Food & Wine: A Taste of Spain
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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 on this small group Food & Wine Tour.
Your tour package includes
- 10 nights in handpicked hotels
- 10 breakfasts
- 4 dinners with beer or wine
- 3 lunches
- 5 wine tastings
Included highlights
- Barcelona's Gracía district
- Santa Caterina Market
- Catalan cooking class
- Cava and Rioja wine tasting
- Pintxo tasting
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day-by-day itinerary
Print itineraryBoard your overnight flight to Barcelona today.
Welcome to Spain! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner featuring regional wines.
Get to know the Catalan capital on a guided sightseeing tour of the oldest part of the city.
- Set off on a walking tour through the Gothic District, the history heart of the city with winding alleyways, peaceful squares, medieval buildings, and vibrant nightlife.
- Begin in El Born, a trendy neighborhood home to the historic Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar—the only surviving Catalan Gothic style church.
- Stroll through Plaça Sant Jaume, the center of the Gothic Quarter and Barcelona's government.
- Explore El Call, the city's Jewish Quarter, and learn about the long history of the Jewish population ranging from the first century to present day.
- Stop for a tasting of churros dipped in chocolate or refreshing cup of horchata.
- End in King's Square, a former palace courtyard turned public square boasting impressive Gothic style architecture.
Enjoy a free afternoon in Barcelona or add an excursion.
Gaudí's Barcelona: Park Güell & La Sagrada Família
From $159 per person
Try your hand at preparing an authentic Spanish meal during a cooking class.
- Tour the Santa Caterina Market in search of fresh ingredients.
- Pass through the Gothic Quarter as you make your way to a culinary school.
- Prepare your own lunch of traditional Spanish 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.
Board a train and travel through the Aragon and Navarra regions to Pamplona, which is located in Basque Country, and get to know the old city on a walking tour.
- Begin with an included lunch featuring txakoli, a locally-produced white wine.
- Pass Plaza de Toros and walk along the Running of the Bulls route.
- Admire Pamplona Cathedral and Pamplona City Hall.
Then, continue on to San Sebastián. You’ll visit a cider house in the city for an included dinner paired with a tasting of Basque Country cider.
A local guide leads this morning’s tour of San Sebastián, a town considered by many to be the culinary capital of Spain.
- Pass by Playa de la Concha and make your way through the Old Quarter.
- Gaze at the balconies that once held the ringside seats for bullfights at Plaza de la Constitución.
- Get a taste of Basque culture as you eye the fresh catches at the fish market.
- See the best places to pintxos hop and hear the best way to order this regional version of tapas.
- Enjoy a tasting of a variety of small plates at a traditional pintxos bar.
Travel west along the scenic Costa Verde to Bilbao and set off on a guided sightseeing tour of the city.
- Admire the architecture in Bilbao’s Old Quarter, known as Casco Viejo.
- Enter the Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum, a showplace of modern and contemporary art, and admire the unique architecture alongside a local guide.
- Enjoy regional fare and wine during an included lunch inside the museum.
Then, continue on to La Rioja region and enjoy a free evening in the area or add an excursion.
Logroño Food Tour: Tapas & Wine
From $109 per person
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 where you'll sip several Rioja tempranillo wines while nibbling on traditional Spanish tapas.
Transfer to Aranda de Duero, the capital of the Ribera del Duero region.
- Discover the town’s underground, interconnected wine cellars.
- Enjoy a tasting of the region’s classic tempranillos paired with tapas and chocolate in the wine cellar.
Tonight, enjoy a vineyard dinner and wine tasting before settling in to your hotel in the Riberia del Duero countryside.
Travel south to Madrid and enjoy a walking tour through the Old Town.
- Pass through Plaza Mayor, one of the main squares in the city.
- Sample some wine and tapas at San Miguel Market.
Spend a free evening in Madrid or add an excursion.
Madrid Flamenco Show
From $189 per person
Get acquainted with Spain’s cosmopolitan capital city with the help of a local guide.
- View the Royal Palace, Spain’s largest royal residence.
- Pass by the Temple of Debod, a reassembled temple from ancient Egypt.
- View the city’s many squares, including Plaza de España and the bustling Puerta del Sol.
- Explore the Prado, a world-class art museum that began as the private collection of the Spanish monarchy and is home to the works of Goya, Velásquez, and more.
Join your fellow travelers for a traditional Castilian farewell dinner at a historic Madrid restaurant.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to Seville.
Board a 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.
- See the Gothic Seville Cathedral, the third-largest church in the world.
- Enter the Royal Alcázar, a palace that was once home to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.
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 in Carmona.
- Enjoy free time to eat lunch in the charming town.
- 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.
Spend a free day in Seville or add an excursion.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Landscapes & Flavors of Sierra de Aracena
From $189 per person
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Book for just $99 down
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Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Overall rating 4.7 out of 5
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars
Spain is a lovely place and a lovely culture to visit, and this tour captures so much of it. Sharing this experience with a fun group of people made it even more wonderful.
Traveler photos
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.This contemporary hotel is located in Plaza España of Barcelona. Guests enjoy central courtyard, spa services, and a fitness area. Nearby, you'll find...
This artsy hotel is located in the Amara neighborhood of San Sebastián. Guests enjoy bike rentals, a bar, and a library. Nearby, you’ll find the Estad...
Immerse yourself in our exclusive indoor swimming pool, designed to make our guests are as comfortable as possible during their stay. AC La Rioja Hot...
This elegant boutique hotel is located in the Aranda del Duero neighborhood. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a restaurant, and wine bar. Nearby, you’ll find t...
This spacious hotel is located in the heart of Madrid. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a fitness center. Nearby, you'll find the Prado ...
This contemporary hotel is located just outside of Seville's historic center. Guests enjoy the rooftop outdoor pool, fitness center, and spa. Nearby y...
Flights
- 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
Print FAQ- 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.
- Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TOS.
- You will walk for at least 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.
- 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.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one personal item 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.
- Porterage is not included for the train transfers. Travelers must be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into luggage storage. The storage space on the train is extremely limited, so we recommended traveling with only one suitcase per person (and a personal item, such as a backpack or purse).
- 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).
- 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 at cdc.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.
- requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TOS.
- 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.
- 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.
- You will use the euro on this tour.
- 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.
- 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 $10USD to $12USD 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.
- 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.