Marqués de Riscal Winery and Hotel
There are few more enjoyable experiences for the lover of contemporary architecture than a visit to a signature winery. These are spaces that pay homage to Man, who has provided excellent work, and Nature, who has yielded her greatest fruits. So not surprisingly, the best wine producers, accustomed to valuing talent, dedication and effort, look toward the best architects of their time in order to turn their new projects into reality.
In the two Spanish wine regions par excellence, Ribera del Duero and La Rioja, separated by barely a half-day’s journey by car, we find many of the best examples that pair wine culture with contemporary architecture.
Luis Miguel Ruiz Gordon, Cádiz
Spain remains a sun and sand destination, offering myriad possibilities for truly special sea experiences: the broad beaches along the Cantabrian Sea, the small secluded coves flush with Mediterranean vegetation in Menorca and Ampurda, the surfing waters of Tarifa; the Celtiberian coast of Galicia, and Levante, Spain’s lively region to the east…
Safe, well-equipped, close to charming villages, hidden among the pine forests, in the center of all the action or quiet enough to provide the tranquility that we all need. And in all of those places, sunshine is guaranteed. Year after year, our beach cities have received the Blue Flag label from the European Foundation for Environmental Education. This year, 648 received this distinction, far outstripping Greece, France and Italy.
But if it’s more your style to dive right in, to discover hidden coves, swim in serene solitary waters, and feel the waves rock from on deck, you will surely become enamored of the possibilities on Spain’s coast. A small boat along the Mediterranean seaboard, in an old schooner…. salt and sun in Spain.
There are a thousand reasons to visit San Sebastián, and the food is one of the most important. There’s nowhere else with as many Michelin stars per capita or where eating a pintxo is such a singular experience.
But we want to show you where it all began, the heart of Basque gastronomy, where one of the greatest culinary traditions took shape—and continues to develop. At THE REAL THING, we will reveal to you one of the Basque people’s best-kept secrets: Gastronomic Societies. Places where women were once prohibited and where men met to talk amongst themselves, and in particular to cook with friends and try one another’s meticulously prepared dishes.
We will meet in our chef’s kitchen and, attentively following his instructions, will prepare a meal using the ingredients we buy together on our morning visit to the market.
Tapas. Pug Girl. BY CC 2.0
Love of fine dining is a long-standing tradition, and you will not understand Catalan haute cuisine without also trying traditional fare. We want to take visitors to restaurants with tradition and to share the stories of writers, bullfighters, artists and famous people that have eaten there before them. The first restaurant in Barcelona opened its doors in 1786. More than 200 years of dining tradition are waiting for you!
But if you’re looking for creativity, innovation, skill and sophistication in Catalan haute cuisine, you can’t leave Barcelona without eating at the best restaurants in the world. A city where Michelin stars abound.
Instituto de Turismo de España (TURESPAÑA)
Can you think of a better place to relax during your hectic sightseeing schedule than a “royal” spa?
La Perla has an ancient and fascinating tradition, in addition to being located on La Concha, one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. The current building where La Perla del Océano (its official name) is located—El Perlón, as the people of San Sebastián call it—opened in 1912, is one of the authentic heirs of the Belle Époque and was one of the preferred retreats of Queen Maria Christina, who sought out the baths that were so highly recommended by the Royal Family’s doctors.
It was refurbished in the 1990s, and today La Perla Spa and Sports Center is one of the most modern in all of Europe.
Instituto de Turismo de España (TURESPAÑA)
It’s paradise—if you can stand it!
Gertrude Stein
That’s how Stein described Majorca to Sir Robert Graves, who lived out his final days there.
There’s no better way to get to know an island than by sea. THE REAL THING proposes that you let the waves rock you in a hidden cove and wake up to the virgin pine forests and impossibly turquoise waters; sail to Palma and discover its cathedral, which sits like an enormous stranded boat; walk from the port of Valldemossa up to the Carthusian Monastery, and from there to Deià to see the places described by the two renowned authors.
Madrid Visitors & Convention Bureau, 2013. José Barea
Modern Spanish cuisine, in harmony with culinary tradition and preserving strong Mediterranean roots, has expanded the horizons of flavor, offering experiences that have transformed the way that people understand cooking all the world over. Zealous enthusiasm for local ingredients and innovative culinary techniques that enhance their qualities have made modern Spanish cuisine one of this country’s primary attractions for visitors.
Authentic products and new chefs have reinvented Spanish gastronomy. Since 2000, names like David Muñoz, Ferran Adrià, the Roca brothers, Dani García, Carme Ruscalleda and Elena Arzak have become synonymous with superlative cuisine which is exported all over the world.
San Sebastián Turismo & Convention Bureau
San Sebastián is, without a doubt, the irrefutable gastronomic destination par excellence. The pintxos alone justify the journey there. THE REAL THING will take you to the very best places, where they serve the most delicious, cutting-edge and traditional pintxos.
From bar to bar, our outing will bring you to new heights of pleasure that will be difficult to surpass. Together we will discover the secrets of Basque gastronomy, learn more about the culture behind such a special city, and participate in an important part of its lifestyle.
Instituto de Turismo de España (TURESPAÑA)
Historically, Madrid was considered Spain’s greatest port in view of the quality of the products available in its markets and restaurants. If you’re interested in EATING well, Madrid has everything you could ever imagine: from centuries-old bars to the three Michelin star restaurant DiverXo. There are a thousand and one options, a thousand and one possibilities; the offer is endless.
In addition to making reservations for you at the best restaurants and recommending lesser-known locales, we’ll accompany you to the market, cook with you and take you for tapas.
Perhaps the best way to discover Spanish cuisine from the bottom up is with one of our chefs. We’ll head to the market to seek out the best seasonal products and produce, then learn some tricks in the kitchen and savor our creation.

And if wine is your passion, you’ve come to the right place. Because wine has been a part of our history (Spain has more than 60 Designations of Origin); because it’s pleasure, both aesthetic and sensorial; because there’s always a cause for celebration… for these reasons—and many more—we invite you to exclusive guided tastings led by our sommeliers, and to pairings, a surprising labyrinth of flavors, colors and aromas.

Madrid Visitors & Convention Bureau, 2013. José Barea.
Or let’s go for tapas. Tapas in Madrid are not only a different way of eating, they’re another way of living: small bites full of history alongside contemporary gastronomy, tradition and innovation, old restaurants beside new ones. A passionate way to discover the city and lose ourselves in its streets.
Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boquería. The Facade@. BY CC 2.0
Barcelona’s markets combine tradition and modernity and reflect the city’s spirit. Although the market par excellence is the Boquería, an absolute must-see in the middle of Las Ramblas, THE REAL THING invites you off the beaten path to see the true spirit of some of the other 40 or so markets where the locals shop. They all offer nighttime tapas workshops, tastings, courses and events throughout the year and with us you’ll know when and where they are.
You won’t want to miss our post-market plan either: a cooking workshop led by one of our chefs with whom we will cook—and eat—the delicious food we buy in the market.
And if you’re not in the mood for cooking, an alternative for after the market is to have a vermouth in one of the traditional bodegas which still maintains every bit of its authenticity: the soul of Barcelona.
Instituto de Turismo de España (TURESPAÑA)
Spain is the world’s leading producer and exporter of olive oil, surpassing both Italy and Greece. Olive groves stretch across Andalusia, which is dotted with olive mills that preserve the tradition of flavor and expertise used to produce nothing but the best “liquid gold”. The centuries-old trees produce olives whose quality is being distinguished with top honors in the most prestigious international extra virgin olive oil awards.
Different olive varieties yield different types of oils with very specific qualities and truly particular attributes. Learn about them, taste them, and follow our map in search of the finest oils in what is truly one of the best ways to get to know Spain.
San Sebastián Turismo & Convention Bureau
What are tapas? Are they served throughout Spain? Tapas are a different way of eating, of trying a wide range of specialties, from slices of ham to Spanish omelet, fried fish in Seville, pintxos in San Sebastian… They are always shared among friends and accompanied by a good local wine or a nice cold beer.
At a terrace in summer or in a series of bars, each of which generally has its own specialty. The only choice you have to make is go from one to another, in search of the most mouth-watering morsel, morning or night.
The tapas experience is great in many ways, but in one way in particular: there are no rules; what’s most important is to enjoy eating in a way that is truly original and profoundly Spanish.
Hot springs are found throughout the entire Iberian Peninsula. They have been used since Roman times, when small urban hubs started to form around them, later growing into larger towns and cities. These thermal springs continue to be used today, now in typical European style: as a focal point around which major, decadent hotels have been built.
This tradition has been further modernized. New, fashionable spas have been built, offering the latest global trends in relaxation, with avant-garde Spanish restaurants, outdoor activities, and popular physiotherapy and beauty treatments.
Spa-hotels are the ideal place to rest, charge your batteries, and continue on your way.