DEEP INTO CATALONIA - 10 DAYS Venture Deep Into Catalan Culture and Explore the Rural Plain of the Baix Emporda and the Rugged Coastline of the Costa Brava
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Reserve your spot at https://www.uncovrtravel.com/tours-catalonia or call your Uncovr Tour Host, Jason Wertz at 1-213-884-8050 SPAIN: DEEP INTO CATALONIA - 10 DAYS Venture deep into Catalan culture and explore the rural plain of the Baix Emporda and the rugged coastline of the Costa Brava. Our journey begins in the Baix Emporda, where we will discover medieval villages perched on rock outcrops, woods of umbrella pine and cork oak, endless stretches of farmland, finely arranged grapevines, and olive groves. We then cross over the Serra de Rodes mountain range and into Spain’s wild coast, the Costa Brava. Inspiring artists and writers for generations, guests will soon marvel at the mesmerizing sea, picturesque whitewashed fishing villages and a Mediterranean culture unique from the southern coasts of Spain. As with all our tours, we travel deeper to avoid the masses and to carefully craft authentic local-inspired experiences. Trip Highlights - Your 10 Day Journey • Discover the history of Vermouth, or “vermut” as the Catalans call it – not just a drink, but a part of their urban culture. • Scenic daily hikes and rides to inspire the senses and burn off those calories from all of the scrumptious food • Explore the castles, monasteries and vineyards of this rich region • Experience the best of modern and historic styles of art, accomodations and tastes. 2020 Tour Dates Saturday, September 5 - Sunday, September 13, 2020 Saturday, September 19 - Sunday, September 27, 2020 If you don’t see the dates you want, contact us. Featured Luxury Accommodations Nights 1&2 Terra Dominicata Escaladei Nights 3&4 Cava Mastinell Hotel Villafranca del Penedés Nights 5 Les Cols Pavellons Olot Nights 6&7 Arkhe Pals Nights 8&9 Hotel Villa Gala Cadaqués 2020 Booking Options Duo $6,480 $600 Deposit Solo $7,030 $600 Deposit * Journey inclusions might change based on availability. However, our promise to deliver uniquely curated local experiences will dictate any potential changes. SPAIN: DEEP INTO CATALONIA ITINERARY - 10 DAYS DAY 1: Barcelona to Tarragona: A First Taste of Catalonia DAY 6: Baix Empordà: Hilltop Views You’ll be picked up in Barcelona at 10am to travel to our Our journey continues with a transfer to the small hilltop first leg of the itinerary: the Priorat region. We’ll head to town of Pals, in the heart of Baix Empordà. First we’ll Tarragona, the city of human towers, Catalonia’s most enjoy serendipity time in the picturesque town of Besalú, famous cultural tradition. We’ll discover the history of then we’ll explore Girona with our local hosts, the owners Vermouth – not just a drink, but a part of their urban culture. of La Simfonia, where we’ll be able to rest and sit down for After checking in at our hotel, we’ll engage in an afternoon lunch. We’ll learn the art of Catalan cooking in a hands-on of serendipity: free time to explore and enjoy the setting sun, culinary workshop at Tots a Taula, then check into Arkhe before exploring the cellars of wine and a venture into the for the next two nights of sleep. Following serendipity time artful, culinary world of Pieter Truyts at Brots over dinner. in Pals, we’ll learn about the biodynamic culinary world of Iolanda Bustos at Calendula, a vintner with a poetic way of DAY 2: Priorat and Its Natural wines: Terra Alta reading flavours. We’ll take the morning to walk to the Carthusian Monastery of Santa Maria d’Escaladei and uncover the mines of DAY 7: Baix Empordà: Art and Culture Bellmunt. We’ll then spend the afternoon getting acquainted On our next morning we’ll take an assist bike ride through the with Priorat’s natural wine movement, and head into the Baix Empordà, after which we’ll visit the Palau de Casavells, terra alta of Priorat. Among other wineries, we’ll meet a sanctuary-like gallery for art and design. To continue our Francesc and Joan, sons and brothers behind the business of cultural visit, we’ll explore the former medieval castle of Celler Frisach, where we’ll meet again later for dinner after a Púbol, the fortification that Salvador Dalí dedicated to his traditional sunset river cruise down the Rivera d’Elbe. wife, Gala. We’ll go for lunch and beer at a local brewery, before moving on to discover the natural wines of the DAY 3: Penedes: Castles, Monasteries and Vineyards Empordà. We are then treated to a private dining experience We continue our journey by transferring to Penedes, where with two passionate, high-level chefs. we are promptly introduced to the biodynamic wines of Escoda Sanahuja. We’ll explore castles and monasteries and DAY 8: Toward Cadaques their great views before we check into Mastinell, our hotel On our eight day, we’ll step out for a cheese tasting, explore overlooking vineyards. If you are up for it, we can schedule a monastery, and enjoy the natural wines and lunch of Mas the afternoon riding horseback. Following a wine visit, Estela Winery. We’ll check in for two nights at Hotel Villa we are invited for a visit at ceramicist Joan Carles Llarch’s Galla, after which we repose and take to serendipity time studio. Family-style dinner with plenty of wine follows suit. in Cadaques. At sunset we’ll go for a gala acoustic cave concert – before sitting down for a sharing-friendly dinner DAY 4: The Art of Bubbles at Corpinnat at Compartir. Our next day is dedicated to the art of bubbles at Corpinnat: a brilliant new category of sparkling wine no longer bottled DAY 9: Salvador Dalí and Paella under the Cava DO. We’ll visit a family of winemakers at Our morning walk will see us head to Casa Museu Salvador Recaredo, where we’ll see how tradition is preserved. We’ll Dalí to discover the eccentric surrounds of the Catalonian go for fantastic Catalan lunch and dedicate ourselves to artist’s extensive body of work. As a palate cleanser, we’ll terroirs and estates for the remainder of the afternoon, discover Spain’s wild coast on the Sant Isidre charter. discovering winemaking tradition since the 14th century at Unmissable to this trip, of course, is a beach-side paella: Llopart, touring the estate in a vintage vehicle and settling dinner at Paella Club will certainly hit the spot! down for dinner in the manor. DAY 10: End of Tour: Farewell, Catalonia DAY 5: Medieval Serendipity and High Gastronomy Our last day will end on a wine note at Cellar De Les Aus We’ll transfer to the medieval-modern town of Olot and for a tasting and lunch, before we end our tour and transfer uncover the world of Les Cols, after which we are free to back to Barcelona, complete with memories of this splendid enjoy serendipity time in the old Roman time of Vic. At landscape that has fascinated human civilization for lunch and dinner we’ll catch up with passionate chefs Nandu millennia. Jubany at Can Jubany and Fina Puigdevall at Les Cols for sensational gastronomic experiences. We’ll check-into the all-glass hotels at Les Cols Pavellons for breathtaking accommodation, and enjoy a sunset stroll through the art- filled streets in Santa Pau. MEET YOUR HOSTS Jason Wertz “In curating UNCOVR journeys, I draw upon what I love most about travel, which is to get to know people on a more personal basis. So we go where the locals go and do what the locals do. We create a more intimate, more personal travel experience, recognizing that the real value of travel is emotional. Each time I return home changed, better. My goal with UNCOVR is that our guests do, too.” Can Jubany, near Calldetenes, has been run by Nandu Jubany and Anna Orte since 1995. The traditional appearance of this must- see establishment is complemented perfectly by contemporary lines and modern furnishings indoors. Products that start in the forest and the vegetable garden and pass to the plate, and innovative recipes that retain the essence of life. Llopart Winery Visitors a stroll through Llopart’s history from its origin to the present day. You will get to know about the vineyard growth cycles as well as organic grape growing. All this will take place in our vineyards which offer unbeatable views over the Penedès wine region and the Montserrat mountains range. Hot Air Balloon Palau De Casavells Laura and David, owners Iolanda Bustos over the Emporda Contemporary Art of La Simfonia at Calendula .