BEST OF BARCELONA

Day 1: Welcome to Barcelona! Transportation will be provided from Barcelona-El Prat International Airport to our 4-star superior hotel located in the center of Barcelona, near Las Ramblas and the seaport. You can relax at the hotel and nearby cafés or stroll along Las Ramblas to begin getting to know this picturesque and vibrant city. We’ll play pickleball in the afternoon. Later, we’ll gather for a warm and friendly “Bienvenido” welcome reception, with an optional dinner nearby.

Day 2: After a morning session of pickleball, we’ll explore Barcelona on foot with a guided walking tour of “Old Barcelona.” We’ll stroll through the city’s historic center to visit the Gothic Quarter, the Cathedral, Las Ramblas—Barcelona’s busiest and most colorful boulevard—and the world-famous Boquería Food Market. We’ll complete our walking tour at Port Vell, Barcelona’s lively waterfront beneath the Christopher Columbus monument pointing toward the Americas. Afterward, we’ll enjoy our “Bienvenido” welcome dinner at a restaurant near the seaport.

Day 3: We begin the morning with a three-hour session of pickleball instruction and play. Afterward, we explore the genius of Antoni Gaudí on a guided tour of his two most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites: the awe-inspiring Sagrada Família and colorful Park Güell. With its towering spires, intricate façades, and breathtaking stained glass, the Sagrada Família is a marvel of modernist architecture that remains unfinished after more than a century. At Park Güell, we’ll explore Gaudí’s colorful mosaics and enjoy panoramic views from one of Barcelona’s most scenic locations.

Day 4: Morning session of pickleball. After lunch we depart for the jagged mountain peaks near Barcelona, home to Montserrat Monastery, a breathtaking Benedictine retreat where the revered Black Madonna statue is housed. Enjoy panoramic views, a peaceful spiritual atmosphere, and scenic walks at one of Catalonia’s most iconic natural wonders. Back in Barcelona, we’ll visit Montjuïc, site of the 1929 International Exposition and the 1992 Summer Olympic Games. Then we’ll venture to the rooftop of the former bullring, Las Arenas, to take in the city lights and evening views of Barcelona.

Day 5: A luxury coach takes us to Figueres and the Dalí Theatre-Museum, considered Salvador Dalí’s final great masterpiece and devoted to one of Spain’s most celebrated Surrealist artists. Next, we continue to Girona, a charming medieval city known for its remarkable architecture and winding cobblestone streets. We’ll explore the picturesque Old Town, walk along the ancient Roman walls, and visit memorable locations featured in Game of Thrones.

Day 6: A short coach ride takes us to a traditional wine and cava bodega in the Penedès region, renowned for its quality wines and cava—a sparkling wine with a crisp, citrus-forward character. We’ll enjoy a guided vineyard visit and a wine and cava tasting at a charming boutique estate. Afterward, we travel to the coastal town of Sitges, a haven for artists since the 19th century. Drawn by the Mediterranean light reflected from its white seaside houses and the iconic churches of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, artists have left a creative legacy visible in the town’s murals, museums, galleries, and street art.

Day 7: A morning of pickleball is followed by leisure time to explore, shop, or visit any of Barcelona’s many attractions on your own. In the evening, seats are reserved for a fiery performance of Spanish dance and music. Get ready for throbbing guitars, expressive vocals, colorful dancers, and the emotional, rhythmic stomp of flamenco.

Day 8: After our morning pickleball session, you’ll have more leisure time to explore the city’s many attractions that may have caught your eye during the trip. In the evening, we’ll gather for the lively “Hasta Luego Fiesta” celebration and farewell dinner overlooking the city of Barcelona.

Day 9: Breakfast at the hotel and transportation to Barcelona-El Prat International Airport for departure flights. We’ll say goodbye to our new friends and hope to meet again on another pickleball adventure.