Barcelona & Costa Brava Family Vacation

The basilica of La Sagrada Familia looks like no other building in the world. Its circular tapered spires soar over almost every view in Barcelona. They started building it in 1882 – and it’s still not finished! The architect’s name was Antonio Gaudí, and our guide will tell you all about him. Part of the game in this city is learning to spot his other outlandish projects, from apartment houses to parks where crazy mosaic benches snake and swoop through the terrain. 

In the evening, we head to La Rambla. It’s the most popular boulevard in town. As we head to and from dinner there, we’ll stop to applaud street performers and shop in market stalls. And that dinner will be at our guide’s favorite restaurant. They’re renowned for their broad, shallow skillets paella, plus other Catalan specialties to suit everybody’s tastes. Overnight: Barcelona (Catalonia Plaza Catalunya Hotel) Meals: D

Midday, we’re back in Rupit for lunch. You can follow our guides to their favorites or head out on your own for a taste of the local specialties. Our kids love the local sheep and goat cheeses. The Catalan sausages with white beans, grilled vegetables, and the famous carquiñoles or almond biscuits are all worth a taste. 

After lunch, we take a short drive to the ancient town of Vic. Part way there, anyone who wants to can hop out and join our guide for a one-hour walk. There are great views of the Pyrenees mountains and the trail ends at our four star boutique hotel. Parador de Vic-Sau feels like a farmhouse – though most farmers probably don’t have such an awesome swimming pool. The location is really fine because we’re up on the top of a high plateau overlooking a valley where the River Ter creates a U-shaped peninsula that flows into a lake popular with sailors and kayakers. We’re here for two nights in rooms with terraces and great views. So there’s plenty of time to settle in and explore the grounds. Overnight: Vic (Parador de Vic-Sau) Meals: B, D

On one leg of the walk, we’re in Fageda d'en Jorda, an unusual beech tree forest near Croscat volcano. (In the autumn you practically need sunglasses because the leaves are so brightly colored.) On foot, we arrive in Santa Pau, a walled medieval village built out of volcanic rock. A potter friend of ours lives and works here, and we have a standing invitation to stop by his workshop. The ceramics here are very famous, and it’s amazing to watch him at work. But he’ll also give us a chance to try making our own. Back at our parador, you can hit the pool, go for your own walk, or just relax before dinner. Tonight’s a terrific chance to dig into Catalan cuisine. It has a mix of French and Spanish elements, and the servings are big! You might try habas a la catalana (a spicy broad-bean stew) or zarzuela de mariscos ("operetta" of seafood), but be sure to save room for crema catalana (crème brulee), everybody’s favorite dessert. Overnight: (Parador de Vic-Sau) Meals: B, D

The ancient walled city of Girona is just as old. One of its neatest claims to fame: the rows of orange-colored houses that line the banks of the River Onyar. In some places they almost seem to lean right over the banks. Our leisurely walk takes us past the 17th century cathedral and the public baths built in the 12th century. And if those buildings aren’t old enough for you, we’ll also get a look at the 11th century Charlemagne Tower as we walk along the Passeig Arquaeològic. The country air is good for your appetite so you won't be disappointed that Girona is well known for its pa amb tomàquet, grilled bread slathered in olive oil, garlic and fresh tomato. 

You’ll pedal your lunch off as we go biking this afternoon. We’ll outfit you with just the right bike and gear. Then our friend Daniel leads us off for an easy ride on paved trails. Along the way, we get our first great views of the coastline. And like every perfect bike ride, this one ends at a luxurious coastal hotel. Take your first dip in the pool or stretch out on the beach – and enjoy living the good life! Overnight: Girona – Begur (Parador de Aiguablava) Meals: B, D

This afternoon, we’re going to a surreal museum. And we mean truly surreal because it contains the work of Salvador Dalí in his hometown of Figueres. It’s a different kind of museum because the work is all his, and he worked in a lot of styles. Some of them are serious. Others are outrageous. And you can really see the artist’s mind at work. Afterward, we'll return to our resort hotel where you can just hang out and have a relaxed evening. Overnight: Girona – Begur (Parador de Aiguablava) Meals: B, L

Our favorite destination is the crescent-shaped bay at Llafranc where we’ll eat lunch. Then you can either return to the hotel or join us for a short drive to the 10th century town of Pals. Its old quarter is an Historic Artistic Site, and the shopping there is terrific. 

After a full day of soaking in the Costa Brava, we settle down for our farewell dinner. It’s hard to go wrong with grilled local fish so fresh that it was caught just that morning. The adults can savor a cup of cremat (a mixture of rum and coffee), a typical sailor's drink, while enjoying outstanding views of the entire coast stretched out below. Bon Profit! Overnight: Girona – Begur (Parador de Aiguablava) Meals: B, D