Spa, Surrealism and Sparkling Wine

Tour Date: July 9 - July 15, 2005

Trip Price: $3779 per person (Subject to currency fluctuation)

Tour starts in Barcelona, Spain

This wonderful wine tour takes in Gourmet Mediterranean dinners in 17th century villas, amazing art, and "Spa Therapy", in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia. We will also have private winery visits to some of the most exquisite wineries in the country (including a castle) and taste "Cavas" (Spain's renowned sparkling wine), and scrumptious reds. Relax in utter luxury at Spain's first "Wine Spa", a high concept, charming hotel that offers a spa, golf and delightful surroundings in a medieval village at the base of The Pyrenees. Surreal Art is a highlight on the trip, and we will visit Salvador Dali's incredible museum in Figueres. Along the way, we visit Greek Ruins, medieval Jewish monuments, romantic beaches, and top gastronomic establishments.

We begin in Barcelona, at the beautiful Hotel Arts, for an aperitif and briefing of the wine tours. We move on to a designer locale for lunch and then on to our first winery visit in the ancient wine region of Penedes. The Cellar Master will give us an intimate tour, followed by an informative wine tasting. We'll sleep in a quaint fishing village south of Barcelona. After a few more cellar visits, we make our way for Gerona, for a meander along the canals and "Casco Antiguo", the old quarter. Gerona has been home to Romans, Moors and Jews, who have all left their architectural mark. Free time to explore on your own, and we continue on to the perfectly preserved medieval village of Perelada. In Perelada, we have time to relax in the Wine Spa, hit the golf course, take a lovely walk, or simply hang out in the Jacuzzi. Excursions from Perelada include a visit to Salvador Dali's mind-boggling surreal masterpiece of a museum, to the gorgeous coastal village of Cadaques, the Greco-Roman town of Empuries, and to a multitude of Romanesque hamlets dotting the Pyrenees. On our last night, we move to the Catalan Gourmet Triangle of Peratallada- La Bisbal- Torrent. We have an incredible hotel in store for us, a member of the prestigious Relais Chateaux. Our rooms will be decorated in rustic elegance, with vintage furniture, high ceilings, hard wood floors, Persian carpets, etc. Our hotel, reminiscent of a Tuscan villa, is surrounded by lush gardens. Dinner on our last night will be a meal to remember, as our hotel houses one of Europe's best-regarded gourmet restaurants. This is a wine tour for lovers of the good life. We move at a non-hurried pace, taking time to enjoy the pristine surroundings and breathtaking landscapes, relax and experience wonderful wines and dishes

Day 1 Barcelona, aperitif at 5* Hotel Arts, ritzy lunch in "designer" locale, Barcelona - Transfer to Penedes for wine tasting - Delicious 3 course dinner with wine and aperitifs - Overnight in Vilanova y la Geltru / Sitges.
Day 2 Two Cellar Visits to Catalonia's most interesting wineries - Lunch with wine - Free late afternoon and evening to enjoy the beach, cafes, tapas bars, etc - Overnight in Vilanova/ Sitges.
Day 3 Visit to Gerona, handsome medieval town with fascinating Jewish quarter and Arab Baths - Free time for lunch and walk about - Transfer to 5* luxury Wine Spa in Perelada, medieval village - Overnight and gourmet dinner in Perelada.
Day 4 Excursion to Figueres, to amazing Salvador Dali Museum - Lunch in charming, seaside village of Cadaques (a haunt of Picasso's) - Free time to walk around the cobblestoned, windy streets - Overnight in lovely Perelada - Free time for dinner on your own with many exciting, gourmet restaurants nearby.
Day 5 Wine Tasting in the gorgeous Castle of Perelada, star producers of Cava - Afternoon free for Spa treatments, Golf, or excursion to medieval town in The Pyrenees - Introductory relaxation spa package included - Overnight in 5* Wine Spa in Perelada.
Day 6 Visit to Greco-Roman town of Empuries - Travel along the fabulous Costa Brava - Overnight in, 5* luxury 17th century mansion in Torrent, where we will have an unforgettable gastronomic feast
Day 7 Full Breakfast - Visit to Tossa de Mar, a fortified town overlooking the "Costa Brava", a coastline very similar to Northern California, particularly Big Sur - Transfer to Barcelona, end of services.

What's Included:
· All Transportation in luxury, air conditioned bus · Aperitif at 5* Hotel Arts, Barcelona · All luxury accommodation (6 nights, 4 nights in luxury 5 Star hotels) · Introductory Spa Package · Full Breakfasts · 3 Lunches with wine, mineral water and beer · 3 Gourmet Dinners with wine and brandies · Expert Bilingual Guide, owner led · 4 Winery Visits and Tastings · All Entrance Fees to Cultural Sites · Cellar Tours Gourmet Gift

What's not Included
· Airfare · Meals and Drinks not specified · Tips · Personal Expenses (mini bar, telephone, etc)

Prices quoted are per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplements apply when not sharing accommodation. Tour Itineraries listed are subject to change without notice. No unused portion of the vacation can be refunded. 15 % deposit required to secure place on tour within 45 days of departure. Balance required within 30 days of trip.