Bedazzling Barcelona & the Costa Brava

Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport (El Prat) and hop into a taxi. There are plenty of them. Now, head to the 5-star Ohla Barcelona. Your facilitator will meet you at the hotel.

Take time to settle in and freshen up. The day is yours to relax at the pool, nap, and luxuriate in this wonderful hotel.

In the evening, we'll set out, with our local guide, on a walking tour of central Barcelona followed by a welcome dinner at Plassohla.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant and prepare for a morning of Barcelona exploration.

Today, we set out with a local guide to experience the whimsy and wonder that is Gaudí’s architecture. We’ll step inside the still unfinished (after 150 years) Sagrada Família Basilica, a stunner with dozens of animals cavorting on the façade.

We have time for a short stop to admire the curvy façades of Gaudí’s La Pedrera and Casa Batlló before heading up the hillside to Park Güell, an expansive area blooming with gardens and buildings by Gaudí.

From the park, our private transport will whisk us back to the hotel for a bit of downtime. It's your time to explore the city from our central base or shop at the many nearby boutiques. Lunch is on your own, either at the hotel or one of the many cafes and restaurants in the neighborhood.

In the evening, we’ll get together again for dinner at the modern gourmet restaurant Capet for a true Catalan culinary experience.

Enjoy a light breakfast because we're headed to the famous, sprawling Boqueria Market. Wander between stalls. Vendors have sold their wares here since the 13th century.

We'll stop at a few select spots to buy ingredients for our private cooking class. Then, it’s over to the kitchen so the chef can show us the ropes. This is a hands-on experience, so get ready to tie on an apron and slice and dice. The payoff is a three-course meal with wine enjoyed with the rest of your Girls' Guide travelers.

Enjoy some “you time” after lunch. Hit the hotel for a siesta or stroll the Gothic Quarter to sightsee and shop.

Tonight, we'll be wowed by a Flamenco performance or live music at El Palau de la Musica. Viva Espana! After the show, we'll stop in for some light tapas.

Sleep tight. Tomorrow we are off to the Costa Brava.

Today, we'll depart Barcelona to motor north to Girona. Perched on the Onyar River, the walled city of Girona is our first stop in the Costa Brava. The city is a compact cluster of history and culture with roots in Roman times.

We’ll start with a walking tour of Girona, using local Catalan guides. Visit the cathedral and Jewish Quarter, and enjoy free time in the old part of the city, browsing the charming boutiques.

Today, our lunch is at Carlos, an old inn with stone walls and arches, a former meeting for the merchants of yesteryear. 

After lunch, we’ll make our way to our home in Girona, the Palau Fugit. Located in the heart of Girona’s Barri Vell, Palau Fugit was originally an ancient baroque palace from the 18th-century. In 2022, the palace was completely renovated and converted to a hotel and a space open to art, artisans and nature - lucky us!

Later in the evening, we will have dinner at a local Girona restaurant.

Today is all about wine, history, and art – three things we love about Catalonia!

We’ll head to Púbol to explore Gala’s Castle. Gala was Salvador Dalí’s wife. The artist gave her the castle as a gift. It is a weird and wonderful place, and we’ll learn much more about the castle, the couple, and their interesting visitation arrangement.

We'll lunch together in the beach town of Begur.

After lunch, we'll head to Peratallada, a stone village erected in the Middle Ages. Peratallada means “carved stone.” You’ll understand the name as you tour this charming hamlet. If we have time, we'll also stop at Pals, another Medieval village that will captivate you with its cobblestone pathways, bursting flower boxes, and snug plazas.

Later, we will head back to our fabulous hotel. Enjoy some downtime, sip some cava, and marvel at how lucky we are to be in this remarkable place.

Dinner is on your own today. Order room service or try one of the many cafes and restaurants in Girona. (Recommendations will be provided)

We'll check out of our hotel and begin the journey back to Barcelona. On the way, we'll stop in Figueres to get up close and personal with Salvador Dalí’s artwork at the Teatre-Museu Dalí. We’ll learn more about the artist’s fascinating life and see how his work evolved over the years. Dali’s museum is like no other you've ever seen. In fact, everything in it was conceived and designed by the artist himself. We’ll have a guided museum tour, followed by free time to look around the grounds or shop and wander Figueres. Even if you're not a Dali fan, after learning more about the man and the importance of his work, you’ll walk away changed.

Back in Barcelona, we'll check in to the Ohla. The rest of the afternoon is yours to catch up on anything you missed during the first few days of the trip. Maybe you want more Gaudí or feel like scoping out a few of Barcelona’s art museums, like the Joan Miró Foundation, the Picasso Museum, or the MACBA.

We’ll conclude our adventure with a farewell dinner at Pau Claris 190 near the hotel.

For those of you not joining the optional trip extension, it’s time to say our goodbyes. It’s “fins després” to all your Girls' Guide amigas before hopping into a taxi to the Barcelona International Airport for your return flight home.

We're happy to help you set up your taxi to the airport with the help of the hotel’s front desk. 

For those joining the trip extension, ¡Adelante!

After a lovely breakfast at the hotel, we’re off to the sandcastle spires of Montserrat, where an eponymous abbey sits snugly between the peaks. A Benedictine community has existed on Montserrat for almost 1,000 years and is still active today. Short hikes meander on paved pathways from the abbey. 

It’s a quick jump from Montserrat to Penedès, Spain’s premier cava region. (Cava is like champagne but made in Spain). We’ll have lunch in wine country at the Codorníu vineyard, including a tour and a bubbly wine tasting. The expert bilingual guides will explain the 450-year-old history of this brand and give you the scoop on how to best serve cava (spoiler: icy cold). 

In the afternoon, we’ll head back to Barcelona. 

Enjoy the evening alone or enjoy dinner with some of your new amigas.

What a trip! You'll have memories and friendships to last a lifetime.

After a leisurely morning (last minute shopping anyone?), we're happy to help you set up your taxi to the airport with the help of the hotel’s front desk.