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Catalunya - The Medieval Domain
The eastern half of Catalunya thrills with some of the most charming and fairytale medieval landscapes and, food origins and heritage of the Garrotxa region, the colorful maritime fervor of the Costa Brava and the distinguished legacies of wine-making of the Emporda region makes this a food, wine and heritage sojourn that takes you on an exceptional journey beyond Barcelona.
HIGHLIGHTS
Experience Medieval villages and towns of Catalunya
Savour exquisite wine and gastronomy
Experience the charm and allure of the countryside
Stay in charming and intimate boutique hotels
ITINERARY
DAY 1: BARCELONA / BIGUES I RIELLS / VIC / OLOT
Arrive at Barcelona El Prat Intl Airport where you will be met as we then begin our journey of Catalunya with a drive to the village of Bigues i Riells where we visit the stunning Benedictine Sant Miquel del Fai Monastery, masterfully carved out of solid rock on the face of a cliff with a stunning setting all around creating one of the most sacred and mysterious atmosphere. Thereafter, continue north to the ancient Roman city of Vic, long renowned for its strong Catalan heritage and identity but also for its distinctive Llonganissa sausages where one of our agendas is to visit the Casa Riera Ordeix, a traditional cured meat factory that has been producing the highest quality of sausages for 6 generations. Enjoy an informative tour learning about its production and a tour of its drying chamber. Worthy of a visit as well is the old town area near the charming Placa Major, one of the most emblematic part of the city where we will witness bustling scenes of its weekly Tuesday and Saturday markets selling a plethora of fresh produce. Finally, our journey culminates into our arrival into the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park to the town of Olot, checking into one of the most unique hotels in the world, the glass hotel of Les Cols Pavellons. This evening, be welcome with a stunning creation of Garrotxa cuisine with a modernist take by 2 Michelin star Chef Fina Puigdevall.
Overnight: Les Cols Pavellons, Olot
Meals: Michelin Dinner
DAY 2: OLOT (THE HEART OF LA GARROTXA) / LAKE BANYOLES
A stunning day as we enjoy a day of sightseeing visiting some of the most incredible medieval towns in all of Spain. An early morning begins with an essential hotair balloon ride over the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park witnessing some of the most incredible scenes of the Pyrenees as well as the dormant volcanic craters that shaped the landscape of La Garrotxa. As we descend back to land, we begin the day proper with an insightful excursion of La Garrotxa and its beautiful towns. Begin our visit with the medieval village of Santa Pau, once a thriving economic center of the Garrotxa region in the Middle Ages. Take a walk through the old part of the town which includes the Placa Major, an arcaded main square of undeniable character with an irregular shape and uneven arches as well as the Church of Santa Maria. Later, we make a short and pleasant drive to hilltop village of Castellfollit de la Roca, uniquely perched on a kilometre-long basalt formation and 160m high cliff providing one of the most dramatic scenes of the Garrotxa region.
Not far away later, we visit one of Spain's best-kept secrets, the medieval fortified town of Besalu, ranked as one of Spain's most beautiful village. Part of the Carminos de Sefarad Jewish pilgrimage route, learn about its Jewish heritage while exploring the spectacular architecture including the iconic 8-arch Ponte Viejo bridge and the Churches of Sant Vicente and Sant Pere. Our journey continues past Lake Banyoles, Catalonia's largest lake stopping for some photo opportunities before arriving at our second unique stay of the journey at the sphere-shaped bubbles of Hotel Mil Estrelles designed by French designer Pierre-Stephane Dumas where you will spend an unforgettable stay under the stars.
Overnight: Mil Estrelles, Lake Banyoles
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 4: LAKE BANYOLES (IN THE PATH OF SALVADOR DALI)
Today, we dedicate the day celebrating the genius of Salvador Dali. Our first stop of the day is art city of Figueres - birthplace of Dali and one of the three points forming the so-called "Dalí triangle". Visit the Dali Museum, the largest surrealistic object in the world. Designed by Dalí himself upon the ruins of the old municipal theater, this magnificent building will allow you to see straight into the painter's mind and contains the most comprehensive collection of the most peculiar surrealist works that you can probably imagine. Thereafter, no visit to Figueres is complete without a visit of the Sant Ferran Castle, the largest bastioned fortress in Europe with a total area of 550,000 square metres. Such is the size of the fortress that we will be enjoying a guided visit with a land rover.
We then continue to the coast to the white-washed village of Cadaques, renowned for its gorgeous landscape and one of the most beautiful coastal villages of Spain. Enjoy a delightful walk going through the labyrinth of charming alleys and spend some time capturing the photogenic moments at every corner. Thereafter, a short distance away is Portlligat, where the day culminates in the visit of Dali's House Museum where in 1930, Dali decided to reside in a tiny cove, building his house upon a group of fishermen's huts. Enjoy a visit into the studio where the painter created his most important works and to take an intimate tour of the rooms where he lived with his beloved wife and muse, Gala. From here, we return back to Mil Estrelles.
Overnight: Mil Estrelles, Lake Banyoles
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 4: LAKE BANYOLES / GIRONA / PUBOL / TORRENT
We leave the Mil Estrelles today as we dedicate the day to the visit of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Girona, a foodie capital and a former Jewish stronghold where we enjoy an insightful visit of this stunningly-beautiful city, one of the best-preserved in Europe as well as renowned as a filming site for the "Game of Thrones". Take a walk through the medieval city to discover the amazing mix of architectural styles and heritage from the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs and Carolingians. Marvel at the spectacle of the Girona Cathedral, the most iconic landmark of Girona and boasts the widest unsupported gothic arch in the world. Walk through the Jewish Quarter with its colorful rows of houses along the banks of the River Onyar casting one of the most photogenic sites in all of Spain. Thereafter, we get ourselves into the extraordinary 3 Michelin Stars El Celler de Can Roca, one of the "World's 50 Best Restaurants" for a gastronomic journey of epic proportions over lunch. Thereafter, we begin our drive into the Emporda, dubbed the "Catalan Tuscany" where we visit the tiny village of Pubol, adorned with pretty stone houses and paved streets, home to the Castell Gala Dali where Dali bought a medieval castle and decorated it for his wife with a collection of artworks. Finally, we arrive in the village of Torrent where we check in at the beautiful environments of the Mas de Torrent.
Overnight: Mas de Torrent, Torrent
Meals: Breakfast & Michelin Lunch
DAY 5: TORRENT (INTO THE HEART OF THE EMPORDA)
A relaxing but delightful day as we visit some of the gems of the Emporda region, renowned for its pretty towns, wines and the surrealism movement. We begin our day with a visit to Peratallada, perhaps the most beautiful town in Catalunya that seems to have stop the passage of time with its fairytale settings, medieval streets and charming stone houses. Enjoy a visit including the Castle of Peratallada, first built in the 11th Century and enjoy scenes of time warp at almost every corner. Not far away later, we stop in the village of Pals with more stunning medieval settings and and experience of strolling the rice fields and an encounter with a local rice farmer. From the heartlands of the Emporda, the second half of the day is dedicated to the beautiful coasts and beaches of the Costa Brava where we may visit and stop at some incredibly stunning beaches such as Sa Tuna close to Begur with its white-washed buildings against the crystalline waters, charming fisherman huts and a mecca for seafood.
Overnight: Mas de Torrent, Torrent
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: TORRENT / RUTA COSTA BRAVA / BARCELONA
A day of "Vitamin Sea" as we enjoy a fully flexible day of stopping in some of the Costa Brava's most mesmerizing beachside towns and villages enjoying scenes of pretty buildings, surreal coastlines and beaches. Attractive stops include the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, the market town of Palamos, the walled city of Tossa de Mar with its fortifications set against the sea and then a gastronomic lunch at the revered 3 Michelin Stars Restaurant Sant Pau in Sant Pol de Mar helmed by inspirational female Chef Carme Ruscalleda who also owns 2 Michelin Star Restaurant Sant Pau in Tokyo, Japan and the 2 Michelin Stars Moments Restaurant in Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, making her the world's only 7 Michelin Stars female chef. We then finally arrive into Barcelona where the journey ends or perhaps continue your discovery of Catalunya to the wine regions of Penedes and Priorat or north to the incredible landscapes of Lleida and the Pyrenees.
Meals: Breakfast & Michelin Lunch
HOTELS
Situated in the town of Olot in the Garrotxa National Park, Les Cols Pavellons is one of the most unusual accommodations in Spain and the world featuring Zen decor rooms with glass floors and walls and a 2 Michelin star restaurant helmed by female Chef Fina Puigdevall housed in a 13th Century farmhouse and 5 glass and steel pavilions designed by the skillful architects of RCR-Aranda-Vilalta-Pigem studio.
A stargazer's dream, the Mil Estrelles offers stylish and comfortable bubble rooms furnished with impeccable design, private bathroom, climate control and includes a telescope and furnished terrace and garden just 10mins drive away from Lake Banyoles. Enjoy a destination stay in one of the most unique accommodations in Spain.
Mas de Torrent is an 18th Century Catalan farmhouse converted into an exclusive 5 star hotel. The spacious rooms feature decor that is traditional and elegant and some rooms offers private pool with private terraces. The Mas de Torrent gourmet restaurant offers traditional Catalan cuisine and an extensive wine list.
