Madrid, Valladolid, San Sebastián, Asturias, Santiago de Compostela, Salamanca
11 Nights / 12 Days
Dates to travel – March to November
- 2 Nights Luxury Accommodations in Madrid
- 2 Nights Luxury Accommodations in Valladolid
- 2 Nights Luxury Accommodations in San Sebastian
- 2 Nights Luxury Accommodations in Asturias
- 2 Nights Luxury Accommodations in Santiago de Compostela
- 1 Night Luxury Accommodations in Salamanca
- Walking Tour Madrid Old Quarter and Royal Palace
- Cooking Class in Madrid
- Winery tour of Abadia Retuerta
- Bread Making at Abadia Retuerta
- Half-day walking tour in San Sebastian
- Pintxos Tour in the evening in San Sebastian
- Half-day Tour Bilbao with Guggenheim Museum
- Anchovy Can Factory Visit in Lastres (Asturias)
- Half-day City Tour of Santiago de Compostela with Cathedral
- Half-day Tour of Salamanca
- Private driver for the whole itinerary or Luxury Car Rental
- Breakfast Daily
ITINERARY
Day 1
Welcome to Spain, a country filled with Moorish palaces, Gothic cathedrals, Roman Aqueducts, modern artwork, delicious food and wine, fertile planes, crystal clear seas, and soaring mountains. Upon arrival at the Madrid airport, a representative will wait to transfer you to your luxury hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, exploring the beauty of this monumental city. Ask your travel consultant for their favorite restaurants, cafes, and bars.
Day 2
Madrid – Madrid Old Quarter and Royal Palace Walking Tour
Marvel through the rich history of Madrid during your private walking tour of the city’s historic center and the Royal Palace. Your licensed English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel, before setting off through the historic streets, discovering the old quarter, the Barrio de la Moreria, and learning about the city’s Moorish roots. Continuing to the Renaissance and Baroque buildings of the Habsburg era, in Calle Mayor, the Plaza Mayor, and the Plaza de la Villa. At the end of your walking tour through the old quarter, make sure to visit the impressive Royal Palace, the former residence of the Spanish Kings. The palace is adorned with the royal family’s exquisite collection of tapestries, porcelain, antique clocks, armor, and artworks. Admire priceless paintings by Goya and Velazquez, as well as the official Reception Hall, the Royal Chapel, the Hall of the Throne, and the private room of King Carlos III and Queen Isabel II.
In the evening, opt for an exciting culinary journey. Starting with The Cooking Clubhouse, enjoy a cold Cava before the class, and pair up with a partner. Once at your cooking stations, you will find all the ingredients and tools needed for the recipe, alongside a delicious Iberian charcuterie board for snacking. Under the guidance of your bilingual instructors, you will begin your hands-on experience through the cooking process, recipe insights, and wine refills. Afterward, you will proceed to the dining table, where you will savor appetizers and desserts created by the chefs and, of course, the dish you have prepared paired with five carefully selected wines.
Day 3
Transfer and day at leisure in Valladolid
Today’s transfer will take you to Ribera del Duero, nestled along the Duero River in Spain, which produces exquisite wines renowned for their robust flavors and elegant profiles. Its vineyards, kissed by the Mediterranean climate, yield rich Tempranillo grapes, crafting bold reds with notes of ripe berries, vanilla, and earthy undertones. A treasure for wine enthusiasts. Overnight in the lovely town of Valladolid.
Day 4
Winery tour of Abadia Retuerta
A visit to Abadia Retuerta is more than just a winery tour; you’ll be immersed in an extraordinary place: an estate steeped in history, a unique terroir, which has been carefully cherished over the years. Explore the natural heritage and terroir: Embark on a journey through the estate in a private vehicle, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking viewpoints and the opportunity to uncover the diverse flora and fauna that inhabit the land. Dive deeper into the winemaking process with tours of the Preparation Room and the Barrel Room. Then, indulge in a guided tasting featuring three exquisite wines: the Seleccion Especial alongside two exclusive varieties of Pago wines.
Day 5
The Baker´s Secrets
Embark on a culinary adventure where discovery, learning, and hands-on experimentation await participants alongside the esteemed kitchen team. Led by an expert culinary team, you will delve into the secrets of crafting various breads and sweets in the hotel’s bakery, nestled within the ancient kitchens of the 12th-century Abbey. Here, where homemade bread, pastries, and desserts delight guests daily, you’ll unlock the techniques behind these culinary treasures. Indulge in a tantalizing aperitif featuring Iberian ham paired with a glass of cava, setting the perfect tone for the culinary journey ahead.
In the evening, you will be transferred to San Sebastian.
Day 6
San Sebastian – Half-day walking tour
After meeting your private guide, you will enjoy a half-day guided tour of San Sebastian exploring the old Casino, La Concha Beach, and Victoria Eugenia Theatre among other highlights. San Sebastian lies along a white sandy bay between hills, surrounded by beautiful green scenery. The picturesque old town is located between the sea and the River Urumea, the marina, and the fishermen’s district. The old Casino, nowadays the City Hall, looks at the sea, from where an elegant promenade with railings and streetlamps runs along beautiful La Concha Beach. On one of the banks of the Urumea River, you find the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, the Maria Cristina Hotel, built in plateresque style, aristocratic houses from the beginning of the 20th century, and the “María Cristina Bridge”, a monumental bridge that crosses the river. Discover tradition and modernity going hand in hand in this coastal Leisure City with touches of the Belle Époque, its international film and jazz festivals, and a first-class cultural program.
In the evening, you can enjoy a delicious Pintxos Tour, where you can explore the old part of San Sebastián, where you will be able to discover an area of narrow and pedestrian streets full of bars and restaurants. Accompanied by your guide you will have a relaxing walking tour, passing by the City Council, the Santa Maria del Coro Church, and the Plaza de la Constitucion with the unique characteristic of its numbered balconies. The origin of this peculiarity dates from the Middle Ages when this square was used as bullring during its festivities and spectators could buy or rent these improvised “seats” and enjoy the bullfights. The tour will finish deliciously, with a visit to a nice “pintxo” bar, where you will try a mix with the locals Pintxos.
Day 7
Transfer to Asturias with a stop in Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum
Accompanied by your experienced guide you will stroll around the historic old quarter of Bilbao, popularly known as the Seven Streets, and discover emblematic buildings such as Saint James’s Gothic Cathedral, the Plaza Nueva (New Square), the San Antón Church and the Mercado de la Ribera (Seaside Market) the biggest covered market in Europe. You will then continue to the Guggenheim Museum for a guided tour. Discover the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, a symbol of the city’s revitalization. Today’s tour will focus on the architecture of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao building. The permanent collection houses artworks by great figures in the world of art: David Salle, Chillida, Jeff Koons, Louis Bourgeois, and Robert Rauschenberg just to name a few. Designed by the North American architect Frank Gehry, the building is composed of a series of interconnected volumes; some of them are limestone-coated orthogonal shapes while others are curved and twisted shapes in metallic titanium skin. These volumes are linked by glass curtain walls for remarkable transparency throughout.
Day 8
Anchovy Can Factory
Set forth on a journey to revive the art of canning at Anchoas Hazas in Lastres. In 2020, Anchoas Hazas was honored with 3 stars at the prestigious Great Taste Awards, a globally renowned blind-tasting event held in London. Additionally, they received the esteemed Golden Fork for the best-imported product worldwide by the same organization in the same year. Exclusively sourcing anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea, Anchoas Hazas selects those caught during the spring season, when the fat levels are at their minimum and their reproductive phase imparts our product with a distinctive flavor, aroma, and texture that truly sets it apart. You will then have the chance to visit the beautiful town of Lastres.
Day 9
Transfer from Asturias to Santiago de Compostela and day at leisure.
Day 10
Santiago de Compostela – City Tour of Santiago de Compostela with Cathedral
The city of Santiago de Compostela has been for centuries the final step for thousands of pilgrims following Saint James’ Way. The city has been of significant historic and religious importance, but it is also a vivid city, with many restaurants and bars where you can try delicious food. Accompanied by your guide you will explore the city and visit the most important sites, including the Cathedral.
Day 11
Transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Salamanca and a Half-day Tour
Once you reach Salamanca you will begin your tour around the town and visit its two Cathedrals. The Old Cathedral, dedicated to Santa María de la Sede, is in the transitional Romanesque style and its dome stands out: the so-called Torre del Gallo. Inside this temple, which began to be built in the first half of the 12th century, is the chapel of San Martín or del Aceite. Happily, to this day, it preserves in its original place the portentous altarpiece of the main chapel, dating from the 1440s, thanks to the hand of the Delli brothers. In the New Cathedral, which was erected in the 16th century and was completed in 1733 by the Churrigueras, is the image of the Virgin of the Assumption, a mystery to which the temple is devoted, which was carved in 1626 by the sculptor Esteban de Rueda bound for the raised provisional altar in the first half-church while the works on the temple were completed. Continue seeing the historic building of the university, apart from the Plaza Mayor, Casa de las Conchas, and the sky of Salamanca, among the historical center of the city with many monuments.
Day 12
After meeting your driver, you will be transferred to Madrid Airport for your departure flight.