The most complete wine tour from Barcelona to Bilbao. Feel the pleasure of knowing a region or city through its vineyards and by enjoying the local gastronomy and countryside. Enjoy the diversity of the Spanish regions combining the rural landscapes of Priorat (Catalonia)and La Rioja with the cosmopolitan and modern cities like Barcelona and Bilbao.
Tour Highlights:
- Barcelona (Gaudí modernist architecture, shopping at the Boqueria market and “ Tapas”, Gothic quarters, helicopter ride over the city).
- Priorat (international renowned appellation of origin at 2 hours from Barcelona). Visit the Monastery of Poblet and a modernist wine cellar.
- La Rioja. Accommodation at the Hotel Bodega del Marqués de Riscal of avant-garde style designed by the architect Frank Gehry. The Hotel offers a wide range of massages and other relaxing treatment sessions.
- Bilbao (North of Spain–Basque Country). Visit the city and the famous Guggenheim Museum.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Barcelona. Collection at Barcelona airport according to your flight schedule. Discover the bustling and glamorous streets of Barcelona´s Eixample quarter tonight. Your hotel right on the elegant Passeig de Gracia. An art tour of Barcelona is planned for today. With your own private driver and separate art guide you will discover the highlights of Barcelona including the Picasso Museum, the Miró Museum, and Gaudi´s Parc Guell home of works of Picasso, Joan Miró and Gaudí Before returning to your hotel, your driver and guide will take you to the whimsical Parc Guell, a park landscaped by Modernista master Antoni Gaudi from the year 1900-1914. The park is enormous and offers various treats such as views over Barcelona, as well as some beau mosaics. In the late afternoon, you will be dropped back at your hotel, free lunch with our suggestions. Rest of afternoon free. Taster menu dinner. Return transport to hotel and accommodation. Includes: (D).
Day 2: Barcelona. Breakfast in hotel. Today we have prepared a very special session: We will take you to visit the famous Boqueria Market, purchase the ingredients for your class, and then teach you hands-on the basics of Catalan cuisine. You may also request a specific Paella or Tapas class. This class will be followed by lunch of the dishes made by the group. Free evening and dinner at your disposal. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 3: Barcelona. Breakfast in hotel. Transport to the Barceloneta district for a 15 minute helicopter ride over the city, coastline and surrounding areas. Rest of morning and lunchtime free. Tapas route with our guide in the evening around the Gótico district of Barcelona where we will sample the most characteristic delicacies and different wines. Return to hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4: Barcelona-Torroja del Priorat. Breakfast in hotel and transport to Tarragona district of Priorat (approximative 2 hours). Visit en route to one of the most emblematic Cister monasteries: The Monastery of Poblet. Wine and food matching lunch in a traditional "masía" (Catalan farmstead) or a "calçotada" (char grilled shallots with dipping sauces) in the November to March season. Afternoon visit to the Celler Modernista de la Espulga de Francoli wine cellar, dating from 1912 and belonging to the Conca de Barberá denomination, designed by the architect Pere Domènech i Roura. Transport to 4 star hotel in the Torroja del Priorat town. Rest of the afternoon and dinner at the hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Torroja del Priorat-Gratallops. Catalan Breakfast. Transport to an international renowned D.O. Priorat wine cellar in the town of Gratallops, Costers del Siurana where we will enjoy a private tasting led by oenologues from the house. Degustation lunch in a intriguing restaurant in Gratallops with wine. Transfer to Torroja. Free afternoon. Dinner in Torroja and accommodation. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Torroja del Priorat–La Rioja (El Ciego). Catalan breakfast at the hotel. Travel to El Ciego in the "Rioja Alavesa" region, a journey of about 4 hours. Accommodation at the Hotel Marqués de Riscal, the Luxury Collection which is located in the heart of the Rioja wine region nestled in the heart of the city of wine. It designed by the renowned architect Frank 0. Gehry, creating his second masterpiece in Spain after driving Bilbao's urban revival with the Guggenheim Museum. This Hotel is member of Starwood's luxury collection. Light lunch at Hotel and rest of afternoon free to enjoy Wine therapy, massage and other relaxing treatment sessions at Caudalie Spa of the hotel. Transport to the town of Casalarreina to enjoy magnificent Riojan cuisine at La Vieja Bodega restaurant. Return to hotel and accommodation. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: La Rioja. El Ciego-La Guardia. Breakfast in hotel. Transport to the Bodegas de la Dinastía Vivanco in the beautiful town of Briones. This avant-garde style wine cellar also possesses a wine museum. At mid-day we will travel to the marvelous historic town of La Guardia, which is of medieval origin and a national monument. Free lunch in La Guardia. Back To hotel and afternoon free to rest. In the evening transport to a nice Restaurant for dinner and return to hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: La Rioja, El Ciego-Bilbao. Breakfast in hotel. Transport to luxury hotel in Bilbao (approximative 1 hour and 15 minutes). Guided visit to the city in the morning and lunch of the typical "pintxos" (Basque-style tapas) in old quarter washed down with a good wine. Afternoon free. Transport to gastronomic restaurant for dinner in Bilbao. Transport to hotel and accommodation. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: Bilbao. Breakfast in hotel. Transport to Guggenheim Museum for a guided visit. Lunchtime and afternoon free to have free time for shopping. Transport to a wine merchant's for private matching dinner. Transport to hotel and accommodation. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 10: Bilbao–Barcelona/Madrid. Breakfast at Hotel. At your preferred time today, your private driver will transfer you to the airport for your outbound flight. This concludes an extraordinary art, wine and design tour of Spain. Includes: (B).
Notes:
- Bookings: To make a booking a 30% of total amount is required by transfer to our account. Total payment has to be completed 35 days prior to departure date.
- Cancellation Policy: Cancellations within 30 days to 15 days before departure will have a penalty of 50% of the total amount No refunds for cancellations within 15 days of departure date. We reserve the right to cancel the tour 30 days before departure if there is not the minimum number of people required of to make minor changes due to necessity.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Luxury transportation when required, all transfers from airports to hotel and from train station to Hotel
- 9 nights in four star-luxury hotels in the best locations in the city center in a bed and breakfast basis. Walking distance to main attractions of the city
- All meals with wine as specified in the itinerary
- Wineries visits described including guided tour
- Local expert guide from The Wine Colors for specified visits
- All visits described
- Taxes.
Price Excludes:
- Any flight
- Tips, personal expenses such as mini bar or telephone
- Any service, meal or drink not specified in the itinerary
- Cancellation insurance.
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