Tour description
Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France
DAY 1 MADRID
On arrival at Madrid airport our chauffeur will be awaiting you with a luxury vehicle and will transfer you to your boutique 4* hotel in the heart of Madrid. Formerly the residence of the Duke of Noblejas, the hotel has maintained its frescoes, mirrors and stained glass whilst being equipped with modern comforts. Relax and unwind after your flight before meeting with our Gourmand Breaks representative, also an Officially Licensed Guide, who will meet you to go through your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France itinerary and answer any queries you may have. You will also receive your Personal Travel Journals, with itinerary details and plenty of suggestions for restaurants and free time activities.
You will then set off on your private guided tour of Madrid, which will first take you to El Prado Museum, the biggest art gallery in the world. Prado means meadow, and the museum got the name of Prado because there was an open meadow where the museum now sits. Your private guide, additionally qualified in Spanish History and Art, will make sure you don’t miss anything! Your private tour of Madrid will then take you to the Plaza Oriente to see and learn about the Royal Palace – Palacio Real or Palacio Oriente – and the Cathedral. You will then walk through the Old town to the Plaza de la Villa, with the town hall, and on to Mercado de San Miguel, the hottest gastronomic spot in Madrid where its bars and restaurants make it the place to meet in Old Madrid. On your journey you will enjoy some fantastic Spanish food, and a beverage or two, as you sample the best variety of wine and tapas the city has on offer!
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer from Madrid airport. Private guided tour of Old Madrid. Lunch of tapas and wine on your tapas-hopping tour. Overnight in a 4* boutique hotel in Madrid.
DAY 2 MADRID
Today you have a free day to wander around Madrid and see all the fantastic museums, shops and famous parks of this fantastic city. Perhaps you wish to visit the Reina Sofia Museum or the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection in the company of your expert guide, and this can of course be arranged. The Reina Sofia Museum is the national museum for 20th century art in Spain. The museum collection consists of more than 20,000 works from the late 19th century to the present day, mainly dedicated to Spanish art, with highlights from two of the greatest 20th century masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Probably the most famous masterpiece in the museum is Picasso’s 1937, oil on canvas painting, ‘Guernica’. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum – Madrid’s acquisition of this treasure trove of art in the 1980s was one of the greatest coups in European art history, its 700 canvases, with works by artists ranging from El Greco to Picasso, are arranged in chronological order.
Maybe you wish to return to the Palacio Real (often referred to as Palacio Oriente after the nearby square of the same name), to view its interesting interior. The palace is used by the King for ceremonial purposes only; he actually lives in the Palacio de la Zarzuela on the outskirts of the city. Otherwise, take a leisurely walk through El Retiro Park, a great place to enjoy the open air as you stroll along the paths of this once royal garden, passing fountains, statues, the delicate Palacio de Cristal, the boating lake and maybe the odd street entertainer or art exhibition. This evening we have many recommendations for fine dining in Madrid, be it old style Spanish food or Michelin starred extravaganza in your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France Personal Travel Journal.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Madrid. Overnight Madrid.
DAY 3 MADRID
Our suggestion today for your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France, would be for you to head to Toledo for the day, another beautiful Spanish town just 30 min away by high speed train. We could happily include train tickets for you and our excellent local officially licensed guide for a private tour of Toledo. Toledo Cathedral is one of the most outstanding sacred buildings in Spain and is considered to be one of the high points of Gothic art. On its main façade the outstanding feature is the doorway, made up of three doors: Infierno (Hell), Perdon (Forgiveness) and Juicio (Judgement). To follow, your tour continues to visit the famous Toledo synagogues; Santa Maria La Blanca and El Transito, where the remains of the Jewish community are well preserved. You could head to the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes and finally to the church of The Church of Santo Tome, famous for housing El Greco’s famous picture entitled El Entierro del Conde Orgaz (The burial of Count Orgaz).
On your return to Madrid, you will no doubt be delighted to put your feet up for a while, perhaps even have a quiet and relaxed dinner in your hotel. Alternatively, should you be bounding with energy, take a leisurely walk along the Plaza Mayor and taste a tapa and a dry sherry in any of the various tapas bars, enjoying the vivacious spirit of this delightful Spanish city.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Madrid with a suggestion to head to Toledo. Overnight in Madrid.
DAY 4 RIBERA DEL DUERO
This morning a representative of the rental car company will be waiting with your luxury rental car with automatic transmission and GPS and you will then leave for the Spanish wine region of Ribera del Duero. On arrival you will check into your hotel for the night, a truly wonderful restored Monastery, attached to one of the finest wineries in Ribera del Duero. This very special winery/hotel is set like a jewel among the string of exclusive wine estates found along the Duero river. If the heart of the estate is the winery, its soul is the ancient 12th-century abbey, a beloved and carefully restored Spanish cultural heritage site that houses one of the world’s most exclusive wine hotels. Take some time to settle into this wonderful hotel where later you will have a full private tour of their lovely winery. Located in the heart of the Spanish winegrowing Golden Mile, this winery owns over 200 hectares of vineyard and is one of Spain’s most modern wineries. After your unforgettable visit, you will have the pleasure of enjoying a full tasting of their best wines.
The rest of your day is free to explore your luxury hotel, the monastery and surrounding grounds. The exquisite hotel spa is a true gem, worth spending a whole afternoon. Should you wish to venture outside, why not see beautiful Penafiel, a medieval walled village set atop a cliff overlooking the Duero River? Winemaking is a serious business here, so what better place to locate the museum of wine? Situated over three floors of Penafiel Castle, this museum is really worth a visit and we strongly recommend it.
Tour in a nutshell: Luxury rental car delivered to your Madrid hotel. Private guided tour of your Ribera del Duero hotel’s prestigious winery with tastings. Overnight in a 5* winery hotel in Ribera del Duero.
DAY 5 LA RIOJA
Your independent food & wine tour leads you to the Rioja wine region, just under 3 hours’ drive away. You will arrive in Briones, the heart of the Rioja Alta, which has old vineyards of Tempranillo grapes and a chalky soil. Here you will visit one of the smallest and youngest wineries in Spain. Twenty years ago, the owner restored a 19th Century house and on the adjoining land, built facilities for vinification and planted an experimental vineyard. Their first vintage was 1994, nevertheless their cult wines are among the most prestigious in the country and they are exporting them to over 30 markets. The gracious owner will show you the winemaking facilities followed by a tasting of their very fine wines. Afterwards you will visit the Dinastia Vivanco Wine Museum, the largest wine museum in Spain, containing multimedia information on everything from corks and how they are made, to the blowing of bottles; a perfect introduction to La Rioja wine region!
Afterwards you will leave for your charming 4 star hotel located in the heart of very pretty Laguardia, one of the most perfectly preserved medieval villages of Spain. This medieval hill hamlet (called “villa” in Spanish), reminiscent of Tuscan hilltop villages, is surrounded by an ancient wall, and has a delightful jumble of cobblestoned streets lined with “tabernas”, wine shops, palaces, and cafes. May we suggest you relax after your long day and perhaps enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening. As always, you will find many suggestions for restaurants in your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France Personal Travel Website and Personal Travel Journal.
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of a prestigious La Rioja winery. Visit to the Vivanco Wine Museum and cellar. Overnight in La Rioja wine region.
DAY 6 LA RIOJA
Your wine adventure continues to Haro, one of Rioja’s iconic winemaking villages. First you will have a tour of a unique, family-run winery. Proud of being old-fashioned, they still construct their own barrels on site. For over a hundred and thirty years, the family members have devoted themselves to vineyard care, a scrupulous selection of grapes, and ageing in oak barrels in the heart of deep underground galleries. Special mention ought to be made of their white wines, as well. This bodega ages their white wines in oak for as long as their reds; so the result is much more intriguing than you would normally expect of white. You’ll have an excellent tour of the facilities finalised with a tasting of their signature drops.
Immediately afterwards, you will enjoy a private VIP tour of a modern style winery founded less than 20 years ago by a Catalan couple. Well aware of the significant number of excellent traditional wineries in La Rioja, their objective was to create superb, high expression red wines in a modern style, reflective of the region and the constituent varietals; yet embodying something unique. The main wines from their vineyard are released onto the market as Reservas. You will surely enjoy the tasting of their wines, as well as their olive oils. The owners also produce high quality extra virgin olive oils in the Emporda region and on the island of Mallorca. Afterwards enjoy a light lunch in the area prior to returning to your hotel. Your evening is free to relax after your very busy day and you may wish to eat at your hotel or one of the many local restaurants suggested in your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France Personal Travel Journal.
Tour in a nutshell: Tours of 2 prestigious wineries in La Rioja with exclusive wine tastings. Overnight in the La Rioja wine region of Spain.
DAY 7 SAN SEBASTIAN
Your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France has you leaving for San Sebastian, where your lovely 3* boutique hotel has an ideal beach front location, offering you amazing views over the bay. The city of San Sebastian spreads around famous La Concha beach, whilst inland are the beautiful green mountain landscapes of Guipuzcoa, of which San Sebastian is the provincial capital. San Sebastian is known as a stylish city and an image-conscious one, so it is stuffed with high-end shops. Peruse La Parte Vieja for cool boutiques filled with quirky designer gear.
San Sebastian is world famous as a food tourism destination, since it’s collected more Michelin stars per square metre of its territory than anywhere else in the world! It is also the birthplace of the “new Basque cuisine” movement, and has nurtured the renaissance of Basque gastronomy.
In the late afternoon our Officially Licensed Guide will take you on a tour of San Sebastian and its wonderful “beach in the city” vibe; famed as Spain’s best city to dine out in! Your San Sebastian tour guide will show you the most interesting parts of the city, prior to leading you to the tapas bar district, where you will be privileged not only to go to the best bars, frequented by local foodies, but also to sample the specialties of each place. Although tapas were invented in Andalusia they have been perfected in San Sebastian! Each bar is bursting with many different tapas and creative pinchos that Spanish tradition suggests having a few tapas and a wine in one bar and moving on to try out the next.
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of Old San Sebastian with tapas-hopping lunch. Overnight in a 3* beachfront hotel in San Sebastian.
DAY 8 BILBAO
The Basque city of Bilbao is on your list today! You will have tickets to visit the famous Guggenheim Museum, designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. The museum features permanent and visiting exhibits of works by Spanish and international artists. Why not stay for lunch at the museum and enjoy a tasting menu paired with wines at Michelin 1* Nerua Restaurant? This modernist restaurant is under the direction of superchef Josean Martinez Alija. Needless to say, the Basque nouvelle cuisine is breathtaking and the ever-changing menu includes delicacies like Iberian pork meatballs with carrot juice and curry. Even the olives are vintage classics: all come from 1000-year-old olive trees!
Afterwards take a stroll through Bilbao’s atmospheric old town. The compact Casco Viejo, Bilbao’s atmospheric old quarter, is full of charming streets, boisterous bars and plenty of quirky and independent shops. At the heart of the Casco are Bilbao’s original ‘seven streets’, Las Siete Calles. In the middle is the 19th-century arcaded Plaza Nueva, a rewarding pintxo haunt. The quarter’s Gothic Catedral de Santiago, has a splendid Renaissance portico, itself once the scene of medieval markets and civic meetings. Do as the locals do and experience some regional food in the center of the old town. If you would prefer to have lunch here, we have a wonderful pinchos-hopping route for you to experience the best and authentic bars for pinchos in Bilbao. On your way back to San Sebastian may we suggest you tour the sea road from Bilbao – Getaria is a fine place to stop and perhaps have a wander, a drink of Txacoli and perhaps a perfectly grilled piece of freshly caught fish for dinner.
Tour in a nutshell: Visit to Guggenheim Museum. Overnight San Sebastian.
DAY 9 SAN SEBASTIAN
Today you have a totally free day in San Sebastian to do as you wish. Wander along the Concha Bay – take it very easy indeed. If you are feeling adventurous, why not climb Monte Urgell for some amazing views over the city and the surrounding area? At the top of this hill you will also see the remains of the walls and canons from the city’s military past and, guarding the city, stands the Sacred Heart statue (Cristo de la Mota). It’s no Rio de Janeiro but this giant statue of Christ measures over 12 meters.
Optionally, you might wish to make a visit to Hondarribia, just a few kilometers from the French border, high in the mountains. The town of Hondarribia is surrounded by a 15th century wall and is entered through the Puerta de Santa Maria gateway which looks like a tiny castle. In the old town, above the harbor, you can wander through the narrow cobbled streets flanked by old houses with intricately carved wooden balconies. A stroll along Paseo Ramón Iribarren, one of the town’s most vivid streets, will take you to the new marina and the beach, where quaint docked fishing boats is a calming sight. Hondarribia’s 10th century castle, the Palacio de Carlos Quinto, is now a fabulous looking parador, which dominates the top of the old town. Find a spot to sit and enjoy a drink in one of the lovely squares – this is a day for relaxing! As always, you could seek out some interesting places to visit or eat at from our suggestions in your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France Personal Travel Journal.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day in San Sebastian. Suggestion to visit Hondarribia. Overnight San Sebastian.
DAY 10 BORDEAUX
From Spain into France goes your Grand Wine Tour today! In the morning you will leave for the legendary Bordeaux wine region of France, home of the most sought-after and expensive wines in the world. Bordeaux has 57 appellations, with about 7,000 wine-producing chateaux and 13,000 wine growers! Bordeaux’s reputation as a great wine region rests on its most superb reds, legendary and long-lived wines made by historic wine estates (chateaux), which can improve for several decades. About 75 to 80 percent of Bordeaux’s wines are red, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which give vigor, tannin and excellent cellaring qualities, and Merlot which brings a softness and suppleness. White wines are produced mostly from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon and sometimes, Muscatel.
You will undertake a wine tour at a leading winery which is one of the oldest chateaux in Bordeaux. The vineyards of the winery cover 80 acres, producing marvelously concentrated, elegant reds with a purity of style- full bodied, well-structured and smooth, with flavours of smoky ripe plum, tobacco, earthy coffee and chocolate. The whites are full bodied with undertones of honey, apricots and melons with a refreshing vibrancy. At the end of your private VIP tour you will enjoy a very special tasting with the winery sommelier who will introduce you to some of their great wines. You will then check-in to your chateau hotel nestled in rural landscape amongst vineyards and horses. It is a relaxing haven of peace in a gorgeous setting. We will, of course, provide you with our restaurant recommendations in your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France Personal Travel Journal.
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of a prestigious Bordeaux winery. Overnight in a chateau hotel in the Bordeaux wine region of France.
DAY 11 BORDEAUX
Another very special French winery tour awaits today! This winery produces Grand Cru classe wines and you will have an opportunity to tour the ancient cellars and production facilities prior to enjoying a tasting of their fine wines. You may wish to take lunch at the fine restaurant on the same grounds as the winery. This rustic space has a huge open fire and a cozy feeling. The cuisine is country fare, so you might try duck magret roasted with figs or a chargrilled steak with bearnaise sauce and homemade frites.
In the afternoon you will have a second private guided tour, of a Bordeaux winery located in a beautiful village, which is the jewel of a family wine empire. The interesting thing about this winery, is the fact that they have retained a number of the older oak fermentation vats used from the early 1900s until 1975. It’s amazing that such an expensive and prestigious wine could have been made using such rustic tools for so long. The winery produces 125,000 bottles in an average vintage split between its first wine and second wines (made from vines that are too young to be used for the first wine). You will have a full tour of the facilities followed by a sampling of their best wines. Then onwards to the town of Bordeaux! The panoramic view of Bordeaux from the Garonne river is breathtaking and elegant. Begin with a stroll through the Place de la Comedie, which sits atop the ancient Roman forum. Admire the beautiful Grand Theatre, built in the late 1700s and now a venue for opera and events. Over the next few hours, take in all the sights including the striking Place de la Bourse, the impressive Grosse Cloche, and the ethereal 11th century Cathedrale Saint-Andre.
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tours of two prestigious Bordeaux wineries with tastings. Overnight in the Bordeaux wine region.
DAY 12 CARCASSONNE
Your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France takes you to the ancient French town of Carcassonne, a perfectly restored, medieval walled fortress town which sits majestically above the River Aude and the Canal du Midi. Carcassonne has an entire city that is a castle, in La Cite, the fortified upper city; it is an excellent example of a medieval fortified town whose massive defences were constructed on walls dating from Late Antiquity. Stroll along the cobblestone streets, browsing shops selling antique wares and try the classic peasant stew cassoulet at one of the many bistrots.
Tonight you will stay at a lovely hotel, overlooking Carcassonne with its castle and drawbridge, nestled in greenery, offering you a haven of tranquility where you can recharge your batteries after your French journey. This delightful hotel is medieval yet contemporary, rural yet metropolitan and sophisticated yet comfortable. It is only a 5 minute walk away from the main monuments and ideal for discovering the city and all its secrets, so this evening you may like to walk out later. We have various restaurant suggestions for tonight in and around the area.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Carcassonne. Overnight in a delightful hotel in Carcassonne.
DAY 13 EMPORDA
Today your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France has you continuing your journey back into Spain, to the Emporda wine region. On the way, why not make a visit to the spectacular French castle of Peyrepertuse? It is the largest of the famous Cathar castles, offering spectacular views over Languedoc, its sister castle Queribus, the Pyrenees and even the Mediterranean sea. For lunch, we suggest a stop at a nearby French village – a lovely unspoiled spot, perfectly located on a small hill in the valley bottom between the Peyrepertuse and the Queribus castles. There are a few restaurants, our favorite having a view from the terrace seating which is lovely and their house specialty cassoulet is outstanding!
On arrival in the Emporda wine region, you will check into your charming hotel, near to the Costa Brava and the fishing town of Palamos. The road that leads to your restored masia hotel is in the privileged setting of Les Gavarres, a protected and beautiful natural area of Spain. The dirt road winds through fields and forests, vineyards, pine trees, oak trees, olive trees… and as a backdrop, the Mediterranean Sea. The setting is beautiful, a space where architecture, wine and nature blend in harmony. The hotel also has its very own special modern winery, which you will certainly have time to visit! The architects who designed this winery won the prestigious Pritzker prize for their vision of a wine estate which melds perfectly into the earth. After your journey, why not enjoy a delicious dinner at your hotel, sampling their homegrown produce and wine, overlooking the magnificent vineyards.
Tour in a nutshell: Visit to Cathar Castles. Overnight in a rural winery hotel in the Emporda wine region.
DAY 14 BESALU & GIRONA
This morning you will be driving to Besalu to meet with your private tour guide who will take you on a fascinating tour of this bewitching village as well as romantic Girona. The medieval town of Besalu is renowned for its beauty and 11th century Roman bridge that once was necessary to adjoin this small village to land. The local public gardens await you where villagers grow herbs for their well-known and traditional homemade wine, ratafia. The different families of Besalu have variations of this sweet wine and use their own secret combination of aromatic herbs to flavor this digestive liquor. You will certainly discover your own favorite ratafia! There will also be time to visit the ruins of the Jewish quarter of Besalu, dating back to the 9th century and the well-preserved Jewish baths, traditionally used for purification, dating back to the 12th century.
Next, you will head to the city of Girona to enjoy a private guided tour of this enchanting city. Your private guide will show off its stretches of cobblestone streets, the old Jewish Quarter and its luscious gardens, the Arab baths and the magnificent Girona Cathedral affording a great view of the area. You will wind through the narrow streets and stone walls of the old Gothic Quarter and encounter little shops, cafes and medieval homes that families have passed down through the generations. Girona is a Little City with a Big Heart and you will soon feel at home in its inviting embrace. After working up an appetite, your local guide will provide you with many top insider suggestions for a delicious lunch. Before heading back to your hotel you will have free time to ramble through the streets of Girona to visit the quaint shops and artisan retailers.
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tours of Besalu and Girona. Overnight in the Emporda wine region.
DAY 15 EMPORDA
Our Officially Licensed guide will join you this morning in Pals, to discover the medieval villages of the Emporda. As you walk through the narrow village streets, next to the city walls, towers and churches, you will feel as though you have walked into a new time altogether. The stone archways, cobblestone streets and wrought balconies adorned with flowers create a welcoming feel in this Romanesque village. Your journey will continue on to Peratallada, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. It has a maze of narrow streets and sunny squares and was once surrounded by moat and defensive walls, which are still in evidence in parts of the village. To follow you will leave for Calella de Palafrugell, a picture-postcard village that offers breathtaking views of the azul Mediterranean; beachfront cafes and inviting walkways. There are kilometers of clifftop paths to appreciate why Costa Brava translates as Wild Coast. You will enjoy a scenic walk breathing in the fresh sea air and breeze, exploring the picturesque ocean front spots of this lovely fishermen’s village, prior to having lunch.
This afternoon, back at your hotel, you will have a private winery tour, followed by a tasting of their signature wines, in the company of their in house wine specialist. The vineyards surrounding the area are cultivated organically and harvesting is done entirely by hand. Following this, there is a further exhaustive selection process to ensure that each and every grape is of the highest quality to produce the finest of wines.
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tours of medieval and coastal villages. Private guided visit to a unique Emporda winery with tastings. Overnight in the Emporda wine region.
DAY 16 PENEDES
Your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France takes you to the Penedes wine region, just south of Barcelona. The Penedes area produces a large amount of white wine, a good part of this being cava, as in the 20th century the revolution for Catalan sparkling wine changed the daily habits here. Although small in area, this Spanish wine region is full of surprises and there are over 150 bodegas here, producing a diversity of wines. Even though the key elements that have molded the Penedes area are grapes and wine, the character of the region is also shaped by its history, nature, gastronomy and its dynamic people.
For your accommodation tonight, you are staying in an excellent 5* wine hotel, a stunningly designed property on the outskirts of the Penedes wine capital, Vilafranca del Penedes; overlooking lovely vineyards. After checking in to this unique hotel you will be visiting their very own winery, located just in front of the hotel, which elaborates high quality limited production wines and cavas. You are in for a treat this evening at the hotel’s restaurant, where dinner will be a gastronomic and visual experience, as their talented chef will prepare your meals in his open kitchen using only fresh and local produce. Your gastronomic dinner will, of course, be accompanied with wonderful local wine or cava.
Tour in a nutshell: Penedes winery tour and tastings. Overnight in a 5* wine hotel in the Penedes wine region of Spain.
DAY 17 PRIORAT
The prestigious and remote wine region of Priorat is yours to taste today! Your first visit will be a tour of a family-owned wine cellar awarded one of Robert Parker’s highest ratings. The family has built their winery on one of the oldest estates in Priorat, from the 13th century! Recognising an unusual combination of topography, soil and climate, a unique “terroir”, and a one thousand year old wine-making tradition, they started a project to re-awaken the spirit of the old Carthusian oenologists. One of the family members will be there to attend you and share with you the secrets of their world class wine. Afterwards you will enjoy a personalized wine tasting.
Onwards to lunch at a winery/restaurant now owned by a reputed wine merchant from Bordeaux. The property has 18 hectares, of which about 12 are planted with Grenache, Carignan (some over 60 years old), Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Monastrell, Viognier and Chenin Blanc. You will enjoy a short visit to this exceptional winery and see their unique cellar, located in the old village underground water deposit, followed by lunch in their restaurant, with wine pairings, of course! After lunch you will visit ‘a must’ for any serious Spanish wine aficionado, finishing your winery tour with their excellent tastings. Owned by Rene Barbier, one of the founders of the Priorat revolution, this emblematic winery is named after the single vineyard that Rene started to cultivate in the 1970’s in the now-famous wine village of Gratallops. And so back to Penedes after your wonderful day in Priorat and perhaps you will be happy to put your feet up and relax now – maybe have dinner at your hotel or at one of the local restaurants.
Tour in a nutshell: Private visits to three prestigious Priorat wineries with wine tastings. Overnight in the Penedes wine region.
DAY 18 BARCELONA
Your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France takes you on an unforgettable wine tour to an exceptional vineyard owned by one family since 1790 and situated in the heart of the Penedes wine region. A bilingual in-house expert will take you on a private tour of the vineyards, which have been ecologically cultivated for more than 300 years. It is no wonder their wines have been officially certified as biodynamic since 2004. The grapes in this vineyard are all handpicked to ensure harvest at the ideal time for each vine. Back at the cellar, the in-house oenologist will show you the entire wine making process and finally guide you through an array of wines and cavas to taste. You have a lunch date for a delicious local home-made lunch at a cozy restaurant located in a charming village, Sant Marti Sarroca, just 10 minutes’ drive from the winery. Enjoy delicious Catalan cuisine with superior presentation, accompanied with fine wines from the surrounding vineyards and magnificent views of the Montserrat mountains.
Your day now continues when you drive the short distance to Barcelona (less than one hour) and drop off your rental car prior to taking a taxi to your excellent 4* hotel, ideally located in the Gothic Quarter, nearby to all major sights, but at the same time on the seafront. The rooftop terrace bar and pool provide an astonishing view of the city as well as the port, and your lovely room looks out over the port area. Formerly, your hotel was the residence of a wealthy Duke in the city and is deep-seated in history. We have many suggestions for dinner tonight in Barcelona, whether it’s Michelin star dining you are looking for, or informal tapas places.
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of a prestigious winery in the Penedes wine region. Authentic local lunch with wine. Overnight in a 4* hotel in Barcelona.
DAY 19 BARCELONA
Your Officially Licensed Guide will await you at your hotel, to take you on a private guided visit of La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s Cathedral on a grand scale. You will then continue on your journey, now focused on Spanish gourmet foods, starting with a guided visit to La Boqueria, Spain’s largest marketplace. Our expert culinary guide will lead you around the best booths and you will taste some of the most delicious local seasonal produce at a famous La Boqueria bar, frequented by celebrities. Continuing your private walking tour through the Gothic quarter of Barcelona, you will see a few architectural feats and of course, enjoy a wander through Las Ramblas, the colorful must-see pedestrian area. Our guide is a real specialist in local history and will amuse you with fascinating local stories! Now, you will taste some of the best artisan Spanish cheeses at a charming cheese shop. The knowledgeable owner will divulge the secrets of her cheese while you taste some of the delicious specialties paired with excellent Priorat wine. For something sweet, your tour will stop at the oldest venue in Barcelona for dried nuts, fruits and chocolates. This quaint store has existed for over 150 years and is still decorated with its original wood oven.
Your private walking tour will finish with a light lunch of exquisite Spanish produce, from the best delicatessen in the city. Here you will taste fine cold cuts, delectable local preserves of tuna and sardines and a selection of the best olive oils, etc. In addition, there are sommeliers on hand to guide you through more than 6,000 wines! Your guide will then leave you settled safely at this amazing delicatessen, enjoying your delicious meal.
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of La Sagrada Familia and the Gothic Quarter and Born Areas of Barcelona with gourmet food and wine tastings. Overnight Barcelona.
DAY 20 BARCELONA
Barcelona is yours to discover today. Maybe you wish to see some more of Gaudi’s fantastic architecture: Parc Guell is located in uptown Barcelona and is one of the most beautiful icons of the city of Barcelona. Here you can enjoy a peaceful stroll surrounded by nature and modernist works. On the Passeig de Gracia, in the city center, you can see other famous works of Gaudi, including his famous Casa Batllo and la Pedrera. Throughout the work of Gaudi, you will see much of his architectural inspiration came from his experiences in nature. His famous Pedrera was built between 1906 and 1910 for the Mila family. This is one of the main Gaudi residential buildings and one of the most imaginative houses of the history of architecture, this building is just as much a sculpture as a building!
You may like to join a small group cooking class today, where you will first meet with the chef to learn about the local produce and subsequently head to the market to buy the ingredients required for your cooking class. It is then off to the cooking school where, on the instructions of the chef, you will prepare your own lunch which you will then be able to enjoy with local wines. We will be delighted to include this fantastic cooking class in Barcelona in your quotation on request. Alternatively, we could arrange for you to join a local wine expert for an exclusive tasting of some top Spanish wines from the best Spanish wine regions. Maybe you would like to do your own thing today and take advantage of the great shopping, stroll along the beachfront of Barceloneta or return to the old Gothic Quarter, the choices are yours! We have many suggestions for restaurants in your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France Personal Travel Journal.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Barcelona. Optional cooking class / exclusive wine tasting in Barcelona. Overnight Barcelona.
DAY 21 DEPARTURE
This is the last day of your Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France! After checking out of your hotel, our chauffeur will be waiting to transfer you to Barcelona airport for your onward journey.
We do hope you will join us for this very exciting tour, to discover some of the best wine regions in Spain and France, as well as eating delicious regional food and experiencing local culture. No doubt it will be a truly memorable experience!
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to Barcelona airport.
Tour quotation
Grand Wine Tour of Spain & France Quote Request
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Tour in a Nutshell
Ribera del Duero, La Rioja, Bordeaux, Priorat & Penedes
Exceptional winery visits in wine regions of Spain & France
Art, history & regional food on private guided cultural tours
Luxury rental vehicle & 24/7 assistance: easy self-drive vacation
21 days/20 nights, hand-picked hotels from family-run to 5*
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