Culinary Tours

Arrive at the Madrid airport in style with a private guide greeting you warmly for your culinary tour of Spain. You will be escorted to a luxury vehicle so that you can relax from the flight on a comfortable drive through the elegant Spanish countryside. The first segment of your 8 days in Spain will pass through the world-famous Ribera del Duero wine region.

All Eat Northern Spain culinary tours  begin in the Golden Mile area, which is at the very heart of the Ribera del Duero. Get settled into your first destination by spending the night at a Cistercian monastery from the 12th century. This well-preserved Spanish monastery features elegant architecture with stone walling, fine oak floors with Berber rugs accentuating the effect. The stunning scale of this impressive property becomes cozy and inviting with the addition of the tasteful décor.

This environment sets the stage for the first evening on your trip to a piece of Spanish paradise. Enjoy the time at your leisure, and spend some time becoming accustomed to the new sensations that will await you during every subsequent stage of your journey. The first dinner you experience will be served in the hotel’s exquisite à la carte restaurant. Prepare yourself to experience the sublime flavors of the local dishes that are served with the most careful culinary handling. This will top off the first day of the adventure of a lifetime.

On the second day of your culinary tour through the Spanish countryside, you will be treated to a delicious breakfast that will start the day’s adventures.

The views through this area of Ribera del Duero are breathtaking. These vineyards produce some of the finest wines in the world, and you will get to see the world-renowned wineries found on the route that is locally known as the golden mile. You will enjoy a visit to Abadia Retuerta, which is a hidden gem in this area. Wine lovers in this region know about the string of secluded wine estate that are found in the areas along the Duero river, which intersects the major lands in the north of Spain.

Visiting the amazing Abadía Retuerta consists of much more than a tour through a winery, this is a highlight on every culinary tour we . During this visit, you will instantly recognize that you’ve entered a very special place imbued with history. The grounds have been painstakingly maintained with great care and precision. Take in the unique terroir brimming with luscious vines and wine-production facilities. They represent a fascinating story that has unfolded over hundreds of years. The tour guide will take you through this narrative as you review the estate, vineyards and winery before finally tasting the most famous wines produced at Abadia Retuerta.

This visit ends with a drive to the top of a hill where Peñafiel’s castle awaits. The commanding views overlook the vineyards, and this is a special moment for anyone who is visiting the region. The full experience of gastronomy is much more than the sublime tastes and flavors of local cuisine and regional wines; it is a complete submersion into the ambiance and culture of production.

This journey really takes off when you first sample the signature dish of the region. The slow-cooked lamb dish called Lechazo uses an open flame roasting technique that is over a century old. This main course will accentuate the evening, which begins with some local specialty dishes as complementing appetizers. Such a fine culinary experience would hardly be complete without a superb red wine selected from the best regional vintages.

At the end of this amazing and luxurious luncheon experience, a highlight of any culinary tour in Spain, you can stretch your legs before going back to your hotel to use the rest of your day as you wish. Relax at the hotel's spa and indoor pool, or enjoy other activities that are available in the area.

Dinner will be served at the hotel’s à la carte restaurant as a memorable part of your food and wine tour of Spain.

Begin your day with a delicious breakfast before checking out of the hotel. Your guide and your driver will take you to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, which is a world-famous landmark designed by Frank Gehry, world-famous architect. The drive will take a little more than an hour before you arrive at the heart of Basque country. This vibrant city mixes the local traditions with modern architecture in a harmonious collaborative atmosphere. The Guggenheim exhibitions are world-renowned, so enjoy every moment of this notable experience.

Lunch takes place in a traditional Basque restaurant serving à la carte specialties including croquettes, kokotxas, steak and specially prepared Basque cod. The next stop is San Sebastian, which is known as the pearl of the area’s sea of Cantabrian and the most importante milestone of any culinary tour in Spain. This elegant coastal town features influences from the French Riviera. During the late part of the 19th century, this seaside town became a popular destination for aristocrats and royalty who came to the Bay of Biscay’s most southern point to soak up the sun and experience the nascent therapeutic trend of sea bathing.

The local boardwalks and cafés with open-air terraces overflowed with important people from high society. This gave them opportunities to be seen by other ranking members of their cliques while also looking for openings to spot others who ranked higher. This type of social bustling was incredibly popular during the period, and the remnants of that activity are still visible today.

Over time, San Sebastian has been transformed from a sleepy fishing village into a thriving cosmopolitan district. Today, the town features luxury accommodations, modern facilities and recreational options demanded by the most discerning of visitors and guests. The best hotels in Spain comprise a destination that is replete with charm, style and modern amenities. The urban blossoming of this area occurred during the height off the era known as the Belle Époque.

The buildings that flank the famous La Concha beach include city hall, Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the Hotel Maria Cristina. For two nights, you will lodge at the Maria Cristina, which was also constructed in the style of this exquisitely ornamented period. This is one of the finest hotels Spain has to offer, and it is sure to leave an impression in your mind whenever you think back to the momentous time you spent in San Sebastian. Take your time savoring the dinner meal of selected local specialties at a traditional Basque restaurant.

A tasty breakfast will prepare you for a walk around the pristine town of San Sebastian. The guide will pick you up from your hotel, and you will be taken on an in-depth tour of this amazing city. Magnificent mountains and sparkling beaches form the backdrop of this experience.

Learn about the history of the old town’s seemingly endless narrow streets, landmarks, churches and local architecture. Experience the amazing food culture, plazas and bars of San Sebastian. The walking tour includes the central farmers’ market where locals go daily for the freshest ingredients. The slow food culture is what makes the local dishes so tasty, which you will experience during a lunchtime featuring the popular pintxos bar crawl. Traditional bites will mix with the amazing taste of fresh pintxos made from locally sourced ingredients.

Stroll along the pristine beach of San Sebastian, and stop by a local bar for a cup of coffee or a drink. The rest of the afternoon is free for any recreation that suits your interests. During the final evening, you will get a real glimpse into the gastronomy of the Basque region. This part of the country is famous as a production site of apple cider. Embark on a guided tour of a traditional cider house just before your final dinner.

The final meal of your culinary tour sojourn will be incredible and memorable. Take your time making your selections from the traditional menu featuring local specialities like chorizo sausage cooked in cider, bone-in rib-eye steak, Basque cheese, salt cod omelette, salt cod with peppers, quince jelly, walnuts, almond tiles and even Tolosa cigarettes. Wash down your favorite dishes with fine local cider served right from the kupela, or barrel, which is a genuine txotx ritual from this region.

At the end of your amazing culinary tour during 8 days in Spain, you will have acquired a real sense of the regional gastronomy. It’s finally time to say goodbye to Spain. Your driver will take you to the airport with plenty of time to catch your flight home. The last day in the Basque country is yours to enjoy at a leisurely pace. Shop for some souvenirs that will always remind you of the most amazing food and wine tours Spain.

Want to stay longer in the region? Do you want to change anything from the tour? Just hit "Request a Quote" and tell us your thought so we can arrange the perfect culinary tour for you.