Catalan Cooking & Culture: A Culinary Journey with Rachel Allen

Join chef Rachel Allen from Ballymaloe Cookery School, (who will co-host the tour with Simon McGookin from Iberian Wine Tours)— sharing her passion for seasonal ingredients, hands-on cooking, and storytelling through food. Alongside local experts, we will guide you through kitchens and tasting rooms as we delve deep into the heart of Catalan cuisine. 

Catalunya is very special. It’s an independent-minded ‘place apart’ within Spain, whose craggy northern coastline stretches into southern France. Famed for its modernist architects, revolutionary artists, deep-rooted free thinking, and iconic football club, FC Barcelona, Catalunya is also a region where pride in culture runs deep. But above all, it’s the wine and gastronomy that define the people — especially in the north.

This unique food tour takes you to northern Catalunya, where the Costa Brava meets the lesser-known yet world-class Empordà wine region. Here, the Mediterranean landscape blends with Pyrenean foothills to create an unforgettable setting for some of Spain’s most exciting food and wine. From sun-drenched vineyards producing elegant Garnacha and Carignan to fishing villages serving the freshest seafood, the region offers a culinary journey rich in authenticity and bold flavours.

This is more than a tour — it’s a celebration of place, plate, and people.

Payments Policy 

Each tour has a deposit of €750 per person which is payable at booking. The balance of payment is due 90 days prior to the start of the tour.

WeTravel Payments

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new booking system, powered by the WeTravel platform. Our primary goal is to enhance your booking experience, making it simpler and more convenient, especially when it comes to payment via credit card.WeTravel is a highly respected booking and payments platform for group travel businesses, trusted by over 5,000 companies worldwide. We couldn't be happier to partner with them, knowing that they provide instant payment acceptance, efficient booking management, and global fund transfers.
Booking your next adventure with us is now smoother than ever. Tours will continue to be listed on our website as before. When you click ‘book now’ on the tour page you will transition to the new WeTravel booking page for that tour where you can select the package and options that you wish to book.

We highly recommend creating an account during the signup process. This enables you to track the status of your bookings and make any necessary changes whenever you need to. Rest assured, WeTravel respects your privacy and won't inundate you with marketing emails.

Payment Methods  Once you've completed the familiar booking form, you can proceed to make secure online payments, currently available in 2 different ways:

1. credit card (which incurs a processing fee that varies according to the currency and location you are paying in, up to 2.9%) 

2. bank debit transfer. Bank debit transfers occur when an account holder authorises an outside party to “pull” funds from their bank account. The recipient’s bank initiates the transfer of funds, not the sender’s bank. When a customer sets up this type of bank transfer to make a payment, they provide their name and account details to the recipient, who will then use the account information to pull funds from the sender’s account into their own.This is different from bank/ wire transfer where instead of the recipient’s account “pulling” money from the sender’s account, credit transfers work by “pushing” money from the sender’s bank account to the recipient’s.

If you prefer alternative payment methods such as cheques or Wise wire transfer, we're happy to accommodate these arrangements on request.  

Non USA Payments  

Most of our tours are listed in US dollars but if you want to pay in your local currency by the bank debit method then it is as easy as selecting the flag of your country’s currency on the top right of the window when you are making payment. Alternatively, you can request our $US account details to make a wire transfer from outside the USA.  

2nd Participant Payments   

A booking will only show under the account of the person who made the booking, not the second participant. There are 2 options for payment in this case - 

1. You can pay together and handle the participant's payment outside of WeTravel. 

2. You can share the login and each make payments with your preferred payment method.

Timings 

The payment timing will stay the same, with a deposit of $750 pp payable at booking and the balance payable by 90 days before the tour starts. You will receive an automated reminder 30 days before the balance is due.We believe this new system will streamline your booking experience. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@iberianwinetours.com.

Cancellation Policy

If you wish to cancel your booking, you need to confirm the cancellation in writing by email or letter. If you contact Iberian Wine Tours prior to confirming your cancellation we can advise you of the cancellation charges applicable to your situation. The cancellation charge is based on the number of days prior to the starting day of the trip booked. The charges are per person cancelling, as follows:

90 days or more – loss of deposit

89-60 days or more – 25%

59-30 days – 50%

29 days or less – 100%

Refund Policy
From time to time, tours do not reach the minimum number of bookings necessary to make the trip viable. We reserve the right to cancel or alter a tour in these circumstances. If we cancel the tour or make substantial alterations, we will advise you at least 60 days before departure and will offer you alternative dates or a full refund. 

Day 1 Tues 9th June.
BBQ Masterclass: Earth & Fire

The tour begins at 10:00 AM in the H10 Urquinaona hotel, Barcelona, where you’ll meet the group and head north into the heart of the Empordà region. Your destination is Mas Generós, a tranquil countryside estate where local chef Iolanda Bustos hosts an immersive "Earth and Fire" barbecue masterclass. Surrounded by nature, you’ll learn to cook seasonal vegetables, fish, and meat over an open fire using age-old techniques and local ingredients. 

After enjoying your freshly prepared feast outdoors, head to the Hotel Peralada where we check in for the next 5 nights. The estate comprises golf courses, a wine spa, a theatre and magnificent gardens. L

Day 2 Wed 10th June.
Michelin Masterclass at Castle Peralada
In the morning we enjoy a tasting of Peralada’s multi award winning wines from the DO of Emporda in the lavish new state-of-the-art winery. Their Finca Malaveina was recently voted one of the world’s top 100 wines. 

Later, head to the iconic Castle Peralada for a culinary collaboration with the chefs of its Michelin-starred restaurant. This hands-on cooking session offers a chance to explore sophisticated Catalan techniques and ingredients, culminating in a tasting of the dishes you help prepare. The evening is free to dine independently or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings. B/L

Day 3 Thur 11th June.
Seafood Day: From Boat to Plate in Palamós

Today’s focus is the sea. Travel to the coastal town of Palamós, famous for its seafood, especially its red prawns. Take part in a unique cooking workshop led by local fishermen, where you’ll learn how to prepare the morning’s catch and enjoy a relaxed, authentic seafood lunch.  

Afternoon visit to the ancient ruins of Empúries, a unique archaeological site where Greek and Roman civilizations once thrived side by side. Take a guided stroll through the remains of temples, mosaics, and streets that open a window into the ancient Mediterranean world. Returning to Peralada, enjoy a light dinner at the hotel, reflecting on the region’s coastal traditions and culinary richness. B/L/D

Day 4 Fri 12th June.
Cultural Exploration and Paella Mastery
Begin the day with a scenic visit to the mountaintop Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery, where sweeping views of the coastline set the tone for the day. Continue to Cadaqués, a picturesque seaside village beloved by artists, for lunch at Compartir — a modern restaurant created by former El Bulli chefs, known for its inventive shared plates.

Back to the hotel before we head for a paella demonstration at Massia Serra winery, where you'll witness the making of Spain’s most iconic dish and enjoy the result in a peaceful rural setting. B/L/D

Day 5 Sat 13th June.
Olive Oil & Farewell Feast
Your final full day begins with a visit to Fontclara, an estate devoted to olive oil production. Here, you’ll discover the role of olive oil in Catalan cuisine, followed by a lunch featuring showcooking and a variety of traditional tapas made with estate-grown ingredients. 

In the evening, celebrate the end of your culinary journey with a special farewell dinner at Divinum in Girona, a Michelin-starred gem, that thrills with inventive Catalan tasting menus. Set beneath its elegant vaulted-brick ceiling, each dish surprises and delights, blending tradition with creativity for an unforgettable culinary journey.. B/L/D

Day 6 Sun 14th June
After breakfast, the tour concludes with a transfer to Barcelona el Prat airport. B

*Some visits are provisional