from the founders of

Cúrate Bar de Tapas

Travel with Cúrate
Travel with Cúrate 
[ About ]

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Through Cúrate Travel, we invite you to join us on exclusive journeys to the places that continue to inspire us through their food, wine, and hospitality. Each and every itinerary is guided by curiosity, authenticity, and a spirit of discovery, designed to make travelers feel like locals, not tourists.

Our evolving collection of journeys reflects a balance between adventure and accessibility, offering a mix of experiences for different budgets, interests, and schedules. Our small-group tours are for travelers who want to understand a place through its food, wine, culture, and unique accommodations. Whether it’s tasting new vintages in the vineyards in Rioja, meandering along worn streets in the coastal towns of Catalonia, or uncovering the culinary heart of Latin America, each journey brings travelers closer to the soul of each place and the true spirit of Cúrate.

At its heart, Cúrate Travel is about joy, hospitality, and genuine human connection, traveling the world the way Felix always has: with purpose, openness, and a love for sharing unforgettable experiences.

Our Founders

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Katie Button & Felix Meana

Cúrate Travel is guided by Chef Katie Button and Félix Meana, whose work across the Cúrate brands centers on creating personal connections through food, wine, and warm hospitality. Their travel perspectives are shaped by years learning from cultures and culinary innovators nationwide, from working in renowned restaurants and dining rooms, to exploring vineyards and communities to build upon their expertise. Along the way, they’ve nurturing lasting relationships in every place they have traveled to.

Félix’s approach to travel is rooted in a lifetime devoted to adventure and discovery. Raised in Roses on the Costa Brava, he went on to lead service at elBulli and later work in dining room operations for the José Andrés Group, while building deep relationships with chefs, winemakers, and artisans across Spain and beyond. His instinct to experience each destination through the lens of its local communities shapes each and every itinerary we develop, with a focus on access, authenticity, and fostering a strong sense of connection.

Katie’s perspective is grounded in her culinary training and ongoing study of international cuisines, as well as a deep curiosity for learning and engaging with new cultural perspectives. A Food & Wine Best New Chef and five-time James Beard Award nominee, her work reflects years spent learning from producers and culinary traditions that continue to influence her approach to food and travel.

Together, they view travel as an extension of the same philosophy that defines Cúrate: personal, immersive, and rooted in exploring each destination through the eyes of their local partners.

⤷ Contact Us
⤷ Contact Us 
[ HISTORY ]

Cúrate Travel is an extension of the work we began at Cúrate Bar de Tapas in 2011, founded by Chef Katie Button and Félix Meana. What started as a way to share the food, wine, and unmatched hospitality in Spain has grown into a broader commitment to connecting people with the places and traditions that shape how we eat, gather, shop, discover the world.

As Cúrate has grown to include Cúrate at Home, the Cúrate Spanish Wine Club, and Events by Cúrate, that same ethos continues to guide us. Cúrate Travel carries this mission further, offering access to the people and perspectives that continue to inspire us.

Through these journeys, we share the relationships we have built over time with farmers, winemakers, chefs, and artisans, offering a closer look at daily life within each region. Travel becomes a way to participate rather than observe, and to experience each place through its food, its culture, and its community.

At its core, Cúrate Travel reflects what we have always believed: that the most meaningful way to understand a place is through the people who bring it to life, and the time we take to learn, share, and connect. In the same way we approach hospitality at home, we see travel as an opportunity to listen, learn, and participate, creating experiences that feel grounded, personal, and lasting.

Our Travel Team

Asheville Roots, Spanish Soul

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Ernes Olasagasti

Director of Operations

With more than a decade of experience in luxury tourism, Ernes specializes in tailor-made cultural and gastronomic experiences across the world. 

Originally from Hondarribia, a Basque town separated from the French border by just a river. As a child, he lived in one country but looked out the window at another — an early and lasting lesson in curiosity, contrast, and movement.

Naturally, everything that followed had to do with crossing borders: years traveling the world, working as a travel designer and guide in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, designing routes for international companies and his own bespoke travel agency based in San Sebastián.

Ernes is deeply committed to sustainable tourism and to creating transformative experiences that connect travelers with the people, culture, and soul of each destination.

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Ania Wiellechowska

Co-Director of Operations

Ania is originally from Poland, though the Basque Country has been her home for many years. Her early curiosity for travel began with small explorations close to home and grew into a lifelong way of moving through the world. She has since lived in the United States, Guatemala, Brazil, Norway, and the United Kingdom, shaping a broad perspective and deep cultural awareness.

She holds degrees in Environmental Engineering and Tourism, and brings more than a decade of experience across travel, food, and wine. Her work is grounded in both operational precision and a strong intuitive sense of guest experience.

Fluent in Polish, Spanish, and English, Ania approaches each journey with curiosity and attention to detail. At Cúrate Travel, she brings a fresh perspective, helping reveal the nuance, balance, and authenticity that define each experience.

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Widad El-Malki

Travel Coordinator

Widad brings a thoughtful, detail-driven approach to every journey, creating a seamless experience across each step of the planning process. Based in the Basque Country, she oversees logistics for Cúrate Travel, refining itineraries, communicating with travelers, and shaping well-paced, meaningful experiences.

Her path into travel is shaped by a natural curiosity and a desire to build genuine connections with the people and cultures of each place she visits. With a background in organization, communication, and client-focused work, she anticipates needs with precision and care, allowing each journey to unfold with ease.

Widad approaches travel as something deeply personal, grounded in the understanding that small details shape the overall experience. From working diligently behind the scenes to supporting guests directly, she is committed to ensuring each journey is meticulously planned and executed, and exceeds your every travel expectations

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Scenic view of rolling hills with vineyards, a farmhouse, and a mountain range in the background under a partly cloudy sky.