Itinerary

Day One: Arrival in Bilbao (connections from major hubs throughout Europe). Private transfer one hour to San
Sebastian. Afternoon at leisure. Introduction to Basque cuisine via a leisurely evening Pintxos tour in San Sebastian's
Old Town (Pintxos are the Basque equivalent of tapas). Accommodations: Villa Soro, a 25-room stately villa located
just five minutes by foot from San Sebastian's Old Town

Day Two: Epicurean Day in San Sebastian: Start with a guided visit of La Bretxa market with its marvelous fish
section and outdoor farm stands. Learn the differences between the various types of Iberian hams, taste Basque
cheeses and pick up other fresh ingredients for a Pinxtos cooking class at a tasting room overlooking one of the
pedestrian thoroughfares of this charming old city. A local chef will lead your lesson, which will include joint preparation
of between 8 and 12 pintxos. The session will conclude with a pintxos lunch featuring your creations and wine pairings.
Afternoon at leisure. Dinner on your own. Accommodations: Villa Soro.

Day Three: Epicurean Excursion in Basque Country. Depart San Sebastian mid-morning for the coastal town of
Zarautz. Enjoy a private visit with tastings at a charming family-operated winery that produces Txakoli, the delightful
Basque white wine. Continue on to the town of Getaria and enjoy lunch of chargrilled fish on a terrace overlooking the
harbor. Following lunch, proceed inland for private visits and tastings at a Basque cheesemaker and baker. Dinner on
your own. Accommodations: Villa Soro

Day Four: A day-long excursion to Rioja Alavesa,the finest portion of La Rioja wine region located in Basque
country, consisting of a private guided tour of the La Rioja. Tour includes visits to two high-end bodegas (such as
Ramirez de Ganuza, Finca Valpiedra, Muga or Juan Alcorta), as well as cultural sites in Laguardia, plus a traditional
Basque lunch at a favorite restaurant of locals. Transfer to Bilboa. Dinner on your own in Bilbao. Accommodations:
Grand Hotel Domine, Bilbao, a contemporary property just across from the Guggenheim museum

Day Five: Morning private guided tour of the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim museum followed by a transfer to
the Bilbao airport for the 70-minute flight to Barcelona. Transfer to your hotel following arrival. Afternoon at leisure.
Dinner on your own. Accommodations: Casa Fuster, our preferred five-star property in Barcelona located in a
commanding position on the prestigious Passeig de Gracia

Day Six: Day at leisure. Evening cooking class focusing on "nueva cocina," or avant-garde techniques, with one of
the talented young chefs of this movement. The course will explore techniques that employ liquid nitrogen, vapor and
heat vacuums. The class will be followed by an avant-garde dinner with wine pairings. Accommodations: Casa Fuster

Day Seven: Private guided Epicurean Walking Tour of the old city, in addition to visits to the masterpieces of famed
architect Antoni Gaudi. Includes a tour of La Boqueria market as well as epicurean stop-offs and tastings to sample
Catalan chocolate and other regional specialties. Afternoon at leisure. Evening tapas tour of the Born district.
Accommodations: Casa Fuster

Day Eight: Ninety-minute private transfer from Barcelona to your Catalan cooking school, a charming, restored
private home in a quiet village in the spectacular Priorat wine region. Tapas lunch followed by a private visit to a wine
cooperative in El Masroig. Evening cooking class followed by dinner, including local wine pairings.
Accommodations: Deluxe, en suite accommodations co-located with the cooking school

Day Nine: Following breakfast and a relaxing morning, enjoy a private guided visit to Clos de l'Obac winery, one of
the region's best producers, for a private tour with tastings and a winemaker meeting. Lunch at the Cellers de
Gratallops. Afternoon at leisure. Early evening olive oil tasting followed by an evening cooking class and dinner,
including local wine pairings. Accommodations: Deluxe en suite accommodations co-located with the cooking school

Day Ten: Breakfast. Private visit to the Scala Dei monastery, the leading cultural site in Priorat. Private visit with a
tour, tastings and winemaker meeting at the La Conreria de Scala Dei winery. Lunch at the El Cairat restaurant in
Falset. Evening cooking class followed by dinner, including local wine pairings. Accommodations: Deluxe en suite
accommodations co-located with the cooking school

Day Eleven: Transfer to Barcelona airport for departure

More information from Cork And Fork- Epicurean Travel:

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