Spain: A Culinary Wonder

Located in southern Europe, we showcase the most vital Spanish destinations for any gastronome including Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian, La Rioja and Barcelona.

INTRODUCTION Spain needs no introduction as a high-class touring destination. Famed worldwide for its magnificent beaches and beautiful historic cities, this corner of southern Europe has attracted travelers from across the globe for centuries.

What impresses many visitors to Spain most is its fascinating diversity. Spain should be thought of as a collection of regions, each carrying its own distinct culture, dialect, and cuisine. The soaring mountains and beautiful villages of Aragon; the independent spirit of the Basque and Catalonia; the flamenco, fiestas, and fine beaches of Andalusia and Valencia; the stark, arid landscapes of Castilla La Mancha…these are just a few flavors drawn from the wide palette that makes up Spain.

Natives of each of these regions – 17 in total across the country – wear their local color with pride, exhibiting their passion through festivals, fiercely contested sporting occasions, and – most alluringly for the intrepid traveler – food. Passing through Madrid, Barcelona, or Bilbao, you’ll find the local cuisine shifts dramatically, with a carousel of dishes, ingredients, and cooking techniques to discover. Locals you encounter will all put forward a convincing case that their cuisine is the best on the Peninsula.

Improbably, Spanish food does not have quite carry the same worldwide cache as their near neighbors. While Italians claim to have ‘taught the world to eat’, and the French boast of their haute cuisine, Spanish food flies under the radar. Here at UTC we believe Spain to be Europe’s most underrated foodie destination; anyone planning their next trip to Europe, for whom diving into local cuisine a key part of the experience (that’s all of us then…), should be licking their lips as the gastronomic opportunities on offer here.

In the following pages we’ll showcase the most vital Spanish destinations for any gastronome: attractive not only for their fabulous cuisine, but deeper still for their history, distinctive regional culture, and alluring architecture. We’ll then introduce our signature ‘Culinary Spain’ tour, linking up these destinations in a mouth-watering 11-night package, packed with food-focused activities and tours.