We’ll begin the day with a visit to the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, housed within the grandiose Palau Nacional. Exploring the museum vaults, we’ll unveil the secrets of the National Palace itself, home to Romanesque paintings, Gothic and Renaissance sculptures, and Baroque and Romantic masterpieces. Among the most impressive private rooms (back above ground) is the Josep Lluís Sert Gallery, with original paintings from Victor Sasson’s Art Déco mansion in London. Relax and enjoy lunch at the restaurant Oleum, located in the former throne room of Spanish king Alfonso XIII and boasting the best panoramic views of Barcelona. In the afternoon, we’ll rediscover Barcelona's great International Exposition of 1929 held atop Montjuïc, a mountain revered as magical since antiquity. From here, the evening is yours to relax, wander, and dine on your own.

Today we’ll venture into the Raval district, where we’ll visit aristocratic palaces and former medical institutions. Our first stop will be the splendid private club at the Liceu Theater, a 19th-century art nouveau treasure. We’ll then visit the Rococo anatomical amphitheater—one of the most well preserved in the world—located at the Royal College of Surgeons. We’ll hear about the decadent Belle Époque era in Raval and the frightening story of Enriqueta Martí, a serial killer said to be the “vampire of Raval.” For lunch, we’ll settle in at Fonda Espanya, a restaurant located in a fabulous hotel built by the prominent architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, who also designed the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Hospital de Sant Pau. In the afternoon, we’ll dive into Barcelona’s sin city: “Barri Xino,” frequented in the 1930s by writers such as Jean Genet and Georges Bataille. Tracing the route of their adventures, we’ll pass through a neighborhood defined by its scandalous brothels, cabarets, and clubs. Our day tops off at the tango bar Tinta Roja, where we’ll enjoy a cocktail and a tribute to the golden age of spectacle in Barcelona: a performance by one of Barcelona’s best in the contemporary cabaret scene.

This morning, we’ll kick off the day with a visit to the beautiful Biblioteca Pública Arús, a former masonic temple that remains incredibly well preserved. We’ll have a light lunch of traditional Catalan cuisine at Can Culleretes, the oldest active restaurant in the city, dating back to 1786. Then we’ll continue to Palau Güell, an astonishing aristocratic residence built by Antoni Gaudí for his patron, Eusebi Güell. Güell, one of the richest men in Spain, commissioned the world-famous Park Güell, replete with its iconic mosaics. After some downtime at the hotel, we’ll regroup this evening to explore experiences of the Spanish Civil War through a unique dinner arranged by Culinary Backstreets. Our sit-down meal in a beautifully preserved modernist apartment will feature several courses from Catalan “war menu” recipes that were preserved from this period of history. The Spanish Civil War and the period that followed arrived on the heels of a decadent time in Barcelona. Culinary and cultural developments were at a high just as bombs began raining down on the city, continuing for years. Even while food shortages, rationing, and a black market became part of daily life, the creative spirit of the city’s citizens still shined bright. This dinner celebrates the culinary ingenuity under pressure that came out of the Civil War-era in Barcelona.  

This morning, we’ll begin in the former village of Sant Gervasi with an unusual tour through the splendor and decadence of bourgeois Barcelona. We’ll meander along Tibidabo Avenue and visit the palace that hosted the Soviet embassy in 1936, learning in detail about Soviet intervention in the Spanish Civil War. We’ll trace the path of aristocratic residences, such as the Villa Hispanoárabe, an incredible private residence inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada. For lunch, we’ll settle into the restaurant Asador de Aranda, then continue with a visit the Almirall Library. Known for its masonic architecture, it is now a private residence. Here, we’ll enjoy a relaxed and romantic evening, with a glass of cava and a classical music concert. The private piano performance will feature the music of famous composers who lived close to Tibidabo, such as Richard Strauss and Enrique Granados. Sit back and soak in the music within this serene historic space.

Today we’ll explore the history of science and medicine with a visit inside the Sant Pau i la Santa Creu complex. The Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Hospital of the Holy Cross and Saint Paul), now a World Heritage Site, is an extraordinary example of Catalan neogothic architecture, home to spectacular sculptures and mosaics. For lunch, we’ll drop into the restaurant Da Greco, which has a variety of delicious pastas and seafoods. The restaurant is located in Gràcia. An independent village until 1897, it’s well known today for being one of the biggest cultural centers in the city. Take some time to rest or wander on your own, since this evening we have our exciting final soirée. We'll gather back together at Oleguer Junyent's workshop, an extraordinary Belle Époque atelier. Venture into the private art studio of a Catalan genius who devoted his life to painting, writing, collecting, and stage design. In addition to Oleguer's paintings, sculptures, models, and various other works, the workshop contains one of the most complete collections of automata in the city. Here in this unique atelier, we’ll pay tribute to Barcelona’s most memorable Carnival nights with a private dinner, the best wines, and opera and mentalism performances inspired by the Masquerades from the Belle Époque.