the ancient port of Barcelona. Carthaginians, Romans, Moors traded the wine all round the Mediterranean. Foreign merchants introduced culinary innovations, hence there is a rich epicurean legacy awaiting you.
On arrival, you can be chauffeur driven or have a hire car fitted with a GPS to help you navigate your way around. Before arriving at your hotel, you will stop at the 9th century monastery built into the jagged peaks of the Montserrat Mountains. You take the funicular railway to explore the treasures including the 'Montserrat Virgin', one of Spain's most treasured icons.
The Penedés is internationally famous for Cava, the Spanish sparkling wine, but it is by no means the only one. There are lusty reds and delicate whites, too. This wide variety is explained by the ascending levels of three sub-regions: Bajo, on the coast where the weather is hot and best suited to black grapes; Medio is a bit cooler, the dominion of Cava; at the top is Alto where the climate is similar to Bordeaux.
Your itinerary will thread its way through all three sub-regions stopping at famous wineries for wine tastings and expert commentary. You will pause at some of the village markets where you will find ingredients that add such character to Catalan cuisine.
You will stay in a masia (farmhouse), a beautifully transformed sanctuary, Spain's first Bio-hotel. The garden is set against a backdrop of the Montserrat Mountains and includes a swimming pool beyond which are fields of organic produce. Your first hands-on cookery class starts here. You will prepare a typical regional feast that you will later enjoy accompanied by delicious local wines.
On your way back to the airport, there is one final treat: a seafood lunch by the sea in the charming resort of Sitges.
Day One - Barcelona-Penedes
Right after breakfast, you will pickup of your car hire fitted with GPS for your next gourmet adventure. Before arriving to our selected local gourmet hotel in Penedés we suggest driving to Montserrat and visit The Royal Basilica O Montserrat and the Monastery, where the Moreneta Virgen (Virgen de Montserrat) is kept. Drive to our next culinary destination: Penedés. The hotel is a Farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and typical crops from the area and you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the mountains of Montserrat to the Castle of Sant Marti Sarroca. This Masia is a Biohotel the first country hotel of its type in Spain and it has a garden where they produce the freshest organic products and in season for their meals.
Once you arrive the owner will help you to settle in. Welcome gift and aperitif. In the evening you will have your first cooking class with the hotel owner showing how to prepare three local dishes and a desert made with organic ingredients from the garden and local suppliers. Afterwards you will enjoy your meal paired with local wines in a comfy dining room or in the outdoor terrace (weather permitting) accompanied by the chef and owner.
Day Two - Penedes
Rural Breakfast based on organic, fresh and healthy local products. During breakfast introduction to organic cuisine, its principles and bases. Time to explore the area. You can do it in the car hire provided with a guide, with a driver guide or by bicycle. Next you will be going to the local market visiting some of the farmhouse suppliers. After the market experience you will have a superb guided visit to one of the leading wineries in Penedés, learning their unique characteristics and unique wine-and cava making methods. Wine tasting accompanied by snacks. Before the special treat awaiting for you in the evening you will have a home- made light lunch in one of the best family-run restaurants in this wine region experiencing the wonderful gastronomy in Penedés. Return to your hotel.
In the evening you will have a second hands-on cooking workshop of a special tasting menu arranged by the owner for your enjoyment, learning different cooking and presentation techniques including some local tricks. Dinner based on the dishes prepared will follow.
Day Three - Departure
Tour Prices
Price Per Person: 639 EUROS
3 days car hire+GPS (1*)
Price Per Person: 729 EUROS
Car with driver guide (2*)
Minimum 2 people (3*)
Duration - 6 days / 5 nights.
(1*) You are provided with a car hire and GPS (petrol is excluded) to travel from Barcelona to Priorat and return.
In Penedes a guide will be with you throughout.
(2*) You will be picked up from Barcelona and taken back to Barcelona.
(3*) SPECIAL PRICES for groups with 4 people or more.
Hotel Supplements or Reductions
100.00 EUROS
Single supplement
Upgrade of Accommodation on request.
Departures
From April to October- Every Week.
From November to March- On request.
We can also organize a similar tour subject to your requirements of number of people and days, budget etc,
please e-mail us on [email protected].
BOOK NOW e-mail us at [email protected] with the departure date and number of people.
Price Includes
Car hire for 3 days with GPS or Private transfers to and from Penedés, driver guide throughout.
Personalised English/Spanish speaking local expert guides throughout the tour: Penedés.
Two nights Accommodation based on double occupancy with private bath in a countryside hotel in Penedés.
Two full breakfasts.
Private guided tour to the local market.
A guided visit tp one of the local wineries.
Lunch in a local restaurant based in the slow-food tradition.
Two hands-on cooking classes in Penedés, including dinners.
Four lunches including wine. Two in Barcelona and two in Penedés.
All Taxes.
What is not Included
Travel insurance.
Flights to Barcelona.
Tips.
Meals not specified.
Personal expenses.
Optional visits.
Petrol for car hire.
Note: If any of the published accommodation, range of wineries or restaurants in the tour becomes unavailable,
others of similar category will be allocated.
Note: Upgrade of wineries and/or restaurants will have a supplement. Please request.
By booking your trip with The Unique Traveller you agree to our Terms and Conditions
EXAMPLE OF ACCOMMODATION IN PENEDES(*)
Typical Masia in Catalonia (Penedes)
