Spain Food and Wine Tour for Seniors

After breakfast, your private transfer will take you to the station for your high-speed train to Barcelona, where an afternoon of gastronomical delight awaits. Step into the cosmopolitan charm of the city, its fantastical architecture, as depicted by Antoni Gaudi, greeting you on high streets and quaint lanes, the Catalonian capital a feast for the eyes, the soul, and the stomach. Discover bodegas and rustic bars, where hints of aioli and the crunch of bombas balls, potato and ground beef tapas, tantalize your taste buds. Let light bubbles of citrus blends bounce on your tongue as you sip cava and savor notes of stone fruit in a glass of classic Xarel.lo white wine.

Head for the hills today and the intriguing Penedes wine-growing region of Catalonia. In under an hour, you will be gazing upon lush vineyards brimming with potential when you visit the environmentally-friendly wineries in the region. The altitude in this area produces the freshest white wines, the floral notes of the local Macabeo grape, complimented by hints of cinnamon and grapefruit, a popular choice. Embrace the cool air as you wander the labyrinth of a 19th-century wine cellar, the smell of dust ever present, the walls comprising stacked wine bottles, an impressive tower, or viticulture treasure. Savor Mediterranean flavors in carefully-paired light bites such as pesto bruschetta, seafood carpaccio, and a selection of mouthwatering cheeses.

From a Gothic design to a garden city complex, discover Antoni Gaudi’s most dramatic creation and walk through the pavilions created by Lluis Domenech i Montaner. Take a moment to examine the religious facades on the exterior of the Sagrada Familia, find messages of hope, faith, and charity depicted on the three portals, then step inside this bold architectural basilica. Vibrant scenes depicted on sun-lit stained-glass windows create a surreal brightness that shines against the tangible curves and twists of columns inspired by nature. Embrace the stillness of this incomplete masterpiece before paying a visit to the modernist Sant Pau complex, a chance to admire the restored pavilions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With Barcelona in your rearview mirror, travel east to the Basque coastal tranquility of San Sebastian. Long, sandy beaches give way to quiet gardens and promenades that invite you to take a gentle stroll, with a vibrant city center where tradition meets modern and internationally-recognized Basque cuisine at every turn. Walk quaint lanes of Gothic and Renaissance-Baroque architecture on your evening city and pintxos tour, the jabber of conversations coming from quirky and quaint bars and restaurants. Embrace smoky paprika chistorra sausage aromas and savor a bite of tang, salt, and heat as you pop a gilda, a pepper, olive, and anchovy pintxos, into your mouth. Sip Basque cider, locally known as txakoli, and enjoy the effervescent texture.

Strolling through a market brimming with delicious ingredients, vibrant grocery stands, and charming tradespeople evokes a sense of joy and tantalizes the taste buds. Your lunch experience today includes a stroll through the Mercado de la Bretxa, where you have the chance to gather fresh ingredients, such as Basque-style French squid, charcuterie delights, and herbs. Settle behind a cooking station at a private gastronomic club, beverage of choice in hand, as you start to prepare your classic, seasonally-inspired lunch. Bask in the glory of your Basque creation as you enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure.

Embrace the Basque countryside and participate in the art of cheesemaking at a local farm, observing the methods and means involved in creating iconic idiazabal cheese. Smoky flavors emerge amid hints of butter and nuts, the smooth texture of this hard cheese a delight with each bite. Pair it with Txakoli wines from grapes grown on the rolling, terraced hills of the surrounding region, and round off your taste extravaganza by further complimenting the wine with tapas. Notice cumin and paprika coming through in delicious chorizo or flavors of basil emerging in seared-tuna tapas. Build up an appetite for lunch as you wander the streets of Getaria, a quaint fishing town full of charm and color.

Hit the open road today as you self-drive through charming villages and coastal havens, en route to one of northern Spain’s iconic wine regions, La Rioja. Listen tentatively to the eerie silence surrounding the church of Zumaia, teetering on the edge of a jagged coastline with endless horizon views, a gentle sea breeze kissing your cheeks. Feel the cobbles under your feet as you wander the winding streets of Getaria, its harbor a splash of colorful fishing boats whose wares waft through the air. Experience modest restaurants strategically placed amid museums and cathedrals, and savor the rich flavor of a seafood favorite, turbot, or a delicious slice of gateau Basque, its flaky, buttery crust melting in your mouth.

Embrace the culture, tradition, and internationally-recognized excellence that makes La Rioja one of the world’s most famous wine-producing regions on your full-day tour. The wines stored in quiet cellars and inviting tasting rooms are as colorful and vibrant as the exquisite countryside, with its rolling hills of green and gold. Enjoy time at historic boutique wineries absorbing the intimate atmosphere and quiet charm in warm tasting rooms and chilled wine cellars. Observe how the dark Tempranillo grapes produce an elegant red wine with moderate tannins, while aromas of spice and butter are prominent in white wines made from Viura grapes. Embrace the pepper-nosed Grenache Noir or the refreshing flavor of the Garnacha Blanca.

Castilian architecture, medieval streets, and a Romanesque presence are just a few of the exciting sites and experiences waiting for you today as you travel from La Rioja to Ribera del Duero. Sculptures depicting Spanish tradition dating back to the 11th century greet you in charming town squares, stone walls giving way to breathtaking countryside covered with vineyards, a splash of browns, greens, and yellows bringing you to glasses of award-winning reds and whites.

The wineries nestled on the banks of the Duero River feature vast vineyards, a tranquil setting offering world-class wines. You may discover a family-run winery hidden behind stone-clad walls and savor the perfect blend of old meets new as you step inside tasting rooms that present bold architectural foundations, while embracing delicate historical features. Note the hints of blueberry on the tongue and the aroma of coffee or tobacco on the full-bodied and elegant reds this wine region is known for. A leisurely day comprising impressive scenery and delectable notes of boldness and flavor.

Take your time today as you slowly drive back to San Sebastian. Reminisce on the past few days as you pass captivating scenery, quaint villages, historic towns, and the capital of Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz. The city presents dramatic architecture, vast green spaces, and street food bursting with flavor. Fuel your body with Rioja-style potatoes perhaps, a blend of chorizo, bell peppers, and potatoes, before continuing your journey to San Sebastian.

Depending on your departure time today, you may have time to retrace your steps or discover new sections of sensational San Sebastian. Your transfer will take you to your next hotel, the starting point for another adventure, or the airport in time for your flight home.