Walks and Wine Tasting in Spain and Portugal

Welcome to Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain. Upon arrival, you'll have the day at leisure to explore the city's elegant boulevards, cultural museums, and fantastic markets. In the evening, meet your tour leader and fellow travelers at the hotel reception. If you arrive early, consider a leisurely walk in the vast 19th-century El Retiro Park, adorned with rose gardens, statues, and a boating lake.

Kickstart your day with a walking tour of Madrid, Spain's bustling capital city. Wander through the lively Latina neighborhood, stop for coffee near the impressive Palacio Real, and pass through the iconic Plaza Mayor. The tour concludes at the Mercado de San Miguel, where you can sample a variety of tapas, seafood, meats, and desserts. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps exploring Madrid's art neighborhoods or enjoying views over the city from the Circulo de Bellas Artes.

Today, we leave Madrid behind and head north to Segovia. En route, we stop at the village of Manzanares el Real, the starting point of our walk into the Guaderrama National Park. This area is renowned for its unusual granite rock formations and is a haven for rock climbers. After the walk, we continue our journey to the historic city of Segovia.

Spend the day exploring the UNESCO world heritage city of Segovia. Begin with an orientation walk led by our tour leader, followed by free time to explore at your own pace. Don't miss the city's defining feature, the magnificent Roman Aqueduct, and the Disney-like Alcazar Fortress. The upper old town, centered around the Plaza Major and 16th-century Gothic cathedral, is also worth a visit.

Today, we journey to the spectacular limestone canyon lands of Duraton River Natural Park. After a walk along the river, we continue to the medieval town of Sepulveda for a coffee break. Our next stop is Penafiel, located in the heart of the Ribera del Duero wine region. Here, we'll visit the Protos Bodega, one of Spain's most innovative wineries, for a wine tasting session.

This morning, we drive to El Toro, a village in the province of Zamora known for its wine production. After a wine tasting session, we continue to the city of Zamora for lunch. This architectural gem is home to the most Romanesque churches in Europe. In the afternoon, we journey to the medieval hilltop village of Fermoselle, our home for the next three nights.

Today, we venture into the Arribes del Duero Natural Park for a walk through its spectacular countryside. In the afternoon, we'll visit a local bodega, dug into the rock, for a wine tasting session. With around 900 granite bodega caves dating back to ancient times, this area offers a unique insight into the history of wine production.

After breakfast, we walk from Fermoselle through woodland and oak forest to the small village of Fornillos. Here, we'll visit a small cheese factory and taste some of their local farmhouse cheese. We then return to Fermoselle and meet our local guide to learn about the unique history of wine production in the area and discover the underground bodegas.

Today, we cross the border into Portugal and drive to the village of Pocinhos. From here, we board a local train for a journey along the Douro Valley to Peso da Regua. A short taxi ride uphill then brings us to the beautiful Renaissance and Baroque village of Lamego. Here, we'll have time to explore the historic center and the surrounding area before settling in for the night at our hotel.

This morning, we travel to Regua to visit a family-owned winemaking estate where we'll learn about the production of Port and Douro wines. After a tasting session, we drive to Porto via Vila Real, a hilltop town with a pleasant historical center. Here, we'll visit the stunning 18th-century Baroque Mateus Palace. Upon arrival in Porto, a local guide will take us around the city to explore its cobbled streets and taste some of Porto's delicacies.

Today is free for you to explore Porto, Portugal's second-largest city. Discover a range of architectural and cultural attractions, such as the Palacio da Bolsa, with its spectacular Alhambra-like interior, a charismatic medieval quarter, and the monumental central avenue, Avenida do Aliados. You also have the option to take a boat tour on the River Douro, offering a different perspective of the city.

Our memorable journey comes to an end after breakfast at our hotel in Porto. You are free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. We hope you enjoyed your multi-day tour through Spain and Portugal and look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon.