Spain
EUROPE
Sept 2026

Barcelona & Costa Brava

[ OVERVIEW ]

For us, this journey is deeply personal. The Costa Brava is home for Felix, and it is one of the most extraordinary corners of Spain.

This stretch of coastline has long inspired artists, chefs, and dreamers. Salvador Dalí found his creative universe here. Ferran Adrià changed the course of modern cuisine just down the coast at El Bulli. There is something about this landscape, the wind, the sea, the rugged cliffs, that sparks imagination and bold ideas.

We begin in Barcelona, a city that captures the spirit of Catalonia through its architecture, its markets, and its vibrant food culture. From the modernist visions of Gaudí to the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona offers a window into the region’s history and creativity. Through our longtime friendships with chefs, restaurateurs, and winemakers, we guide you beyond the usual path, sharing meals in places that are deeply meaningful to us and introducing you to the people who shape the city’s culinary life.

From there, we travel north into the landscapes that define this region. In Penedès, we’ll spend time among the vineyards and gather in the kitchen at Finca Viladellops for a hands-on cooking experience that celebrates the ingredients and traditions of Catalonia. As we continue toward the coast, the scenery shifts dramatically as the Pyrenees descend toward the Mediterranean and the Costa Brava reveals its wild beauty.

Roses will become our home base as we explore the far eastern edge of the Iberian Peninsula. Here, the sea defines daily life. We’ll spend time with local fishermen, experience the incredible seafood culture of the region, and discover small coastal towns like Cadaqués and Figueres that reflect the artistic soul of Catalonia. We’ll also visit the remarkable El Bulli Museum, a place that honors the creativity that once reshaped the culinary world from this very coastline.

One of the most memorable days of the journey unfolds along the water itself. We’ll travel by boat to the secluded Cala Jóncols for lunch beside the sea, then continue along the coastline before returning to Roses, taking in the dramatic cliffs and hidden coves that give the Costa Brava its name, the “Brave Coast.”

For those who love great food, inspiring places, and the stories that shape them, this journey offers a deeper look at one of Spain’s most captivating regions. It is a celebration of Catalonia’s creativity, hospitality, and unforgettable coastline.

Experience Details

12 Sep - 19 Sep 2026

Next Dates

8 days/ 7 nights

Trip Duration

$7990

Pricing

price is per person based on double occupancy

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Aerial view of a grid of apartment buildings with red-tiled roofs in a city, showing streets and some green spaces between structures.
Aerial view of a coastal town with white buildings and a marina filled with boats, surrounded by mountains.
View of a historic European town with a large stone church featuring a tall bell tower, surrounded by old stone buildings, trees, and a lush green park in the foreground. 
[ HIGHLIGHTS ]

A Cultural Journey Along Spain’s Rugged Mediterranean Coast

Cities of Focus

Our trip begins in Barcelona, exploring its neighborhoods, markets, and modernist architecture before traveling into Penedès and north to the Costa Brava. We’ll spend time in Roses, Cadaqués, Figueres, and inland in Girona, with stops along the route in-between.

Dining Experiences

Each meal will expand upon Catalonia’s culinary and cultural range, from coastal seafood to rustic vineyard lunches and contemporary Catalan cooking. Highlights include a private tour of Finca Viladellops and lunch at Compartir, and not-to-be-missed spots in each town.

Sightseeing & Culture

This itinerary is a deep immersion in Catalonia’s art, history and culture. We’ll view Gaudí and Dalí’s masterpieces, take a visit to elBulli1846 and medieval Girona, and take time to observe the architecture, coastal towns, and working landscapes that continue to shape daily life in the region.

Lodgings

All accommodations reflect a balance of contemporary design and coastal ease. In Barcelona, we stay at Seventy, a modern boutique hotel in the Eixample. Along the Costa Brava, Terraza Hotel & Spa in Roses offers an upscale, understated setting overlooking the Mediterranean.

A sailboat with a white sail and solar panel floating near rocky coastline and small rocky islands in the ocean.
Shrimp being grilled on a barbecue.

Tour Itinerary

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Day One: Barcelona, the Spirit of Catalonia

We’ll begin our journey in Barcelona, a city that captures the spirit of Catalonia through its architecture, its markets, and its vibrant culinary scene. We’ll convene for a welcome gathering to talk about the days ahead and what we’ll explore and discover together. Then, we’ll take a walk through the Eixample neighborhood, famous for its modernist, gridded streets and octagonal blocks.

Our amble taking in Eixample will end at Gaudí’s Basílica Sagrada Família, where we’ll enjoy a leisurely tour. Widely considered one of Europe’s most extraordinary spaces, Gaudí’s imagination, engineering, and use of light come alive in this legendary temple, forever in construction after more than 140 years of progress.

Afterward, we’ll sit down to dinner together to reflect on the day’s events, get to know each other more, and prepare for the next legs of our journey.

  • Welcome gathering, guided walk through Eixample, Sagrada Família visit, group dinner

  • Eixample District, Sagrada Família

  • Seventy Barcelona, Eixample

  • Arrival: 15:00
    End: Evening (after dinner)

Aerial view of Barcelona, Spain, featuring the Sagrada Família basilica with a cityscape of densely packed buildings and streets.

Day Two: The rural landscape of Penedès

Today, we’ll escape from the bustle of the city to the vineyards of Penedès, where the rolling hills and calming landscape offer a different view of Catalonia’s beauty. We’ll visit one of our favorite wineries, Finca Viladellops, to explore the estate’s impressive vineyards and cellar, located next to the castle of Olèrdola in the Garraf Massif wine region, and whose wines have held a spot on Cúrate Bar de Tapas’ bottle list for many years.

Afterward, we’ll gather for a traditional, leisurely lunch prepared with the finest seasonal ingredients from the region. This day of our trip is truly special, providing a nuanced understanding of Penedès’ terroir, local customs, and the role wine plays in the culture, cuisine, and lifestyle of Catalunya.

  • Vineyard walk, cellar visit, cooking demonstration, rustic Catalan lunch

  • Penedès wine region, Finca Viladellops

  • Seventy Barcelona

  • Departure: 09:00
    Return: ~18:00

A vintage Land Rover parked on a dirt path in a vineyard with rolling green hills and a cloudy sky in the background.

Day Three: Empordà, Creativity and Terroir

Today, we’ll set out into the Empordà, where the Pyrenees mountains descend into the Mediterranean and the landscape, history, and creative expression come together in a way that feels distinctly Catalan. In Figueres, we’ll step inside the Dalí Theatre-Museum, a space conceived by Salvador Dalí himself as a fully immersive work of art. Unlike a traditional museum, it reflects his singular vision at every turn, shaped by the light, coastline, and character of the region that defined his imagination.

From there, we’ll continue into the vineyards for a leisurely tasting and lunch at Castell de Peralada, one of Cúrate’s longtime wine partners since our beginnings. Here, the wines feel inseparable from the landscape, shaped by the pull between mountain and sea. You’ll gain a clearer sense of Empordà’s distinct terroir, and how tradition and modern perspectives coexist across this landscape.

  • Dalí Theatre-Museum visit, winery tasting at Castell de Peralada

  • Figueres, Dalí Theatre-Museum, Peralada winery

  • Terraza Hotel & Spa, Roses

  • Departure: 09:00
    Return: ~17:00

Looking up at a historic brick building with a glass dome and a statue of a figure holding a flag in front of the large window, with a partly cloudy sky above.

Day Four: into the Costa Brava

Then, we travel deeper into the wild beauty of the Costa Brava, where Catalonia’s countryside meets the sea. At elBulli1846, you’ll enjoy a rare glimpse behind the curtain of one of the most influential and creative establishments in modern gastronomy, which shaped a culinary movement across the world and where your guide, Cúrate co-founder Felix Meana, began his career.

You’ll discover the influence this small seaside town has had worldwide on fine dining and culinary history. From there, we’ll travel by boat along Cap de Creus, taking in the raw beauty of the Mediterranean from the water before docking in the secluded Cala Jóncols for lunch. Then, we’ll continue along the coastline and return to Roses, taking in the dramatic cliffs and hidden coves that give the Costa Brava its name, the “Brave Coast.”

  • Visit to elBulli1846, coastal boat excursion, seaside lunch, evening at leisure

  • elBulli1846, Cap de Creus, Cala Jóncols, Roses

  • Terraza Hotel & Spa, Roses

  • Departure: 09:00
    End: Evening

Seagull flying over the ocean near rocky cliffs, with foggy hills in the background during sunset or sunrise.

Day Five: Cadaqués and Compartir, From Sea to Plate

Few places along the Costa Brava feel as closely tied to both artistic and maritime identity as Cadaqués. We’ll begin with a visit to Casa-Museu Salvador Dalí, his former home overlooking the small bay of Port Lligat, offering a more intimate view into his daily life and creative process. The house itself, shaped over time from a series of connected fishermen’s huts, reflects the same surreal sensibility found in his work, deeply rooted in this landscape.

A walk through the village will follow, where narrow streets, whitewashed buildings, and the presence of the sea set a pace that feels both grounded and enduring.

At lunch, Compartir will offer a contemporary perspective on Catalan cuisine, led by chefs whose work carries forward the spirit of elBulli in a more relaxed, coastal setting. Later, back in Roses, we’ll visit the local fish market, where the day’s catch moves directly from sea to shore, offering a closer connection to the working traditions that continue to define this coastline.

  • Dalí House visit, guided walk, lunch at Compartir, fish market visit

  • Cadaqués, Port Lligat, Roses fish market

  • Terraza Hotel & Spa, Roses

  • Departure: 09:30
    Return: Late afternoon

A coastal scene with boats in the water, white buildings on the shoreline, a church on a hillside, and hills in the background, viewed through a tree in the foreground.

Day six: medieval girona

Today, we’ll turn inland to Girona, where the structure of the city still reflects its medieval past. Foundations of Roman architecture give way to narrow streets, fortified walls, and one of Europe’s most significant Jewish quarters, where tight stone passageways wind quietly through the old city. These histories remain fully embedded, shaping how the city is experienced as you move through it.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue into the surrounding countryside, where that same medieval structure extends beyond the city. Small stone villages sit among working farmland. The pace shifts. The landscape opens, and life appears to move more slowly.

  • Guided walk through Girona, countryside exploration

  • Girona, surrounding countryside villages

  • Terraza Hotel & Spa, Roses

  • Timing: TBD

Stone staircase leading up to an ornate historical building with decorative carvings on a facade, flanked by old buildings with balconies, on a sunny day with a blue sky.

Day Seven: Return to barcelona

We’ll return to Barcelona for a final day to wander and experience the city on your own terms. You’ll spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace, whether that means returning to a neighborhood that stayed with you or setting out to discover somewhere new.

In the evening, we’ll reconvene for one final dinner together to reflect on our travels together, the people we’ve met, and the experiences that have shaped our week together.

  • Free time, optional exploration, final group dinner

  • Barcelona historic neighborhoods

  • Seventy Barcelona

  • Departure: 11:00
    End: ~22:00

View of the rooftop terrace at Casa Milà in Barcelona, showing its distinctive undulating architecture, decorative chimneys, and sculptures, with people walking around and the city skyline in the background. 
[ What's Included ]

Inclusions

Your experience includes accommodations in thoughtfully selected hotels, with private airport transfers within tour cities and transportation throughout the itinerary. Meals are included as outlined, along with guided visits, entrance fees, and the experiences that shape each daily itinerary. Where noted, domestic flights are arranged, with standard baggage allowances. Throughout the journey, Cúrate Travel leadership is present, and gratuities at hotels and restaurants are taken care of, allowing you to sit back, enjoy, and enjoy each destination with ease!

Exclusions

International airfare to and from the tour destination is not included. Travel insurance and any visa or entry requirements will need to be arranged independently. Meals and experiences outside the itinerary remain open for you to explore at your own pace, along with personal expenses such as laundry or room service. Gratuities for drivers and local guides are left to your discretion. Any additional taxes or fees introduced after publication are also not included.

[faq]

General Questions

Our full FAQ, Including information about how to book your trip, can be found here

  • These are carefully curated small-group culinary and cultural explorations centered around each destination’s food, wine, culture, and people. Each itinerary brings together exceptional meals, meaningful encounters, privileged access, and time to enjoy the pace and character of each location in a relaxed and thoughtful way.

  • Reservations are made directly through Curate Travel. Submit an inquiry via our contact form to book directly with our tour coordinators! Once your place is confirmed, you will receive the next steps, payment schedule, and all relevant pre-departure information.

    Note: your spot will not be considered “Booked” until Terms of Service are signed and your 25% deposit has been received.

  • Our journeys are designed for curious, open-minded travelers with a genuine interest in food, wine, culture, and place. They are ideal for guests who value quality, personal connection, and a well-balanced rhythm of travel, and who enjoy sharing the experience with a small group of like-minded travelers.

  • Each journey is personally hosted throughout by Felix Meana, co-founder of the Cúrate brands and Curate Travel, as well as the team at our Spanish offices which is led Ernes Olasagasti, an experienced tour guide with more than a decade of experience leading luxury tours and beyond. This trusted local team oversees every detail on the ground. To learn more about your guides, head to our About page to meet the team!

  • Groups are intentionally small, generally between 12 and 18 guests, to preserve a personal atmosphere and allow for a more carefully hosted and flexible experience.

  • Yes. While each itinerary includes a carefully designed program of experiences, there is also time to rest, explore independently, or simply enjoy each destination at your own pace. We believe this balance is an essential part of a truly enjoyable journey.

  • These journeys are designed to be comfortably enjoyed by most travelers and do not require a high level of physical fitness. That said, guests should feel comfortable with moderate walking, occasional stairs, and active days that may include visits, transfers, and time spent standing. Specific details for each itinerary will always be shared in advance.

  • Yes. Many guests join on their own, and the group atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and easy to integrate into. A single supplement may apply for those requesting private accommodation.