ART

Catalonia is the region of origin of the most significant artists of the 20th-century, youíll see some of the most impressive art in the world, a great diversity of art museums, galleries and street art; the regions is home to  impressive collections of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Realist, Art Nouveau and noucentista.

• An art historian will guide you through the key sites of Picassoís formative years in Barcelona. Retrace the footsteps of Picassoís early years on an original and thought-provoking itinerary: glimpse the site of his first atelier, where in 1897 he painted ìScience and Charityî; visit Els 4 Gats CafÈ, whose doors still remain open and where artists, writers and intellects challenged the status quo and Picasso held his first public exhibition; La Llotja, the art academy where a teenage Picasso excelled beyond his peers; and AvinyÛn Street, whose name and raucous ambience gave life to his earth shattering 1907 work ìLes Demoiselles díAvinyÛnî, ushering in a new paradigm in 20th century art: Cubism.
• Together with Jacob VilatÛ, direct great nephew of Pablo Picasso, and himself a budding international artist based in Barcelona visit the Picasso Museum, gain an understanding of Picassoís works, backstory & inspiration through a set of unique and colorful anecdotes shared by a direct member of the family. Unlike the Picasso Museum in Paris, the originality of Museu Picasso comes from its impressive permanent collection of over 4000 pieces. The pieces trace the evolution of his work chronologically; youíll witness some of his lesser know early works, artwork from the Blue Period, and paintings from the mature cubist era.
• Join a DalÌ expert and unravel the life & úuvre of the Surrealist genius on an unforgettable guided tour through the world famous DalÌ Museum in Figueres, Spain. A daring figure since his earliest days, Salvador DalÌ quickly became the face of Surrealism, his non-conformist behavior and audacious public persona challenging society, uprooting pop culture and changing the way we perceive art. through the museum DalÌ designed during his lifetime, we look beyond the artistsí widely known works and delve into 8 decades of brilliant artistic output. The DalÌ Museum is undoubtedly one of the most unique art spaces in all of Europe. The collection houses the entirety of the artistís úuvre, from early oil paintings and sketches to mature surrealist masterpieces, full-room installations and exhibits.
• Get access to The DalÌ house & atelier in CadaquÈs, where DalÌ lived and worked from 1930 to 1982, was formerly a small fishermanís hut. All the rooms have windows of different shapes and proportions framing the same landscape that is a constant point of reference in DalÌís work: the Bay of Port Lligat. An immersive, sensorial experience into the labyrinth living quarters of the Surrealist master.
• Following a colorful guided walk, in which youíll visit the site of Joan MirÛís birthplace and childhood neighborhoodñthe heart of Barcelonaís Gothic Quarterñwe ascend Montjuic mountain for a private guided tour of the world class FundaciÛ MirÛ with spectacular city views below. The foundation was founded by MirÛ himself and designed by his friend Jose Lluis Sert. Inside, youíll mainly see MirÛís work which traces his complete artistic trajectory and evolution; from his training in Barcelona to his influences and links with the artistic movements of the 20th century. FundaciÛ Joan MirÛ houses the largest collection of MirÛís works: about 200 paintings, 200 sculptures, more than 6200 sketches and notes collected by MirÛ throughout his life.
• Enter the MACBA, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona, an ultra-modern building designed by the American architect Richard Meier. Together with your private guide discover the fascinating background on Museum history as cultural anchor of Raval Quarter in Barcelonaís transformation post 1992 Olympic Games; see the highlights as a combination of permanent & temporary exhibits. This museum mainly exhibits works from Catalonian and Spanish artists from the second half of the 20th century.
• Visit the MANC, The National Art Museum of Catalonia, it houses the most extensive collection of Catalan art from the 12th to the 20th Century, making it the perfect museum destination. You will get to see a huge collection of medieval art, probably the best Romanesque collection in the world.
• Enter the Museo de arte de Girona, is home to the an important collection of Catalan art. Visitors to the Museum are offered a chronological presentation of pictorial and sculptural works from different periods and in successive styles (Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Realist, Art Nouveau and noucentista), as well as rooms devoted to ceramics, glassware and liturgical art. On the same premises get access to the Saint Catherineís Hospital, an ancient building once of the most important hospital for the poor, visit the hospital pharmacy, perfectly preserved. 

ARCHITECTURE

Catalonia with Barcelona at its center has many World Heritage buildings and elegantly combines its historic legacy with the most innovative architecture. From the Gothic quarters to contemporary architects like Jean Nouvel, Frank Gehry and Norman Foster, the different ages have made their mark on a city that bears the indelible stamp of its ancient and innovative home-grown art nouveau movement, modernisme, and its maestros: GaudÌ, Puig i Cadafalch and DomËnech I Montaner. Unesco has recognised Barcelona for its outstanding contribution to the development of architecture and building techniques, and with good reason.

• With your private guide discover more than 2,000 years of Barcelonaís cultural, artistic, culinary & architectural legacy. Visit the cityís most emblematic squares and tucked away streets, from the origins of ancient Roman Barcino to the golden age of Gothic splendor; the medieval guilds of the affluent El Borne district, winding alleyways of the ancient Jewish Quarter. Delight in colorful anecdotes & fascinating histories which define this sun-drenched city on the Mediterranean
• Your expert guide leads you along Passeig de Gr‡cia for an in-depth discovery of the most prominent Modernist mansions and private residences, including GaudÌ masterpieces Casa BatllÛ and Casa Mil‡, and a visit to the interior of Casa Ametller. Explore the life, times, and work of GaudÌ as well as his lesser known contemporaries who together created one of the worldís most dazzling collections of public and private buildings. A backdrop for an immersion in art, architecture & the exhilarating atmosphere in which GaudÌ and his contemporaries re-wrote urban architecture.  With 7 UNESCO sites to his name alone, GaudÌ and a handful of brilliant architects created some of the most spectacular artwork of the last century. Modernisme, or Catalan Modernism, formed part of the larger Art Nouveau movement spanning across 20th century Europe from Lisbon to Moscow.
• Attend the Sunday morning Mass at at GaudÌís masterpiece and resting place, one of the most ambitious and recognizable buildings in the world – La Sagrada Familia:  a synthesis of GaudÌís architectural theory and practice. The initial Neogothic in the crypt and apse evolves toward the parabolic shapes of the towers and the hyperbolic shapes of the vaults, foreseeing that sound has great importance. Upon completion, it will have eighteen towers, the highest reaching 170 meters. Known from its beginnings as the ìCathedral of the Poorî, because it is an expiatory temple, the ongoing work is financed by anonymous donations.
• Explore Girona, an ancient city in Northern Catalonia, stroll through the old town, visit the museums, the historic buildings and its highlights, wander through the streets and squares, the medieval Jewish Quarter and its lush private patios, and discover the 11th century Arabic Baths, beautifully restored medieval baths, one of the best examples in all of Islamic Catalunya, enter one of the most important Romanesque churches in all of Catalonia.
• Enter the The Palau de la M˙sica Catalana, built between 1905 and 1908 by the modernist architect LluÌs DomËnech i Montaner, financed by popular subscription. The building is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Barcelona, is an architectural jewel of Catalan Art Nouveau, the only concert venue in this style to be listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO which today represents an essential landmark in the cultural and social life of Catalonia. Get access to the backstage for a meet&greet with Maestro and musicians for a behind the scene experience.
• Explore Barcelona under the lenses of  Contemporary architecture, a carefully designed itinerary with an architect will give you access to new contemporary projects, Jean Nouvel, Frank Gehry and Norman Foster.
• Enter the Montserrat Benedictine monastery and Basilica, Cataloniaís most important religious retreat, perched half way up the mountain and sheltered by its peaks, the history of Montserrat is fascinating and started in 880 when a small group of shepherd children saw a bright light descending from the sky in the Montserrat mountains. The monastery was founded in the 11th century, still functions to this day with over 70 monks, and the initial construction of the basilica began in the 16th century. At 1,236 metres above the valley floor, is ideally located to play an important role in the cultural and spiritual life of Catalonia. 

NATURE&LANDSCAPE

• Nature can be found all around Catalonia: in the mountain chains, posidonia beds, the wetlands and the beach forests… and just minutes from the main cities are authentic natural gems, some of which are registered as Natural Parks.

• Discover CadaquÈs, a small fishing town known to many as one of the most symbolic places in the province of Girona. The picturesque town became a popular retreat for some of the most famous European artists like LuÌs BuÒel, Marcel Duchamp and of course, Salvador DalÌ, who famously declared his hometown CadaquÈs the most beautiful village in the world.

• Explore The Cap de Creus Natural Park, home to an endless amount of beautiful landscape, this natural park will be sure to amaze you. Due to the effects of erosion, its structures and outcrops make up a whimsical landscape that you wonít find anywhere else. These extraordinary forms were a source of inspiration and subject matter for works by Salvador DalÌ. The breathtaking views of the rocky cliffs and hidden coves of the wild coastline will most certainly remain in your memory after you leave.

• Discover the scenic beauty of Montserrat, a mountain, a unique Natural Park, and a massive rock over 4000 feet high, visible for miles, with weird shapes and rounded peaks that jut into the sky; there are paths, stairs, caves, chapels and hermitages scattered over the mountain, extraordinary landscapes and wonderful views.

• Each spring the streets of Girona fill with colour as the city hosts itís annual flower festival Girona Temps de Flors, be part of this feast for the senses. The festival takes place in the historic city centre and medieval Jewish quarter. Every May for the last 67 years, the medieval gem of Girona comes alive in color and spectacle with more than 100 magnificent floral installations. Discover spaces otherwise closed to the public, including access to intimate corners of the Cathedral, the church of Sant MartÌ and several private medieval patios and courtyards throughout the Gothic and medieval Jewish Quarters.

• Immerse in the floral design art, an internationally acclaimed floral designer will privately show you his mastery and lead you to the creation of your own bouquet.

• With an expert botanist visit the Marimurtra Botanical Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens on the Mediterranean. At the top of steep cliffs running along the sea, you can enjoy one of the most spectacular panoramic views over the coastline and get to know more than four thousand plant species, most of them exotic ones, as well as several specimens that are extraordinary because of their age or size.

ENTERTAINMENT

• Assist to a traditional performance of Sardana, the Catalan dance, a symbol of unity and pride, an enthralling spectacle: people join their hands together and dance in circles with small precise steps. The circle goes slowly round, and round whilst more people join to make the circle bigger.

• Listen to the sound of ancient music instruments, The music of Catalonia comprises one of the oldest documented musical traditions in Europe. Catalan music incorporates a number of unique instruments, including the flabiol, a type of pipe woodwind, tambori, a small drum, and the guitarra de canya, a xylophone-like instrument made of bones or reeds that is suspended from the musicianís neck.

• In the magnificent Concert Hall of the Palau de la musica, assist to a music concert seated in the most prestigious seats. 

• At Montserrat assist privately to a recital by the Basilica boys choir, listen to a performance of Gregorian chants and other genres of religious choral music.  Montserrat is home to one of the oldest boysí choirs in Europe. Documents testify existence of a religious and music school in Montserrat as far back as the 14th century.

EPICUREAN

• Behind the world of tapas lies a culinary universe, as varied as it is complex, waiting to be celebrated, savored and most importantly, shared. Catalonia – one of the worldís most exciting culinary destinations.

• Tucked in the winding backstreets of Barcelonaís medieval Jewish Quarter sits Casa Adret, one of the only remaining medieval houses in the city, built in the 13th century. Here chefs Monica and Eva create a veritable movable Jewish feast. Casa Adretís rooftop terrace boasts incredible views of the nearby Cathedral and many church towers and spires of the storied Gothic Quarter.

• From trendy vermouth bars to farm-to-table restaurants, artisanal charcuterie and locally sourced cheeses to conversation-stopping desserts, our gastronomes lead you through Barcelonaís back streets and ìin the knowî locales on this exquisite culinary experience. Guests will meet the chefs behind the dishes, gain an understanding of Spainís diverse wine geography and delight in local anecdotes.

• Less than 1 hour from Barcelona is El PenedËs, a region of lush rolling hills rising from the Mediterranean– the heart of Spanish cava. Explore a local producer which continues what his family started on this same plot of fertile land a century ago. Bready and balanced with beautiful small bubbles, this is refined, thoughtful cava-making. A visit here is a family affair. Warm, inclusive, joyous, the way cava should be celebrated.

• Get access to an authentic and secluded farm to table restaurant in a restored 19th century farmhouse featuring elevated Catalan cuisine and outdoor terrace dining with stunning views of Montserrat. 

• In Girona during the annual flower festival Temps de Flors, enjoy a culinary lunch experience by a local chef specialized in composing his dishes with edible organic flowers and bulbs in combination with other locally sourced ingredients.