I've been thinking of putting together a trip to Spain, and here is a sample itinerary of where I would go.
Day 2 - Wake up the next day refreshed and take in Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, where you can check out famous artworks from Picasso, Dali, and Joan Miro. Wander around with no set agenda for the rest of the day, taking in the culture, food and vibe of the city.
Day 3 - Toro
Your Driver and Wine Guide picks you up at 8:30 to begin your tour of wine country.
In the morning, you’ll visit a traditional cooperage where the craft of barrel making has been handed down through four generations. You’ll also see its small wine museum and a subterranean wine cellar typical of the region.On the way to a winery in the heart of Toro, you’ll make a brief stop in the village of Castronuño to admire its breathtaking view of the Duero river.
Next, you’ll visit a beautiful, ultra-modern winery in the heart of Toro which produces highly praised wines. This winery is also noted for it’s old vineyards; the average age of its vines is 40 years. First, you’ll tour of the winery and its vineyards. The tour will take in each phase of the wine making process and a discussion of the region’s native grape, Tinta de Toro.
After the tour, you’ll enjoy a wonderful lunch in the winery. The meal will showcase Toro’s regional cuisine, and be accompanied by this bodega’s excellent wines.
Then it’s just a short drive to the medieval town of Toro. After checking in to the hotel, an elegantly renovated XV century palace, you’ll have the afternoon free to explore Toro. You may stroll through the town´s old quarter and visit Toro’s delightful Romanesque Colegiata (collegiate church). You can also stop in at a small winery in the center of town that is said to have supplied Christopher Columbus with wine for his journey to the New World.
Day 4 - Toro Ribera del Duero
The day begins at a family-run winery just outside of Toro. You’ll tour the winery and meet its high-spirited proprietor who employs a truly unique approach to wine making. This will be an unforgettable experience! Here the wine tasting will be accompanied by delicious, artisanal cheeses from the region.
Next, you’ll move on to Ribera del Duero where more great wines await you!
The first stop will be a small winery with a very interesting history. Set in gorgeous surroundings, this tranquil estate was once home to a thriving agricultural community. The wines from this bodega have gotten rave reviews. You’ll tour the winery and visit its beautiful vineyards. A private tasting will follow the tour.
After a full morning of wine appreciation, you’ll have lunch in a charming, regional restaurant and savor an authentic Castilian meal accompanied by terrific wine from Ribera del Duero.
After lunch, you’ll check in to a luxurious hotel which sits on the Duero river. Then it’s on to an afternoon of culture. You’ll tour the impressive Peñafiel Castle, a XIV century castle which looks like an enormous stone ship anchored on the Castilian plateau, and then peruse the modern wine museumlocated within the castle’s southern keep. You´ll wander through Peñafiel and stop for a coffee in the town´s unusual El Coso plaza..
Alternatively, you can visit the lovely monastery of Santa María de Valbuena. Situated near the banks of the Duero river, this monastery was founded in the XII century and is one of the finest examples of pish Cistercian architecture.
Back at the hotel, you’ll have a chance to relax and enjoy a glass of wine on your balcony overlooking the Duero.
Day 5- Ribera del Duero
Today you’ll visit two of Ribera del Duero’s top wineries. You’ll gain a more thorough appreciation of the different wines made in the region and the distinctive elaboration techniques of each winery.
The first winery you’ll visit is located within Ribera del Duero’s famous “Golden Mile”. This extraordinary estate produces internationally acclaimed wines.
You’ll tour the winery, a brilliant combination of tradition and modernity, and enjoy a private tasting after the tour. You’ll also visit its XII century abbey.
At the next winery you’ll visit, winemaking goes back for three generations. With it’s new facilities and state-of-the-art technology, this beautiful winery exemplifies the history of Ribera del Duero and the transformation of its wines. Following the tour and tasting, you’ll enjoy a leisurely, gourmet lunch in the winery’s stylish dining room. Your delicious meal will be accompanied by the bodega’s wonderful wines.
After lunch, you’ll take a short stroll along the Duero, before our driver takes you to Rioja for the next stop of the tour.
Day 6 - Rioja
You’ll arrive in the beautiful, walled village of Laguardia in the afternoon. You’ll check in to a lovely hotel, and then have the rest of the afternoon free to stroll through this delightful village which perfectly preserves its medieval urban plan and noble houses. From the walkway around the village you´ll enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards.
Dinner in Laguardia will be a sumptuous affair. You’ll dine in an elegantly renovated XVII century manor house whose restaurant is considered to be one of the best in Northern Spain. You´ll enjoy an exquisite meal, accompanied by some of Rioja´s finest wines.
Day 7 - Rioja
Today your real tasting adventure begins. Rich in wine-making history, contemporary Rioja is a fascinating mix of tradition and modernity. You’ll visit two of the region’s top wineries and get acquainted with both “old-style” and “new-style” Rioja wines. Winery visits will be varied to include a traditional winery and a modern winery or one of the region’s gorgeous single estates. Each winery tour will include a private wine tasting.
After the second winery tour, you’ll enjoy a light, picoteo style lunch in the winery along with the bodegas excellent wines.
The afternoon presents several delightful alternatives. You can enjoy a relaxing afternoon in Laguardia, with more time to stroll through this charming village and also visit a small, traditional winery which boasts an extraordinary subterranean wine cellar.
Or you can go for a leisurely drive through the Rioja’s beautiful countryside, and explore a few of the many scenic villages scattered throughout the area such as Samaniego, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Briones or Elciego. It is also possible to include an optional visit to the Dinastía Vivanco wine museum located outside of Briones.
Day 8 - Rioja
Today begins with a visit to San Millan de la Cogolla. Located in a small mountain valley, this lovely village is home to two remarkable monasteries, Yuso and Suso, and is also considered to be the cradle of the pish language. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1997. You´ll take a guided tour of the monasteries.
Your next stop is the enchanting, mountain hamlet of Ezcaray. Nestled at the foot of the Sierra de la Demanda range, Ezcaray is surrounded by gorgeous natural countryside, and provides the perfect setting to enjoy an exquisite, gourmet meal. You’ll have lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant famous for its contemporary take on traditional Riojan dishes. The cuisine, the wine, the remarkable scenery … all will culminate in an unforgettable dining experience.
After lunch, you’ll visit the historic town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. This town, a key stop on the Way of St. James, was founded in the XI century to assist pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. You’ll stroll through town’s old quarter, exploring its medieval streets and historical monuments, and also visit the beautiful cathedral.
Dinner will be on your own in Laguardia.
Day 9 - Rioja
Today you’ll visit one of Rioja’s smallest, yet most outstanding wineries. This enthusiastic winemaker is dedicated to producing small volumes of best-quality wine and achieves this goal by selecting the highest-quality grapes from the oldest vines. You’ll tour the winery and enjoy a private tasting after the tour.
After the winery tour, you’ll start back to Madrid via the beautiful city of Burgos. You’ll have lunch in a restaurant located in the historic quarter, and then tour the magnificent Burgos Cathedral, one of the grandest Gothic cathedrals in all of Europe. The cathedral is famous for its majestic spires and wonderfully ornate portals. The interior of the cathedral boasts many fine works of arts, and contains the tomb of the legendary pish hero “El Cid.”
Arrival back in Madrid at around 7:30 p.m. Check back into your Madrid hotel for the night.
Day 10 - Barcelona
Take the high speed train from Madrid to Barcelona in the morning. Check into your Barcelona hotel and take some time to explore the city.
Day 11- Priorat
You will be picked up in Barcelona at 8am for a full day of wine tasting in Priorat. You will have breakfast in Surian, with spectacular view of the Prades Mountains, Priorat an Cornudella. Then you will visit Scala Dei Winery and Cistercian Monastery ruins. You will also visit the wineries of Clos dAbac and Mas Igneus, before sitting down for a wine-paired lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch visit more wineries, including the Mas den Gil winery before returning to your hotel in Barcelona.
Day 12 - Barcelona.
Return home, full of great memories and a deeper knowledge of the wines of Northern Spain.
So how does this sound? Would you like to go on a trip like this? Is it too long? Too short? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
