Curator’s statement
Food and wine are deeply ingrained in the culture of both France and Spain. Imagine lingering outside your French villa in the summer with Coq au Vin and a Beaujolais, or a fireside cassoulet and a Bandol in the winter. In the city, you can enjoy a glass a chablis and a quiche lorraine in a streetside bistro. And let's not forget the fromage! In Spain, we drink cava and rioja and eat tapas (including navajas, tortilla de patatas, gazpacho, fabada asturiana) and a huge pan of paella. On vacation, meals are best enjoyed over time, with good friends with laughter!
The Fora Difference
Book with Lissa to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.
Killer perks
Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you
Personalized recs
Customized travel planning for your style
Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay
Unlock perks by contacting Lissa to book your trip.
Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona
Arrive in Barcelona and enjoy the first day resting and adjusting to your new timezone. Consider a tour of Gaudi's Stroll the city and have tapas at Cañete or El Pintor. Perhaps you are well-rested and would like to see a flamenco show at Tablao Cordobes.
Day 2: Explore Barcelona
After breakfast, your driver/guide will meet you at your hotel and you will skip the lines and enjoy a private guided visit to Antoni Gaudi's famous architectural feat, La Sagrada Familia. After that, you will visit La Boqueria market, Spain's largest marketplace, which is a display of the brightest and most delectable foods Spain can offer. Continuing your private walking tour through the Gothic quarter of Barcelona you will see Barcelona Cathedral, Sant Jaume Square and the amazing Santa Maria del Mar Church. You will stop for a small bite and drink along the way to keep you energized. Your private Barcelona food and wine tour will be rounded off with a light lunch at one of the best delicatessens in the city! Offerings include Spain's best ham and cold meats, local preserves of wild tuna, anchovies or clams and a selection of the best Spanish olive oils, etc. In addition there are English speaking
sommeliers on hand to guide you through more than 6000 wines. The rest of your afternoon will be free to enjoy as you wish.
Day 3: Girona
After breakfast, our English speaking driver/guide will pick you up at your hotel and
take you on a full day tour to visit medieval towns nearby such as Pals and Peratallada as
well as the famous Costa Brava. You will stop for lunch at a centuries old stone farmhouse
with a terrace and garden for some typical Catalan cuisine and wines. In the evening you will be free to stroll the romantic narrow streets of Girona before turning in for the day. I recommend Boutique Hotel Villa Gala.
Day 4: Fly to Bordeaux
Rise and shine! Today you will fly to Bordeaux! Upon arrival at the Bordeaux airport you will have a chauffeured transfer to the InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grand Hotel in the historic center of Bordeaux. Settle in and prepare for a fun wine and cheese tasting for you at a renowned cheese cave in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Winetasting in Bordeaux
Today is an extraordinary wine day! After breakfast, your guide/licensed driver will take you for a full day Left Bank Wine Tour (Margaux, Medoc, Pauliac, and Saint-Julien.) You will enjoy a private guided visit and tasting at two prestigious wineries, located at beautiful historic chateaux and producing sublime wines, with a lunch booking in between visits.
Let's talk about customizing this itinerary for you. Or, about other destinations.
Travel Advisor
Lissa Caltrider
Get in touch with Lissa
Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
You can normally expect a response from Lissa within a business day or so. You’ll also be subscribed to our travel newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).
This itinerary is part of our ongoing series on travel to Spain. Looking for more travel inspo? Check out my guide, The Best of Valencia, Spain.