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Food and Wine in Spain and Portugal
Food and Wine in Spain and Portugal
This is a sample of a culinary tour through Spain and Portugal. Cava, La Rioja, Port and more. This tour can be amended to be just Spain or Portugal and can be extended to include France. Contact us for more details.
SAMPLE DAILY ITINERARY BELOW
SOME OF THE TOUR’S SIGHTS.
Day 1 — Arrival Barcelona
On arrival meet with your professional tour guide for the journey in to central Barcelona and experience and introductory tour of some famous landmarks. see the Generalitat Building, the Ribera Quarter, the Church of Santa Maria, the Ramblas and the Plaza Real. Dinner tonight could be a typical Catalan "Masia" or country farm house dating from the 18th century. Here you could experience some of the best loved Catalan dishes. Overnight stay in Barcelona.
Day 2 — Barcelona
This morning we focus on the art of Barcelona and Antoni Gaudi in particular. The sights we see and visit include Guell Park and naturally The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, also known as the Sagrada Familia. Is it finished ?. In the afternoon take an excursion into the famous Cava vineyards in the countryside surrounding Barcelona to visit a vineyard with tastings of course. This evening you could dine at a famous ancient restaurant located in the former port of Baceloneta and known especially for its excellent sea food. Overnight stay in Barcelona.
Day 3 — La Rioja
Depart Barcelona for the journey to Zaragoza. A local guide will introduce the town and see the Pillar Cathedral. Then continue towards Logrono to visit your first Rioja bodega with tasting. Overnight stay in Logrono.
Day 4 — La Rioja
A short drive out of Logrono is the town of Haro, La Rioja. It is the wine capital of the region and is famous for it's Wine Festival and the wine fight, the Batalla de Vino. The town of Haro has been built up around winegrowing since French grape growers came to the area looking for a way to escape the pests in their French vineyards. Thanks to its privileged climate at the meeting point between the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates with much sunshine, and sheltered by the Cantabrian Mountains, Haro is a great area for winemaking. A classic vineyard will be visited. Continue towards Madrid stopping en route enjoy lunch at one of the traditional Paradors. We then make a brief visit to the cathedral before moving onto Madrid arriving late afternoon, where we spend the next 3 nights. Overnight stay in Madrid.
Day 5 — Madrid
Depart on an extended guided tour of Madrid. Begin with a guided visit to the Prado Museum with its world beating collection of Spanish art. Then continue along Castellana Avenue, seeing the fountains of Neptune and Cibles, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa and the San Miguel Market. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner tonight can be in a popular 18th century carriage house located in the Austrian quarter of the city, and best known for its milk fed pork and lamb fired in a wood oven. Overnight stay in Madrid.
Day 6 — La Mancha and Toledo
Full day excursion from Madrid to the La Mancha Region, south of the city. Visit the Valdepenas vineyards with tastings. Then enjoy lunch at the Parador Nacional in Almagro where culinary specialties focus on the "Queso Machego" - cheese. Walk off your lunch with a stroll around Plaza Mayor in Almagro before continuing to Toledo, the original capital of Spain. Beautifully situated, Toledo remains one of the most pleasing cities in Spain. We visit St. Tome Church with El Greco's "Burial of Comte of Orgaz", Santa Maria La Blanca Synagogue and the Jewish Quarter. Late afternoon return to Madrid. Dinner tonight could be a fine dining restaurant located opposite the Royal Palace. Overnight stay in Madrid.
Day 7 — Salamanca
Depart Madrid after breakfast and head to the Ribera del Duero wine region, and its capital Valladolid. Red and white wines are successfully grown in this region and they will be experienced at the Emillo Moro and Malleolo cellars. Castilian cuisine includes such dishes as Judias (white beans with chorizo) and spicy potatoes with lamb and beef and the restaurant suggested for lunch is one of the best. After lunch, continue to Salamanca where there will be time to relax and enjoy the city independently. Dinner tonight can be at a local Castilian restaurant specializing in a variety of roasted meats. Overnight stay in Salamanca.
Day 8 — Portugal and Porto
Today we pass through Ciudad Rodrigo and cross the border into Portugal at Viseu and onto Porto. Relax in the UNESCO old port area where there are a variety of restaurants on the banks of The Doro beneath a stunning iron bridge. This afternoon tour two of the fine port wine cellars, complete with tastings. Overnight stay in Porto.
Day 9 — Porto
Begin the day with an included river cruise under the famed 6 bridges and also discover the cities association with J K Rowling who lived here for several years. Many places and activities here inspired her Harry Potter writings from the distinctive clothing of the university students, a broomstick shop and a stunning book shop will be visited. The afternoon is free to enjoy this fantastic small city and even venture in to more Port Houses and why not ?. Overnight stay in Porto.
Day 10 — Departure day
An executive motor coach is provided for the transfer to Porto International Airport.