Bedazzling Barcelona & the Costa Brava

Fly into the Barcelona International Airport (BCN). If you're flying overnight, you may want to consider arriving a day early to rest, relax, and adjust to the local time zone. You can purchase an Arrive One Day Early option in the Add-ons section of this page.

Regardless of when you arrive, hop into a taxi - they are clean, safe, and plentiful at the airport - and head to the 5-star Ohla Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter. Take some time to settle in and freshen up. The afternoon is yours. Relax at the pool, take a nap, and enjoy the hotel and its surroundings.

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

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

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

Enjoy some "you time" after lunch. Settle in for a siesta back at the hotel or stroll the Gothic Quarter to sightsee and shop for souvenirs.

Tonight, we'll be wowed by a live performance at Palau de la Música, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most iconic concert venue in the city. The Palau de la Música Catalana was built between 1905 and 1908 by the modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. After the show, we'll stop for some light tapas.

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

Today, we'll experience the whimsy and wonder of Gaudí’s architecture. First, we’ll step inside the still unfinished (after 150 years) Sagrada Família Basilica - a stunner, with dozens of animals cavorting on the façade and beautiful multicolored stained glass illuminating the inside.

Next, we'll head toward the seaside to Palau Güell, an expansive city mansion that was Gaudí's first major work in the city. We'll take our time wandering the colorful, airy halls of this UNESCO-listed site. 

Afterward, we'll return to the hotel by private transport to relax. You can use this time to explore the city from our central location or browse the numerous nearby boutiques. Lunch is at your leisure, either at the hotel or at one of the quaint cafes and restaurants in the area.

We’ll gather this evening for dinner at the modern gourmet restaurant Capet for an authentic Catalan culinary experience.

Sleep tight. Tomorrow we're off to the Costa Brava.

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

Guided by local Catalan guides, we'll visit the cathedral and the Jewish Quarter, then have free time to explore the old town and browse the charming boutiques.

Our lunch is at Restaurant Normal, a Michelin-recommended artisanal cafe in the heart of town.

After lunch, we’ll head to our accommodation for the next few nights, Hotel Palau Fugit. Conveniently located in Girona’s Barri Vell neighborhood, Palau Fugit was originally an 18th-century Baroque palace. In 2022, the building was completely renovated and converted into a hotel and a space open to art, artisans, and nature - lucky us!

Later in the evening, we'll dine at Cipresaia, a cozy restaurant known for its delicious local cuisine.

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, and he gifted her this bizarre and wonderful castle. We’ll discover much more about this intriguing residence as we explore its halls and rooms.

We'll have lunch together in the nearby beach town of Begur, enjoying the sunshine and sounds of gentle waves as we indulge in delicious, fresh seafood.

After lunch, we'll head to Peratallada, a stone village built in the Middle Ages. Peratallada means “carved stone", and we'll definitely see plenty of that as we tour this charming town. If we have time, we'll also stop at Pals, another nearby Medieval village. The cobblestone pathways, bursting flower boxes, and snug plazas will captivate you.

Later, we'll 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 tonight. Order room service or try one of the many Girona cafes and restaurants; we'll be happy to offer recommendations.

We'll check out of our hotel and begin the journey back to Barcelona. We'll stop in Figueres along the way for an up close and personal look at Salvador Dalí’s artwork at the Teatre-Museu Dalí. We’ll learn more about the artist’s fascinating life and discover the evolution of his work over the years. Dali’s museum is unique; the artist designed it himself. Afterwards, enjoy a guided tour and free time to explore Figueres.

We'll pause for lunch at Hotel Duran, a historic spot known for its connection to Dalí and its delicious Catalan cuisine. 

Back in Barcelona, we'll check in at the Ohla Eixample. The rest of the afternoon is yours to catch up on anything you missed during our first few days here. 

Perhaps you want more Gaudí or feel like scoping out a few Barcelona art museums, like the Joan Miró Foundation, the Picasso Museum, or the MACBA, or simply to explore the Eixample neighborhood.

We’ll conclude our adventure with a farewell dinner at a local tapas bar, Windsor, toasting to a week well spent with new friends in beautiful places.

After breakfast, it’s time to say “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.