An exclusive wine & food journey with

Bella Grace Vineyards logo

Northwestern Spain

May 4 - 12, 2024

12-24

Guests

9 / 8

Days / Nights

21

Meals

Travel to the Castilla y León region of northwestern Spain and immerse yourself in the rich cultural history, wine traditions, and gastronomy of this fertile area. Go behind-the-scenes at highly esteemed wine estates and vineyards in some of Spain’s best wine regions — D.O. Ribera del Duero and D.O. Toro— and meet passionate winemakers who will share their centuries-old winemaking methods.

Learn

about local traditions and methods from area winemakers, artisan producers, and culinary experts

Explore

the UNESCO World Heritage city of Segovia, filled with ancient monuments and fascinating history

Taste

flavorful dishes and bites, from traditional tapas to an exquisite Michelin-starred meal

Day 1

Madrid

Land at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport where an Experi driver will meet you in the arrivals hall for a private transfer to our accommodations in Madrid. Take time to relax and unwind before we gather together this evening for introductions and a festive welcome dinner.

Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Vincii Soho

Day 2

Segovia | Valladolid

This morning, we'll check out and make our way to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Segovia. We'll enjoy a guided tour of this vibrant city whose highlights include a well-preserved Roman aqueduct, a fairy tale castle— the Alcázar of Segovia— and an impressive Gothic cathedral. Afterward, we'll have a wine-paired lunch before continuing on to Valladolid where we’ll check in to our hotel for the next seven nights and take time to get settled. This evening, gather with our Travel Director to do as the locals, hopping from bar-to-bar and sampling small plates and tapas as we roam.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight at Hotel Gareus

Day 3

Rueda

Explore the Cigales D.O. area today, known for producing award-winning rosé and red wines. Cigales is situated along the banks of the Pisuerga River, where the region’s rich soils and hot summers combine to produce Spain’s top red wine, Tempranillo. We'll start in the historic town of Fuensaldaña for a traditional meal and continue on to a historic Cigalian winery. While there, we'll meet the winemaking staff, learn about their cultivation practices, and see the production facilities, finishing the tour through the vineyard with a D.O. Cigales rosé and red wine tasting. Tonight dinner will be on your own.

Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at Hotel Gareus

Day 4

Ribera del Duero - Valladolid Province

Today we start with a visit to a small family-run winery in this world-renowned region where generations have produced wines from the Tinto Fino, or Tempranillo, varietal. Continue to another winery for an unforgettable tour of the vineyard, the modern winemaking facilities, and the barrel room accompanied by tastings of the D.O. Ribera del Duero wines. We'll sit down to enjoy a wine-paired lunch  before returning  to Valladolid. The rest of the afternoon will be at leisure.  Tonight, dinner will be at a tapas bar in town.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight at Hotel Gareus

Day 5

Ribera del Duero - Burgos Province

We'll start the day with a visit to a family-owned and run winery in the Ribera del Duero region. During a guided tour of the winery, we'll learn about the small vineyards and rich soil variation that is a distinctive feature of the area. We'll then head to another winery to have a light lunch of local specialties paired with select wines before returning to Valladolid for some time to relax. This evening, we have a special treat, dining in a traditional home.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight at Hotel Gareus

Day 6

Cigales

Explore the Cigales D.O. area today, known for producing award-winning rosé and red wines. Cigales is situated along the banks of the Pisuerga River, where the region’s rich soils and hot summers combine to produce Spain’s top red wine, Tempranillo. We'll start in the historic town of Fuensaldaña for a traditional meal and continue on to a historic Cigalian winery. While there, we'll meet the winemaking staff, learn about their cultivation practices, and see the production facilities, finishing the tour through the vineyard with a D.O. Cigales rosé and red wine tasting. Tonight, dinner will be at a tapas bar in town.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight at Hotel Gareus

Day 7

Toro

This morning, we travel to the fascinating town of Toro. This historic and artistic town was thoughtfully designed in the shape of a fan, with the church of Santa Maria la Mayor sitting in its center and Romanesque monuments scattered throughout. Located on a tall, fertile plain, Toro has long been famous for its wine. We’ll take part in a tour and tasting at a local winery, learning about their organic farming methods and biodynamic viticulture production while strolling through the vineyards.

Continue on to Valdefinja this afternoon to tour a family-owned winery. Discover the historical importance of the Toro region’s wines, which were granted D.O. status in 1933, becoming one of the first Spanish regions to achieve this distinction. Enjoy lunch with a view of the vineyards, and afterward, tour the beautifully designed estate. Learn about the different red and white grape varieties grown and the wines created from them.

Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at Hotel Gareus

Day 8

Valladolid

After breakfast, take a walk through a local food market collecting ingredients for a culinary workshop where we will learn about tapas, or small plates, one of Spain’s most famous and traditional dishes. Savor a lunch of traditional Spanish dishes amidst the bustle of Mercado del Val. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore the vibrant city of Valladolid, known for its gastronomy, rich cultural heritage, and architectural diversity. Stroll around the city's historical center and discover its plazas, monuments, palaces, and churches.

Tonight, we'll gather at a local restaurant to toast to our journey and enjoy a festive farewell dinner.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight at Hotel Gareus

Day 9

Departure

Check out after breakfast and depart for the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport for flights home. We recommend an additional overnight in Madrid for guests traveling home or stay on for an optional four-day extension in Portugal. Buen viaje!

Breakfast

Extend your trip

+ 4 days in Portugal

Day 9

Continuing to Portugal by group transfer, we’ll be passing through Los Arribes del Duero— a stunning nature reserve situated between Spain and Portugal. Rugged canyons and gorges set the scene along the river. We'll stop along the way for a light lunch of traditional Portuguese dishes at Miranda do Douro before continuing on to Pinhao in the heart of the Douro Valley where we will stay overnight.

Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at Vintage House Hotel or similar

Day 10

Today we’ll begin with a scenic boat ride before discovering the history and secrets of Porto wine at a top local winery with a spectacular setting overlooking the Douro River. Enjoy lunch paired with regional wines before continuing on to the charming city of Porto where we’ll stay in the heart of historic Ribeira Square. Behold the uniqueness of Porto as you wander through the cobbled streets and explore the city’s numerous Baroque churches. As Portugal stayed neutral during World War II and escaped being bombed, Porto is one of the best places in Europe to see medieval architecture. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel or similar

Day 11

Enjoy free time today to explore the vibrant city of Porto. Stroll along the lively riverfront promenade, discover the beautiful viewpoints, ornate facades, and tucked-away alleys, or gain a different perspective of the city on a Douro River boat tour that passes under the city's six bridges. Your Travel Director is happy to provide recommendations. This evening, we will gather for a memorable farewell dinner at a traditional Portuguese restaurant.

Breakfast, dinner

Overnight at Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel or similar

Day 12

Savor an early breakfast then check out and take a group transfer to the Francisco Sá Carneiro (Porto) Airport for flights home. Boa Viagem!

Breakfast

Accommodations

The Fine Print

Questions? Get in touch.


Details

Dates

Program: May 4 - 12, 2024
Extension: May 12 - 15, 2024
Flight Information
If you would like assistance with reserving flights, please contact us at guestservices@experi.com, and we can recommend an air ticket travel agency.

Activity Level

This trip has been designed to include daily exploratory walks that range from one to three hours. Each day, whether touring a city or winery, guests should be prepared to be on their feet for multiple continuous hours. Guests should feel comfortable strolling along cobbled surfaces, walking up and down stairs, and sauntering down uneven nature paths. Europe tends to have Old World infrastructure (narrow cobblestone streets, lack of elevators, etc.), which can leave some areas inaccessible. Typically, our more invigorating walks are included as optional activities.  If your mobility is limited in any way, or if you have questions, please contact our Guest Services team at guestservices@experi.com.

Note: Group maximum is based on double occupancy. The itinerary is subject to change or substitution at any time. You can learn more at experi.com/agreement.


Included

  • Eight nights accommodations, including all taxes and fees
  • Meals as listed on the itinerary: 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners, plus wine pairings with most major meals
  • All private excursions described in the itinerary along with services of local speakers, guides, entrance fees, and transportation
  • Gratuities for travel director, local guides, drivers, porters, and included meals
  • Full guiding services of a dedicated travel director
  • Private airport transfers with porterage on the first and last scheduled days of the program

Not Included

  • Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses
  • Air and land transportation to/from host cities
  • All types of personal insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional alcoholic beverages beyond what has been arranged by Experi to pair with the included major meals

Program Rates*

Classic: $5,795
Jr. Suite: $6,695

Single Occupancy: $6,795

Extension Rates*

Classic: $2,995

Single Occupancy: $4,395

*Rates are per person, double occupancy in US Dollars.


Deposits

A $1,000 non-refundable deposit per person reserves your space for this program. Final payments are due no later than 90 days prior to departure. An additional $500 non-refundable deposit is required for extension reservations.

Travel Insurance

Experi highly recommends you consider travel insurance. Learn more about travel insurance and how it can help you prepare for the unexpected at https://experi.com/travelinsurance/

Travel Terms & Conditions

View our complete terms and conditions here at https://experi.com/agreement.

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