Europe: A Culinary Dream

On arrival in Barcelona you will be transferred to your hotel for check in and an afternoon free to explore.

The enchanting city of Barcelona is a visual delight, and has an atmosphere that combines elegance & sophistication with provincial charm. In exploring its streets you'll discover medieval romance in its Gothic quarter and the delights of the fantastic and sometimes outrageous Art Nouveau architecture of Gaudi and his contemporaries.

The funicular up to Tibidabo, or the cable car up Montjuic both offer breathtaking views over this city. Its skyline is perhaps most famous for Antoni Gaudi's masterwork, the still incomplete church of the Sagrada Familia, as well as the city's huge Gothic cathedral. The artistic legacy of Barcelona is most appealing, with many museums containing extensive collections of the famous works of Miro and Picasso.

Barcelona is also a shopping Mecca, with the city's flair for style reflected in its numerous boutiques and markets, open late into the afternoons. As the sun sets, and the city's many bars and restaurants open, the night comes alive. Dinner is served at any time between nine o'clock and midnight, and the festivities around the bars and nightclubs carry on well into the early hours of the morning

Today we enjoy a welcome dinner at Senyor Parellada. Located in an XIX Century building originally a travel lodge you are offered the exceptional flavors of the traditional Catalan cuisine. Surrounded by a Colonial atmosphere and at a pace of it’s own, the Parellada family prepare first-class dishes made with fresh, premium products.

Suggested Hotel: Hotel Montecarlo Barcelona (1 night). D

After breakfast this morning you will first travel about an hour and a half South-West of Barcelona to Alvaro Palacios’s winery in Spain’s Priorat. The top wine from this vineyard is one of Spain’s greatest reds, called L’Ermita, a stunning expression of Grenache, a grape that reaches a pinnacle in the Priorat. Enjoy lunch here before travelling the idyllic French Mediterranean Coast on to Nimes, France. You can enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Suggested Hotel: Hotel Vatel (2 nights). BLD

This morning after breakfast you will tour Château de Beaucastel, a giant in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and a globally recognized name. The Perrin family has owned this estate for a century, and many of the region's advances can be traced to the family's inspired innovations. In 1321, under the reign of Pope John XXII, four barrels were brought from the papal cellar in Avignon to be filled with wine in Châteauneuf. Subsequently, the Popes increased their vineyard holdings in the region and the papal wine gained in fame.

The estate covers a total of 130 hectares, of which only 100 hectares are planted to vines:
- 3/4 is Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- 1/4 is Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée Côtes-du-Rhône

Although vines have been growing here since Roman times the Perrin family purchased the estate in 1909 and they have been organic since 1950 and working biodynamically since 1974. Cheers!

After your tour and tasting you will enjoy a superb alfresco lunch at L'Oustalet a tree shaded restaurant in nearby Gigondas, also owned by the Perrin family. You will continue on to Nimes for free time and an opportunity to try out some of the Provincial local cuisine for dinner before returning to the hotel for the evening. BL

This morning after breakfast we begin our journey to the Piedmont region, stopping in Monte Carlo for a chance to explore. The epitome of wealth and glamour, you come to Monte Carlo to see and experience how the 'other half' live it up. The centre of the famed Principality of Monaco on the French Riviera has long been the playground of the rich and famous, flaunting its renowned casino and annual Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The city has several attractions, such as the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium, the Monaco Cathedral and the Prince's Palace, several gardens, and other attractions centered on the country's famous Royal Family. Worth exploring is the Old Town, with its attractive City Hall, and of course when one is bored of sightseeing, the best diversion (and the cheapest) is merely to settle down with a fancy cocktail and people-watch.

Just a couple hours away and we will be in Piedmont, the region that produces the largest number of best known, noble, and world-appreciated prize-winning wines, such as Barbera, Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Grignolino, Malvasia and Asti Spumante among others. Your evening is free at leisure.

Suggested Hotel: Principi di Piemonte (1 night). B

This morning after breakfast we will travel to Vietti winery for a tour and tasting. The Currado family has grown Nebbiolo grapes in Piedmont since the 1600s; today they own vineyards in all nine villages of the Barolo region and produce some of the regions most acclaimed wines. After our tasting we will travel to Florence where we will meet our local foodie and tour the market for fresh local ingredients and then return to the kitchen for a Traditional Tuscan cooking class and you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor afterwards enjoying a pairing of local wine with your dinner.

Suggested Hotel: NH Porta Rossa (2 nights). BD

This morning your English speaking guide will pick you up for your morning walking tour of Florence. First you will visit the Uffizi Gallery, where you can admire famous masterpieces by Botticelli and Michelangelo amongst the others. After that, it's on to Piazza della Signoria, where you can see Palazzo Vecchio and the famous statue of Michelangelo: 'David', and then to Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo, the Baptistry and the wonderful Giotto's Tower. The rest of the day is free to explore or shop. B

You will transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Vienna.

Upon arrival in Vienna your guide and coach will pick you up and after checking into your hotel head for a visit to the Schoenbrunn Castle and for Coffee and cake at the famous Café Residenz Schoenbrunn. How often can you say you've eaten from a royal bakery, and in such style? This evening you will go for dinner at Altwienerhof where the chef will prepare a nouvelle cuisine tasting menu for you using only the freshest and highest-quality ingredients

Suggested Hotel: Hotel Hilton Danube (2 nights). BD

This morning after breakfast you will visit Austria’s oldest winery, Nikolaihof, previously a monastery. The oldest Wine Cellar dates back 1,800 years. In the walls of Nikolaihof can be found remains of the early Christian Agapit basilica in which Bishop Pilgrim of Passau held a synod in 985 A.D.

Wine has been produced here since the time of the Celts. The first documentary evidence of this dates from around 470 A.D. in the time of St Severin and the Romans.

Today Christine and Nikolaus Saahs will receive you for your tour and wine tastings under the 15th century restored Gothic vaulting of the deconsecrated chapel. Afterwards you will learn how to make the famous Austrian Apple Strudel. You will have a traditional lunch and then enjoy the Strudels hot from the oven. Apart from producing wine, the Nikolaihof Wachau also produces Apricot Schnapps, Apricot Jam, Stewed Apricots, Johanni-nut Liqueur, Elder-blossom Syrup, Elder Toaster, Mustard Plums, Mustard Pears, Kremser Mustard, and Wachauer Mustard. Learn how they grow organically. You will then return to Vienna for a free evening. BL

On route from Vienna to Salzburg you will visit the quaint town of Berchtesgaden. Upon arrival you will tour the inside of a mountain to see how we get the salt to flavor our food. Deep down underneath the ‘Salzburg’ mountain a secret world awaits your discovery. For many years, only the salt miners in Berchtesgaden were allowed to enter the complex tunnel system. Today, part of the mine – which has been in operation for over 500 years now – is open to all fans of adventure who wish to get to know the place where the famous Bad Reichenhall brand salt originates. Salt is an indispensable part of our lives and our cooking.

Afterwards you will travel to Salzburg to check into your hotel and have an evening free to explore.

Suggested hotel: Austrotel Salzburg (1 Night). B

Today after breakfast you and your English speaking guide will take an enchanted trip to the famous (Cinderella) Neuschwanstein Castle of King Ludwig. Neuschwanstein is featured in the movies The Great Escape, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Space Balls and The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm. Schloss Neuschwanstein ("New Swan Stone Castle") is one of the most beautiful and famous castles in Germany. Originally ordered to be built by King Ludwig II, this fairy tale castle is the epitome of neo-romantic style. The famous German castle overlooks the picturesque Hohenschwangau valley, his parent's castle and is located only a short distance from the popular tourist town, Fussen where you will thoroughly enjoy an overnight.

Today after breakfast at the hotel you will be taken to your cooking school, Café Kubitscheck am Waldfiedhof (or similar). You will learn how to prepare several courses and then be able to partake of them afterwards.

Tonight your dinner (3 course dinner) will be at the Famous Hofbraeuhaus. Here not only will you taste some German culture but you will also experience some of it’s history. The Bavarian Duke recruited the master brewer of the Geisenfeld Monastery, Heimeran Pongraz, to be the planner, developer and the first "brown" Hofbräuhaus' master brewer, which went into operation here at the "Alter Hof" (Old Court) in 1592. It was called the "brown" Hofbräuhaus as only brown ale was brewed there. Enjoy!

Suggested hotel: Maritim Hotel in Munich (1 night). BLD

Tip: An empty krug in need of refill.

After you settle into your hotel where you will be staying in your very own giant wine barrel at Hotel Lindenwirt, you will set the tone of your trip with a visit to the Wine Museum the old Castle Bromserburg and afterwards enjoy a unique dine around dinner, experiencing the food and entertainment of three different restaurants on the famous, historic Drasselgasse strasse. Get ready to sing along and have fun!

Suggested hotel: Hotel Lindenwirt (2 nights). BD

This morning after breakfast your guide will take you first to the Asbach Uralt Brandy Site where you will enjoy a tour and tasting. Asbach Uralt is one of Germany's leading brands. Over one hundred years of experience and very special care go into making it to highest quality standards from selected low lying wines. It matures in small casks of Limousin oak following a number of distillation processes for a period well in excess of the one required by law. So we don’t get too relaxed you will next take a cable car ride up the hill side and over the vineyards to the Niederwald Monument and have alfresco lunch in the vineyards.

From here you can go for hikes or return down to town at your leisure. Your hotel is walking distance from here. You will have some time for some shopping till your fantastic farewell dinner cruise on the Rhine. The day closes and the lights on the shores begin to shine. Dusk is the time for reflection and pleasure. Enjoy fine food and brilliant Rhine wine on the river in the evening. The silhouettes of the castles and lights of the promenades reflect in the water and blur into romantic feelings. This is the time when the Rhine River is most enchanting and when the approaching night envelopes the countryside as if in a dream. Embark at Rudesheim to Bingen and coach back to your hotel. BLD

Today you will be transferred to the airport for the flight home. B