Wine tour through Occitania and Catalonia

Step into the world of wines and flavours on this extraordinary trip through Occitania and Catalonia. From the majestic Cevennes to the charming Corbières, from the rugged Aubrac to the picturesque Montagne Noire, Occitania enchants you with its varied landscapes. Here you will discover a wealth of regional specialities, including tempting oysters from the Bassin de Thau, savoury anchovies from Collioure and delicious little pies from Pézenas. And that is just the very beginning of a rich culinary tradition that characterises this region. The wine lovers among us will be on cloud nine in this great wine region.

But the gastronomic exploration does not end in Occitania. Continue on to versatile Catalonia, situated between the majestic Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea. This region will delight your taste buds with more than 2,000 exquisite fine-dining restaurants. It is also the ideal place to enjoy delicious wines from the Empordà wine region. In short, this trip holds one promise: you will be surprised over and over again by unforgettable mouth-watering moments.

Day 1: Departure to Narbonne

Today your wine adventure begins, you will set sail for Narbonne where you will stay for 3 nights on a 1,000-hectare wine estate nearby. Located between land and sea in the middle of the vineyards, where wine was grown by monks as early as the Middle Ages. The setting for an unforgettable holiday.

Day 2: From vine to wine... Route des Corbières and the Minervois

You start the day with a visit to France's oldest Roman city, Narbonne. Stroll along the Canal de la Robin, discover Saint-Jus-et-Saint-Pasteur cathedral, sample all the goodies at Les Halles de Narbonne. Then drive on to Lézignan-Corbières, a town with a rich wine-growing past. This is the perfect opportunity to taste its wines at a local winery. Your last stop is in Minerve, one of the 'Plus Beaux Villages de France'. The Romans planted the first vines here so they have been producing hearty and fruity wines here for centuries. Stroll through the cobbled streets where houses with old stone facades seem to tell a thousand secrets. Through the impressive natural scenery with olive and vineyards, chestnut trees and small rivers, you will drive back to your hotel where you will end the day with a visit and tasting in the wine cellar.

Day 3: Oyster therapy in the wine region of Pays de Thau

Your day starts at the medieval famous Fonserannes locks. You then continue to the Bassin de Thau where oysters and shellfish have been farmed since ancient times. Between Bouzigues and Marseillan, oyster parks stretch out like small well-kept water gardens. Here you will visit one of the oyster farms where you will taste some wines from the Pays de Thau. You will drive back through centuries-old fishing ports, where coloured boats and nets hang out to dry in the sun, to Marseillan for a visit to the last winery producing French vermouth.

Day 4: From French wines to Spanish bubbles

On your way to Spain, you will make a stop in Rivesaltes, known for its sweet dessert wine Muscat de Rivesaltes. You'll trade France for a stay in the heart of Spain's Empordà wine region. It is a region full of contrasts, where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean. Once you have arrived at your hotel, relax in the evening at the Wine Spa.

Day 5: Discover the secrets of Peralada

You will stay near the hotel today and learn the secrets of Perelada wine. You'll get a tour of the winery and then get to taste their different wines. After a delicious lunch, you will dive into the history of the estate. Through a guided tour, you will discover the castle, gardens and wine museum. The tour ends in the monastery cellar, where the famous Gran Claustro wine is still produced. You will end your day with a culinary dinner served with matching wines.

Day 6: E-bike tour along wineries of the DO Empordà

Empordà is an area whose wine tradition dates back hundreds of years and you will discover it by bike today. Hop on an electric bike for a laid-back ride that takes you through the surrounding vineyards. If you wish, you can also explore some medieval villages during the bike ride.