RIBERA
DE DUERO - Wine, art and history - 3 days/2 nights
SUMMARY:
This
tour is for people who want to experience Spanish wine and Spanish culture.
The lodging would be in a small town home of winemakers, away from the
crowded touristy places. We will visit the best wineries in Ribera.
The tour will also take you through the history and art of Spain, from
the Roman Aqueduct in Segovia to castles, monasteries, cathedrals and
historical sites that will be visited and admired.
LODGING:
Charming country hotels in small winemakers towns.
Day
1: Ribera del Duero
We'll pick you up from Madrid in the morning. Tour the
town of Peñaranda protected by the medieval castle with the palace
of Zúñiga y Avellaneda from the 16th century, and the
old pharmacy owned by the Ximeno family since 1685. Visit to the 12th
century monastery of Santa María de La Vid (St Mary of the Vine).
For
lunch try the traditional and famous roasted lamb of the Ribera in the
most appropriate scenario: a bodega. Also visit to the winery and wine
tasting.
Stop in one of the most representative wineries of Ribera
de Duero.
Visit the town of Peñafiel, and its magnificent
castle from the 11th century, home of a newly opened wine museum. Dinner
in Peñafiel or back in the hotel.
Day
2: Burgos.
We'll go to Burgos where we will
visit the cathedral, stroll in the old part of town and even have time
to do some shopping. Lunch on your own
in Burgos.
Back
to Ribera del Duero. We will visit two bodegas, an underground
one from the 17th century and a modern one. After tasting the wine,
enjoy a nice picnic dinner with lamb chops roasted with sarmientos
(dry grape vine branches).
Day
3: Castles and History. Sotillo/Pedraza/Segovia.
Depart
to Pedraza, a remarkable well-preserved medieval town whose houses
once belonged to noble families.
Then
continue to the millenary town of Segovia declared World Heritage
by UNESCO, where you will admire the roman aqueduct (best preserved
in the world), the astonishing castle (Alcazar), the cathedral and the
old part. Typical lunch in Segovia with
the famous tender suckling pig and wines from the Ribera.
Back
to Madrid.

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to scheduled tours...