“In May this countryside is full of earthly delights of new-mown scents and nightingale valleys, filled with the purring of turtledoves and fields so full of wild orchids that you can hardly walk without treading on them.” Brian Jackman, Daily Telegraph

This area of south west France, known as the ‘Quercy’, was given by Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henri d’Anjou in 1152, two years before he became Henry II of England, and its beauty and timelessness has changed little since. Not only that but it is still known today as being the gastronomic heart of France.

Day 1 Friday
You arrive at Barcelona airport in the afternoon to be met by James. We drive to the Santa Maria hotel on the front of the pretty port of Sitges. This is an old style three star hotel in a wonderful position and you will stay your for first three nights in. We will wander into the old town in the evening and have a tapas dinner in the old port amidst the usual Spanish hustle and bustle.

Day 2 Saturday
We drive to a small village to start our mornings walk in the Garraf park behind Sitges. This is a lovely hilly park full of wild fennel, rosemary and thyme and almond blossom with lovely views out over the Mediterranean. We walk through the park to have a picnic laden with fresh Spanish produce with Diana before continuing towards Sitges. In the late afternoon we will visit a local vineyard and hear about the making of the celebrated Catalan methode champagnoise ‘Cava’. Dinner again in Sitges this time at a celebrated local restaurant in the old port again.

Day 3 Sunday
After another lovely breakfast on the front we walk in to the town for a coffee before soaking in the crazy atmosphere of the castellars. These are the human tower-building ‘contradas’ and we will enjoy this fabulous spectacle as they vie to create the most artistic towers. After tower building we move in the cars for a drive to start a walk up hill with beautiful views to the Convent of Santa Maria where we will enjoy a delicious barbecue of calçots and other Catalan specialities (the food markets here challenge Italy in their diversity and colour). These calçots are young leeks are the celebration of February/March cooked in the embers of the fire and it is a wonderful Catalan gastronomic moment. Return to Sitges by car. Dinner across the bay overlooking the sea for the final night in Sitges. Walk: 6 miles

Day 4 Monday
After breakfast we set off in the cars for the great Catalan city of Barcelona. We will visit the fabulous Sagrada Familia cathedral designed by the celebrated Catalan architect Gaudi, and which is still being constructed today. An astoundingly beautiful masterpiece mass of art nouveau and fantastic animal forms. One of the most extraordinary buildings of Europe and an absolute must to see. Lunch in in the centre of the city before continuing to the famous Parque Guell designed again by Gaudi. We have dinner at our Barcelona hotel restaurant which has a great reputation and is a fine way to finish the Catalunyan weekend hop!

Day 5 Tuesday
After breakfast if you have not decided to stay on a few days in Barcelona then we will drive to the airport for your flight home.

NOTE: The itinerary is subject to change according to local conditions.