Flamenco, siestas and fiestas. Beautiful beaches, stellar nightlife and extraordinary architecture. Roman ruins in a fantastic collision of grand traditions and modern sophistication. Spain is all that, and much more. Also essential in a Spain tour package: opportunities galore to taste some of the most delish cuisine in the world, not to mention wine tours that will take you to excellent grape and stunning wineries. Whether it’s a luxury tour of Spain or a more laid-back affair you’re looking for, delve right into the heart of this diverse country with a customised tour by Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours.
Barcelona, the buzzing cultural capital
From the tree-lined boulevard of La Rambla to the snaking alleys of the medieval Gothic Quarter, Barcelona is a dream for intrepid travellers who like to wander down backstreets to seek out hidden restaurants and curious galleries that exist, it seems, as rewards for only the most curious foot explorers.
But some of the pleasures of Spain’s second city are right out in the open, and the best known is the Sagrada Família, the audacious, fantastical church that was Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s all-consuming passion and still a work in progress more than 130 years since construction commenced. Gaudí’s strange, organically shaped structures can also be seen all over Barcelona. For instance, the sinuous Casa Milà is a cultural centre aptly celebrating creativity and new ideas, while Park Güell is an outdoor paradise designed for aristocracy, armed with stunning stone sculpture and beautiful mosaic work.
And if the first words that come to mind at the mention of Barcelona are Messi, Neymar and Suarez, you can’t miss a visit to Camp Nou, home to FC Barcelona since 1957.
Catalan culinary pleasures
Barcelona is a hub for some of the best chefs and most creative kitchens in the world. An hour from the Catalunya capital, you’ll find the Roca brothers’ El Celler de Can Roca, crowned best restaurant in the world in 2013.
elBulli may be no more but in the former theatre district in Parallel, you can still get a taste of the Adria brothers’ molecular gastronomy genius at Tickets Bar, where tapas is taken to the next level.
Besides Tickets, you’ll find vermouth tapas bar Bodega 1900, Japanese Peruvian Nikkei restaurant Pakta and tacos joint Niño Viejo in the vicinity. These are part of the Adria brothers’ culinary amusement park, a vision that will be fully realised when haute Mexican restaurant Hoja Santa and Enigma, a cocktail bar with an exclusive elBulli-esque tasting menu, are opened by 2015.
Beyond Barcelona: Montserrat tours
A trip out to the mountaintop monastery at Montserrat is one of the highlights of any Barcelona tour package. In Catalan, the word “montserrat” means serrated mountain, referring to the jagged, multi-peaks. This spectacular spot, a mere hour from the bustle of Barcelona, is an important religious retreat and boasts remarkable views of the surrounding countryside, and unusual rock formations.
The funicular takes you to the top of the mountain where the monastery is. Visit the complex and basilica, where the world-famous choir boys will put up performances of Gregorian chants and religious music, and finish with a tranquil walk around the crags.
Take a wine tour to Rioja, Spain’s greatest wine region This is world-renowned grape country and a must-visit for any wine connoisseur. There is an intoxicating variety of brilliant vintages waiting to be discovered, a good museum to beef up your knowledge and the region’s hearty cuisine to mop it all up with. If you’re a drinking architecture buff, don’t miss the stunning Bodegas Ysios, an avant-garde winery with a dramatic, undulating roof that melds into the mountainous backdrop.
Besides wining and dining, the region also has stunning scenery, along with plenty of natural attractions and activities such as horse riding, hot air ballooning, guided walking tours and visits to the medieval village of Laguardia.
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Experience the buzz of Barcelona and the tranquility of Montserrat, go on an indulgent wine tour of some of Spain’s finest vineyards or live it up with a luxury tour that will take you to the best restaurants that Spain has to offer. No matter what your passion is, with Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours, it’s possible to customise a Barcelona or Spain tour package to suit you. Call 6212 9935 or email privatetours@chanbrothers.com.sg to find out more.