Ribera Del Duero: Wine and Gastronomy – Private Tour ES369

Arrival in Madrid and transfer to Valladolid for overnight.

We begin our journey with a visit to Valladolid -capital city of the Duero region- and a stroll through the historical quarter with its charming main square, the late 19th century neighborhoods, the Cathedral, and the University with its Santa Cruz Palace. We will continue up the Duero River and enter a beautiful valley protected by the surrounding plateaus, the perfect environment for producing the red wines we will sample during our visit to the Regional Wine Museum located in the historical and impressive medieval castle of Peñafiel. Possibility of organizing a regional lunch. In the afternoon we will sample blush wines of Cigales appellation in a local winery. Overnight in Valladolid.

In the morning we will visit Toro, another fine area of red wines in the Duero region. The city offers surprising views of the river, a medieval bridge and a charming Collegiate. After sampling Toro wines at a local winery, we will head to Zamora and enjoy a peaceful stroll while visiting the medieval district and Cathedral, and some of the countless Romanesque churches such as La Magdalena and San Ildefonso. Possibility of organizing a tapas lunch. Possibility of visiting a local cheese producer with tasting. We return to the land of Valladolid, specifically the town of Medina del Campo where the harsh climate and open fields are ideal for the production of white wine. Possibility of visiting a winery with tasting of Rueda appellation. Overnight in Valladolid.

Tordesillas gained notoriety with the signing of the Treaty between Spain and Portugal in 1494, and as the retreat of Queen Joanna the Mad. We can admire the convent of Las Claras, an ancient royal palace with a Moorish flair that has survived its conversion to a convent. The Casas del Tratado provide details about the oceanic distribution between the two Iberian kingdoms. The lovely city of Salamanca centers on the University which preserves its historical building and many colleges. The homogeneous mix between students and visitors beckons us to walk along the lively streets and indulge in the festive atmosphere. Notable monuments also include the Plaza Mayor, the two Cathedrals, the House of Shells and the Monterrey Palace. Possibility of organizing a regional dinner. Overnight in Salamanca.

The centuries-old oaks populating the Salamanca countryside lead us to the Peña de Francia, the most prominent summit and sanctuary of the Sierra de Francia mountain range which stretches throughout the province of Salamanca and into Cáceres. At the foot of the summit we will visit La Alberca, a village that has maintained not only its traditional urban layout and architecture, but the traditional handcrafts that have disappeared in other places. As a result of the cold climate of the plains, the province of Salamanca is a primary producer of Iberian ham and sausages in all of Spain.
Possibility of organizing a tasting of Iberian ham and sausages. Possibility of organizing lunch in one of the small mountain villages. Overnight in Salamanca.

The end of our journey takes us to two monumental cities, both declared World Heritage sites.
Ávila, birthplace to the famous Spanish mystics Santa Teresa de Jesús and Saint John of the Cross, welcomes us with its impressive walls, its Cathedral, the San Vincent Basilica, palaces and family estates -the Veladas, Valderrábanos, Núñez Velas and Torreón de los Guzmanes-, as well as the Monastery of the Incarnation. In the afternoon we will visit Segovia with its spectacular Roman Aqueduct, a jewel of Roman engineering built in the 1st century. As we walk through the Jewish Quarter, we will have the opportunity to behold the Casa de los Picos, the Alhóndiga and the Torreón de los Lozoya fortress.
We will visit the Gothic Cathedral known as the “Lady of Cathedrals” as well as the defensive Alcázar fortress. Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner. Overnight in Segovia.

Transfer to the Madrid Airport.