Savour BlackBookAsia and Catalonia Tourism Board is delighted to bring you a mesmerizing VIP journey into North Eastern Spain. A good starting point and base for this exciting journey is Girona that is only a short 40 minutes train ride from Barcelona Sants Station or an enjoyable and comfortable 1 hour 20 minutes drive away. So get ready for new luxury travel experiences that will last for a lifetime.

Guided visit in Girona

A magical medieval city that has been a subject of twenty five sieges in the past, is full of history link to the Moors, Napoleon and many others. The high walls and ancient fortifications that surrounds Girona can still be seen today, and is also one of Spain’s last surviving Jewish quarters. For Game of Thrones (GOT) fans, Girona has been the the location for filming of the multiple award winning television series.

Girona Cathedral – with it’s baroque facade is probably one of the most photographed sightseeing spots in the city especially when taken from the bottom of the grand stairway at Plaça de la Catedral. It is at this exact location where part of a famous scene from the Emmy award winning Game of Thrones was filmed. The bell tower has a romanesque finishing and inside a mainly gothic layout, Girona Cathedral currently holds the record for having the widest church gothic nave when compared to any others around the globe. While here, do remember to visit the museum with a staggering collection of highly prized artifacts and art work including the Tapestry of Creation that dates back to the 1000s.

El Call – walk by the Jewish Quarter with it’s instagrammable stone walls, narrow alleys and stairways where many buildings have been well preserved to this very day and age. Developed slowly over 300 years from the 1100s, the quarters is one of the largest in the whole of Spain and in the past home to a thriving Jewish community with many Kabbalistic schools. Now a Museum of Jewish History can be visited to view collections of Jewish items and learn more about the Jews.

Take a leisure stroll over one of the many bridges for a picture perfect shot of the colourful buildings with modernist architecture in the Onyar river. Beautiful reflections of the buildings of various pale pastel colours can also be captured thanks to the clam and serene waters. Day time (when good lighting is available) is advised for taking of blue skies to frame your picture so remember to bring your cameras!

Plaça de la Independència – a 19th-century square in the Mercadal district is a good pit stop to take some photos of the neoclassical apartment buildings and have a meal at one of the many restaurants that surround the area. Or simply sit at one of the bars with a glass of wine and watch the world go by at this place that many consider the center of town. This is also a convenient place to wait for your pick up or flagged a taxi to your hotel with a main road located just behind the arcades.

Gastronomic Girona

Home to El Celler de Can Roca, recipient of the coveted World’s 50 Best Restaurant’s number 1 ranking twice and run by the three famous Roca brothers, one of which has also started his own ice cream parlor (Rocambolesc) with exquisite flavours and interesting shapes such as the hand of  Jamie Lannister, a character from the popular Game of Thrones television series. Not to be outdone is Restaurant Can Roca run by the mom of the Roca brothers. Located near to El Celler de Can Roca, this is where the staff of the famed establishment have their meals, the cosy eatery is also open to the public.

Other good options for lunch is Restaurant Llevataps with it’s decadent Foie Gras Ice Cream that literally look like a Magnum coated in milk chocolate and nuts. The restaurant has a window that looks into the kitchen so that diners can see the chefs in action. Cal Ros is also an elegant choice with it’s white walls, matching table cloth and touches of red in the furniture. Must order dish here is the tantalising Matured Galician Beef Tartare marinated with a secret blend of spice, accompanied with a side of mustard ice cream, fried potatoes and mizuna, finished with white truffle oil for aromatics.

Hot-air Balloon Experience

Two way VIP transfers from your hotel in Girona to Vol de Coloms can be arrange with ease. If you have never been on a hot-air balloon before then this is not to be missed. Even if you have been, this particular itinerary is unique to the area where the balloon will fly over stunning extinct volcanoes, some with very old churches inside the crater. On arrival early in the morning, have an assortment of pastries and hot coffee to warm you up for the trip while watching the balloon being prepared. Up in the air, be astounded by amazing views of the horizon while sipping on choice cava. On landing be awarded with a certificate of attendance as a momento of your wonderful day while enjoying a delectable Catalan brunch filled with gourmet cold cuts, sausages and Spanish wines.

Natural Walk in Girona

The botanist of much lauded El Celler de Can Roca, Evarist March leads this special guided tour that is probably the only such tour in the whole of Spain and possibly the world. An educational yet fun outing where guests will walk around Girona old town and learn about the various trees and plants that can be use in one way or other for cooking. The surprising thing about these vegetation such as the vines of capers or olive trees can be easily found all over Girona, many a times people would have walked pass without even knowing. A sensory experience where you get to search for wild carrots, pluck your own herbs such as rosemary and enjoy the natural aromas. Good walking shoes are highly recommended as well as sufficient drinking water for hydration.

Flower Pairing

One of the most interesting activity one can do in Girona is to pair edible flowers with wines. For both foodies and lovers of wine, this is a most special treat indeed. Well organised by both Evarist and a sommelier from 3 Michelin starred El Celler de Can Roca where a selection of premium white wines are paired with various flowers. One is to first smell and taste the flowers as well as wines by itself before consuming them together and see how the flowers actually reacts (enhances or influence) on a molecular level certain elements of the wines. Basically it is combining different elements (be it complimenting or contrast) that brings forth new flavours, which is important when choosing what ingredients to use in the dishes to pair with wines. All flowers can be found in Girona and have been personally picked by Evarist while the wines are carefully curated by the expert sommelier. A superb time out and highly recommended for all except for those below the age limit for drinking alcohol.

Cooking Class with Lunch

A interactive session where guests put on the chef apron and learn recipes that is close to the hearts of many Catalans under the expertise of a veteran chef in a fully equipped private cooking studio with adjoining dining room, washroom and even outdoor alfresco area where produce such as grapes are being farmed. A scrumptious course meal consisting of bread, appetizer, soup, mains and dessert cooked with ingredients depending on the season. After which you get to dine on your own creations accompanied with premium wines. The Catalan Tomato Bread (Pa Amb Tomàquet) is an amazing start to the session. A traditional recipe that is easy to make with just five common ingredients, bread, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil and salt. First slice and toast the bread till golden brown in colour, then cut an raw unpeeled garlic clove in half and rub it onto the bread, followed by cutting a fresh ripe tomato in half and repeat the rubbing process. Finally a drizzle olive oil and sprinkle of salt to finish. We would recommend using baguette, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. Delicious and healthy, perfect for all occasions and even for everyday dining.

Dalí’s Theatre-Museum Tour

An easy day trip via car or alternatively train to Figueres. Inaugurated in 1974, The magnificent Dalí Theatre and Museum is often considered by many to be the world’s largest surrealist object and is located in the artist Salvador Dalí home town, Figueres. On entry, guests will be ushered into the captivating world of Salvador Dalí with around 1,500 masterpieces ranging from paintings to sculptures and even large size installations over many genres such as surrealism and mysticism. Dedicated to all things Dalí, one can literally spend the whole day just walking through the different segments of the museum to experience the artistic journey of the artist. Not to be missed is the Dali Jewels located just next door, that hold a collection of thirty-nine jewels in all sorts of precious metals and gems designed between 1941 and 1970 together with various sketches/drawings.

Sailing in Palamós

The fabled Palamós is a town located along the Mediterranean coast of Costa Brava with convenient access via private transfer from Girona. There are many things to enjoy here at one of the best-preserved fishing villages in Spain like relaxing by the beach and getting a nice tan or pump up your adrenaline in the water sports. The best way to really soak in the essence of Palamós is to take a boat ride out into the open sea. First be guided at a local seafood market to view the day’s catch and buy some of the world famous red prawns to be cooked later onboard the ship. Thereafter start your indulgence by sipping exquisite cava while the captain set off into the horizon. Along the scenic route, the captain will anchor the ship at a prime viewing spot to cook the plump prawns while guests enjoy the breeze or even take a dip in the sea weather permitting. Enjoy the juicy prawns that were simply cooked over salt with more wine before setting sail back to shore.

Savour BlackBookAsia Magazine believes strongly that there are many parts of Catalonia filled with wondrous sights and sensorial experiences that is definitely worth the trip from Barcelona. There is indeed something for everyone irregardless of age or type of traveller. So what are you waiting for, start packing now!

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