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Northern Spain Real Food Adventure

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Northern Spain Real Food Adventure

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Description

Explore the sights, sounds and tastes of Northern Spain on this food-focused adventure. Immerse yourself in local history and culture as you sample produce at La Boqueria Market, whip up Catalan specialties in a cooking class, enjoy tapas bars in Logrono, discover the medieval streets and underground wine caves of Laguardia and venture north to San Sebastian, home to beaches and a thriving arts scene. Experience a traditional Asturian sidreria (cider house) near Oviedo, attend a centuries’ old farmers market in the Potes and taste fresh seafood on the coast in Galicia. With Santiago de Compostela in your sights, your Spanish food pilgrimage is a path worth taking.

Trip Name
Northern Spain Real Food Adventure
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
10
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Learn tried and tested techniques to make the best and most authentic Catalan and Basque cuisine from local experts.
  • Tour the markets of Oviedo, Potes and A Coruna where stallholders will show you how to spot the most flavourful ingredients. After all, who knows where to find the freshest produce better than the locals?
  • Sample the plates that make Northern Spain a true foodie's delight. Whether it’s tapas and paella, or regional specialty cheeses, hams and fresh seafood, your tongue and tummy will be happy you made the trip.
  • Discover the iconic sights of Spain as you wander La Rambla in Barcelona, stroll the Parte Vieja in San Sebastian and savour Santiago de Compostela.
  • Try the vast range of delicious drops that Spain is known for, including cava, vermouth, wine and cider. Get up close and personal with their production methods, learn the traditional ways to drink them and sit back and enjoy a sip in the Spanish sunshine.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Many sites, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes Tuesdays). We recommend checking the opening times of anywhere you're interested to visit and making reservations where required/possible.

Day 1 - Barcelona
Hola! Welcome to Spain. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. For those who arrive early, perhaps explore the streets of the old Gothic Quarter, check out the Picasso Museum, wander the tree-lined boulevard of La Rambla or take the funicular to the top of Montjuic or Tibidabo for some incredible views. After the meeting, jump straight into your adventure by sipping a locally produced cava or vermouth in a local bar, then maybe head out on a tapas crawl with your group, tasting rustic bite-sized Catalan dishes.
Day 2 - Barcelona
This morning, get ready for an authentic introduction to Catalan cuisine with a passionate and well-regarded local chef. Taste your way through the stalls of La Boqueria Market and pick up some fresh ingredients for a cooking class. Hang out with the stall holders as you select the best piece of meat, feel for the crispest vegetable and choose the freshest seafood. After, your host will guide you in crafting the Spanish classic of paella. Sit down to lunch accompanied by a glass or two of wine from the nearby Penedes region and spend the afternoon exploring more of the city's food hotspots. You might like to get cultural with some Gaudi at the Casa Mila or check out the La Sagrada Familia. Maybe get lost in the mysterious alleys of the Gothic Quarter and finish the day with a sip of red wine from a porron – a traditional glass pitcher.
Day 3 - Logrono
Ride the rails east to the prized vineyards of the La Rioja wine region and Logrono. Logrono sits on the banks of the Ebro River and is the capital of Spain’s most renowned wine region. It also boasts one of the most distinguished culinary traditions in the country and is home to some of the best tapas bars in Spain, all crammed into its small medieval centre. Logrono is a charming city of medieval fortifications, where much work is being done to restore it to its full glory. This evening you’ll go on a walking tour of the Old Quarter, wandering down Calle del Laurel and the 60 or so aperias (tapas bars) that line the way. This is the perfect opportunity to sample a bit of everything, as each bar has its own speciality – taste some grilled chorizo or wild mushrooms and wash them down with a glass of the region’s famous red.
Day 4 - San Sebastian
This morning you’ll stop by the Logrono market where you might like to pick up some treats for a picnic lunch later. Then, take a local bus and go back in time to the historic walled town of Laguardia. The entire centre of Laguardia is traffic free and a maze of tunnels lies underground, which have been used to make and store wine for centuries. Tour Laguardia's wine caves, then enjoy a guided tasting through some of the region's distinct varieties. Later in the afternoon, transfer to the stunning seaside San Sebastian – a jewel of the Basque country and a city obsessed with food. Take an orientation tour of the Parte Vieja (Old Town) – a mix of alleyways wedged between the bay and the Urumea River. Tonight, maybe join your leader for an optional tour of the neighbourhood streets for a txikito of pinxtos (a Basque-style tapas crawl). Don’t forget to wash them down with txakoli (slightly fizzy white wine and the region’s signature wine)!
Day 5 - San Sebastian
One of the secrets to the success of San Sebastian’s food scene is the obsession with high quality, local, seasonal ingredients. The best way to experience this firsthand it to visit the traditional food markets of La Bretxa or San Martin, which you’ll do this morning before a masterclass in Basque cuisine. In this hands-on cooking class, you’ll learn how to prepare some of the signature dishes of the region, and you’ll also taste Basque products including idiazabal (a local cheese) and txakoli. The afternoon is free you to explore the town or surrounding area. Perhaps catch a cable car to Monte Igueldo for some spectacular views or take a trip along the winding coast to the nearby fishing village of Getaria. Maybe discover San Sebastian’s beaches, shops and streets, or dive into pinxtos bars that range from the traditional to the experimental.
Day 6 - Bilbao / Picos de Europa National Park
Continue east to Bilbao – a city that was revitalised by the arrival of the Guggenheim Museum. Spend some free time visiting Frank Gehry’s sweeping metal building and the artistic treasures housed inside and out. After, climb by bus up to the Picos de Europa National Park. The park is not what many people picture as Spain, but an alpine landscape – high, cool, lush and green, with forests, deep gorges, cliffs and grasslands dotted with toffee-coloured cows. Covering some 647 square kilometres, Picos de Europa is Spain's second largest national park and spans across the three provinces of Asturias, Cantabria and Leon. For dinner, tuck into a classic Cantabrian dish, cocido lebaniego (a rich, hearty stew of black pudding, pork shoulder, chorizo and locally grown chickpeas). Preparing this dish starts the day before, so while you savour the satisfying local delicacy, take a moment to learn about the ingredients and preparation. Be sure to enjoy it with some crusty bread and a glass of cider!
Day 7 - Oviedo
This morning you'll have the option to head into the national park, where you can go for a walk or take the funicular higher into the mountains for views over the surrounding valleys. After, head to the small mountain town of Potes – bordered by ancient monasteries, Potes is brimming with centuries of history and is a tapestry of bridges, narrow streets and old houses. You’ll arrive in time for the weekly food market, where you’ll have brunch. Depending on the season, you can try locally grown apples, cherries, tomatoes, olives, asparagus or walnuts. On the way to Oviedo, the ancient capital, drive to the hillside village of Arenas de Cabrales. Here, you can taste famous Cabrales cheese (a natural blue cheese produced by farmers using a traditional artisan method). After arriving in Oviedo, stop past an Asturian cider house – the traditional drink of the region. The traditional method of drinking this sparkling treat is to have it poured high over the head into a glass at the knee, which produces natural carbonation.
Day 8 - Oviedo
Take a walk around Oviedo, with its unique personality, pre-Romanesque churches, monuments and grand houses. At the heart of the town sits the impressive Gothic San Salvador Cathedral. Get an introduction to the local products of Asturia at El Fontan market, home to excellent fish stalls beneath a canopy of wrought-iron and glass. This afternoon is free for your own exploration. Maybe take a trip up to the port city of Gijon for fresh seafood and sweet-filled bakeries, or the fishing village of Luanco for a relaxing drink on the promenade. For dinner, consider heading to Calle de la Gascona, lined with lively sidrerias (cider houses) serving a wide range of raciones (tasting plates).
Day 9 - La Coruna / Santiago de Compostela
This morning, take a bus to A Coruna in the region of Galicia, taking in some of the spectacular Galician coastline during the drive. Visit the impressive fish market in the Praza de Lugo and see the range of seafood on offer. Lunch on fresh seafood at a nearby café, then, like thousands of pilgrims before you, end your journey in the capital of Galicia, believed to be the final resting place of the apostle St James. The beautiful old city of Santiago de Compostela holds many delights within its walls, all overseen by the mighty cathedral. Take a walk around the Old District lit up at night, through the arcaded stone streets, the spacious Praza del Obradoiro and past the archbishop’s imposing palace. Santiago is home to more than just pilgrims, with the large population of students from the university enhancing the city’s nightlife. Perhaps spend the night in one of the cafes, bars or tapas restaurants in the Old Town.
Day 10 - Santiago de Compostela
Your journey through Spain comes to an end today. Say adios to your leader and group before parting ways. If you’d like to extend your time in Santiago de Compostela, chat with your booking agent.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
22-04-202501-05-2025AUD $ 5,836-
29-04-202508-05-2025AUD $ 5,496-
13-05-202522-05-2025AUD $ 5,352-
03-06-202512-06-2025AUD $ 5,152-
17-06-202526-06-2025AUD $ 4,956-
19-08-202528-08-2025AUD $ 4,956-
26-08-202504-09-2025AUD $ 4,956-
02-09-202511-09-2025AUD $ 5,152-
09-09-202518-09-2025AUD $ 5,352-
30-09-202509-10-2025AUD $ 5,352-
07-10-202516-10-2025AUD $ 5,152-
14-10-202523-10-2025AUD $ 4,956-
21-10-202530-10-2025AUD $ 4,956-
21-04-202630-04-2026AUD $ 6,505-
28-04-202607-05-2026AUD $ 6,505-
05-05-202614-05-2026AUD $ 6,505-
12-05-202621-05-2026AUD $ 6,505-
19-05-202628-05-2026AUD $ 6,505-
26-05-202604-06-2026AUD $ 6,505-
02-06-202611-06-2026AUD $ 6,505-
16-06-202625-06-2026AUD $ 6,505-
07-07-202616-07-2026AUD $ 6,505-
18-08-202627-08-2026AUD $ 6,505-
25-08-202603-09-2026AUD $ 6,505-
01-09-202610-09-2026AUD $ 6,505-
08-09-202617-09-2026AUD $ 6,505-
15-09-202624-09-2026AUD $ 6,505-
29-09-202608-10-2026AUD $ 6,505-
06-10-202615-10-2026AUD $ 6,505-
13-10-202622-10-2026AUD $ 6,505-

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights)

Transport

Public bus,Taxi,Train,Private vehicle

Map

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