11 Days Barcelona to Jerez.
Highlights Include: Barcelona, Priorat Region, Penedes, San Sebastian, Rioja, Marques de Riscal, Vega Sicilia, Seville, Jerez.
This itinerary explores the picturesque vineyards of Spain, enjoying the wines and hospitality these regions have to offer.
Spanish Wine Experience
DAY 1 ARRIVE BARCELONA, SPAIN: On arrival in Barcelona, meet your representative and transfer to your hotel, located in the heart of Barcelona. The balance of your day is at leisure. This evening, join your Tour Director for welcome drinks followed by dinner in a local restaurant. (D)
DAY 2 EXCURSION TO PRIORAT REGION: Today head south of Barcelona to Penedes, home of the Torres Winery Milmanda where Torres make some of their finest vintages. Enjoy a private tour of the castle and surrounding vineyards, followed by a tasting and lunch of local specialties. After lunch continue south to the region of Priorat to visit another of Torres’ bodegas.
Returning to Barcelona in late afternoon, there is time to shop or visit more of the city’s museums or other attractions. Spend the evening at leisure exploring of the gastronomic delights of this unique city. (B/L)
DAY 3 PENEDES: Depart by coach and explore the wine region of Penedes, south of Barcelona, renowned for the sparkling ‘cavas’. Enjoy a full day tour of the region to include the Torres winery complex followed by a lunch of Catalan specialties. Returning to Barcelona, enjoy a tour of the ‘Eixample’ district of the city, which is virtually unchanged from when it was built at the turn of the century. The tour also shows masterpieces of most famous Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí.
See the ‘Block of Discord’, with the astonishing Casa Batlló and the Casa Amatller, then the Casa Milá (Pedrera building) with its attics built like the hulls of ships, the Sagrada Familia Basilica and the Güell Park, an enchanting combination of gardens, architecture and mosaics. Dine this evening in a local restaurant. (B/L/D)
DAY 4 BARCELONA / ZARAGOZA / SAN SEBASTIAN: This morning head west on the AVE fast train from Barcelona to Zaragoza. Continue by road to the ancient town of Olite, where you can enjoy a lunch of Navarrese specialties with a tasting of local wines in the exquisite Parador de Olite, located in a fifteenth century castle, complete with battlements and watch towers. Continue to San Sebastián and this evening take the opportunity to try one of San Sebastián’s stellar restaurants, or perhaps stroll in the “parte vieja” (old town) to enjoy typical Basque “pintxos” (tapas) in any of the dozens of traditional taverns.
Hotel Name: Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra. (B/L)
DAY 5 SAN SEBASTIAN: Spend the day enjoying a little rest in this elegant resort which has been a mecca for visitors for well over a hundred years, set on the great curving bay of La Concha. Alternatively, join your Tour Director for a half-day excursion exploring the Basque Region.
Hotel Name: Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra. (B)
DAY 6 SAN SEBASTIAN / OYON / HARO: Enjoy the wines of La Rioja today as you travel South from San Sebastián to Haro. Stop in the village of Oyón, home of the Faustino bodegas and also the city of Logroño, the region’s capital, home of the large Campo Viejo wineries, part of the Allied Domecq and major exporters to the UK and the USA. After lunch, continue south toward Haro, the most important of all the wine towns of La Rioja region. En route visit the absolutely outstanding Dinastía Vivanco wine museum, not to be missed by any serious wine lover. (Alternatively, drive through the classic wine country of the Rioja Alavesa and see some famous bodegas from the outside.) Arriving in Haro, check in to your hotel. Dinner tonight is at leisure. (B/L)
DAY 7 EXCURSION TO MARQUES DE RISCAL: Transfer to the Marques de Riscal Bodega, hotel and spa. After a morning wine tasting and lunch, enjoy an afternoon of indulgence in the Caudalíe Vinothérapie Spa with “wine therapy” massages and treatments. All products are made of grape’s extract and mineral water, created exclusively by Caudalíe Vinothérapie. (Spa treatments not included in tour price). Returning to your hotel, dinner is at leisure this evening. (B/L)
DAY 8 TRIBERA DEL DUERO / VEGA SICILIA / TORO: This morning visit one of the most prestigious wineries in Spain, Vega Sicilia (visit arranged independently). After a morning tour of the bodega, continue westward to the town of Toro, another region which has made huge progress in recent years and whose wines are attracting the praise of Robert Parker and other wine gurus. At the end of the afternoon arrive at your hotel. Dine tonight at leisure. (B/L)
DAY 9 RIBERA DEL DUERO / SEVILLE: This morning, enjoy a tour of Toro/Rueda, the bodegas here produce some of the best white wines in Spain, primarily using the verdejo grape. After an early lunch, board the high-speed AVE train departing Valladolid to Madrid and connect with the high- speed AVE to Seville where upon arrival you are transferred to your centrally located hotel. Dinner tonight is at leisure. (B/L)
Note: The group may choose to end in Madrid, overnight, and return to the US the following day.
DAY 10 EXCURSION TO JEREZ: Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Jerez wine region (about an hour and a half from Seville), of which the three cities allowed to use the Jerez denominación are Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Enjoy a private visit to the small, exclusive bodega of Lustau, whose wines have won particular acclaim from Robert Parker, amongst others. Continue to Sanlúcar, for an exquisite seafood lunch beside the river. Afterwards visit one to the most famous makers of the unique Manzanilla wine such as Hidalgo or Barbadillo before returning to Seville for farewell drinks and tapas in one of the city’s oldest wine shops, followed by dinner in a local restaurant. (B/L/D)
DAY 11 DEPART: Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
Customize to Suit
The above suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 11
- Twin-bedded rooms in 4- or 5-Star hotels; hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling
- 10 breakfasts
- 8 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
- High-speed AVE train from Barcelona to Zaragoza.
- High-speed AVE train from Valladolid to Seville, via Madrid
- Services of an English-speaking local travel expert
- Travel by private, luxury, air-conditioned mini-coach
- Sightseeing, special features and scenic highlights as indicated in the itinerary, including admission charges
- Portfolio of travel documents
- 24-hour emergency customer service while in Spain
Private Departures
Please Call 1-800-818-8455 for Group Rates on this Custom Group Journey
This suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Group Discounts
On custom journeys, discounts vary depending on group requirements. Typically, travel with a group of 20 and the 21st traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land portion of the vacation price. A second traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land on a group of 40 paying passengers.
*Per person prices are land only and based on two people sharing a room. Above dates represent “land start” date. Air: Please note that airfares are not included in the prices above. Journeys Connect can quote you the lowest possible GROUP airfare available on the day that you book. Minimum of 10 seats from same gateway. Less than 10 air seats will require full payment at time of booking. Single Room Supplement: On Request. Triple Room Reduction: On Request. Group discounts cannot be combined with our Triple Room discounts. Not valid on Specialty, Customized Vacations or River Cruises, optional extensions, extra nights, airfares, taxes and fees, flight supplements, or airport transfers. Other restrictions may apply. All passengers’ names must be advised before the discount is applied. *Group discount is on a twin-share basis only.
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