Road Scholar : Tasting New Trends: Catalonia and Basque Country - Spain

Tasting New Trends: Catalonia and Basque Country

Program Number:

12147RJ

Start and End Dates:


	9/14/2012 - 9/26/2012; 9/13/2013 - 9/25/2013;

Duration:

12 nights

Location:

Spain

Price starting at:

$4,495.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city

Program Type:

Food & Wine

Meals:

33; 11 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 11 Dinners

Meal Options:

Vegetarian

Chefs around the world hail Catalonia and the Basque Country as the epicenters of Nouveau European cuisine. Through cooking lessons, restaurant visits and vineyard winetastings, embark on a culinary journey from the cosmopolitan center of Barcelona to the olive groves of the Costa Brava and the pristine shores of Catalonia.

Highlights

� Participate in several cooking classes in culinary institutes and restaurants, and savor the tasty results.
� In-depth lectures, winery visits and tastings give you expert insight into Spain�s robust viticulture.
� Explore an olive oil mill and factory to learn the methods, past and present, behind the oil�s production.

Activity Particulars

Walking up to three miles on some days.

Itinerary Summary

Arrival Barcelona, 3 nights; Costa Brava, 3 nights; Pamplona, 1 night; San Sebastian, 2 nights; Bilbao, 2 nights; departure.

Overnight flight from the U.S.A.	1 night
Arrival Barcelona	3 nights

Begin in Barcelona with visits to Montjuic and the Catalonian Art Museum. A guide takes you inside the Picasso Museum, containing an exhaustive collection of works from the artist�s years in Barcelona. Expert lectures introduce "denomination of origin" wines before a visit to La Boquer�a market to learn about Spanish produce. Have a cooking lesson at a culinary school, then sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Coach to Costa Brava

3 nights

Visit a Cava winery in Penedes where both sparkling wine and still wines are produced. Explore the Palam�s fish market before a Catalan cooking lesson. On an excursion to Figueras, birthplace of Salvador Dal�, explore an olive oil mill in one of the most important regions for its production. A lecture details both old and modern production techniques before you observe the collections in the Dal� Museum.

Coach to Pamplona	1 night
Coach to San Sebastian	2 nights

Explore historic Pamplona and continue to San Sebastian for a lecture on the Basque Country. Enjoy a cooking demonstration and lesson in a local restaurant to discover and experience the flavors of the Basque cuisine.

Coach to Bilbao	2 nights
Departure

In La Rioja, visit a bodega where the high-quality red wines of the region are produced and sample a few vintages. Walk the narrow streets of medieval Rioja and take in the sweeping views over vast swaths of vineyard. Visit the new Guggenheim in Bilbao and go walking with a guide in this center of Basque history and leading commercial port.

Spain

With the ascension of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, the Kingdom of Spain took on a shape similar to today�s nation. Ruling a culture born of Roman, Visigoth and Moorish invasions, Spain�s Catholic monarchy threw open the door to the Age of Discovery at the turn of the 16th century, importing goods and ideas from around the world while exporting their cultural fusion throughout the first empire on which the sun never set.

Accommodations
Barcelona: Three-star hotel in heart of city. Costa Brava: Family-run hotel with pinewood garden and swimming pool. Pamplona: Three-star hotel near Plaza de Castillo. San Sebastian: Three-star hotel near Ondarreta Beach. Bilbao: Three-star hotel near Guggenheim Museum and Old Quarter.

Meals and Lodgings
	Hotel Wilson
		Barcelona, Spain	3 nights
	Hotel Garbi
		Costa Brava, Spain	3 nights
	Hotel Maisonnave
		Pamplona, Spain	1 night
	Hotel Codina
		San Sebastian, Spain	2 nights
	Hotel Conde Duque
		Bilbao, Spain	2 nights

Hotel Wilson
	Type:	Three-Star Hotel
	Description:	Charming three-star hotel located centrally in Barcelona. Excellent dining and comfortable rooms.
	Contact info:	Avda. Diagonal, 568 Barcelona, 08021 Spain phone: +34 932 092 511 web: www.wilsonbcn.com
	Room amenities:	Hairdryer, television, telephone, safety box, minibar
	Facility amenities:	Centrally located, on-site restaurant and meeting room, 24-hour front desk staff.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes
	Elevators available:	Yes
	Additional nights prior:	Please consult with program provider for details.

Hotel Garbi
	Type:	Hotel
	Description:	In one of the most beautiful areas of the Costa Brava area, the hotel is family-run and friendly. Encompassed by a big pine-wood garden with a heated outdoor swimming pool and a fine Mediterranean cuisine, the Hotel Garbi offers unbeatable tranquility.
	Contact info:	Avenida de Baldomer Gil i Roig, 20 Girona, 17210 Spain phone: +34 972 614 040 web: www.hotelgarbi.com
	Room amenities:	Hairdryer, television, telephone, some with sea views
	Facility amenities:	Garden terrace, meeting rooms, on-site restaurant, internet service and air conditioning
	Smoking allowed:	Yes

Hotel Maisonnave
	Type:	Three-Star Hotel
	Description:	A well-traveled hotel (like its guests) with a long-standing tradition in Pamplona, Hotel Maisonnave was the first to host international guests in the 1920s.
	Contact info:	Calle Nueva, 20 Pamplona, 31001 Spain phone: +34 948 222 600 web: www.hotelmaisonnave.es/ingles/home.html
	Room amenities:	Hairdryer, satellite TV, telephone, minibar, safe, room temperature regulation, sound proof rooms
	Facility amenities:	Located in the city center and near the Plaza de Castillo, the hotel has an on-site restaurant and meeting facilities.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes
	Elevators available:	Yes

Hotel Codina
	Type:	Three-Star Hotel
	Description:	Recently renoved, centrally located and within easy reach of the shore line.
	Contact info:	Avda. Zumalacarregui, 20 San Sebastian, 20008 Spain phone: +34 943 212 200 web: www.hotelcodina.es/
	Room amenities:	Hair dryer, TV with cable, safe, air conditioning
	Facility amenities:	On-site meeting rooms, restaurant, bar and internet.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes
	Elevators available:	Yes

Hotel Conde Duque
	Type:	Three-Star Hotel
	Description:	Located a short 5 minute walk to the Guggenheim Museum and close to the city's Old Quarter, this hotel has modern amenities and well-lit rooms.
	Contact info:	Campo Volant�n, 22 Bilbao, 48007 Spain phone: +34 944 456 000 web: book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=92211&disablenav=true
	Room amenities:	Internet connection, cable television, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, coffee pot, refrigerator
	Facility amenities:	On-site meeting rooms, restaurants, bar, laundry, jacuzzi.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes
	Elevators available:	Yes
	Additional nights after:	Please consult with program provider for contact information.
	Check out time:	12:00 PM

Travel Details
	Start of Program: 1:00pm Hotel Check-In Time. 2:00pm Meet in hotel lobby for lunch. You will be staying at Hotel Wilson that night.
	End of Program: 11:30 AM. Room checkout is 12:00 noon. You will be staying at Hotel Conde Duque the night before.
	Required documents: The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. A passport is required for this program. Participants who are not U.S. residents must contact the Spain embassy or consulate to determine visa requirements.

Transportation		(For Independent Travelers)

	To Start of Program
	Location:	Barcelona
	Nearest city or town:	Barcelona
	Nearest airport:	Barcelona (BCN)
	Transportation to site:	A transfer to the hotel will be provided for all participants on the group flight. Independent travelers can follow signs to the airport's taxi stand and take a taxi from the airport to the hotel.

	From End of Program
	Location:	Bilbao
	Nearest city or town:	Bilbao
	Nearest airport:	Bilbao (BIO)
	Transportation from site:	A transfer to the airport will be provided for all participants on a group flight. Independent travelers can follow take a taxi from the hotel to the airport.

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

(Friday, September 14)

Evening:

International flight to Spain.

Day 2:

Arrival/Orientation
(Saturday, September 15)

Morning:	Morning arrival at the Barcelona Airport, meet your Group Leader and transfer by private motor coach to the hotel. Check-in and rest before lunch.
Lunch:	Lunch at the hotel restaurant.
Afternoon:	After a post-meal orientation which will cover the program schedule in Barcelona, participate in a walking tour around the hotel.
Dinner:	Welcome Reception and dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Accommodations:	Hotel Wilson
Meals Included:	Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:

Montjuic/MNAC/Picasso Museum
(Sunday, September 16)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Morning visit to Montjuic and the Catalonian art museum. Following, a walking tour of the Gothic quarter with its intertwined medieval streets and magnificent Cathedral built over the span of late 12th to mid 15th centuries.
Lunch:	Lunch on your own with a cash allowance.
Afternoon:	Guided visit of the Picasso Museum, home to the most important and exhaustive collections of the works of Pablo Picasso's youth, in particular the ones he did between 1895 and 1904, the years in which the young artist lived in this city. Late afternoon class on "denomination of origin" wines, including a tasting demonstration.
Dinner:	Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Accommodations:	Hotel Wilson
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:

Gaud�'s Modernist Architecture/Cooking Class
(Monday, September 17)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Morning exploration of the modernist art and architecture works in the city, such as the monumental unfinished church in Neo-Catal�n style by the Catal�n architect Antonio Gaud�, La Sagrada Familia. Then we will journey to G�ell Park which is located in the northeast corner of the city, and was laid out between 1900 and 1914 to the design of Gaud�. Then, we will visit La Boquer�a market, Europe's largest open air market, and learn about Spanish produce.
Lunch:	Participate in a hands-on cooking lesson at La Boquer�a's cooking school and then enjoy what you have cooked up on our own for lunch!
Afternoon:	Enjoy an afternoon of leisure time.
Dinner:	Dinner on your own with a cash allowance.
Evening:	Local flamenco music and dance show at a "tablao"

Accommodations:	Hotel Wilson
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:

Travel to Costa Brava/Girona/Orientation
(Tuesday, September 18)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Transfer by private motorcoach to Calella de Parafrugell (63 miles) with a stop at a Cava winery in Penedes. The landscape is spectacular, sea and mountains, with small towns on top of the rolling hills, farms, beautiful vineyards and a great amount of "bodegas" (wineries) where sparkling wine called cava and still wines, both white and red, are produced.
Lunch:	Lunch at a restaurant in Girona en route to Calella de Parafrugell, followed by a stroll through Girona's Jewish quarter.
Afternoon:	Arrival in Calella de Parafrugell and check into the hotel. An orientation will take place to cover the program schedule while in Costa Brava.
Dinner:	Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Accommodations:	Hotel Garbi
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:

Cooking Lesson/Market Visit
(Wednesday, September 19)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Visit to the Palam�s fish market and adjacent museum dedicated to the fishing industry in this area.
Lunch:	Hands-on cooking lesson focused on Catalan cuisine at a reknowned culinary school in Parafrugell. You will enjoy for lunch what you have prepared.
Afternoon:	Enjoy an afternoon of leisure time.
Dinner:	Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Accommodations:	Hotel Garbi
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7:

Figueras/Roses
(Thursday, September 20)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Excursion to Figueras, birthplace of Dal�, and explore the town that inspired him at the museum dedicated to this great artist.
Lunch:	Lunch at a restaurant in Roses.
Afternoon:	Visit to an olive oil mill and factory, where you will learn about the history and production of this important Spanish export. Catalonia is one of the most important places in Spain for the production of olive oil. We will be learn (on-site lecture) the old and the modern techniques in growing, harvesting, and producing the �golden liquid�, as it is known in the province. Late afternoon return to Calella de Parafrugell.
Dinner:	Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Accommodations:	Hotel Garbi
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8:

Zaragoza/Pamplona
(Friday, September 21)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Departure by private motor coach to Pamplona (360 miles).
Lunch:	Lunch at a restaurant in Zaragoza en route.
Afternoon:	Late afternoon arrival in Pamplona. Check into the hotel.
Dinner:	Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Accommodations:	Hotel Maisonnave
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9:

Pamplona/Travel to San Sebastian
(Saturday, September 22)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Morning city visits in historic Pamplona. Mid-morning departure by private motor coach to San Sebastian (50 miles). Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Lunch:	Lunch at the hotel restaurant.
Afternoon:	An afternoon orientation will take place that will cover the program schedule in San Sebastian. Following a lecture on the Basque Country and a walk down to Playa de la Concha beach.
Dinner:	Dinner is an organized "pintxos" dinner at local bars.

Accommodations:	Hotel Codina
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10:

San Sebastian/Cooking Demo
(Sunday, September 23)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Morning departure for the Idiazabal region where the cheese of the same name originates. We will visit a family-owned farm and production plant and learn about the local specialty. Afterwards, return to San Sebastian for a walk in the Old Quarter.
Lunch:	Lunch in a local restaurant to discover and taste the Basque cuisine.
Afternoon:	Enjoy an afternoon of leisure time.
Dinner:	Dinner on your own with a cash allowance.

Accommodations:	Hotel Codina
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11:

La Rioja/Travel to Bilbao
(Monday, September 24)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Departure for Bilbao by private motorcoach (62 miles) with a stop in La Rioja. La Rioja region produces the greatest quantities of high-quality Rioja red wines in Spain. First, we explore the town of Laguardia and walk along the narrow streets with towers and fortified gateways and impressive views over vast sweeps of vineyards. Later, visit a bodega (winery) and learn about the history and production of Rioja wines.
Lunch:	Wine tasting and lunch at the bodega in La Rioja.
Afternoon:	Afternoon departure for Bilbao. Late afternoon arrival and check-in at the hotel. An orientation will take place which will cover the program schedule while in Bilbao.
Dinner:	Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Accommodations:	Hotel Conde Duque
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12:

Guggenheim Museum/Farewell Dinner
(Tuesday, September 25)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Visit to the Guggenheim Museum designed by US architect Frank Ghery and home to a vast array of modern art. Following, walking tour and city visits in Bilbao, the center of Basque history and Spain's leading commercial port. Then, head to the D.O. Txakoli museum and learn about the history and production of this regional wine, including a tasting demonstration.
Lunch:	Lunch at the restaurant celebrating nouveau Basque cuisine adjacent to the Txakoli museum.
Afternoon:	Enjoy an afternoon of leisure time.
Dinner:	Farewell Dinner at the Gastronomic Society of Bilbao, a men's social club dedicated to the cooking arts.

Accommodations:	Hotel Conde Duque
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13:

Departure
(Wednesday, September 26)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Morning departure to the Bilbao airport for return flights.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

11 nights accommodations
33 meals: 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners
Expert-led lectures: 3
Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.
Field trips: 17
Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.
Hands-on experiences: 6
Hands-on experiences

Learn by doing in these "hands-on" activities directed by an expert.
Performances: 1
Performances

A performance can range from a night at the opera to a visit from a local performer at your hotel.

Plus these special experiences...

In-depth lectures, winery visits and tastings give you expert insight into Spain�s robust viticulture.
Participate in several hands-on cooking classes in culinary institutes and restaurants, and savor the tasty results.
Explore an olive oil mill and factory to learn the methods, past and present, behind the oil�s production.
Share a farewell dinner at men's exclusive social club "Sociedad Gastronomica" in Bilbao to discuss Basque Country cooking.

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, providing 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage.
Taxes

Highlights

Activity Particulars

Walking up to three miles on some days.

Itinerary Summary

Arrival Barcelona, 3 nights; Costa Brava, 3 nights; Pamplona, 1 night; San Sebastian, 2 nights; Bilbao, 2 nights; departure.

Overnight flight from the U.S.A.

1 night

Arrival Barcelona

3 nights

Coach to Costa Brava

3 nights

Coach to Pamplona

1 night

Coach to San Sebastian

2 nights

Explore historic Pamplona and continue to San Sebastian for a lecture on the Basque Country. Enjoy a cooking demonstration and lesson in a local restaurant to discover and experience the flavors of the Basque cuisine.

Coach to Bilbao

2 nights

Departure

Spain

Meals and Lodgings

Travel Details

Daily Schedule

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

Plus these special experiences...

And included with all Road Scholar programs: