Northern Spain Real Food Adventure
Experience Overview
Explore the sights, sounds and tastes of Northern Spain on this food-focused adventure. Immerse yourself in local history and culture as you sample produce at La Boqueria Market, whip up Catalan specialties in a cooking class, enjoy tapas bars in Logrono, discover the medieval streets and underground wine caves of Laguardia and venture north to San Sebastian, home to beaches and a thriving arts scene. Experience a traditional Asturian sidreria (cider house) near Oviedo, attend a centuries' old farmers market in the Potes and taste fresh seafood on the coast in Galicia. With Santiago de Compostela in your sights, your Spanish food pilgrimage is a path worth taking.
Highlights
- Learn tried and tested techniques to make the best and most authentic Catalan and Basque cuisine from local experts.
- Tour the markets of Oviedo, Potes and A Coruna where stallholders will show you how to spot the most flavourful ingredients. After all, who knows where to find the freshest produce better than the locals?
- Sample the plates that make Northern Spain a true foodie's delight. Whether it’s tapas and paella, or regional specialty cheeses, hams and fresh seafood, your tongue and tummy will be happy you made the trip.
- Discover the iconic sights of Spain as you wander La Rambla in Barcelona, stroll the Parte Vieja in San Sebastian and savour Santiago de Compostela.
- Try the vast range of delicious drops that Spain is known for, including cava, vermouth, wine and cider. Get up close and personal with their production methods, learn the traditional ways to drink them and sit back and enjoy a sip in the Spanish sunshine.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3295
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Public bus,Taxi,Train,Private vehicle
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: ZMZZ
Starts: Barcelona, Spain
Finishes: Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (5), Lunch (4), Dinner (2)Accommodation: Hotel (9 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,735 ($574 /day)
Itinerary
Hola! Welcome to Spain. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. For those who arrive early, perhaps explore the streets of the old Gothic Quarter, check out the Picasso Museum, wander the tree-lined boulevard of La Rambla or take the funicular to the top of Montjuic or Tibidabo for some incredible views. After the meeting, jump straight into your adventure by sipping a locally produced cava or vermouth in a local bar, then maybe head out on a tapas crawl with your group, tasting rustic bite-sized Catalan dishes.
Included Activities:
- Barcelona - Cava or Vermouth tasting
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, get ready for an authentic introduction to Catalan cuisine with a passionate and well-regarded local chef. Taste your way through the stalls of La Boqueria Market and pick up some fresh ingredients for a cooking class. Hang out with the stall holders as you select the best piece of meat, feel for the crispest vegetable and choose the freshest seafood. After, your host will guide you in crafting the Spanish classic of paella. Sit down to lunch accompanied by a glass or two of wine from the nearby Penedes region and spend the afternoon exploring more of the city's food hotspots. You might like to get cultural with some Gaudi at the Casa Mila or check out the La Sagrada Familia. Maybe get lost in the mysterious alleys of the Gothic Quarter and finish the day with a sip of red wine from a porron – a traditional glass pitcher.
Included Activities:
- Barcelona - Boqueria Market Tour
- Barcelona - Catalan cooking demonstration and lunch
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Ride the rails east to the prized vineyards of the La Rioja wine region and Logrono. Logrono sits on the banks of the Ebro River and is the capital of Spain’s most renowned wine region. It also boasts one of the most distinguished culinary traditions in the country and is home to some of the best tapas bars in Spain, all crammed into its small medieval centre. Logrono is a charming city of medieval fortifications, where much work is being done to restore it to its full glory. This evening you’ll go on a walking tour of the Old Quarter, wandering down Calle del Laurel and the 60 or so aperias (tapas bars) that line the way. This is the perfect opportunity to sample a bit of everything, as each bar has its own speciality – taste some grilled chorizo or wild mushrooms and wash them down with a glass of the region’s famous red.
Included Activities:
- Logrono - Tapas Crawl
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning you’ll stop by the Logrono market where you might like to pick up some treats for a picnic lunch later. Then, take a local bus and go back in time to the historic walled town of Laguardia. The entire centre of Laguardia is traffic free and a maze of tunnels lies underground, which have been used to make and store wine for centuries. Tour Laguardia's wine caves, then enjoy a guided tasting through some of the region's distinct varieties. Later in the afternoon, transfer to the stunning seaside San Sebastian – a jewel of the Basque country and a city obsessed with food. Take an orientation tour of the Parte Vieja (Old Town) – a mix of alleyways wedged between the bay and the Urumea River. Tonight, maybe join your leader for an optional tour of the neighbourhood streets for a txikito of pinxtos (a Basque-style tapas crawl). Don’t forget to wash them down with txakoli (slightly fizzy white wine and the region’s signature wine)!
Included Activities:
- Laguardia - Wine cellar visit and tasting
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
One of the secrets to the success of San Sebastian’s food scene is the obsession with high quality, local, seasonal ingredients. The best way to experience this firsthand it to visit the traditional food markets of La Bretxa or San Martin, which you’ll do this morning before a masterclass in Basque cuisine. In this hands-on cooking class, you’ll learn how to prepare some of the signature dishes of the region, and you’ll also taste Basque products including idiazabal (a local cheese) and txakoli. The afternoon is free you to explore the town or surrounding area. Perhaps catch a cable car to Monte Igueldo for some spectacular views or take a trip along the winding coast to the nearby fishing village of Getaria. Maybe discover San Sebastian’s beaches, shops and streets, or dive into pinxtos bars that range from the traditional to the experimental.
Included Activities:
- San Sebastian - Basque cooking class
- San Sebastian - Market tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Continue east to Bilbao – a city that was revitalised by the arrival of the Guggenheim Museum. Spend some free time visiting Frank Gehry’s sweeping metal building and the artistic treasures housed inside and out. After, climb by bus up to the Picos de Europa National Park. The park is not what many people picture as Spain, but an alpine landscape – high, cool, lush and green, with forests, deep gorges, cliffs and grasslands dotted with toffee-coloured cows. Covering some 647 square kilometres, Picos de Europa is Spain's second largest national park and spans across the three provinces of Asturias, Cantabria and Leon. For dinner, tuck into a classic Cantabrian dish, cocido lebaniego (a rich, hearty stew of black pudding, pork shoulder, chorizo and locally grown chickpeas). Preparing this dish starts the day before, so while you savour the satisfying local delicacy, take a moment to learn about the ingredients and preparation. Be sure to enjoy it with some crusty bread and a glass of cider!
Included Activities:
- Picos de Europa - Cocido Lebaniego dinner
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning you'll have the option to head into the national park, where you can go for a walk or take the funicular higher into the mountains for views over the surrounding valleys. After, head to the small mountain town of Potes – bordered by ancient monasteries, Potes is brimming with centuries of history and is a tapestry of bridges, narrow streets and old houses. You’ll arrive in time for the weekly food market, where you’ll have brunch. Depending on the season, you can try locally grown apples, cherries, tomatoes, olives, asparagus or walnuts. On the way to Oviedo, the ancient capital, drive to the hillside village of Arenas de Cabrales. Here, you can taste famous Cabrales cheese (a natural blue cheese produced by farmers using a traditional artisan method). After arriving in Oviedo, stop past an Asturian cider house – the traditional drink of the region. The traditional method of drinking this sparkling treat is to have it poured high over the head into a glass at the knee, which produces natural carbonation.
Included Activities:
- Potes - Market visit and brunch
- Arenas de Cabrales - Cheese tasting
- Oviedo - Asturian cider house visit and tasting
- Picos de Europa - National Park Visit
Optional Activities:
- Picos de Europa - Fuente De funicular (20 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Take a walk around Oviedo, with its unique personality, pre-Romanesque churches, monuments and grand houses. At the heart of the town sits the impressive Gothic San Salvador Cathedral. Get an introduction to the local products of Asturia at El Fontan market, home to excellent fish stalls beneath a canopy of wrought-iron and glass. This afternoon is free for your own exploration. Maybe take a trip up to the port city of Gijon for fresh seafood and sweet-filled bakeries, or the fishing village of Luanco for a relaxing drink on the promenade. For dinner, consider heading to Calle de la Gascona, lined with lively sidrerias (cider houses) serving a wide range of raciones (tasting plates).
Included Activities:
- Oviedo - Guided walk and market tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, take a bus to A Coruna in the region of Galicia, taking in some of the spectacular Galician coastline during the drive. Visit the impressive fish market in the Praza de Lugo and see the range of seafood on offer. Lunch on fresh seafood at a nearby café, then, like thousands of pilgrims before you, end your journey in the capital of Galicia, believed to be the final resting place of the apostle St James. The beautiful old city of Santiago de Compostela holds many delights within its walls, all overseen by the mighty cathedral. Take a walk around the Old District lit up at night, through the arcaded stone streets, the spacious Praza del Obradoiro and past the archbishop’s imposing palace. Santiago is home to more than just pilgrims, with the large population of students from the university enhancing the city’s nightlife. Perhaps spend the night in one of the cafes, bars or tapas restaurants in the Old Town.
Included Activities:
- A Coruna - Fish market visit and seafood lunch
- Santiago de Compostela - City night walk
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Your journey through Spain comes to an end today. Say adios to your leader and group before parting ways. If you’d like to extend your time in Santiago de Compostela, chat with your booking agent.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Sandra and Neil - Traveled, October 2023
Excellent tour. Well organised and planned itinerary. A variety of experiences and locations with great food and drink. The tour leader, Silvia, was friendly, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and excellent! Would thoroughly recommend to anyone who appreciates food made with fresh local ingredients and love and attention.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2023
- Traveled, September 2023
Great tour leader who introduced us to fresh food markets and cooking classes throughout northern Spain. Trip ran smoothly and was a lot of fun. Our group shared food each meal which added to our enjoyment.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/21/2023
- Traveled, September 2023
This is not a trip for a vegetarian - it's most definitely for people who love meat, fish and wine, and exploring food they've not experienced beforehand. For meat and fish lovers it's perfect.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/15/2023
Hennedige - Traveled, August 2023
I really enjoyed this trip, not only been able to eat food from different provinces in Spain but visiting places I would have not done otherwise.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2023
Rose - Traveled, May 2023
This trip was everything I had hoped for! We had a small group and an amazing guide who helped us taste wonderful food and drink all across Spain. The tour made everything so easy and every meal was delicious. Highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants to guarantee a great food experience without having any of the hassel.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/06/2023
Joanne - Traveled, May 2023
If you are deciding whether to take this trip, do it! We had a fabulous time exploring a very different part of Spain. The itinerary and food were varied and interesting. Olalla is a fantastic guide and made sure our group of 7 got the most out of every moment. She was careful, clear, informative and great fun. Be prepared for a couple of long transfers. The hotels used (with one exception) were fine to excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/07/2023
Rik - Traveled, May 2023
This tour is an in depth exploration of the diverse historical and cultural variety of Spain's food culture. The amazing range of tastes and flavours explored across our 10 days were phenomenal. Cannot recommend enough. If you're lucky enough to get Olalla as a guide, you will have simply the best time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/04/2023
Graeme - Traveled, May 2023
Northern Spain is a great area to visit and this could be a good trip but needs to be refined considerably by Intrepid to make it a great trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/27/2023
Kerry - Traveled, May 2023
Great tour! We had an amazing time touring Northern Spain with other like-minded foodies. Think cooking classes, wine tastings, tapas, amazing culture, fabulous scenery and fun. Highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/14/2023
Ron & Sioni - Traveled, October 2023
This was more than expected. Travel, food and adventure all in one. We will definitely consider taking another trip with Intrepid. Thank you.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2023
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