The Cultural & Epicurean Riches of Spain
A Northampton Wines Private Travel Experience
October 2-13, 2010
Young Travel & Cruises, in conjunction with CORK & FORK Epicurean Travel (www.corkandfork.net), is pleased to present this customized travel program for Northampton Wines. A minimum of 18 travelers is required for this program. For further information, see the full program.
Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Basque Country, Spain
Here is a video of the Hotel Marques de Riscal where you will stay in the Basque area. You'll want to stay more than one night at this Frank Gehry-designed hotel in Spain's Rioja wine region. Guests are guaranteed a reservation for the 90-minute tour of the famed Marqués de Riscal winery.
Highlights
- 11 Days/10 Nights of cultural immersion in majestic Spain including stays in Rioja Alavesa, its leading wine region, the Basque Country, its top gourmet destination and vibrant Barcelona with a full-day excursion to the gorgeous, hidden-gem appellation of Priorat
- Luxury, five-star accommodations in some of Spain's leading hotels including the avant-garde Hotel Marques de Riscal, designed by Frank O. Gehry, the world's most celebrated living architect, the classic Hotel Maria Cristina in the elegant seaside Basque resort of San Sebastian and Barcelona's Casa Fuster, which is most emblematic of the city's modernist past and contemporary sophistication
Program Overview
- Insider, private guided wine tours in Rioja Alavesa, Spain's showcase wine region, and in Priorat, a fast-rising star on the world wine stage, along with visits to bodegas (wineries) in the ancient kingdom of Navarre and in the Basque Country, where family winemakers produce delightful Txakoli wines in stunning settings overlooking the Atlantic. Along with premium private tastings, you will have the opportunity to interact with winemakers and bodega owners who will be in the throes of this year's harvest. Due to harvest timing and individual schedules, details on which winemakers and bodega owners who will spend time with our group will be confirmed closer to the travel date.
- Private guided cultural experiences highlighting the rich culture and history of Spain: in Rioja Alavesa - private guided walking tour of the medieval village of Laguardia and visits to nearby monasteries that were key to the development of the Spanish language; in Navarre - walking tour of medieval Olite and its imposing castle along with nearby Pamplona, a favorite of Ernest Hemingway and site of the San Fermin Festival during which the running of the bulls occurs; in Basque Country - walking tour of San Sebastian's quaint old town and a visit to a Basque seaside village and an opportunity to view the Bilbao Guggenheim, Frank Gehry's masterpiece; in Barcelona - a walking tour of the historic Gothic Quarter and the charming, old El Born district and a private, half-day tour of the modernist masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi.
- Epicurean experiences that showcase why Spain is the "it" destination for food enthusiasts: Basque culinary demonstration and lunch at one of the city's unique Gastronomic Societies; private guided tours of outstanding food markets including La Bretxa market in San Sebastian and La Boqueria in Barcelona, Europe's most outstanding food market; a guided excursion to Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, to experience firsthand Spain's tapas tradition on a tapas walk in the old Calle Laurel district; a series of group lunches and dinners (some at bodegas) that will showcase regional cuisine, plus detailed restaurant recommendations for selected meals at leisure
- Private deluxe transfers throughout the program as well as a short flight via Spanair (jet service) from Bilbao to Barcelona
- Recommendations for time at leisure (including shopping!)
