Flavors of Spain: Sample Day by Day Itinerary
 Click on the sopa de camarones to see the "At a Glance" Itinerary
Friday, August 31
Depart to Spain from United States
Saturday, September 1
At the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, Madrid was established as the political
and economic center of the Spanish Kingdom by Phillip II. Worldly yet highly
traditional, Madrid is Spain's most vibrant hub. AM arrival at Barajas airport
in Madrid; and transfer by motorcoach to program hotel. Rest before lunch. After
a post meal orientation and city walk, we gather for a welcome reception and dinner
to give you a chance to relax and chat.
Sunday, September 2
After breakfast we'll visit Spain's Royal Palace, an opulent 18th century palace
reflecting French and Italian tastes; designed by Italian masters Sachetti and
Sabatini in 1734 for Felip V, of the Bourbon Monarchy. After visiting the
Royal
Palace
, we'll tour the city of
Madrid
by private motorcoach, presenting participants with an overview of the urban
landscape of the city, that you will be able to further explore during your free
time. Over lunch we'll explore the region's exceptional gastronomy and oenology
with a wine tasting and a hands-on tapas demonstration. Much more than appetizers,
tapas are considered a way of life in
Spain
. We discover this social habit as we combine the rich variety of Spanish dishes
with the most remarkable wine denominations of origin. The afternoon and evening
are free, allowing you to explore the city, and enjoy dinner on your own.
Monday, September 3
Breakfast followed by AM departure for La Rioja. This small fertile province
located in the north east part of the peninsula is the most outstanding wine-growing
area in Spain and Rioja wine figures among the finest wines in the world. Early
afternoon arrival in Haro, La Rioja. With its charming streets and bodegas,
the wine-producing town of Haro is the capital of the Denomination of Origin Rioja.
Check into hotel, followed by lunch. After lunch we'll meet with Spaniards and
walk the old quarter, filled with 18th century mansions, and palaces. Enjoy dinner
on your own, followed by free time in the evening.
Tuesday, September 4
Breakfast. Visit to Haro Wine Museum providing a unique opportunity to get a
closer look to the fascinating world of wine in La Rioja. We'll also visit the
Medieval Village of Laguardia for a winery visit. Laguardia, perched upon a hilltop
and surrounded by vineyards, is the capital of the Rioja Alavesa. We'll stop to
visit a local Winery and have lunch. Gently lying along the Ebro riverbank and
extending to the southern slope of the Cantabria Mountain Range, Laguardia's microclimate
and reddish-colored lands are protected from the severe northern cold, making
Rioja Alavesa a privileged region for producing the wine that has earned it its
well-deserved fame. Dinner will be on your own, allowing you to explore the
local bodegas.
Wednesday, September 5
In the morning we'll have breakfast and then venture to San Millán de la Cogolla
and Santo Domingo de la Calzada, part of the famed Camino de Santiago (The Way
of St. James). San Millán de la Cogolla Monastery, declared a World Heritage Site
in 1997, is considered the cradle of Spanish language, as it was there that the
first poetry in Castilian language was written. From San Millán we'll travel
to the medieval town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, and have lunch at a local
hostelry for a hands-on demonstration as we savor regional cuisine. PM return
to Haro and afternoon and evening free time to explore Haro on your own. Dinner
on own.
Thursday, September 6
Breakfast. As we travel to San Sebastian, we'll visit Bibao on route to Guggenheim
Museum. The Guggenheim Museum is an exciting point of architecture reference for
Europe and a cradel of contemporary art. The northern region of Bilbao is internationally
renowned for it’s creative culinary fare. Learn more about Basque cuisine at the
"Sociedad Gastronomica" (Gastronomic Society) of Bilbao where you will have a
hands-on cooking class and lunch. We'll continue on to the city of San Sebastian.
Dinner on own.
Friday, September 7
Breakfast, followed by a stroll through the Casco Viejo (Old Quarter) of San
Sabastian. San Sebastian in a stylish coastal city, 20 miles from the French Border.
It's old quarter has a high concentration of excellent tapas bars. We will follow
the morning tour with a market vist alongside a local expert, followed by a cooking
class and lunch. The evening you will have on your own to explore and sample the
local bars.
Saturday, September 8
On the way to Madrid, we’ll stop at a local factory to learn about Spanish cheeses.
We’ll stop for a farewell lunch on route. You’ll have dinner on your own and free
time to explore on your last evening in Madrid.
Sunday, September 9
Depart for the United States.
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