Barcelona – the Jewel of Catalonia

Our long-awaited trip begins! We meet at 13:00 on Saturday 21 February at Thessaloniki Makedonia airport and fly direct with Aegean Airlines to the capital of Catalonia, charming Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain, bursting with life, art and history. On arrival our local tour leader meets us and, on the way to the hotel, gives us our first information about the city, its neighbourhoods and the hidden gems worth discovering. Our hotels are in the heart of Barcelona, so in our free time we can explore it in the best possible way. Evening walk.

After a good breakfast we set off to discover this famous city. The tour includes the imposing church that symbolises Barcelona and Antoni Gaudí's most important work, the Sagrada Família, which we see from outside. Driving by coach, we pass along the famous Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona's "Champs-Élysées", known for its striking Modernista buildings and upmarket shops, where we admire Gaudí's two most famous masterpieces, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera), as well as other iconic buildings of the period by architects such as Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Puig i Cadafalch and Enric Sagnier. Climbing Montjuïc hill, we enjoy the view of the city and see the Magic Fountain, Mies van der Rohe's famous Barcelona Pavilion and the facilities of the 1992 Olympic Games with the impressive Olympic Stadium. Our tour continues along the seafront, passing the Olympic Village and the Olympic Port and ending in Barceloneta, the old fishing village that is now one of the most charming places to eat by the sea, where in your free time you can enjoy the famous paella at one of the many beachfront restaurants. The tour ends with a walk through the Gothic Quarter, the most historic and atmospheric part of the city. Walking along the famous La Rambla, we visit La Boqueria, Barcelona's famous market, and the Cathedral, one of the most important Gothic churches in Catalonia. Our walk ends in Plaça Reial, an impressive square with beautifully lit buildings and a special atmosphere, where you can relax over lunch or a refreshing drink before returning to the hotel full of impressions from our first full day in Barcelona. In the evening we suggest a traditional flamenco show, a dance full of intensity and passion; let its powerful rhythms and magic sweep you away for an authentic taste of Spanish culture. A day full of options to enjoy Barcelona your way, creating unique memories of Spain's liveliest city.

Barcelona is full of life, art and history, with countless experiences both in the centre and in the nearby Catalan countryside. Today you can explore the city at your own pace or join us on an optional excursion to Girona and Figueres, two of the most charming places in Catalonia. We start in Figueres, birthplace of Salvador Dalí, to visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum, which holds the largest collection of his works in the world. The exhibits span the eccentric artist's whole career, from his early years to the end of his life, with a strong presence of Gala, his muse and companion. Beyond his surrealist paintings, the museum also shows Dalí's jewellery collection, 37 unique pieces designed by him, revealing yet another side of his inventiveness. We then leave for Girona, an enchanting city on the banks of the Onyar river. We wander its picturesque lanes, admire the colourful houses reflected in the river and visit the imposing Girona Cathedral, one of the most important Gothic churches in Spain. In the Jewish Quarter (Call Jueu), one of the best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters in Europe, we discover the history of the Sephardic Jews of Spain, who lived here for centuries and left their mark on the city's cultural identity. After a full day of art, history and impressive sights, we return to Barcelona late in the afternoon, having seen two of the most authentic corners of Catalonia.

Our last day in wonderful Barcelona is full of flavours and memories. As the Aegean flight is in the evening, you have plenty of time for a few final hours in the city. We suggest a visit to the famous La Boqueria market, one of the largest and oldest markets in Spain, full of colours and scents, where you can discover authentic Spanish food and taste the famous cured meats, such as excellent jamón pata negra, fresh fish, exotic fruit and of course tapas, part of everyday local culture. To round off your food experience, try the famous churros, fried dough dusted with sugar and served with hot melted chocolate, a sweet last taste of Barcelona. If you wish, you can join us for a visit to the Sagrada Família: Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece and symbol of the city is waiting to reveal its secrets and treasures. Before leaving, take one last walk and let the city enchant you with its lively rhythms, unique architecture and cultural heritage, and promise yourself you will soon return to a city that has so much to offer. Transfer to the airport for the return flight, with memories of this magical city to keep you company on the way home.