Barcelona, for 5 nights, is the beginning of the trip with many vineyards nearby, some of the best food in all of Europe and jaw-dropping art. From Barcelona we go to the heart of Rioja—” With its beautiful rolling landscapes, medieval hamlets and exquisite wines, La Rioja is Spain’s Tuscany.” The trip ends with just a couple days in Madrid, BUT…there is an optional add-on: Porto, Portugal. For those who are interested, we would fly from Madrid to Porto and not only include the famous Porto wines, but also a wine cruise along the Duoro River.
David Collins is an award-winning winemaker and will lead this Spain Trip, the third in a series of European wine trips. David is co-owner and winemaker at Big Cork Vineyards in Rohrersville, MD. He carefully crafts and blends each of the wines available at Big Cork. What a treat to have him join us our this wine trip to Spain!
Depart U.S. Today make your way to the airport and prepare for your international flight to Barcelona.
Arrive Barcelona: Upon arrival, gather your luggage, go through customs, and meet your driver who will transfer you to your perfectly located Hotel Advance in the beautiful Eixample district.
Private Orientation Tour: After you check-in and have lunch, meet your driver/guide for a tour to orient you to your neighborhood and to the most important and historic sights.
Welcome Reception: After the tour, we’ll gather for a reception to get acquainted. Afterwards, perhaps you would enjoy strolling the Passeig de Gràcia, one of the major avenues in Barcelona (Catalunya) and one of its most important shopping and business areas.
Travel to Montserrat: Early this morning, we will travel to Montserrat and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery along the way. Upon arrival, we will visit the hilltop religious site of Montserrat and a winery estate set in a 10th century castle. We will enjoy a tour through the winery and its vineyards with red wine tasting, break for lunch and have leisure time before returning to Barcelona. Evening Tapas Tour: This evening, we will taste the best of Catalan tapas. During this pre-dinner outing, we’ll explore the city’s best tapas bars with an expert food guide. Head into a few quarters of Old Town and immerse yourself in this historic area’s unique atmosphere, architecture and food. Some of the food merchants located in this area have been in business for more than a century.
Discover Wines of Priorat: This morning we will meet our driver/guide for a full day of exploring wine of Spain. We will visit 2 wineries and find a charming place for leisurely lunch.
The remote, rocky hills of the Priorat wine region are the birthplace of intense, minerally reds that many wine writers and collectors consider to be Spain’s most elite wines.
Freedom Day: This is a full day to explore independently. Perhaps you would enjoy some of the amazing sites of Catalunya, such as:
- Casa Batlló by Antoni Gaudí
- Parc Guell by Antonio Gaudí
- Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudí
- Boqueria Market
- Quarters of Old Town
Travel to Catalunya’s Penedes Region: After breakfast, we will head to the Penedes region to visit a high-end wine estate, learn about the native Catalan grape varietals, and taste more wines and cavas. Penedes is known for producing the very popular Spanish version of champagne called Cava, and both red and white wines.
Travel Day: This morning after breakfast, meet your driver for a 5 hour private transfer to La Rioja. Check in to the charming Parador de Santo Domingo de la Calzada, situated beside the banks of the Oja River. Enjoy meals in this area, pairing La Rioja’s excellent wines with Basque cuisine and the traditional cooking skills of Castile and Aragon. Afternoon Free: Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. We will offer suggestions at a later date.
Discover the Wines of La Rioja: This morning after breakfast, we will drive to Haro, the heart of La Rioja where many wineries are located. There will be two stops on our agenda today. With a long tradition, dating back to the 17th Century, Rioja was the first Spanish wine region to obtain Designation of Origin status. Rioja wines have evolved steadily, consolidating a deserved recognition for La Rioja as one of the most prestigious wine-producing regions in the world. Rioja is a blend of the indigenous grape of Spain, Tempranillo, along with other fruity additives like Garancha, Mazuelo, and Graciano.
Day Trip to Logrono: This morning after breakfast, we will visit a winery in the charming town of Logrono, visit several tapas restaurants for what are called pintxos in this area (there are 50 taparias located within a 4 block area in the town center), and visit a second winery on the way back to our parador. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Freedom Day: Today will be a day to explore independently. Afternoon Cooking Class: This afternoon we will gather to enjoy a cooking class together! Rioja wine is coupled with excellent Riojan cuisine, combining savory local meats with regional vegetables. Savor the wine, the food and the sights of the soul of La Rioja!
Food & Wine Day: As we travel to a winery and the wine museum in Elciego, take in the beautiful landscape & amazing views of Basque country: castles, vineyards, mountains & the valleys of the Ebro river.
Travel Day: This morning after breakfast, meet your driver for a 3.5 hour private transfer to Madrid. Along the way, we will stop for lunch, and continue to the lovely Emperador, located in the city center of Madrid. Afternoon Walking Tour: This afternoon you will explore the local streets on a walking tour of the city with an expert guide. Afterwards, head to Madrid’s most famous city street, Gran Via, and discover boutiques, cosmopolitan bars, and restaurants.
Discover the Wines of Arganda: This morning after breakfast, we will venture to an area outside the capital city. Vinos de Madrid is a Spanish Designation of Origin located in the southern part of the region. Divided into three sub-zones, we will visit Arganda, where the soil here contains clay and lime over granite subsoil, and is known for grape varieties Tempranillo, Airen and Malvar. There will be ample time to explore and have lunch on your own. We will return to Madrid and enjoy the evening at leisure.
If you like wine, great food and a passion for travel, you are going to LOVE this trip to Spain. David Collins, winemaker for Big Cork Vineyards, will be escorting and educating. You can expect spectacular scenery, really, really good food, and some of the best wines in the world!
I love talking travel and can’t wait to talk to you!
Phone: 504.606.4712
Email: annie@freedomtravelllc.com
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