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Food & Wine: A Taste of Spain

with Seville extension

Duration: 12 or 15 days
Group size: 14-28
Reviews: 28

The flavors of Spain’s vibrant regions will surprise and entice.

From the cava of Catalonia to the pintxos of Basque Country, Spain’s cuisine is calling you. Sample regional dishes and take in the culture of Barcelona and Madrid, savor San Sebastian’s world-famous fare, and taste tempranillo wines of La Rioja and Ribera del Duero.

Your tour package includes

10 nights in handpicked hotels
10 breakfasts
4 dinners with beer or wine
3 lunches
4 wine tastings

Included highlights

Santa Caterina Market
Catalan cooking lesson
Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and “House of Bones”
Cava and Rioja wine tasting
Ribera del Douro wine cellar

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Barcelona today.

Barcelona3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Barcelona

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Spain! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner featuring regional wines.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Barcelona

Included meal: Breakfast

Get to know the Catalan capital on a guided sightseeing tour this morning.

• Step inside La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s famous masterwork-in-progress

• Drive along Passeig de Gràcia, past Gaudí’s “House of Bones”

• Stop at Montjuïc, where the 1992 Olympic Games took place, and stroll Mirador de l’Alcalde Park

• Pass Plaça d’Espanya and the soaring monument to Christopher Columbus

Enjoy a free afternoon in Barcelona or add an excursion.

Park Güell & La Pedrera

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 4: Cooking lesson & Cava wine tasting

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Try your hand at preparing an authentic Spanish meal during a cooking lesson.

• Tour the Santa Caterina Market in search of fresh ingredients

• Pass through the Gothic Quarter and stop at an olive oil shop as you make your way to a culinary school

• Prepare your own lunch of traditional Catalan dishes with the help of a professional chef and relax while enjoying it with a glass of wine

This afternoon, travel to the Cava wine region to visit a winery and sip this sparkling Spanish specialty.

San Sebastian2 nights

Day 5: San Sebastián via Pamplona

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Board a train and travel through Basque Country to Pamplona, the famous setting for the Running of the Bulls, on your way to San Sebastián. Get to know the old city on a walking tour.

• Sit down to a traditional tapas lunch in the city

• Pass Plaza de Toros and walk along the Running of the Bulls route

• Admire Pamplona Cathedral and Pamplona City Hall

This evening, enjoy an included dinner featuring region wines in San Sebastián.

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of San Sebastián

Included meal: Breakfast

A local guide leads this morning’s tour of San Sebastián, a town bordered by green mountains and roaring ocean.

• Pass by Playa de la Concha and make your way through the Old Quarter

• At Plaza de la Constitución, gaze at the balconies that once held the ringside seats for bullfights

• Get a taste of Basque culture as you eye the fresh catches at the fish market

• Pop into a bar for Basque-style tapas with txakoli, a locally-produced white wine

La Rioja Region2 nights

Day 7: La Rioja Region via Bilbao

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Travel west along the scenic Costa Verde to Bilbao.

• Admire the architecture in Bilbao’s Old Quarter, known as Casco Viejo with your tour director

• View the unique architecture of the Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum, a showplace of modern and contemporary art with a local guide

• Enjoy regional fare and wine during an included lunch inside the museum

Day 8: La Rioja Villages & wine tasting

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend the morning exploring the villages of La Rioja region, then head to a winery for a tasting.

• Enter the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture in Briones to learn about wine history on a self-guided tour with an audio guide

• Drive through the Ebro River Valley and take in views of the beautiful vineyards and landscape

In the afternoon, enjoy free time in the quaint village of Laguardia, which is known for its medieval architecture and city walls. Then, enjoy a tour and tasting in Rioja’s wine region.

• Visit the City of Wine complex at the Marqués de Riscal wine cellars

• Take a tour of the gorgeous vineyards and view the hotel designed by the innovative architect Frank Gehry

• Sip several Rioja tempranillo wines while nibbling on traditional Spanish tapas

Ribera Del Duero Region1 night

Day 9: Aranda de Duero

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to Aranda de Duero, the capital of the Ribera del Duero region, to discover the town’s interconnected wine cellars during a tasting of the region’s classic tempranillos. Tonight, enjoy a vineyard dinner and wine tasting.

Madrid2 nights

Day 10: Travel to Madrid

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel south to Madrid. After arriving, enjoy a free afternoon to sample the city’s local flavors or add an excursion.

Madrid Flamenco Show

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Madrid

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Begin your day following a local guide on a citywide tour.

• Discover the artwork of the Prado Museum, which began as the private collection of the Spanish monarchy

• Pass some of the city’s main squares including Plaza Cibeles, Plaza Neptune, and Plaza de España, where you’ll view the Don Quixote statue

• Pass by the Temple of Debod, a reassembled temple from ancient Egypt

• Enjoy a walking tour through the city’s historic district from the Royal Palace to Plaza Mayor

• Finish your tour with wine and tapas at San Miguel market

Bid farewell to your fellow travelers over a traditional Castilian dinner at a historic Madrid restaurant.

Flight Home

Day 12: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to Seville.

Extension to Seville

Get to know the traditions of Andalusia’s charming capital city. With its winding, medieval streets and unique blend of Moorish and Christian architecture, Seville offers something new at every turn. Here, you’ll enjoy life at the Spanish pace, slowly savoring each moment.

Seville3 nights

Day 12: Train to Seville & sightseeing tour

Included meal: Breakfast

Board the high-speed train and head south to uncover the beauty of Seville, the historic Andalusian capital, on a guided sightseeing tour.

• View the tiled pavilion of the Plaza de España

• Pass the whitewashed homes of Barrio de Santa Cruz

• Enter the Royal Alcázar, a palace that was once home to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella

Day 13: Carmona and Jerez

Included meal: Breakfast

Journey to the countryside, where you’ll experience Andalusian culinary specialties.

• Sample artisanal olive oils and learn about their production at an olive oil farm

• Enjoy free time in the charming town of Carmona

• Travel to Jerez where Sherry, the famous fortified wine, is produced

• Tour a bodega to see how Sherry is produced, and then have a taste

Day 14: Free day in Seville

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend the day exploring at your leisure or add excursions.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Landscapes & Flavors of Sierra de Aracena

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 15: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.8 average

I can't wait to take this tour again

05/20/2019 by 19th time traveler Terry P.

Loved it. It was the perfect balance for us, the Bilbao experience (Guggenheim museum branch and spectacular included lunch) an essential part of the tour (previously an optional) and the Prado tour (also included with local guide), sold us on this trip and were the primary reasons we loved it. Sa...

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Outstanding tour

11/01/2018 by 2nd time traveler Tambra C.

This tour was an exceptional value. I gained so much education as well as memories that I will have for a lifetime. Our tour guide Manuel made this tour exceptional. He exceeded our expectations by making sure each individual was experiencing everything they had hoped to.

My Intro To Spain

11/05/2018 by 2nd time traveler Anonymous

I had a wonderful time. We could not have had a better guide than Manuel. The time of year that we visited Spain was mid October and the weather was great. Out tour was fun and culturally rewarding. The visits to the wineries and restaurants were educational. The hotels were better than I expect...

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spain food and wine

10/22/2018 by 3rd time traveler Jim S.

This is a fantastic tour, the accommodations were 1st class, the amount of free time was just right, our tour director Marcello was just as excited as we were to be on this tour. The cooking class was so much fun and delicious. San Sebastian was beautiful and very clean, our stay at the vineyard o...

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Go Ahead and Book it!

06/19/2018 by 2nd time traveler Allie B.

My spouse and I booked the Food & Wine tour for our honeymoon and, to be honest, I was nervous relinquishing control over flights, hotels, and daily activity bookings for such a highly anticipated holiday. Thankfully, I can say that my fears were completely ill-founded. This trip through Northern Sp...

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Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

H10 Marina

This modern hotel is located in La Vila Olímpica in the Sant Martí district of Barcelona. Guests enjoy a pool, fitness center, and Skyline Terrace wit...

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Hotel Catalonia Berna

The Catalonia Berna Hotel is housed in one of the first four buildings to be constructed in Barcelona's Eixample district, in an eclectic classical st...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Spain, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 2 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with some hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own luggage at times, as well as getting in and out of trains.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Barcelona and depart from Madrid (or Seville on the tour extension).A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
The tour extension includes a train ride from Madrid to Seville.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Spain.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website atcdc.gov
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

In Spain, breakfast like a local with just a pastry and coffee. Then, tuck into a three-course lunch featuring a Spanish staple like savory seafood paella or grilled meat and fried potatoes. Dinner is less hearty than lunch and is served late, between 9pm and midnight. Snack on small plates called tapas any time of day.
Spain produces a wide variety of both red and white wines throughout its many regions, such as sparkling wine in the Cava region, tempranillo wine in Rioja and Ribera del Duero, and fortified wine in Jerez, Andalusia.
Catalan cuisine, which can be found in Barcelona, is markedly different from food in other parts of Spain. Nearly every restaurant will offer _pa amb tomàquet_—toasted bread with tomato and olive oil. Fresh seafood, hearty meat dishes, cheeses, and locally grown vegetables, such as wild mushrooms, are culinary mainstays.
Pintxos, small snacks that are usually spiked with a toothpick to a piece of bread, are an especially popular sort of tapas in the Basque Country.

Electricity & air conditioning

Spain operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Spain is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro in Spain.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.