We have paired two of the best destinations in Europe. Rich cultures, historic neighborhoods, fabulous art and architecture, and superb cuisine. Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city and an important Mediterranean port. This coastal capital of Catalonia is at the forefront of European modern design. Lisbon is known as the “white city,” thanks to its unique sunlight. The city has a beauty that extends far beyond its famed monuments that can only be experienced by walking the city streets and embracing it with all the senses. And what better time to visit the Iberian Peninsula than in late May . . . the weather is ideal!

The program combines hands-on cooking lessons with visits and tastings at carefully selected markets and vineyards, plus, you’ll discover simple local hideaways and top Barcelona restaurants. We share with our guests an interest in authenticity and sustainability, and we always find seasonal delicacies, festivals, or customs to learn about. Workshops vary each day, exploring Catalan food and wine in depth. You’ll learn techniques favored by local chefs and create delicious three-course meals. But you’ll also spend time outside the kitchen touring markets and tasting at specialty shops. This city’s shopkeepers fanatically curate superb collections of everything from cava, chocolates, and dried fruits to cheeses, ibérico hams, and salt cod. There’s plenty of tradition to be absorbed, but you’ll also enjoy what Barcelona’s most innovative chefs are doing. Our menus are always enjoyed with wine, and participants will learn about the excellent and still somewhat undiscovered wines produced in Spain. You’ll taste with local experts and also make a day trip to vineyards to see how cava is made and explore the impressive reds being produced by a younger generation of winemakers who are having great success with their biodynamic wines. The program is limited to 14 participants. The course begins on Sunday evening and ends the following Friday morning.

The wonders of the Mediterranean coast, from Spain's magnificent Costa Brava to the glamorous Cóte d'Azur, charming but seldom-visited islands unfold before you during this magical 12-day adventure. Between a 2-night stay at Le Méridien Barcelona and two nights at Monaco's famous Fairmont Monte Carlo, the sporty sailing yacht Le Ponant takes you to explore fascinating, off-the-beaten-path ports where the big cruise ships can't go. Delve into Salvador Dali on the Costa Brava, visit Girona on the Spanish coast and call at both Majorca and Minorca in Spain's Balearic Islands. Savor the tranquil beauty of Le Carmargue in France. Indulge your passion for history in Narbonne and Carcassonne in the lovely Languedoc region of France. Take in all the scenic beauty for which the “Wild Coast" and the “Blue Coast" are so famous.

The program combines hands-on cooking lessons with visits to markets, artisans’ workshops, and a few truly great restaurants. We share with our guests an interest in authenticity and sustainability, and we always find seasonal delicacies, festivals, or customs to learn about. You’ll stay in a luxurious villa in the Catalan countryside, dating to the 14th C and stylishly restored as a boutique inn. Each day explores a different aspect of this food-loving region, including hidden places that are still a bit off the beaten path. Depending on the time of year, you’ll find yourself gathering mushrooms, or sailing the Mediterranean, visiting a biodynamic winery, a cheese festival, or an olive mill. Our instructor here is chef Viçens Fajardo, a member of Joves Cuiners, one of Catalonia’s most innovative culinary groups. His kitchen and cooking combine tradition with modern elegance. Wine tastings with sommelier Monica Ferré are a treat, as she loves to show off Catalonia’s range of styles from sparkling cavas to the rich reds of the Priorat. The program is limited to 14 participants. The course begins with dinner at the villa on Monday evening and ends after breakfast the following Saturday. The course fee of $3,250 includes accommodations throughout in a luxurious country villa hotel. It covers daily classes and tastings, visits to markets and with local artisans, three lunches and three dinners, always paired with wines. It does not include transportation – you will need a rental car, or we can help you arrange for a driver. We think you’ll appreciate having your own transportation for exploring the region during your free time.