ESPAÑA Y OLÉ!! Day 1. Welcome to Spain!!

Transcription

1 ESPAÑA Y OLÉ!! Day 1. Welcome to Spain!! We will meet and greet the group at Madrid airport and depart to Salamanca in a VIP transport, with chauffeur and escort. Salamanca is one of the most historic and monumental cities in Spain. A 2 hours drive through a beautiful route of mountains and plains that will give you an idea of the diversity of the Spanish landscape and give you a hint of what will be your "home" for the next week. Your escort, an experienced connoisseur of Spain, its history and people, will familiarize you with the sites and places that you will pass through during the trip.

2 After the check in at your hotel, take your time to visit the beautiful city of Salamanca, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, its remarkable monuments and heritage. All at walking distance. You will be advice where to eat, what to do, where to go...salamanca offers some unique monuments not to be missed: La Plaza Mayor, the most beautiful Main Square in Spain, Casa de las Conchas, an old house with stony shellfish façade, the Old and New cathedrals...the University of Salamanca is the oldest in Spain and third oldest in Europe, a beautiful compound of buildings located in the very heart of the city. It is also a must. Many more palaces, convents and monuments to admire, and best of all, an incredible atmosphere of friendly locals mixed with students and visitors from all over the world gathering in bars and restaurants.

3 It is important to remark that Salamanca offers the best cured ham (Jamón Serrano) as well as a number of products, typical dishes and local high ranked wines of Spain. In addition, you can find beautiful local craftsmanship. Night in Salamanca. Hotel NH Collection Puerta de la Catedral****

4 Day 2. Salamanca - Haro (La Rioja) A guided morning visit to the Old City of Salamanca is a must. Your escort, a native and connoisseur Spaniard will guide you through the lively streets and corners of the city where you can feel the joy of the local life to complete a comprehensive visit to Salamanca and recommend you the best places for "tapas" and/or lunch. In the afternoon, a 3h 15min drive to Haro, the "capital" of La Rioja wineries, with a number of prestigious cellars located at walking distance. After check in at your hotel, take the evening at your leisure to stroll down the busy town of Haro, full of charm and outdoor life. While waiting to visit some famous cellar/s tomorrow, do admire the beautiful monuments of Haro, for instance St. Thomas Church and its convents and palaces.

5 You can guess that a region with some of the world s best wines, holds a good number of excellent restaurants of local and international cuisine. Night in Haro. Hotel Los Agustinos**** Breakfast included.

6 Day 3. Haro, La Rioja. Today you will experience something really unique. A visit to an acclaimed Rioja cellar located a few kilometers from Haro: Bodegas Vivanco, that hosts the Museo del Vino (Wine Museum), a milestone in the wine world. Here you will discover that wine was elaborated well before it was though until recently. Some archeological sites reveal that oenology was an activity already known to humans years ago. A wine tasting will follow. After lunch in a recommended restaurant of the neighborhood, you will enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure. OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE: Let us suggest a visit to an old small private property, Bodega Cupani, located very near Haro, where you will see something UNIQUE in the world of wine. Next to the winery, lies some perfectly kept archeological remains of what once was a winery approx years back in time, when local tribes already elaborated wine with deposits and ducts to tread the wine. A private JEWEL that very few have access to. After living this amazing experience, you will enjoy an aperitif and taste the property s exclusive wines on site "al fresco". Night in Haro Hotel Los Agustinos**** Breakfast Included.

7 Day 4. Haro, La Rioja. Morning visit to the nearby most famous cellar and winery in Spain: Marqués de Riscal. We are talking about one of the top attractions for visitors to Spain in the world of wine, since in addition of elaborating one of the best Spanish wines, the compound is beautifully kept, a mix of tradition and innovation. While the old premises- cellars, manor house and officeshave been exquisitely restored, the property has become worldwide known due to the innovative and world acclaimed Marqués de Riscal Luxury Collection Hotel***** designed by famous Canadian architect Frank O.Gehry, the second master piece in Spain out of his "atelier" together with the Guggenheim Museum that you will visit in nearby Bilbao. Rest of the day at your leisure. Places to visit and restaurants will be listed for you. The close by walled town of Laguardia is highly recommended. Night in Haro Hotel Los Agustinos**** Breakfast Included.

8 Day 5. La Rioja- Bilbao (Basque Country) Morning departure to Bilbao. The drive takes a bit more than an hour through a dramatic landscape from the mountains to the coast. Bilbao is the largest city in the Spanish Basque Country, with a population of approx inhabitants. Traditionally an industrial town, Bilbao underwent an outstanding change to attract tens of thousands of foreign visitors from all over the world. The whole riverside has been beautifully restored, its waters treated in accordance adding beautiful promenades alongside both banks, where the Guggenheim Museum, a part of the Solomon Guggenheim Foundation, was built. Again a masterpiece of the renowned Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry. The promenade along the river will take you to the Casco Viejo, the Old City, bursting of life, bars and restaurants where gastronomy is a way of life for the Basques, its most representative delicacies being the arch famous "Pintxos", or tapas, all of them culinary masterpieces. A real gastronomy show. We will recommend you some "hot spots"!

9 Day at leisure. If we were to recommend some visits and sites to see, do not miss the Museo de Bellas Artes, the City Hall, Arriaga Theater also main attractions at walking distance. Your escort will be available anytime to accompany you should you wish. Night in Bilbao. Hotel Abando**** Breakfast Included.

10 Day 6. Bilbao - Madrid. Good morning Bilbao. Today we will have an outstanding guided visit the Guggenheim Museum, one of the world leading centers of contemporary art with both permanent and itinerary exhibitions. A must while in north of Spain. After this unique experience, we ll drive you towards Madrid, calling near Burgos to enjoy a typical top Spanish gastronomical experience: The Landa Restaurant. We continue afterwards to Madrid with the sense of having connected with the spirit of Spain, its people and traditions. Not in vain you have visited and lived magic places and moments. Night in Madrid Hotel Tryp Gran Via*** Breakfast Included

11 Day 7. MADRID. Madrid at leisure. Night in Madrid Hotel Tryp Gran Via*** Breakfast Included

12 Day 8. Return home. Transfer from Hotel to the Airport to fly back home. DE MADRID AL CIELO! SEE YOU SOON.

13

14 INCLUDED: Airport transfers, IN and OUT Deluxe Transportation from Day 1 to Day 6. Three and four stars hotels as indicated. Breakfast every day. Escort from Day 1 to Day 6, available at all times. Taxes (VAT) Entrance fee and wine tasting at the Wine Museum, Briones. Entrance fee and wine tasting at Marqués de Riscal. Entrance fee to the Guggenheim Museum. NOT INCLUDED: Meals Tips Room Service Phone calls.

15 OPTIONALS: On Day 3 we are offering an optional visit to Bodega Cupani. Madrid Optionals: Our escort will take you to Segovia by High Speed Train while your stay in Madrid as an OPTION.