Get ready for a trip of a lifetime exploring one of the most beautiful region of Spain, the Priorat wine region.

Cindy is delighted to be hosting this Wine Lovers Travel trip to Spain, one of her favorite wine regions. Priorat is only one of two regions in Spain that are designated as DOQ, the highest wine classification (the other is Rioja, which we’ll save for another trip!)

Date

Mar 17 - 25, 2025

Year

2025

Group Size

12 - 16

Tour Escort

Day 1 to Day 9

Get ready for a trip of a lifetime exploring one of the most beautiful region of Spain, the Priorat wine region.   This is only one of two regions in Spain which are designated as DOQ, the highest wine classification (the other is Rioja, which we’ll save for another trip!)

But first, we will start our trip in Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region. You will stay at the beautiful and timeless 5-star Hotel El Palace Barcelona and have 2 days to explore this vibrant city full of art and beautiful architecture.

From there, we move on to Spain’s wine country, and check into the Mas d’en Bruno, a luxury boutique hotel on a historic estate in the heart of Priorat. In this dream hotel, guests will enjoy a wonderful experience in a unique destination renown for producing some of the world’s best wines, most notably Garnacha, or Grenache as it’s known elsewhere. You will visit multiple wineries and taste wines with incredible views, such as Siurana.

After leaving Priorat, you’ll head on to northern Catalonia and visit Costa Brava.  Our hotel is the Parador de Aiguablava,  perched on the bluffs overlooking the sea. Here, you’ll visit an olive estate, see medieval cities, visit the Dali Museum, and more. The trip will finish with a private country home visit and a cooking class before returning to Barcelona to depart home.

About Your Host Cindy Rynning:

Cindy Rynning has been writing about wine, food and travel on her award-winning wine blog, Grape Experiences, since 2011.  She passed the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Advanced/Level 3 program with Merit in 2012. Among her many accomplishments, Cindy became a member in the prestigious Circle of Wine Writers, the world’s leading international association of wine and spirits authors, writers, journalists, bloggers, broadcasters, photographers and educators. She is a judge in the Central Coast Wine Competition (2022, 2023, 2024), has written for a variety of national print and digital publications, is co-founder of the YouTube channel, Crush On This and is a Contributing Editor to the Slow Wine Guide 2024 and 2025. In November 2023, Cindy published an online course on Teachable, “Discover the Essentials of Wine (and choose it like a pro!).” Cindy is now delighted to be hosting this Wine Lovers Travel trip to Spain, one of her favorite wine regions.

Trip Highlights

– Private guided tour of Barcelona with a visit to the Sagrada Familia Church.

– Walking in the old quarter with top local guide and visit Boqueria Food Market.

– Private paella lunch and cooking class with wine and specialty shopping with local artisans in the Gracia district.

– Stops in Penedes and Montserrat on the way to Priorat wine country.

– Multiple private winery visits and the famous Siurana views.

– Tarragona, Girona, and Costa Brava visits.

– Dali Museum and Dali’s home visit.

– Pottery class and private country home cooking class.

What is included in the price?

– Hotels with daily breakfast and taxes.

– Lunch or dinner each day, including wine.

– All tastings, experiences and entrance fees.

– Local transportation via luxury vehicles, such as Mercedes Sprinters.

– Tour Manager traveling with the group throughout the tour to manage the trip and act as concierge.

– Local guides as needed.

– Airport transfer at conclusion of trip.

– Gratuities.

Not included:

–  International air.

– Transfer to hotel upon arrival.

– Travel/Cancellation Insurance (every traveler must either show proof of insurance or waive coverage.)

– Items of personal nature.

– Anything not included in the itinerary.

Day 1 – March 17, 2025
Arrive in Barcelona

Check-in at El Palace, your home for the next few nights. Then, go off on a Panoramic Tour of the city and a private guided visit of the Sagrada Familia Church. Afterward, we’ll have a welcome dinner with wine pairing.

Day 2 – March 18, 2025
Barcelona

Start the day off walking in the old quarter with a top local guide and visit Boqueria Food Market. Then, enjoy a private paella lunch and a cooking class with wine. Afterward, we’ll find some specialty shopping with local artisans in the Gracia district. Finally, end your night enjoying dinner on your own, where you can explore the city some more.

Day 3 – March 19, 2025
Depart for Priorat Wine Country

In the morning, we’ll check out of our hotel in Barcelona. We’ll get on our private motorbus, which will take us to the wine country. We will stop in Penedes and Monserrat on the way, including a ride on a cable car and to hear the famous Boys Choir perform at the Monserrat Monastery. Next up is lunch at MontRubi with wine pairing, including a winery visit and wine pairing gourmet lunch. From there, we’ll visit the ArtCava where we will have another tasting. We’ll depart back to our hotel in Priorat and check in at Gran Hotel Mas D’en Bruno. Everyone can enjoy their evening as they wish. Explore the grounds, relax at the spa, or venture on your own.

Day 4 – March 20, 2025
Priorat Wine Region

We’ll start the day with a private winery visit with the owner-winemaker at Clos L’Obac, one of the region’s most famous producers. Then, we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant with wine. Next, we’ll continue on to a second winery with another private tasting. As we drive home, we’ll take time to stop in the incredibly picturesque village of Siurana.  Perched high on a mountain summit, it offers views from every corner. Free evening to enjoy as you wish.

Day 5 – March 21, 2025
Tarragona and Exploring

We will start the day by driving to Tarragona, a beach town with many ancient ruins.  On our Tarragona visit, we will have a Vermouth introduction and private tasting. Then, we’ll enjoy lunch at the port together. Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel for some free time for you to relax! Enjoy the beautiful spa at the hotel or use your time to rest up for the evening. Tonight, we’ll have a gourmet dinner with private wine pairings and a comparative tasting of top Priorat wineries.

Day 6- March 22, 2025
Costa Brava

We’ll check out from our lovely hotel and depart Priorat for Costa Brava in Northern Catalonia. Along the way, we will stop in Girona, a medieval city we will tour with a top local guide.  Girona is known both for its Roman road and its ancient preserved Jewish ruins.  Girona was once the home of one of the largest Jewish populations in Spain. Next, we’ll have lunch at Rest Els Tinars. In the afternoon, we will visit an olive oil private estate and enjoy a private tasting. Afterward, we will check in to Parador de Aiguablava and stay for 3 nights. Everyone will have amazing sea views and never want to leave.

Day 7 – March 23, 2025
Costa Brava Day Trip–Cadaqués and Figueras

Discover the most important works of Salvador Dali and get to know the artist on a personal level. This excursion will take you through the “triangle” of towns that most significantly shaped his life. Explore Figueres, the artist’s birthplace and current home of the Dalí Museum. Enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery and charming small-town life of Cadaqués. Afterward, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and of course, pair it with wine. In the afternoon we will return to the hotel for free time.

Day 8 – March 24, 2025
Costa Brava Day Trip-Medieval Villages

After visiting a few important medieval villages, you’ll have a chance to try out your creativity by taking part in a pottery class. When your masterpiece is complete, we’ll have a break and enjoy lunch on our own. Afterward, we will head to the private country home of Chef Pilar Latorre for a cooking class.  What we prepare will also be our farewell dinner, served with wine. The evening ends with a return to our hotel.

Day 9 – March 25, 2025
Depart Barcelona

Our trip has come to an end. You will have a private driver back to Barcelona (approx. 1.5-2 hr. drive time). From here, we wish you happy travels home or to your next destination.

Wine Lovers Travel Discover Spain: A Grape-Experiences Adventure food