Whether a lover of the ruby hues of red wine or the gentle gold of cava, an enthusiast of Ports or a casual observer of Rioja’s earthy notes, your customizable tour of Spain and Portugal will make you feel like a true wine connoisseur. Family-owned cellars hide beneath the cobbled streets of medieval towns. Concealed restaurants provide traditional tapas with exceptional wines unknown to those outside of the country. From toasting oak barrels to discovering the perfect bottle, you will experience...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Gratallops – An Introductory Spanish Sample
The promise of fine wines and breathtaking scenery comforts you as the flight lands at Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Your private transfer greets you upon your arrival and escorts you away from the shimmering Mediterranean coastline and into the historic Penedès wine region. The Catalonia culture for which Barcelona is famous for continues into the pre-coastal mountain range. The vibrant landscape glistens with jade and emerald hues stretching across the vineyards and verdant hills. The region is known for producing cava, sparkling wine similar to champagne, along with a variety of light, white wines and a selection of fruity reds.
You stop at a celebrated winery owned by the same family since its beginnings in the late 18th century. The Spanish adobe structure of the main house glints with whitewashed walls above the vast vineyards. The winery continues in the tradition of Spanish wine while venturing into contemporary tastes and styles as well. The hills provide diverse microclimates for the vines, ranging from 500 – 2,500 feet above sea level.
Your guide leads you along the trails weaving between the vines. The harvesters pick the grapes by hand to ensure the perfect flavor is preserved in every grape, leading to the best taste in every bottle. The grapes have a waxy, plump texture beneath the dangling leaves of the vine. In the tasting room, your winery guide pours you a sample of the cava produced on the property, offering you a light, effervescent body containing hints of grapefruit amongst a toast to your welcome to Spain.
What's Included:
Day 2
Gratallops – A Day Amongst the Vines
Day 3
Logrono – Seeing Red in La Rioja
Day 4
Logrono – Heart of Rioja
Day 5
Sardoncillo – Jewel of the Duero River
Day 6
Douro Valley – A Special View of Portugal
Day 7
Porto – On the Douro River
Day 8
Porto – Panoramic Porto
Day 9
Porto – The Porto Difference
Trip Highlights
- Indulge in the flavors of wines produced in the most celebrated region of Portugal’s wine-growing community, in the Douro River Valley
- Traverse the medieval towns of Spain’s Rioja region to view historic cellars and marvelous wineries
- Indulge in the charming ambiance and enchanting flavors of the cuisine and wines produced in the Priorat wine region
- Visit a family-owned shop that crafts their wine barrels by hand, and witness the carving, shaping, and toasting of the wood before the wine fills the vessel
- Cruise down the waters of the Douro River on a replica Rabelo Boat, a former symbol of Porto, that once traveled between towns to the coastal city
- Relish a tour of the historic taverns and cellars in Porto, which span centuries of Portuguese history
- Bask in beauty and luxury in estates and hotels located in renovated medieval structures offering extravagant comfort in Spain and Portugal
Detailed Description
You will savor the unique flavors of the wines and natural splendor of the landscape during your 9-day tour of Spain and Portugal. Step off the beaten path to discover the celebrated tastes of the vine with your arrival in Barcelona. Your private transfer greets you at customs and escorts you on a scenic drive to the Priorat Wine Country in the Catalan region. En route to your gorgeous accommodation, your private transfer stops at a historic estate for your first tour and tasting of Spanish wine. Learn about the history of cultivation in the property and the continued traditions of the family. Sample olive oil and a selection of cheeses before settling into the comforts of your luxurious boutique hotel, followed by indulging in a sumptuous meal paired with local wines.
The next morning, your guide leads you through the remarkable mineral-rich landscape of the region, adorned with terraced vineyard and family-owned estates. Visit a selection of three celebrated wineries in the region, including one of the oldest vineyards in Spain before strolling the medieval streets of Gratallops. Then, your private transfer greets you in the hotel and leads you around the mountains to reach the wine region of Rioja. Visit a typical wine cellar set along the cobbled streets of medieval Laguardia. Meet with an owner of a local bodega and enjoy a series of tapas with a view overlooking the valley in the charming village of Logrono.
Discover the unique properties of Rioja wines by touring the heart of the region. Visit a family-run winery known for making their own barrels and tending their own vines. Sample an array of white and red wines at a selection of two vineyards, contrasting tradition with modern cultivation. Your transfer leads you to the Ribera del Duero region to enjoy the architectural splendor of a 12th-century abbey and the remarkable flavors of the property vineyard, before visiting the other estates along the Golden Mile. Next, you cross into Portugal to reach the first demarcated wine region in the world, the Douro Valley. Enjoy a private tour of the vineyard property, from the vines to the cellars, before indulging in a tasting overlooking the terraced vines and riverbanks. Venture to the town of Pinhão for an evening of basking in the cozy medieval charm.
Visit a historic wine cellar before taking to the waters of the Douro River on a traditional boat offering a unique perspective of the valley. In the evening, you can explore the walking trails and Pinhão train station for a glimpse into the preserved past. The following day takes you into the enchanting hilly streets of Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city. Visit a cellar with more than four centuries of history to sample the wines and enjoy an immersive experience in the museum gallery. Traverse the streets of the distinguished city stretching along the banks of the Douro River and shores of the Atlantic Ocean. On the final day, your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you to Porto Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$3,300 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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