Gourmet Tour - Paella At The Royal Gardens

OVERVIEW

Dine on the quintessential Spanish dish paella in fabulous Villa Astrida, the vacation house of Belgium’s former King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola. You will be greeted with a welcome drink and a brief presentation of the residence where the royal family spent summers starting in 1967. As you will discover, it is an extraordinary setting on the sun-drenched Costa Tropical. After a reflective moment or two at the serene memorial to the monarch, you will tour the beautiful Villa Astrida and the surrounding royal gardens, which were designed as a place of contemplation for the deeply spiritual king. Afterwards, you will be served appetizers that were favorites of the royal family, including gazpacho and Serrano ham. The main course will be paella, a dish that originated in the rice-producing area around Valencia and has become synonymous with Spanish cuisine. Paella recipes vary from region to region, but they still reflect the freshest local ingredients.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit Villa Astrida, the summer home of the former king and queen of Belgium.
• Pause at a memorial to the deeply spiritual king and meander through the royal gardens.
• Dine in the villa on dishes including paella that were favorites of the royal family.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.