Wednesday, October 13th 2010: Barcelona - Gaudi & Modernism Tour

09.00 – 17.00 hrs (by bus)

The tour will start with a visit of the Palau de la Música Catalana which is one of the most representative buildings of Catalan Modernist style. On the Passeig de Gràcia, the main street of the L’Eixample district, participants will have the occasion to see famous modernist examples including Gaudí’s houses: Casa Batlló wich will be visited and Casa Milá - La Pedrera, as well as Casa Ametller designed by architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch. After lunch, participants will enjoy a guided tour outside the Sagrada Familia church, designed by Antoni Gaudí i Cornet. The special design with Christian symbols has made the church one of Spain´s most visited sites for years. The church has three grand façades: the Nativity façade completed by Gaudí, the Passion façade and the Glory façade still under construction. A visit of the beautiful Park Güell will conclude the programme.

Thursday, October 14th 2010: Montserrat

09.30 – 16.00 hrs (by bus)

With its unique natural environment, religious character and original art collection, Montserrat (the “serrated mountain”) is an incredibly special place. At 1.236 meters (4.055 ft) above the valley floor, this impressive mass of rock, smoothed by erosion, is Catalonia’s sacred mountain and was declared a Natural Park in 1987. The Virgin of Montserrat, Catalonia’s favorite Saint is located in the sanctuary of the Mare de Deu de Montserrat, next to the Benedictine monastery, nestled in the towers of the mountain. Participants will visit the Basilica housing the image of St. Mary. The guide will bring history to life while explaining about the Publicacions de l’Abadia de Montserrat, a publishing house with the oldest still running press in the world, which published its first book in 1499. Lunch will be served in the Can Amat restaurant.

Friday, October 15th 2010: Spanish cuisine - Paella cooking experience

09.00 – 14.00 hrs (by bus)

Paella is a rice dish that originated in its modern form in the mid-19th century near lake Albufera, a lagoon near the eastern coast of Spain’s Valencian region. Many non-Spaniards view paella as Spain’s national dish. However, most Spaniards consider it to be a regional Valencian dish. Valencians, in turn, regard paella as one of their identity symbols.

There are three widely known types of paella: Valencian paella (Spanish: paella valenciana), seafood paella (Spanish: paella de marisco) and mixed paella (Spanish: paella mixta); but there are many others as well. Participants will discover the secret of this well known Spanish dish. The course will take place at the L’Escamarla restaurant where participants will be divided in small groups. Each group will choose a cooking table and will receive the recipe in English, cook hats and aprons. Lessons will be given by one of the restaurant’s chefs. Each group will cook one paella with the help of the chef cook and his assistants. During lunch the chef together with all participants will test the paellas.