We meet in Barcelona (1 night) for a stroll through the Gothic Quarter followed by dinner at one of the city's most renowned paella restaurants. The next morning we take in the architectural treasures including Gaudi's still-incomplete cathedral, La Sagrada Familia.

You'll be forgiven if you think you've accidentally ended up in Tuscany as an afternoon ride takes us through rolling hills to scenic Vic in northern Catalonia (2 nights). Our parador hotel is a beautifully restored farmhouse with a very tempting swimming pool and the casual vibe of country life. Our forays from here include a walk to Santa Pau, a fortified medieval village in Garrotxa Volcanic Park. We'll also visit with a local potter at his workshop and ride home to our Catalan dinner in a horse-drawn carriage. We've scouted a wonderful trail that takes us into the remote village of Girona, whose houses seem to tilt over the River Onyar. And in plenty of time for an afternoon swim, we settle into the luxurious seaside resort at Begur that is our home for the next three days.

We'll strike out from the nearby town of Pals for our guide's favorite walk past streams and olive groves en route to a village carved out of sheer rock. There's time for a visit to the outlandish Dali museum in Figueres as well. Our final full day is dedicated to the coastal trails of the Costa Brava—from Cap Roig's promontory and botanical garden, along white sand beaches, to the pastel-colored fishing village of Llafranc. Dinner tonight is in a lighthouse on Cap Sant Sebastia overlooking the vibrant blue Mediterranean. On our final morning, we return to Barcelona before parting company.