The Ultimate Spain Tasting Tour: Barcelona, Granada, Marbella, Seville & Madrid

The city’s energy never ends. You can hear the lingering sounds of the sea drift through the air. The streets are always lively and engaging. The sunlight spreads across the landscape and brings another vibrant day to life. After breakfast, you can venture up to Manjuïc, a broad hill with a large plateau. The hilltop reaches a height of 603 feet and offers a spectacular view of the harbor below. The breeze sweeps through the sky and brings that familiar aroma of the sea. Castle Montuïc was originally a fortress constructed in the 17th century.

Funiculars journey up and down the hillside offering easy access to the castle and hilltop. The remains of the strong stone fortress now provide ambiance to Montjuïc and the cultural activities that take place on the grounds. A small garden decorates the sunken floor where the moat once stood. The arch bridge leads visitors into the grounds. In the afternoon, your guide and chef meet you to experience a private cooking class. The lesson will provide all the necessities to create traditional Catalan dishes at home. Begin your tour with a visit to the largest central market in Europe, Boqueria Market.

The scent of fresh herbs and delightful produce surrounds you. The jovial sounds of locals shopping for spices and tasting jamon are alluring. Enjoy a sample of the coveted bellota ham before you make your way to the kitchen. Your guide provides a demonstration, slicing and cooking the vegetables. You follow their lead and receive professional tips along the way. After your demonstration, you taste your creation and dine on the Catalan-style cod, a version of ratatouille that includes a touch of the crunch of pine nuts and sweetness from raisins.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of Barcelona in the morning at your leisure. The Gothic Quarter maintains remnants of its fabulous Roman past. Charming iron cast street lamps line the walkways, and serene plazas offer a place to enjoy a café as you watch the morning pass. Fly to Granada and find the splendor of Moorish history decorating and adding to the culture of the city and its labyrinthine streets. The aroma of earthen streets mixes with the fragrant elm and fern trees. The fervent connection to the tapas culture offers delicate flavors and scents that drift through hidden restaurants. An olive oil tour takes you into the countryside for a taste of Andalusia. The olive oil grove provides a savory scent.

The greenery reaches to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The mountain peaks are covered with bright snow. Follow your guide around the working orchard to learn about the harvest and irrigation systems that bring the decadent oil to life. The traditional white homes and shops create a picture perfect image of the village and the hillside. After your tour, you can taste a variety of oils, each grown and produced differently, which allows you to compare the flavors of the region and the methods of production. The creamy texture and savory tastes go well with Serrano ham and the crumbly cheese of the golden hillsides.

The Alhambra towers over Granada like a watchman, guarding the cityscape for centuries. The palace complex dates back to the 9th century and became a stronghold of elegance and regality around the 1300s. Elm and cypress trees cover the base of the citadel. The palace rises out of the greenery. A poet once called it “a pearl set it emeralds.” Moorish details decorate the palaces. The ceiling in the main palace is domed, formed by layers of a textured stone that creates a honeycomb look. The Court of Myrtles is known for its large pools that helped cool the palace in the summer heat. The court is 140 feet long by 74 feet wide.

The pond is paved with marble and filled with gold fish. Myrtles blossom along the pond’s edges. The vibrant hues add a rainbow of life to the pearled courtyard. The towering walls of the Torre de Comares reflect in the pond’s calm water. The palace complex maintains its elegance even after 500 years of grandeur. Continue onward to Marbella, home to the Picasso Museum and a remarkably restored historic center. The old town is a continuing imprint of Spain’s past, preserving the narrow streets and open plazas. The Plaza of the Orange trees provides a comfortable and shady respite. The fountain trickles and the trees provide a zesty aroma of citrus. The white buildings reflect the sunlight.

The life around Marbella is vibrant, filled with smiling faces, pristine beaches, and enticing waters. The far reaches of the Mediterranean brush up against the Atlantic Ocean at the Strait of Gibraltar. After breakfast, you will journey to the historic Rock of Gibraltar. The outcrop stands 1,396 feet high and is home to the only wild monkeys in all of Europe. The limestone looks out over the sea and offers a view of Morocco just across the straight. The Nature Reserve holds the remains of the 8th century Moorish castle and the 100-ton supergun. Barbary macaques hang around the cable car that carries visitors up and down the mountain.

The wind cools the morning light, and the aroma of the ocean is almost sweet. The view to Africa is stunning, not just because of the distance, but also the sapphire hue of the waters. The remarkable day offers you a taste of the landscape and the evening offers you a taste of luxury. Garnacha is a tiny restaurant with an enticing ambiance of a different era. Warm shades and quaint aromas create a cozy environment. Delight on dishes in full, half, or tapa-sized, including decadent fois gras with apple crumble and grated almonds.

The hillsides are flush with golden grass rolling along the horizon. The arid landscape emanates an earthy aroma. You arrive at Campo Abierto, a working ranch in the Andalusian countryside. The ranch embodies the vibrant passion of Spain and the distinct culture of Andalusia. Bulls and horses are bred on the expansive landscape. The secrets of the culture are revealed when the stallions run through the plain. Cowboys herd the foals and bulls graze on the lush grass.

Continue to Seville and find a city filled with spirit and beauty. Giralda tower shapes the skyline. The 12th-century tower was beloved by the Moors and the conquering King Alfonso X, who saved the tower and converted it into a Catholic bell tower. The shadows shaped by brick trellises and arched niches create a simple elegance. From the top of the tower you come face to face with the cathedral’s impressive stone gargoyles. The sounds of flamenco drift out of hidden cafes found on streets paved with cobblestones.

The sounds and aromas of the city are alluring. With over 3,000 tapas bars in the city, you could spend years trying to taste the variety of flavor combinations and traditional dishes of the region. The tapas bars brim with people, overflowing with jovial conversation and classic pairings. Local cheeses are spread across the bar tops. Cured ham and beef are seasoned with spices. The ambiance is friendly and local, providing you a window into the traditions of the embracing city.

Seville is unique in its passionate energy and endless mesmerizing rhythms. The morning rises over the city, and the light spreads across the city’s golden buildings. The Royal Palace known as the Alcazar was completed in the 14th century. The palace complex continues as the residence of the Royal Family. It is the oldest royal palace used on the European continent. The exceptional décor of the complex connotes the exuberant history of royalty. The hall of Carlos V is decorated with vibrant tapestries and glazed ceramic tile work.

The Ambassador’s Hall contains a lavish dome constructed in the 14th century. The gilded décor is interlaced with wood and edged by portraits of Spanish kings. Your footsteps echo in the vaulted halls. A cool breeze sweeps through the open courtyards. In the evening, you can find comforting flavors at Taberna El Panduro. Locals fill the restaurant and watch the walls to find the ever-changing menu written high enough for everyone to find it. The aroma of green risotto and traditional sirloin steak provide a fabulous aroma to the room, along with decadent flavors to savor. In the illuminating evening, you can relax to the vibrant sounds of clapping hands and clacking heels. Take in a flamenco show to experience the lively release of spirit that fills the city and its locals.

Cordoba is a sensual heart of Andalusia, filled with splendid eateries and antique bodegas. The architecture shines against the borders of mountains and ocean. The Jewish Quarter stretches to the far reaches of the city away from the shadows cast by the great mosque. Balconies decorated with flowers line the narrow alleyways. Fountains splash upwards from the ground in the Plaza de las Tendillas. The water spouts and adds cool moisture to the air. Children run through the oscillating reaches of water. People sip on coffee and listen to the water splash.

The Mezquita was constructed in the 8th century and expanded upon for nearly 250 years, accounting for the variety of architectural styles. The surviving minaret peaks at over 157 feet tall. The main gallery holds 856 columns but originally had 1,293 to create an image of terracotta and white striped date palm forest. The atmosphere is serene for such a large space. The prayer hall was divided into 11 naves. The stellar construction and simple décor create a structure unlike anywhere else in the world. A leafy walled courtyard surrounds ablutions where the devout would wash themselves before prayer. In the late afternoon, you travel to Madrid by high-speed rail.

Madrid’s fast pace and historic old quarter creates a different and boundless energy. The day is yours to explore the riches of the vibrant capital, from art to royalty. Plaza Mayor was constructed between the 16ht and 17th centuries. The square measures 423 feet by 308 feet and is bordered by classical architecture. The arched colonnade now houses cafes and shops. The aroma of decadent melted sipping chocolate accompanies the cinnamon-sugar of freshly made churros. A statue of King Phillip III adorns the center of the square.

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is a private collection of over 1,600 paintings. The museum has been housed in an elegant antique building next to the Prado since 1992. Remarkable European Masters such as Van Gogh and Cézanne have work displayed in the pristine halls. In the evening, you can venture to Sobrino de Botin, founded in 1725 and given the official title of the oldest restaurant in the world. The dark wooden furniture and exposed brick create a historic setting. They are known for their savory artichoke hearts with Iberian ham and their succulent roasted lamb.

The flavors of Spain have been both sweet and savory, allowing you to taste the differences of regional cuisine, each steeped in fantastic layers of history. The locals flock to the Mercado de Maravillas, located in the district of Cuatro Caminos. The market of Marvels has more than 20 stalls that display fresh fruits, fish, cheeses, olives, and meats. The walkways create a maze of color in the market that has a history over 70 years old. Spanish delicacies are on sale, from crabs to snails, and the locals savor every morsel. Your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you to the airport for your flight home. You have savored the flavors of Spain and will always remember the variety of cuisine that enriched your experience.