Q – Are airfares included in the prices given by Catacurian?  
A – No, they are not. We include transport to and from Barcelona or
       its airport.

Q – Where is the pick-up location in Barcelona?
A – It is either in front of the Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Hotel on the Plaza
      Espanya, or at Terminal A of the airport, inside the building right after
      customs clearance.  Pick is normally at 10h30AM.

Q – Who picks us up?
A – You will be picked up by Alicia and her assistant in our
      Catacurian minibus.

Q – Is the minibus that we get picked up in and do the tours with climatized?
A – Yes, there are individual A/Cregisters for each passenger for the
       summer,and heat in the winter.

Q – Are there drinks in the minibus?
A – Yes, we carry refrigerated bottled mineral water.

Q – What kind of accommodations do we have during our stay?
A – Catacurian is a private boutique hotel comprising three luxurious double
       bedrooms, each with private bathroom.
       Only the guests stay here and thus have full privacy.  Alicia resides just
        next door.

Q – What is the best time of the year to visit El Priorat?
A – Each season is different, and so there isn’t necessarily a better time.
      November and December are cool to cold,   though usually warm during
      the day and have the olive harvest.  September is hot to warm and has the
      grape harvest. February and March are the coldest months with an       occasional day of snow, but the fireplaces are ablaze.
      April to July and October are pleasant months ranging from warm to hot.

Q – Does it rain a lot in El Priorat?
A – No.  It is a dry region, and so there are very few days of rain during
      the year.

Q – Is there any free time during the day?
A – Yes, between the end of lunch (approximately 3PM) and the beginning
       of the cooking class (6PM).

Q – Are there any places to go for walks in El Masroig?
A – Yes, right outside the village are many peaceful walks surrounded by
       stunning landscape.

Q – Will I have any further expenses during my stay with Catacurian?
A – No, absolutely not. All the accommodation, food, wine, drinks, classes,
      excursions, etc.. are included. The only extra expense would be for gifts
      you may wish to purchase or wines you may wish to buy during the winery
      visits to take back home.

Q – Do we need to bring an umbrella?
A - No, we have these at your disposal at Catacurian.

Q – What kind of clothes will I need?
A – El Priorat is very casual, so all you will need is comfortable clothes
      during your stay with us, as well as for the winery visits and restaurant
      meals. Bring some good walking shoes for the winery visits and for any
      walks you would like to take.  If you will be staying in Barcelona either
      prior to or after your stay at Catacurian, then some more elegant clothes
      would probably be required for some of the evening outings you may do.

 AMENITIES

Q – Does Catacurian have internet out our disposal?
A – Yes.  We have hi-speed Wi-Fi and a laptop for you to use.

Q – May we call home or receive calls from friends, business or family,
       while at Catacurian?
A – Yes.  We have a VOIP phone system at Catacurian, so you may therefore
       call anybody in the US, Canada, or Western Europe for as long as you
       would like.  Furthermore other people may call you easily there using
       either our local US or our toll-free number.

Q – Is there air-conditioning and heat at Catacurian?
A – Yes, each room and the whole house has individual climate control. 
       There are also two fireplaces for the winter.

Q – Is there laundry service at Catacurian?
A – No.

Q – Are there hairdryers in each room?
A – Yes.  Additionally, there are also soap, shampoo, Kleenex, Q-Tips, alarm
      clocks, and bathrobes.

Q – Is there daily room cleaning service at Catacurian?
A – Yes, there is.

Q – Is there television at Catacurian?
A – No, we don’t have any TV sets.

Q – Is there music at Catacurian?
A – Yes.

Q – Does each room have a private bathroom?
A – Yes, each of the three rooms have a private bathroom, each with double
      sink, shower and warm towel rack.

Q – Does Catacurian have special access for the physically impaired?
A – No, it doesn’t.

Q – Will I have a key so that I can enter and leave at my own free will?
A - Yes, each guest receives a room key and a front door key.

FOOD

Q – Are only local and fresh produce used?
A – Yes.

Q – Are vegetarians accepted?
A – Not easily.  We try and teach you a broad spectrum of the basics of
      Catalan dishes in which meat, fish, poultry And dairy produce are used.

Q – If I am allergic to a specific food, should I inform Catacurian ahead of time?
A – Definitely!  Since we need to plan all meals and restaurants prior to your
      arrival.  If we are not informed  ahead of time, we cannot guarantee that
      your food will be free of the specific items that affect you.

Q – Are people that don’t drink wine accepted?
A – A non-drinking couple would make things uncomfortable for the other
      guests, as this is a gastronomical vacation in which wine plays a major
      role. If only one person from a couple does not drink wine, this would
      be acceptable.

Q – Would there be any problem if I did not want to participate in any of the
       cooking classes?
A – Not at all, but you would be missing a lot of fun!

Q – What kind of drinks are served?
A – Water, sparkling water, coffee, tea, fruit juices, Cava (Champagne), wine
       (of course), brandy, whiskey, liqueurs.

Q – Are Coca-Cola or beer served?
A – No.

Q – Are the cooking classes in English?
A – Yes,they are.

Q – How long are the cooking classes?
A – Approximately 3 hours each.

Q – Does one learn how to make Paella?
A – Yes, and several other rice dishes as well.

Q – During the olive harvest season (Nov-Dec), do we get a chance
       to pick olives?
A – Yes, during the 6-day sessions.

Q – Is the olive oil tasting presentation given in all sessions?
A – Yes, and it is given by a technician from the DO Siurana Olive
      Oil Consortium.

WINE

Q – Are the wine tastings included in the winery visits?
A – Yes, at each winery you taste all of their produced wines.

Q – May I purchase wine at the wineries?
A – Yes.

Q – May I take pictures at the wineries?
A – Yes, there are no restrictions.

Q – Are the winery visits in English.
A – Yes, they are.

Q – When are the winery visits conducted during the culinary
       vacation sessions?
A – The winery visits take place in the morning.

Q – During harvest, do we have the opportunity to pick grapes?
A – Yes, but only during the 6-day session.