Barcelona, the Costa Brava & Rural Cataluña - 7 days

Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona, Explore

Welcome to Spain! On arrival in Barcelona, you'll transfer to your hotel in the city center. Take some time to settle in and get your bearings before heading out and about to explore the surroundings. Walk down to the waterfront, stop in a café, and enjoy a stroll through the quiet medieval streets of Barri Gòtic (also known as the Gothic Quarter), the oldest part of the city.

Day 2: Go on a Private Guided Tour of the City

This morning starts with a private walking tour of Barcelona and one of its most striking landmarks, La Sagrada Familia. Antoni Gaudí's jaw-dropping masterpiece, still under construction, rises high above the city skyline. It's even more amazing inside, as you'll see on a guided visit. Later, you'll stop by a few of Barcelona's buzzing marketplaces to taste regional treats, including jamón (ham), freshly caught seafood, and delicious cakes and pastries. Afterward, your guide will leave you at a tapas restaurant to continue sampling small plates and Spanish wines. The rest of the evening is yours to explore or relax. 

Day 3: Visit Montserrat & Sample Wines

Set off this morning to the impressive Monastery of Montserrat, set amid dramatic scenery. You'll have a chance to hear the monastery's famous boys' choir perform. Then you'll go for a short walk to the religious shrine of Santa Cova. Depart Montserrat at midday and enjoy a fantastic lunch—Catalan cuisine in a traditional restaurant— followed by a guided tour of one of the region's best boutique wineries. You'll taste some wines (and buy a bottle or two to take with you) before returning to Barcelona for the evening. 

Day 4: Cruise Offshore on a Classic Sailboat

Climb aboard a private sailboat today to cruise along the coast and around Barcelona's harbor, enjoying panoramic views of the city skyline and the Mediterranean Sea. After a couple of hours, you'll return to the port and enjoy a leisurely lunch with water views. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring the city. It's your last window of time in Barcelona. Visit the Museu Picasso or Fundació Joan Miró, catch an acoustic guitar concert, or wander around the charming port neighborhood of Barceloneta, stopping to dine on seafood in one of many down-to-earth restaurants.

Day 5: Day Trip to Medieval Villages

Leave Barcelona this morning and head into the Pyrenees Mountains, where you'll find numerous medieval villages with stone houses built directly into the mountainsides. These villages have been amazingly well preserved, and they're connected by hiking and walking routes. Go for an easy hike along wooded trails, stopping at clifftop lookouts, streams, rivers, and waterfalls. Take in spectacular views of deep river canyons and forested valleys before breaking for a relaxed three-course lunch in a traditional restaurant. 

Day 6: Explore the Costa Brava 

On the last full day of the itinerary, discover the Costa Brava, a section of the coastline renowned for its picturesque villages, idyllic coves, rugged beaches, historic ports, and pebbled beaches popular with swimmers and sunbathers. After a seafood lunch in one of the villages, you'll enjoy a visit to a boutique winery for a tour and tasting. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure.

Day 7: Depart Spain

Today the trip comes to an end. Transfer to the airport in Barcelona to catch a flight out. Safe travels!