Granada, Spain

There is a two week "cooking vacation" in Granada, Spain that is emphasizing Mediterranean cooking.

For a select time each year the Granada Cooking School in this historic centre of Andalusia opens its doors for invigorating cooking classes to a limited number of students eager to share in the food, wine, and gastronomic culture of one of Spain's most diverse and vibrant regions. Participants also have the unique option of taking morning Spanish language classes from neighboring Escuela Carmen de las Cuevas. Guests cook with wild Mediterranean herbs gathered from behind the house, salad greens and vegetables from local markets, olives from the abudant groves, and prepare unique Mediterranean, Spehardic, and Mozarabic dishes. Included is a field trip to Europe's highest viticultural region, the up-and-coming D.O. Vinos de la tierra Norte de Granada. The two-week English language program includes hands-on cooking sessions and seminars in gastronomy led by Vaughn Perret & Charles Leary, PhD, as well as guided visits to markets, vineyards, shops, and local restaurants. All cooking programs take place in the afternoons, allowing for morning Spanish classes if desired. Each day’s program offers something different; the prepared menus shared while taking in views of the Alhambra Palace, the insider’s guide to the regional production of olives and oil, and cheese, and tastings from the rich selection of local and regional wines, including the famed Sherries from Jerez and Montilla. The class is limited to 8 guests. The week begins with dinner on Sunday night and ends after lunch on Friday. The fee is $2,990.00 and includes market visits, all tastings, transportation for local visits, lunches on Wednesdays & Saturdays, and dinners Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The fee does not include lodging or transportation. (A list of recommended hotels and apartment rentals is sent to enrolled guests.)

The hotel/hostel availability looks very good, with the Oasis Granada hostel offering dorm beds for 18 euros, with every 9th day free. The picture seems to advertise cute young women as their main guests.The big plus is that it is only a 12 minute walk to the school. A little more grown up seems to be the Mochi Guesthouse. Same price and ten minutes walk away. A more upscale location are some apartments,El Numero 8, ranging from 50 to 65 Euros per night. Only a 8 minute walk to the school, and the plus here is the free access to the laundry facilities. The flights aren't too bad, running around $940. So it would be about $5600 plus some for transport and food. I could almost do NY for that.