Experience Culture, Travel, & Luxury

The heart of Spain, Castille & Leon

September 28th to October 5th, 2025

This trip includes:

• One night in Madrid in a centrally located four-star hotel in the Center of Madrid
• Accommodations in two beautiful hotels in the UNESCO world heritage city of
• Avila and the lively city of Burgos
• Breakfast daily
• A daily long lunch or dinner (includes a pre-dinner drink, food, wine, and gratuity)
• Wine tastings – all, generally including tapas
• Transportation – all, including airport pick-up
• Admission and entrance fees – all

Does not include:

• Airfare
• Trip insurance, if applicable

Discover the beautiful UNESCO medieval towns of Ávila and Segovia set in the mountains, 70 miles northwest of Madrid, in the region of Castilla y León. We will use the walled town of Ávila as a base for our first three nights while we discover the red wines of San Martin de Valdeiglesias and the whites from Rueda. We visit Segovia with its 1st century 3,000-foot aqueduct and experience a true “lechazo” gastronomic experience. For the second half of our tour, we will stay in the magnificent town of Burgos, which was the capital Castille y Leon for 5 centuries. It is most known for its stunning Gothic cathedral and is also on the Camino de Santiago. We will do a day trip to the heart of Ribera del Duero. Tempranillo is the grape of this region and we will taste some of the most elegant, full-bodied reds you’ve ever tried. Pick up and drop off in Madrid.

1 night in Madrid, followed by 6 nights in Ávila & Burgos

Sunday (Arrival Day)

A day of leisure to explore Madrid

Madrid’s “Big 3” museums warrant a trip on their own. You must see Picasso’s Guernica at the Reina Sofia, a short stroll from our hotel. Consider acclimating with a walk in the beautiful Retiro park.

Day 1 – Monday, Madrid to Ávila

A little culture – Today's focus is on Rafael and his small vineyard. We should arrive in Ávila with just enough time to see the sun settle over perhaps the best-preserved medieval walls of Europe. Our intimate hotel is located inside the city walls. 

• Wine focus – You have hopefully never seen vines as old as the ones at Tierra Calma.
• Food focus – Rafael is going to prepare his famous paella for us.

Day 2 – Tuesday, Segovia

A little culture – Segovia has this magical feel about it.

• Wine focus – Today's primary focus is on the pairings with local food.
• Food focus – This restaurant is an institution in Segovia and prepares the best ‘cochinillo asado.’ It may take a while to get hungry again.

Day 3 – Wednesday, A light road trip

A little culture – Actually, it is a lot of culture. The Monastery and Site of the Escorial represents the Golden Age of Spanish expansion. We are going to have lunch in the village of Escorial today. You are welcome to wander around Ávila in the evening…

Day 4 – Thursday, Ávila to Burgos, via Rueda

A little culture – The Roman villa was “discovered” fairly recently by a farmer. The mosaics will surprise you in their level of detail and preservation. Miguel makes you feel immediately comfortable in his presence. His wines are delicious and unlike mass produced Verdejo. 

• Food focus – We are going to eat at a local restaurant in Miguel’s village today. We will have trouble saying goodbye at the end of the afternoon.

Day 5 – Friday, Burgos

A little culture - You hopefully have slept well after our full day yesterday. Today, we will go into the town of Burgos to visit its Gothic cathedral and meander around town. 

• Food focus – This will be one of your better food experiences on the tour. The combination of a Mexican Chef and his Spanish wife from Burgos will astound you.

Day 6 – Saturday, Ribera del Duero

• Culture – Our culture today revolves around how traditional wine and food can be elevated in a modern way yet preserving all that is good about the traditional flavors. 
• Wine focus – The three brothers Epifania have been making wine for a long while. The wines are balanced and smooth, exactly what one wants from a fine Tempranillo. With a little luck, we will sample wines directly from the tank. Food focus – It seems obligatory to eat “lechazo” at least once during your visit to this part of Spain.

Day 7 – Sunday

We will head back to Madrid in the morning after breakfast. We can arrive at Barajas airport by 11 am and then follow to Atocha train station If you plan to fly back to the States, please make your flight reservation for after 1:30 pm.

Cost per person: $4,450

** Single travelers welcome. If you prefer a single room, an additional charge is $700.