Explore Barcelona and the Costa Brava
October 7-13, 2024
7 Days
Full Price: $4495
Activity Level — Moderate
Travelers should be able to walk quite a bit without assistance.
*This trip is not wheelchair accessible.
Trip Overview
Barcelona beckons, promising Roman ruins, culinary adventures, chic shopping, psychedelic Antoni Gaudí architecture, and the gentle lap of the Mediterranean Sea.
To the north lie the secluded coves of the Costa Brava, the strikingly beautiful region where painter Salvador Dalí was inspired to make his eccentric home with his partner Gala.
Join an expert Bold Spirit facilitator on this seven-day, women-only, small-group adventure and fall in love with a slice of Europe that has been stealing hearts for centuries. Your Bold Spirit facilitator will take care of all of the details so you can relax and enjoy the experience.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Visit Roman Ruins in Barcelona and Girona
Relish in Antoni Gaudí’s architecture, including Sagrada Família Basilica and Park Güell
Sip and swirl local Spanish and Catalan wines
Glimpse the strange world of Dalí and his wife Gala
Soak up the history of walled Girona
Indulge in delicious Catalan meals
Discover El Palau de la Musica, a modernista concert hall
Wander the cobblestone pathways in Pals in the Costa Brava
Bask in Mediterranean beach bliss at our beach-side hotel
Attend a concert in central Barcelona
Learn about Catalan cuisine as you prepare and eat it during a cooking class and market visit
Shop some of the best boutiques in Europe in Barcelona
Meet other bold women who love travel as much as you do!
Activity Highlights
Cooking class
Connecting with other Bold Spirit women
Historical sites
Concert/local entertainment
Market tour
Museum visits
Castle visit
Walking tours
DETAILED Itinerary
Day 1: “Benvingudes” to Barcelona
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport (El Prat). You will be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel.
Take some time to settle in and freshen up before meeting the rest of the Bold Spirit crew in the lobby for orientation.
In the evening, we set out for a walking tour with our local guide of central Barcelona followed by a welcome dinner at a Catalan restaurant.
Welcome to this vibrant city!
Note: You may want to come to Barcelona a few days early to get over jet lag and see more museums.
Meals: Welcome dinner
Hotel: Hotel Colon or similar
Day 2: Take Your Taste Buds for a Spin
We’re up early to meet our local guide and chef at the famous, sprawling Boqueria Market. Wander between stalls and consider that vendors have been selling their wares here since the 13th century. Silver fish glisten on ice. Fruit pyramids perfume the air with a sugary scent.
We will stop at a few select spots to purchase the ingredients for our private cooking class. Then, it’s over to the kitchen where our chef will 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 the Bold Spirit travelers.
Have a bit of “you time” after lunch. Hit the hotel for a siesta or stroll the Gothic Quarter for sightseeing and shopping.
Grab dinner or some tapas on your own — we are going out tonight! We reconvene in the evening for a concert in the center of the city (this could be flamenco or another music style, depending on what is offered closer to the date).
You’ll be in Barcelona’s party center if you’re moved to continue celebrating at the many bars and clubs nearby.
Rest up, because tomorrow we are off to see Gaudí’s architecture.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Hotel Colon or similar
Day 3: Gaudí’s Greatest Hits
Grab your coffee and breakfast at the hotel restaurant and get ready for a morning featuring the city’s top sights.
Today, we set out with a local guide to experience the whimsy and wonder that is Gaudí’s architecture. You’ll visit the inside of the still unfinished Sagrada Família Basilica, a stunner with dozens of animals cavorting on the façade. This is not another dank, gloomy church. Huge pillars inside reach skyward, terminating in sunflower shapes, and your guide will give you the lowdown on what the basilica’s future holds.
After Sagrada Familia, let’s head up the hillside to Park Güell, an expansive area that blooms with gardens and buildings by Gaudí. Snap some fantastic shots of the metropolis from above and nab a selfie with the famous mosaic dragon (or is it a salamander?). Soak up the splendor sitting on one of the undulating mosaic benches that you will want to study up close and caress.
Our private van whisks you back to the hotel. Explore the city from our central base camp and go shopping at the many nearby boutiques. Maybe you want to check out an art museum, such as MNAC? We will have suggestions for you.
In the evening, rejoin your Bold Spirit crew for dinner in a nearby Catalan restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Hotel Colon or similar
Day 4: History set in stone
Have breakfast and check out of your room before jumping into the minibus to motor north.
Perched on the Onyar River, the walled city of Girona is our first stop in the Costa Brava. With roots reaching back to Roman times, the city is a compact cluster of history and culture.
Girona is the yin to Barcelona’s yang. Here, you’ll leave the rush behind and experience the gentle pace of this walkable, more intimate destination. Bridges crisscross the Onyar like shoelaces, and colorful homes cling to the riverbank. Specialty shops and cute cafes abound.
We begin with a walking tour of Girona with our local Catalan guides. Visit the cathedral, the Jewish Quarter, and enjoy some free time in the old part of the city to browse boutiques.
We will have lunch together in Girona.
Our driver will take us inland, away from the sea, and into the Costa Brava farmland area. Here we will stop at medieval villages that will captivate you with cobblestone pathways, bursting flower boxes, and snug plazas.
Parador de Aiguablava is a stunning hotel set near the Mediterranean Sea. Check in and get settled. Take some time to wander the grounds and have a drink while admiring the view. This is your home for the next two nights.
Later in the evening, we will have dinner together in the Parador restaurant. It’s been a full day—let’s toast to that!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Parador de Aiguablava
Day 5: Dalí - Weird and Wonderful
Traveler, you need some downtime. Wake up slow. We’ve been on the go and this morning is all about taking a moment to decompress from the bustle of Barcelona. Enjoy breakfast when you want and wander over to the pool or down to the beach. This morning is a great time to set up a spa treatment at the hotel.
Today is your chance to get up close and personal with Salvador Dalí’s artwork at the Teatre-Museu Dalí. Learn more about his fascinating life and see how his work progressed. We promise that this museum is like none other you have ever been to! You will have a guided tour at the museum and then some free time to look around the grounds.
Later, we will head back to our fabulous hotel. Enjoy some downtime. Sip some cava and marvel and how awesome it is that you are in this beautiful place. The hotel bar makes great drinks and the views are vast from every window.
Dinner is served at the hotel restaurant with all your Bold Spirit gal pals.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Parador de Aiguablava
Day 6: The Castle Gift
Wake up slow. Have a leisurely breakfast with a view of the Med. Beachcomb and soak up the bliss before checking out of your hotel room. We will make our way back to Barcelona today, but not before stopping at a castle that is guaranteed to steal your heart and fill your camera roll.
Check out of the hotel and then head to lunch in Púbol.
After lunch, we will explore Gala’s Castle. Gala was Salvador Dalí’s wife, muse, manager, and many other things. The artist gave her the Púbol castle as a gift. It is a weird and wonderful place and you will learn much more about the castle, the couple, and their interesting visitation arrangement.
It’s okay to snooze as we cruise south to Barcelona. You’ve had a full day and a wonderful meal; let us take care of the driving while you relax in the minibus.
In the afternoon, we will arrive at our hotel in Barcelona and check in.
After settling into the hotel, the rest of the afternoon is yours. You will be near the beach. Take a walk along Barcelona’s humming beach boardwalk and have a drink at a bar right on the sand.
We conclude our Bold Spirit adventure together with a group farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Melia Barcelona Sky or similar
Day 7: Let’s Not Say Goodbye—Let’s Say “Fins Després”
Farewell in Catalan is “fins després.”
After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to go. It’s “fins després” to all your Bold Spirit amigas before a hopping in a taxi to the Barcelona International Airport. Your Trip Facilitator will help you arrange a taxi.
Consider extending your trip to spend a few more days in Barcelona or in the South of Spain.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s Included:
Six nights at beautiful hotels and in dreamy locations (based on double occupancy: you will have a roommate unless you choose the private room upgrade)
An English-speaking Bold Spirit facilitator accompanying you every step of the way
All meals as indicated in the detailed itinerary
Private airport transfer on arrival
Private land transfers for the Bold Spirit group throughout the entire adventure
A small group experience—only 12 Bold Spirit women travelers on each trip
Local expert bilingual guides in each destination
All equipment needed for activities
A pre-trip private Zoom call to meet other guests
A planning/packing guide to get you ready for this Bold Spirit adventure
What’s Not Included:
Round-trip airfare
Cost for additional activities
Meals not outlined in the detailed itinerary
Alcoholic beverages, unless otherwise specified (most meals include wine)
Personal expenses, such as souvenirs
Travel insurance
Optional private room upgrade if you want your own room (no roommate)
Early hotel check-in
Telephone charges
Room service/minibar
Laundry
Transfer to the airport at the end of the trip (we will help you set up a taxi)
What to Bring on This Adventure:
Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
Dressy attire for nights out
Bathing suit
Day pack or bag
Reusable water bottle
You will receive a detailed packing list upon registering
Staying in Touch with New Bold Spirit Friends
For each Bold Spirit group, we will set up a community WhatsApp group so you can stay in touch with the inspiring women you meet on your trip.
Travel Insurance
Insurance is strongly recommended for your Bold Spirit trip. We highly recommend that you obtain adequate coverage for cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage and personal effects. Your deposit and final trip balance can then be recovered via a claim to your insurance provider in the event that you must cancel your adventure due to unforeseen circumstances. No refunds are issued 90 days or fewer from departure.
Check out insurance options at Tinleg, Squaremouth, GlobeHopper Senior, Patriot, and WorldTrips.
Other Considerations
Our itinerary is subject to change based on availability and unforeseen conditions.
Payment dates:
Deposit: $600 upon registering
2 subsequent payments
The trip price is based on a shared room. Some private room upgrades are available for each trip for an additional fee.
Private Rooms:
A private room upgrade is $775.
A note about the private upgrade: We know that some women need their own space. We pay the same amount for the room whether there are 2 people in it or just 1. When you get the private upgrade, you are paying for the other 1/2 of that room. This is why it costs more.
We are happy to pair guests with a roommate, which allows you to save money and make a friend. We have limited private rooms so please select that option when you register. Thanks for understanding.
You must abide by Spanish rules and COVID protocols.
The minimum group number for this trip to run is six participants.
Your deposit for this trip is non-refundable. We use your deposit to secure the guides and reserve your hotel room.
Refund amounts are determined as follows:
120+ days before trip: Full refund minus non-refundable deposit
120–90 days before trip: 50% of balance minus non-refundable deposit
90 days or fewer before trip: No refund (get trip insurance and cover your costs)
Email us with questions about this.
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