Captivating cultures, fascinating histories, mouthwatering cuisines, and spectacular wines – all packed in to one unforgettable trip exploring Portugal and Spain!
From gorgeous palaces to faded manors, from lush forests to terraced hillsides, from sunny vineyards to beautiful historic city centers, what’s not to love about Portugal? We meander through one of Europe’s oldest nations, exploring the wine meccas of Porto, Pinhão and the Douro Valley, historically charming Sintra, and the sun-kissed plains of the Alentejo wine region. All the while visiting vineyards, historic sites, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites….experiencing the wonderful food and wine every step of the way!
Portugal is well-known for its superbly crafted wine. Due to its magical combination of the right soil, with the right climate, and the right grapes, just a taste of a Portuguese wine makes it easy for even the most casual wine drinker to see why they have been heavily exported and traded for hundreds of years.
We then whisk you away to explore one of the best wine regions Spain has to offer, Rioja! We will get our fill of Tempranillo, Granacha, and Rioja Blanca, but we make sure to provide a well-rounded itinerary as we will taste both modern and classic wine styles, learn about a wide range of topics covering the complex history and culture of the area, and provide you with time on your own to make your own discoveries.
In the second half of the Spain portion of our tour, we’ll make our way to another one of Spain’s great food regions. The fiercely independent Basque Country, or País Vasco as it is known in Spanish, is a picturesque mix of beautiful beaches, verdant agriculture, and sophisticated cities and small towns located in northern Spain. Perhaps above all, the Basque region is known as a true foodie paradise. Rumored to employ more chefs per capita than any other part of the world, the Basque region is full of culinary delights. It is also home to the indigenous Txakoli white wine, a crisp, lightly effervescent variety that naturally accompanies las frutas del mar of the northern coastline. Near the end of the tour, we venture out on a half-day side trip to the French side of País Vasco.