how is this different from a group tour?
This is designed for travelers who want some insider access and perspective on Spanish gastronomy, but who also want the flexibility to go off on their own and make some original discoveries. We won’t have every hour of every day planned out because, well, that doesn’t sound so fun. But El Lopo’s crew will be doing something awesome whenever we aren’t asleep or in the bathroom, and you’ll be invited to do as much of that with us as you’d like to.
what’s not included in the cost of the trip?
Flights (though we’re happy to book these for you and just pass on the cost directly, which might even save you a bit since we can get discounts here and there). If you’re joining us on multiple legs of the trip (Madrid, Galicia, and Andalucia), you’ll also need some flights between the regions. See the following question for the particular flights we’ll be taking.
Fine dining. You’ll still be eating very well if you opt for only the included meals, but there are no Michelin stars on the docket. There will be one or two optional exceptions for those who are interested.
Gratuity for your trip organizers.
Anything you choose to do on your own. We tried to keep the overall trip cost low so that you won’t feel like you have to do everything we do, but you’re more than welcome to do so if you can keep up. Either way we’ll make sure you get your money’s worth in the hours you do spend with us (in other words if you skip lunch, that’s more we can spend on dinner).
Lodging is only included if you want it to be. We’ll mostly be staying in Airbnb-style arrangements if you stick with us. If you’d rather leave more of your budget for food, you might want to book yourself a hostel. If you’d be more comfortable in a full-service hotel, expect to spend around 30-50% more than in the accommodations package we’re offering. Like with flights, we’re also happy to book your lodgings for you even if you stay on your own.
what are the best ways to get to the start and end points?
If you're starting your trip in Girona (first leg): The closest airport is GRO, but it's a small airport that only does domestic flights. If you're coming from outside Europe, we recommend flying into BCN and then taking a quick (45-minute) train into Girona. You can also take a train from pretty much any city in Spain or France.
If you're starting your trip in Penedes (second leg): You'll want to meet us in the town of Vilafranca del Penedes. The closest airport is still BCN. There are frequent and very cheap trains and buses from Barcelona to VdP. The rest of the group will be coming from Barcelona as well, so you may want to meet up with us there and make the trip together.
If you're ending your trip in Barcelona (first leg): We think you can probably figure out which airport to use.
If you're ending your trip in Tarragona (second leg): The closest airport is REU, but once again it's a pretty small one that only services flights to/from elsewhere in Europe. If you're leaving Europe from there, you're probably better off taking a train from Tarragona to Barcelona and flying home from BCN.
We're happy to help you coordinate getting to and from the start/end points, so just reach out if you'd like some more specific guidance!
what should i bring with me?
A passport that’s valid for at least 6 months after your travel date. If you’re a US citizen, you won’t need to obtain a visa to visit Spain. For citizens of other nations, please check the Schengen website to look up your country and determine whether you need a visa. (We’ll ask for a photo or scanned copy when you register for the trip.)
A couple sweaters/jackets, as well as sunglasses and sunscreen. Overall you can probably expect highs around 75F and lows around 55F, with occasional rain.
If you pack light and don’t need to check a bag, you’ll save a lot of money on flights. There will be opportunities to do laundry.
Comfortable walking shoes.
what's the cancellation policy?
after September 6th: the base trip cost is 75% refundable; lodging costs are 50% refundable
after September 12th: the base trip cost is 50% refundable; lodging costs are 25% refundable
after September 26th: the base trip cost is 25% refundable; lodging costs are non-refundable
after October 3rd: bro we already spent it
can i see the itinerary?
Like we said, leaving room for serendipity is one of the keys to having an awesome time on this trip. But yes, there is some planning happening behind the scenes. If you need to know specific things about specific days, it doesn't hurt to ask.