James Beard Foundation – Spanish Symphony
James Beard Foundation – Spanish Symphony
This James Beard Foundation cruise includes:
- Chef-hosted dinner with wine pairing
- 2 cooking demonstrations on board – recipes included
- Market tour with the Chef
Meet The Chef – Chef Jose Mendín
Jose Mendín contributed to the openings of Nobu Miami and Nobu London in 2001. After culinary stints in Spain, he co-founded Mosaico and later played pivotal roles at Sushisamba. In 2010, Mendín, Sergio Navarro, and Andreas Schreiner founded The Pubbelly Restaurant Group, earning the StarChefs Rising Star Restaurateur Award in 2016. He’s expanded his success with various Miami restaurants, La Placita, Casa Isola, Hitchihaika, and June Burgers, with plans for more ventures in Puerto Rico and Florida. Mendín is a five-time James Beard Award semifinalist for “Best Chef, Southeast.”
“Plazas framed with palms and historic churches are just the beginning of Spain’s Costa del Sol. Visitors will discover some of the most breathtaking coastlines in Spain along with whitewashed hilltop villages where you can get pleasantly lost in winding cobblestone lanes.”
Spain wears its soul on its sleeve along the Costa del Sol. Elegantly designed Moorish castles, stunning white beaches, vibrant flamenco dancers. But with just a short journey inland you’ll discover hidden treasures in the form of Pueblos Blancos, or White Villages. Perched precariously on the Sierra Nevada like flocks of mountain goats, villages like Mojacar and Mijas stand out against the deep green pines, charming visitors with their stunning beauty and Old World vibe.
Artists are drawn to these towns with their Moorish block houses, bright white walls, and jaw-dropping views of the sparkling Mediterranean, and around just about every corner you’ll encounter photo-worthy scenes. Burro taxis park outside shops, bougainvillea spills from balconies, and cobblestone plazas invite you to sit a while and listen to the gurgling of 14th-century fountains. It’s a side of Spain few people see, but one that’s within reach when you explore on a Windstar yacht.
Sat Apr 12
LISBON 6:30 PM
The rhythm of Lisbon invites you to join its captivating dance. This splendid capital city on the banks of the Rio Teja offers a warm welcome and an unparalleled blend of architectural styles. Elegant outdoor cafés line the cobbled sidewalks. Turn-of-the-century funiculars climb the scenic hills. Find the UNESCO sites of the Tower of Belem and the Monastery of the Hieronymites. And, everywhere, the city engages you with its easy style and remarkable charm.
Mon Apr 14
CÁDIZ 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cádiz is the most southern province of the Iberian Peninsula. It is extremely rich in natural beauty and some of the most important Natural Parks of Spain and Europe are found here including Sierra de Grazalema and los Alcornocales. Both are rich in flora and fauna, including species under threat of extinction. Many birds find their resting and feeding place here just after or before making the jump from or to Africa.
Tue Apr 15
GIBRALTAR 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
It’s an odd bit of Britain here at the toe of Spain, with Barbary apes and miles of tunnels as well as traditional red phone boxes. Legend says Gibraltar was one of the two pillars erected by Hercules to mark the edge of the world. Take the cable car to the top to see if you can see it from here. No, that’s not it. That’s just Africa. What a view.
Wed Apr 16
MÁLAGA 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Here, on the shores of Costa del Sol, the Andalusian spirit thrives. Be sure to include an optional visit to see the brilliant and comprehensive collection of Picasso’s work at Museo Picasso Málaga, a tribute to this artistic genius in the city of his birth. Or you may choose to opt for a visit to the beautiful village of Mijas, where picturesque Andalusian country life creates some of the world’s best wines.
Thu Apr 17
ALMERIA, SPAIN 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Enjoy a walking tour of this ancient city. If you prefer, opt for a beautiful drive through the Andalusian countryside to Granada and the magnificent UNESCO site, the Alhambra Palace. Built in the 14th century, this breathtaking example of Moorish architecture combines intricate mosaics and stone-cast latticework in a tapestry of grace and sophistication unparalleled in western civilization. Or take an optional excursion into nature at one of three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.
Fri Apr 18
CARTAGENA 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
The walled town of Cartagena is a popular seaport with a large naval shipyard. The seashore offers a wide range of activities from windsurfing to good snorkeling to sailing. From Cartagena you can easily explore the ancient city of Murcia, the coastal resorts of Mazarrón, Cala Cortina, and Cabo de Palos or a little further north, the world famous resort of Mar Menor.
Sat Apr 19
PALMA DE MALLORCA 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Mallorca is steep, green, and fringed with enticing coves and more than 200 lush beaches. But all that natural beauty is just the beginning. Stroll along the tree-shaded Paseo de Born in search of tapas. Shop for a Siurell; a traditional red, green, and white clay whistle dating back to the time of the Moors. Watch the street performers on the piazza around the church, or cross the island to beautiful Sóller. Not to be missed is the cultural landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sun Apr 20
BARCELONA 7:00 AM
The old meets the new in this sunny Catalan metropolis, where narrow alleyways contrast with grand boulevards, trendy cuisine meets homemade tapas, and everywhere you’re greeted by the warm, welcoming smiles of the fashionable locals. Don’t miss UNESCO sites like the mind-boggling architecture of Antoni Gaudí or La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, with its eight decorative spires soaring hundreds of feet into the sky.
INCLUSIONS CRUISE ONLY:
- All meals
- Dining at specialty restaurants and 24-hour room service
- Non-alcoholic beverages, including sodas, specialty coffee & tea, and bottled water
- Complimentary Watersports Platform equipment & snorkel gear
ALL INCLUSIVE OPTION:
NOT INCLUDED:
- Pre-cruise transfers
- Pre and post cruise flights/charter flights
- Pre and post cruise accommodation
- Travel Insurance
- Entry visas & travel permits for the country you are travelling to/from
- Items of a personal nature such souvenir purchases
- Optional Extras (in some destinations)