On this small group program, experience Barcelona from every angle through its landmark architecture including a hands-on cooking class and other authentic gastronomic experiences, all enhanced with a day trip into the Catalan wine region. Program is limited to 10 participants.
Day 1
Upon arriving at Barcelona’s El Prat International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall, which is outside the luggage claim area. Please look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo.
Transfer by private vehicle to your hotel. Check in is at 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made for rooms to be available before this time, this cannot be guaranteed. For guests with early arriving flights, you may wish to book an extra night so your room is available up on arrival.
Meals will be on your own today.
Note: Single guests will transfer in a sedan and couples in a van. Sedans hold 2 pieces of luggage, plus 2 carry-on bags. Vans hold 4 pieces of luggage plus, 2 or 3 carry-on bags. If you will have more luggage, a larger vehicle may be required for additional cost. Please advise your booking agent at least 14 days before sailing if a larger vehicle is required.
Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide in the lobby for a morning tour of the Sagrada Familia. The basilica’s heavily ornate exterior walls, its eye-catching and complex designs, the play of light and shadow on the wall reliefs and the magnitude of the construction are enough to overwhelm even the most ardent of design aficionados. Famed architect Antoni Gaudí envisioned the Sagrada Familia with 18 monumental spires, 10 of which are still under construction.
Next, follow your guide on a leisurely walk along the pedestrian-friendly Avinguda Gaudi, passing cafés and shops until you reach Sant Pau Hospital, another modernist masterpiece of Barcelona. This UNESCO World Heritage site complex was built between 1901 and 1930 and designed by the Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It was a fully functioning hospital until June 2009, when a new hospital opened next to it. The original building has been restored and is now a museum and cultural center.
After visiting the Sant Pau Hospital, enjoy lunch in a lovely restaurant in the upper part of the city offering beautiful views over Barcelona.
A panoramic drive ending at the Gothic Quarter follows lunch. This is the oldest part of Barcelona. You will follow the guide along pedestrian-only alleyways and through lively squares on the way to Plaça Sant Jaume, where you will find the magnificent town hall. You will also see from the outside, the 600-year-old Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia, which was built on the site of a Roman temple dedicated to Hercules, and a section of the medieval walls that once protected the city.
Afterwards, you will return to the hotel to spend the evening. Dinner is on your own.
Day 3
After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet the guide and drive to the magnificent Abbey of Montserrat. Perching atop a multi-peak mountain with fingerlike pinnacles, the abbey offers stunning views of the Catalonia region.
According to the legend, villagers discovered a statue of the Madonna in a grotto centuries ago and as a result, it became a pilgrimage site that still draws thousands to venerate the image, which now resides in a grand basilica. Over time, candle smoke darkened the image, which is now known as the Black Virgin.
Benedictine monks have served the abbey for almost a thousand years. They are dedicated to a life of prayer, work and welcoming pilgrims. You will ascend the mountain on a rack railway, a trip that will present stunning views. Upon arriving at the abbey, you will visit the sanctuary and its museum before enjoying free time for further exploration or simply to admire the beauty of the surroundings.
In time, you will drive to the Pere Ventura wine estate in the Penedes wine region, an area revered for its white wines and sparkling cava. During a comprehensive tour of the estate, you will visit the vineyards, the wine cellar and its underground chapel. A wine tasting follows, as does a spectacular lunch made with locally sourced ingredients.
Afterwards, you will return to your hotel for the evening. Dinner is on your own.
Day 4
After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a short transfer to the Born Quarter, a trendy neighborhood located between the Gothic Quarter and Ciutadella Park. It is one of the liveliest, most historic areas of Barcelona.
Although notorious in medieval times for public executions and the burning of alleged witches, the Born Quarter became more prosperous and respectable in the 13th century. Its labyrinth of narrow streets reveals a wonderful mix medieval and more contemporary architecture that includes the 14th-century Santa Maria del Mar church, a 19th-century market hall and the Center for Culture and Memory.
Upon reaching the Santa Caterina Food Market, you will meet a chef that will accompany you through the stalls and describe the ingredients in many of the most popular local dishes. You will then follow the chef to a nearby venue and prepare a meal for lunch in a hands-on cooking class. The meal will be paired with a selection of cava and wine.
After this enlightening culinary experience, you will return to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure and dinner is on your own.
Day 5
After breakfast at the hotel, the morning will be at your leisure. Around noon, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to the pier for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. •Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at the hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night, as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at Barcelona’s El Prat International Airport and transfer in a private vehicle to your hotel.
3:00pm Check in time. Should rooms not be ready, guests can store luggage until they are.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure
Overnight at the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Transfers are not included for guests arriving independently before the program start date.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Meet your guide in the lobby, transfer to Sagrada Familia
9:30am Visit Sagrada Familia
11:00am Walk to Hospital de San Pau
11:30am Visit Hospital de San Pau
12:30pm Drive to your lunch venue
1:00pm Lunch
2:30pm Transfer to the Gothic Quarter
3:00pm Walking tour of the Gothic Quarter
5:00pm Depart for your hotel
5:30pm Arrive at the hotel, remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Meet guide in the lobby and drive toward Montserrat
9:30am Ride a rack rail train to the monastery
10:00am Visit the monastery and its museum
11:30am Free time for independent exploration
12:00pm Drive to the Penedes wine region
1:00pm Lunch and visit the winery
4:00pm Drive back to Barcelona
5:00pm Arrive at your hotel, remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Transfer to the Born Quarter
9:30am Walking tour, ending at Santa Caterina Market
11:00am Market tour with chef
12:30pm Gastronomic hands-on experience, including tastings and lunch
3:00pm Depart for the hotel
3:30pm Arrive at your hotel, remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or similar hotel
DAY 5
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check-out and transfer to the pier for embarkation
What to Bring
Weather-appropriate clothing, hat, flat comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sun protection, umbrella and camera.
Currency
Euro
Electricity
220 volts. Bring a converter for electrical devices, as hotels do not provide them.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Accommodation
Nobu Hotel Barcelona
Av. de Roma, 2, 4, Distrito de Sants-Montjuïc, 08014 Barcelona
Phone: +34 936 42 88 88
*We will only substitute a hotel in unforeseen situations. If a hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.
Program Includes for guests
•4 nights at the Nobu Hotel Barcelona or similar including breakfast (Run of House Premium /Deluxe Room)
•Private transfer from the Barcelona International Airport to the hotel on Day 1
•Group transfer to the port on Day 5
•Tours and meals per the itinerary
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests
•Gratuities for drivers and guide
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
•Meals not listed in the itinerary
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Price: $4,099 per guest based on double occupancy.
Hotel and Land Program pricing is not combinable with FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Package. If applicable, please contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises or your travel agent for multi-night pre-cruise hotel pricing information. Land program promotions are subject to terms.
