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Q: What is included in the program price?
A: Program prices include the classes, tastings, meals, wines, and excursions detailed in each program description. Please check the description of the program you’re interested in for details as ground transportation and accommodation vary depending upon the program you choose.
For example, lodging is included in our Catalan Cooking Program – your stay in a rustic farmhouse and a restored villa, where you’ll cook with the proprietors, is an important part of the experience. Lodging is not included in our Barcelona Cooking Program because the city offers such a wide variety of options – we have some favorite places, posh or pennywise, and are happy to help you select a place to suite your style and budget.
Our city-based programs include walking tours and transportation on wine country excursions. However, you will need to rent a car for programs based in the countryside – the better for exploring during free time.
Good eating is a cornerstone of every Spanish Journeys experience. All of our programs include at least one serious meal each day, including wines. Your program or tour description will note how many meals are included in your trip.
We purchase Medex travel health insurance for all participants.
Airfare is not included in any of our programs or tours; you must book and pay for your air travel.
Q: With all the great food we’ll be eating, won’t I gain weight on the trip?
A: Fortunately, the Catalan diet is a Mediterranean one, featuring lots of fish, olive oil, and fresh fruits and vegetables; meats tend to be served in moderate portions or to season a dish. And, good news: even Spain’s prized Ibérico ham has been found to contain high levels of Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Desserts here are rarely heavy. By the way, some travelers are surprised to learn that Spanish food is rarely spicy – it’s quite different from Mexican and Latin American cuisine. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that while your taste buds will be indulged, the overall diet on our trips is reasonably healthy.
Q: Will I enjoy the trip even if I’m not an aspiring chef?
A: We definitely think so. The cooking classes are designed to be as active as each individual would like them to be, fun for cooks at all levels. And each program includes culinary experiences – like tastings, visits to markets, or with artisans – that go on outside the kitchen.
Q: Are there any additional costs I should plan on?
A: You need to book and pay for your own air travel as well as transportation from/to the airport to/from the trip starting point. Itineraries vary, so check your trip description for specifics, but all programs assume that over the course of a week you will want to enjoy a few meals on your own. You will also need to cover your own personal extras such as cocktails, mini-bar purchases, phone and Internet use, shopping sprees, or any activities not included in the trip that you choose to do on your own.
Q: What is a typical day like?
A: Since programs and tours vary, check the descriptions for details, but as a rule, we strive to help you balance learning experiences (including cooking, market-going, and tasting adventures) with leisure, we strive to combine group activities with opportunities for you to explore a bit on your own. A “typical” city day might go like this: after breakfast in your hotel, we rendezvous at 9 am, setting out on a walking tour of the old city and the market. Because lunch in Spain doesn’t start until around 2pm, a chocolate tasting or stop in a café provides a late-morning pick-me-up. Next, we head off to cooking class to prepare a classic three-course lunch. Local life slows down at lunchtime, museums and shops close, so after class we take off our aprons and have a leisurely meal. Late afternoon free time allows you to shop, relax, or go to museums – perhaps seeing Miró’s paintings or Gaudí’s architectural works – and then follow our suggestions on where to have a light tapas dinner. Free time in the countryside might mean relaxing by the pool, scheduling a massage, walking or biking through nearby villages, or taking a drive to buy ceramics, hit the beach, see the Dalí museum or stroll Girona’s medieval quarter.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Locals are relatively style-conscious in Barcelona, but still, the spirit is very casual. You may want to bring one dressy item (a jacket, a snazzy shirt or top, a scarf… but nothing too formal is needed) for festive occasions. Comfortable shoes are important – you’ll be walking quite a bit on cobblestone streets and on your feet a good bit during classes. To fit in with the locals, we leave bulky athletic shoes and Tevas at home and go for low, flexible loafers or sandals, and sleeker sneakers instead. Spring and fall temperatures average in the 60 to 70ºF; we’ll send an updated weather forecast and more packing tips before your trip.
Q: How much luggage can I bring?
A: We try to limit our own luggage to one medium-to-large sized rolling suitcase (to check through) and one carry-on bag each. We’d suggest you do the same – you’ll be glad to not have too much to keep track of and handle. Make sure there’s a little extra room, or bring a collapsible extra bag for the return trip… space for new shoes, maybe a handbag, or chocolates, or a wine discovery you can’t help wanting to bring home. But be aware the airlines have imposed a 50 lb per passenger luggage limit (they also charge for bags exceeding total dimensions adding up to more than 62 inches).
Q: We’re a couple – will we have the chance to be on our own at all?
A: Yes. We work hard to create itineraries that balance meaningful activities with a bit of leisure time to unwind, shop, people-watch and give you the chance to make your own discoveries.
Q: Can single travelers join the tours?
A: Yes. We hope you’ll enjoy the company of a small, low-key group as well as the stimulation of cooking, visiting markets, and joining in tastings. We try to build in a little time for you to be on your own to relax, shop, people-watch, or make your own discoveries, too. When accommodations are included, single travelers do have to pay a single room supplement (listed with each trip price), although if you’d like we can try to connect you with another single traveler who wants to share a room.
Q: I don’t speak Spanish, let alone Catalan – will that be OK?
A: Of course! Teresa and the local guides we work with all speak English. Their skills come in handy when we meet artisans and chefs who aren’t confident speaking English. When you’re exploring on your own, you’ll find that most city residents, especially shop owners and restaurant staff, also speak some English. We do think it adds to your fun to try out at least a few greetings in Spanish or Catalan. We provide travelers with some interesting history on the Catalan language and a portable English-Spanish-Catalan glossary of traveling words.
Q: Do I need a passport and visa to travel in Spain?
A: If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not need a visa, but you must have a valid U.S. passport to vacation in Spain. If you are not a U.S. citizen, let us know and we’ll help you research any special requirements.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: If you find you have to cancel your trip, you must let us know in writing. If we receive your cancellation more than 60 days before your trip is to begin, we will refund all deposits and payments less a $500 cancellation fee. For cancellations received between 60 and 31 days prior to the start of your trip, we will refund all payments less your $1000 deposit. There will be no refunds for cancellations received 30 days or less before the start of your trip. We recommend that all participants obtain trip cancellation and travel insurance. We reserve the right to cancel the trip prior to the start date for any reason. In the unlikely event we cancel the trip, participants will receive a full refund of their payments made to us.
Q: Do you recommend travel insurance?
A: We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance in case you have to cancel or curtail your trip due to an emergency. Your local travel agent can arrange the details for you, or you may want to explore online providers.
Q: What about travel health insurance?
A: While your U.S. health insurance policy will likely reimburse you for an emergency illness while traveling, we purchase additional coverage – MEDEX’s TravMed Abroad – for all participants on our trips. In case of an emergency, Medex handles coordination of your care and up to $100,000 in medical expenses; the coverage is included in the trip price. More information is available at on the Medex website at www.medexassist.com.
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