Northern Spain Harvest Festival Food & Wine Tour

Day 1
Overnight Flight → 1 night. Travel day* Board your of overnight flight from the US to Madrid, Spain

Ribera del Duero → 3 nights

Ribera del Duero is located on Spain’s northern plateau. The wine region has been producing wines for over 2,000 years. Indulge in Tinto Fino and roast lamb during your stay.

Day 2
Arrival in Madrid / transfer to Ribera del Duero

Upon arrival to the Madrid airport, you will be welcomed and escorted to a private vehicle for a scenic drive to the Spanish countryside, Ribera del Duero. You will stay in one of the best-preserved Citercian monasteries of the 12th century for the next 3 nights. The rest of your day is at your leisure.

This evening, à-la-carte dinner is included at any of the fine venues in the hotel, including room service.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3
Ribera del Duero Wineries/Sightseeing

Breath-taking views await us as we drive through the vineyards of Ribera del Duero and discover its world-famous wineries along the "Golden Mile” where some of the best wines in the world are produced.

• - Visit Abadía Retuerta winery with a private 4x4 tour of the estate and vineyards
• - Explore Peñafiel’s castle with views over the vineyards
• - Sample the signature dish of the region “Lechazo”, at Molino de Palacios.
• - Spend your afternoon as you prefer. You may choose to:
• - Take a bike ride along River Duero
• - Relax at the five star thermal spa
• - Stroll by the river
• - Learn how the chef grows his own vegetables in the hotels gardens

This evening, à-la-carte dinner is included at any of the fine venues in the hotel, including room service.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4
Ribera del Duero Wineries/Sightseeing

Continue your travels with a scenic drive across the Spanish countryside to the wine region “Rueda”. The continental climate and high altitude vineyards makes it ideal for refreshing white wines. Verdejo is the prominent grape variety, but can also be blended with Sauvignon Blanc and Viura.

A private visit to Grupo Valdebuevas, one of the best producers for white wines, “Rueda", Lunch in a traditional restaurant, La Botica de Matapozuelos,in the middle of the countryside, Visit a olive oil producer, with a guided oil tasting, Walk through an olive grove situated in the same place where General Blake fought against Napoleonic troops during the Peninsular War

This evening, à-la-carte dinner is included at any of the fine venues in the hotel, including room service.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

La Rioja → 3 nights

The next 3-nights will be spent in the little town of Briñas, intersected by the Ebro river, where tradition and history combine in a modern context of sustainability and innovation. The quaint hotel is surrounded by mountains, vineyards and Old World charm. Visit the nearby centuries old wineries, which are only a few minutes from the hotel, in the town of Haro.

Day 5
Ribera del Duero to La Rioja

After breakfast, your driver will take you to Spain's world famous wine region, La Rioja, an absolute treat for the food and wine lover! Visit and walk the walled city, LaGuardia Enjoy lunch at a popular LaGuardia restaurant, Mayor de Migueloa, built during the 13th century Tour and taste at the stunning winery, Marqués de Riscal This evening, à-la-carte dinner is included at any of the fine venues in the hotel, including room service.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6
Rioja Wine Festival: "San Mateo”

Today's destination is Logroño, the capital of the Rioja region, to celebrate the Rioja Wine Harvest, known as Festival of San Mateo, Northern Spain’s most famous wine festival. Wine lovers will be able to discover this deep-rooted tradition and experience Rioja’s unique flavors, gastronomy, culture, village festivals and pride with people from miles around! The perfect place to learn everything about renowned Spanish wine, Rioja!

Festival experiences such as:

• - Morning bull runs and evening bullfights
• - Firework displays
• - Parades and music
• - Traditional foot-crushing of grapes
• - Shuttles to/from the event will be offered throughout the day

This evening, à-la-carte dinner is included at any of the fine venues in the hotel, including room service.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7
Full day at Bodegas Valdemar

Bodegas Valdemar is a family run winery with more than 130 years in wine culture, and one of the most prestigious international brands in Rioja. With more than 300 hectares of vineyards in property, the environment makes it unique and difficult to forget.

Optional: Join the group for a beautiful early morning hike along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route surrounded by the vineyards of La Rioja, approximately 5 miles / 8 km

• - Become a wine grower. You will harvest, shell, and press grapes!
• - Picnic from a viewpoint with selected wines while experiencing an educational and sensory journey
• - Taste a traditional Rioja lunch with lamb chops and vine shoots in the vineyards, paired with family wines

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8
Rioja to Bilbao

Today will take us to our next destination Basque Country and the city of Bilbao.

• - Visit the Guggenheim Bilbao
• - Enjoy a Basque lunch at the Bistro in the Guggenheim museum
• - Explore Old town on your own

Dinner is your own tonight and recommendations will be provided.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9
San Sebastían

Spend a full day in San Sebastian, with its golden beaches and lush hillsides, to its grand architecture and innovative food scene. This town located on the Bay of Biscay will charm you!

• - Walking history tour of San Sebastían
• - Visit the local San Sebastían market
• - Experience a lunch-time guided pintxos bar crawl

This evening, the group will gather for a stylish, farewell dinner at La Despensa del Etxanobe in Bilbao.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10
Full day of Leisure in Bilbao or San Sebastian

This last day in Basque Country is yours to enjoy at a leisurely pace in Bilbao. Or, an optional transfer to San Sebastían is available for those interested in having another day in this charming coastal town.

Recommendations provided based on your interests.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Reception

Day 11
Transfer to Airport

Individual private transfer from your hotel to Bilbao's airport.

Meals Included: Breakfast (with the exception of early morning flights)