Locals On Tap in New York City
Barcelona, Spain
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Join this food envy-inducing Barcelona tour for three hours of power eating - Spanish-style. Join locals as they indulge in the fine art of eating and drinking, something Spaniards are champions at. By the end of the tour, you'll know your banderillas from your bacalao, even if you can't pronounce them.
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Highlights
- Indulge in traditional Catalan tapas cuisine from the famous pa amb tomaquet (bread with tomato) to highly elaborated appetizers accompanied by a glass of wine or a local aperitif
- Immerse yourself in the buzz of street life and listen to stories of the past and everyday life of the once notorious Raval quarter
- Experience the wine and cava (sparkling wine) culture of Catalonia
- Mingle with the locals in their neighbourhood
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting point:
In front of the Arts Centre Santa Mònica
Rambla de Santa Mònica 7, (Metro Line L3, Station “Drassanes”)
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 5.30 PM
- Ending point:
Barcelona Parallel Street next to Metro Station “Parallel” (Metro Lines L2 + L3)
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, glass of wine or local aperitif and tapa in each place (about 5 places), or a soft drink for passengers aged 14 to 17.
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, tips & gratuities for the guide.
Meet your English-speaking guide in front of the Art Centre Santa Monica at the bottom of the Ramblas (Metro Station ‘Drassanes’) before setting off on a Barcelona food tour like no other.
We take you away from the touristy spots and into local neighbourhoods, like the once notorious no-go-area Raval, which nowadays features a unique blend of ambitious new architectural projects with the traditional, multi-ethnic life of the barrio. Just a stone’s throw away, you will enjoy the first tapas experience of the night at a cosy little bodega - a wine cellar. The delicious tapas on offer varies daily as they change their menu according to what’s in season, so what you get will always be a surprise.
The next tapas bar awaits us and we navigate our way through a labyrinth of small streets that still retain their old-world ambience. In contrast to the previous tapas bar, this one has a more modern approach to its cuisine. You can, for example, try aubergine with honey and cinnamon – a truly contemporary and delicious dish.
From there, our Barcelona tapas tour continues as we cross the Rambla de Raval, the multicultural heart of the Raval, and have a look at the cat sculpture of the Columbian artist, Fernando Botero. On the way to the adjacent neighbourhood of Poble Sec we will cross Parallel, once known for its Montmartre-style entertainment, which is still cluttered with theatres, music venues, and cabarets.
Poble Sec is attached to the Montjuic, Barcelona’s emblematic hillside. Still very central, it combines the charm of a lively neighbourhood with an authentic local feel away from the main tourist trails. Our next stop is a vibrant bodega, where you can choose your favourite Basque pintxos, and from there we will visit another bodega, which is spacious and has a wide selection of local wines and delicious and very elaborate tapas.
Throughout this Barcelona tour, as you delight in the discovery of new tastes, flavours and dishes, your guide will give you insights into local gastronomic specialties and anecdotes of the city's history and local neighbourhood life. Eating tapas is one of the best things to do in Barcelona, no doubt about that, and a great way to connect with the daily lives of the locals. At some point during this tour, you will likely meet some of the local characters in the barrio and perhaps even get drawn into a conversation or two. You never know what the night has in store!
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, glass of wine or local aperitif and tapa in each place (about 5 places), or a soft drink for passengers aged 14 to 17.
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, tips & gratuities for the guide.
Dress standard: A good pair of comfortable walking shoes is advisable.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Travelers must be 14 years old up. Please note that alcoholic beverages may only be consumed by persons aged 18 years old and up.
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Local contact
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