Romantic Getaway to Sunny Barcelona

As the sun rises, so does an early morning buzz that is filled with chatter between shop owners and the incessant dull hums of motorcycles as they round the circular perimeter of Placa de Catalunya. At nearly every outdoor patio, locals and tourists alike will sip on milky cups of cafe con leche with an accompanying crispy toast that will most likely be topped with sweet tomato paste. You and your partner can do the same as you uncover charming coffee houses with eccentric decor that is emblematic of chic Barcelona aesthetic.

By mid-morning, you will meet your expert guide in front of your hotel for a tour of the city's highlights. First, you will stroll through the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter as you learn about its history and pause at its most notable features, including the Plaza de San Felipe Neri, the Palau Reial Major, and an ancient synagogue that is located within the Jewish district, dating as far back as the 3rd or 4th century. You will also stop at the sunny Placa Reial, which was once the site of the convent of Santa Madrona; today it is a hotbed of restaurants, shops, and nightlife.

In the afternoon, you and your partner will get messy in the kitchen when you attend an authentic paella cooking class at a traditional restaurant. A world-renowned chef will lead you in a guided demonstration, where you will chop vegetables, marinate chicken and seafood, and mix together this enticing medley with a delectable touch of saffron. Once you have cooked the dish to perfection inside a traditional cast-iron skillet, you can sit back and relax on an outdoor balcony to indulge in the fruits of your labor. You and your partner can cheers with a glass of regional wine as you savor the first few bites of your delicious masterpiece.

This morning, you may wake to the sounds of ocean waves as they crash on the shore and car horns as they honk. The waitstaff at restaurants will call out breakfast specials while eager tourists snap photos of massive cathedrals. As glistening rays of sunlight stream through your bedroom window, you will motivate yourself with a warm cup of coffee or tea in addition to enjoying a morning of self-exploration as you spend additional time in the Gothic Quarter.

Just before noon, you will again meet your expert guide in front of your hotel. Today, you will be provided with a whole new perspective on the city as you uncover the whimsical architecture of internationally acclaimed and locally beloved architect: Antoni Gaudi. While many of Gaudi's creations were considered eccentric and even odd during their completion in the early 1900s, today, these whimsical art installations are synonymous with Barcelonan architecture.

You will begin your tour at the urban architectural designs of Casa Mila and Casa Batllo. At the first, Casa Mila, you will observe the undulating facades that are reminiscent of arching sand dunes. Then, you will climb to the roof, where you will traverse an arching rooftop and marvel at the fantastical spires that wind up to the sky. Later, you will come to Casa Batllo, whose exterior nearly melts off the building itself like molten lava. Sunlight shimmers as it reflects off a myriad of blue, turquoise, and silver glass tiles that are splayed across the face of the building. Finally, you and your guide will depart from the city's downtown as you transfer to Park Guell. Here, you will indulge in one of Gaudi's most prized masterpieces, which is a wonderland of fantastical designs that are etched into stone cottages, winding footpaths, and serpentine, mosaic benches that boast panoramic views of the city and stretch out to the iridescent Mediterranean waters.

Spanish fandom for fast-paced, high-energy is at an all-time high in the city of Barcelona and for good reason. Barcelona's soccer team is one of the best known and most beloved in the world in addition to being the home of the Argentinian star athlete: Lionel Messi. While locals gather in neighborhood pubs to cheer their team on, nothing quite parallels the electric buzz of attending a live game. Crowds go wild as the world-famous FC Barcelona players step onto the turf at Camp Nou Stadium. This will be truly unlike any other sporting event that you can attend at home.

On your fourth day in Barcelona, you will be provided with a firsthand glimpse of the action when you set out for Camp Nou. Private ground transportation will meet you in front of your hotel and accompany you to the 98,0000-capacity stadium that lies beyond the city's downtown. Here, you will take part in an exciting tour of the grounds and step on the very turf that FC Barcelona calls home. You will even catch a rare glimpse into some of the most exclusive places in the stadium, including the players' locker room and the press box. A professional photographer will snap a photo of you and your partner in front of the field to commemorate your visit.

Then, in the afternoon, you will return to Barcelona to visit the single most emblematic feature of the city's architecture: La Sagrada Familia. Among the most famous of Antoni Gaudi's designs, this effervescent cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage site exudes whimsy and intrigue. Cone-shaped steeples rise toward the sky, and overhead, ornate stonework depicts the nativity scene. When you and your partner step inside, the unmatched beauty of the interior will take your breath away. Kaleidoscopic colors and brilliant streams of light pour in from massive, stained-glass windows. After a brief history of the site and its construction, you and your partner will enjoy a period of self-exploration before indulging in a romantic dinner at a delectable, outdoor cafe.

While Barcelona's vivacious street life persists morning, noon, and night, life outside the city moves at a slower pace. In the Northern Catalonian city of Girona, a charming downtown that is steeped in natural beauty and diverse cultures welcomes curious travelers from around the world. Nearby, waves will crash against the shimmering shorelines of Costa Brava.

You and your partner will be accompanied by private ground transportation in the early morning to this enchanting city. You will spend the morning alongside your expert guide as you weave through the cobbled streets of Girona's downtown. You will first come to the Girona cathedral that towers over small cafes and nearby shops. You can step inside for a glimpse of traditional Gothic architecture and stained-glass designs. Next, you and your guide will venture to the iconic Jewish quarter, which is home to some of the oldest synagogues in the region as well as a refuge for great poets, clerics, and philosophers of the time. Later, you will come to the Arab baths, which are tucked conspicuously around a narrow alleyway. Once you step inside, you will marvel at the awe-inspiring aesthetic of the soaring stone ceilings and the tranquil water basin with bright reflections of sunlight that stream in from cut-out windows overhead. Finally, you can walk along the ancient Roman walls that line the perimeter of the city for an unparalleled view of the city.

In the afternoon, you will venture beyond Girona's downtown to the illustrious shorelines of Costa Brava. White stucco towns pop up around every bend, and locals set out colorful towels and umbrellas atop glistening sandy beaches. You and your partner can dip your toes into the cool ocean waters before choosing from a variety of nearby dining options as you overlook the sunset.

In the morning, you and your partner will step outside the enchanting confines of downtown Barcelona for a peaceful respite among the mountain peaks of Montserrat. After a lovely breakfast at one of your favorite cafes in the Gothic Quarter or along Las Ramblas, you will meet your expert guide in front of your hotel. From there, you will board your private transport, and within an hour's time, you will arrive at the base of the stunning landscapes. Whether on religious pilgrimage or simply in search of Catalonia's natural beauty, a visit to the Santa Maria Monastery is truly awe-inspiring.

From the base of the city, you will indulge in a suspended cable car ride for stunning panoramic views of the jagged, saw-toothed peaks from which Montserrat's name derives. At the summit, you will enjoy a few leisurely hours to explore the quaint village's downtown. You can opt to continue the hike for a total travel time of approximately an hour and a half. Alternatively, you can choose to board luxury ground transportation to the site of the iconic monastery.

At the peak, mountains ripple into near infinity, and clouds loom low. Tour groups, families, and couples gather to behold the beauty of the monastery and surrounding areas. Your expert guide will lead you on a tour of the monastery for a unique opportunity to behold the Black Madonna at the Santa Maria Monastery. Your guide will then give you and your partner several hours of self-exploration, where you can venture off to beautiful sites like the Mirador Vos Sou, Mirador de KOR, and the Montserrat Museum. In the evening, you will return to Barcelona for a romantic moonlit dinner at the vivacious Place Reial.

At last, today marks the conclusion of your time in the mesmerizing city of Barcelona. The incessant chirping of seagulls, lively greetings of charismatic street vendors, and guitar strums of impassioned musicians will soon be all but a cherished memory. Nevertheless, you will have the morning to seize the moment and enjoy a few final hours in this beautiful city.

You can enjoy your last refreshing cup of cafe con leche as you look out on the rising sun over the shimmering waters of the Mediterranean. Then, you can stroll along the Barceloneta to breathe in fresh sea salt air one more time or stay inland as you delight in one final shopping opportunity at souvenir shops in the Gothic Quarter.

Later, you will return to your hotel, where you will meet your airport transfer. Before you know it, you will arrive at the airport and be connected to your international flight home.