Wine & Walking in Northern Spain
Discover the delights of Northern Spain at this Spice Escapes exclusive destination
A lovely programme including fantastic walking in Cantabria and a visit to the wine region of the Ribera del Duero. The Rio Duero is a majestic river which runs from Spain all the way through Portugal to the Atlantic ocean. We will spend a few nights in our beautiful house called Agara in Northern Spain, then a few nights down in the heart of the Duero’s wine region before returning to Agara for the rest of the week.
Your holiday includes
- Flights including 20kg hand luggage
- Transfers
- 5 nights accommodation at Agara
- 2 nights accommodation in the Ribera del Duero
- 7 continental breakfasts
- 5 light lunches*, 5 evening meals at Agara
- 2 lunches while in the Ribera del Duero
- Local wine, beer and spirits in the hotel just help yourself at Agara
- Tea/coffee available in the house throughout the day at Agara
- 3 English speaking vineyard tours
- Walk leader
- Minibus Excursions
*Note-Lunch provided if at the property or a picnic lunch if walking or cycling, unless the guests wish to try local cuisine which will be at their own cost. .
Your holiday extras
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Room supplement if required
- Optional excursions
- Some meals
- Personal extras
This is a wonderful opportunity to visit a less well trod area of Spain and one of its biggest and best wine producing regions!
Location & Itinerary
Due to the split arrival days this itinerary will provisional run as follows -
7 Jun 24 Friday Agara
Departing from Stansted, Birmingham and Edinburgh you will travel to Santander, where you will be met and transfered to Agara.
8 Jun 24 Saturday Agara
Departing from Manchester you will travel to Santander, where you will be met and transfered to Agara.
Andrew will take those who arrived the previous day to the Saya Basaya National Park which is a real inland treat. Making our way on to the open hillside through the ancient beech forest is a charming in itself but the rewards for the moderate effort are fine views of delightful hills. Next there is a traverse on good tracks and paths along the open hillside before eventually descending back to the start and onwards to a local tavern.
9 Jun 24 Sunday Agara
Walk for everyone. A contrast for some to the National Park with a spectacular day on fine long sandy beaches with stunning headlands and superb views. This day has a perfectly situated bar in the middle perched high overlooking the sea and views of our next beach. This walk terminates over an exquisite multi arched bridge alongside the harbour of the charming little port of San Vicente de la Barquera. After dinner there will be an introduction to wine tasting after dinner led by Andrew of Walkwise, based on the ever-popular ‘Wobbly Walking’ in the English Lake District.
10 Jun 24 Monday Duero (Accommodation Hotel Aranda de Duero)
Today we head down the Ribera del Duero wine region. It’s over 2 hours down there but we’ll break the journey for a drink at a piazza know doubt under an impressive gothic church. Later we will enjoy a meal overlooking the Balcón del Duero and then onwards to the vineyards we’re on our way to visit. In the afternoon there will be a visit to our first vineyard. The Portia is a winery designed as a three pointed star by the famous and prestigious architectural studio Foster & Partners. Light, matter and soul; an architectural icon in the world of wine. After our tasting we’ll head into Aranda del Duero for an apéritif on the roof top terrace. I’m sure we’ll sleep well after dinner this day.
11 Jun 24 Tuesday Duero (Accommodation Hotel Aranda de Duero)
In the morning after breakfast, we’ll head down to our second vineyard and if possible we’ll walk alongside the Rio Duero before arriving there. This vineyard called the Finca Villacreces is the perfect place for an optional bike ride around the vineyard itself followed by a picnic under the shade of a eucalyptus tree. We’ll visit cellars and learn all about their wines before heading back for our second night in the Aranda. This evening we’ll head into the town and experience the lovely architecture before visiting an authentic bar for drink!
12 Jun 24 Wednesday Agara
Today we head back to Agara but the fun is not over. We’ll visit the majestic Protos vineyard in Peñafiel with its cellars under a magnificent castle on the hill. This impressive installation was designed by the ingenious architect Richard Rogers and leads to a very interesting tour before we head off to an authentic Spanish restaurant; a mill on the riverside for lunch. Wow what a lovely time before setting off back to Agara, a little sleepy but very happy.
13 Jun 24 Thursday Agara
Final coastal day. We head back out to the coast today to experience a beautiful and rugged coastal walk before popping back inland to a beautiful bar which backs onto the harbour and whose vista is completed by a view to our previous coastal day. We must mention that this day starts with a trip to a local visitor centre and then onto the rugged coast low at first and then onto towering cliffs with tight enchanting inlets and small sandy beaches to paddle in with the roaring sea to hold our hands.
14 Jun 24 Friday Agara
It's time to depart for those on the Stansted, Birmingham and Edinburgh flights while anyone who arrived from Manchester will enjoy the first walk of the week that wasn't possible with Andrew as you visit the Saya Basaya National Park which is a real inland treat. Making our way on to the open hillside through the ancient beech forest is a delight in itself but the rewards for the moderate effort are fine views of delightful hills. Next we traverse good tracks and paths along the open hillside before eventually descending down to the start and onwards to a local tavern.
15 Jun 24 Saturday Agara
It's time for a final farewell as the Manchester flight heads for home.
Travel & Stay
Hotel 1- ‘Agara’ translated as Home in Sanskrit – your accommodation is a large house that was formerly used as a restaurant but has recently been renovated. It has completely new electrical and bathroom installations and a new kitchen. Despite the physical improvements to bring the house up to modern standards the owners have tried to retain the character of the house. This is a chance for a relaxing break in a home away from home where you can immerse yourself in the local area and culture – you won’t find a choice of bars and nightclubs on your doorstep so if you want a party you’ll have to do it in the house!
There are twelve bedrooms and eight bathrooms; four rooms have bathrooms en-suite and the rest share the remaining four.
When not in use as the 'Spice Hotel' Agara is Rob Thompson's (Spice UK owner) home. As such there are 2 resident pet dogs - Charlie who small and wanders the house and Ray. who is larger lives outside all year (he's a rescue and that's his choice).
Hotel 2 - The Hotel Aranda is a comfortable classic-style 2-star hotel in Aranda de Duero offers a total of 48 spacious and fully equipped rooms with cosy parquet floors, a comfortable private bathroom with a hairdryer, a living space, air-conditioning, TV and free Wi-Fi Internet connection. At the hotel restaurant you can enjoy traditional Castilian and Spanish cuisine, with dishes such as roast lamb cooked in a wood-fired oven, and a fine selection of wines kept in its sixteenth-century cellar. There is a supplement for an en suite room.
Provisional Flight Information
07/06/2024 London Stansted to Santander Dep: 1155 Arr: 1455
14/06//2024 Santander to London Stansted Dep: 1520 Arr: 1615
07/06/2024 Birmingham to Santander Dep: 0600 Arr: 0855
14/06//2024 Santander to Birmingham Dep: 0920 Arr: 1015
07/06/2024 Edinburgh to Santander Dep: 0700 Arr: 1025
14/06//2024 Santander to Edinburgh Dep: 1050 Arr: 1210
08/06/2024 Manchester to Santander Dep: 0630 Arr: 0930
15/06//2024 Santander to Manchester Dep: 1010 Arr: 1110
20kg baggage included
Availability & Pricing
| Accommodation | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Female place in a twin shared facility room | £0.00 | Available |
| Male place in a twin shared facility room | £0.00 | Available |
| Place in a single shared facility room | £90.00 | Available |
| Female place in a twin en suite room | £120.00 | Available |
| Male place in a twin en suite room | £120.00 | Sold Out |
| Place in a double en suite room (booking for 2 onl | £120.00 | Available |
| Place in a single en suite room | £240.00 | Available |
| Flights | Price | |
| Own flight without transfers | £1335.00 | Available |
| Birmingham (7-14 June) | £1535.00 | Available |
| London Stansted (7-14 June) | £1535.00 | Available |
| Edinburgh (7-14 June) | £1565.00 | Available |
| Manchester (8-15 June) | £1565.00 | Available |
Not enough spaces left for you? Click here to join the waitlist
Passport validity
For UK passport holders your passport must be:
- Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
Travel Insurance
Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel. Spice Escapes have arranged a scheme with Staysure who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 663617) full details of which can be found on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk. For an instant online quotation please click here.
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).
UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.
Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.
NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!
FCO travel guidance for Spain
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain
Host & Everything Else
Andrew from Walkwise & Rob
While staying at Agara - Included in your trip is a continental breakfast each day, light lunches (available if we are at the property or a picnic lunch if on a a walk or cycle ride) and evening meal everyday. Also, there will be complimentary tea/coffee available for you to help yourself to.
Locally sourced spring water will be available in the house so you won’t need to worry about getting bottled water unless you really want to. Finally local wine, beer and spirits will be available between 6-12pm every day (we will ask your favourite tipple before you travel to make sure we are well stocked!); these drinks will also be available at other times for a small charge and premium brands will also be available at any time for a charge.
Sample Menu (based on a 7 night stay - shorter trips will feature part of the menu)
Breakfast
Alternates between boiled eggs one day and fried eggs and bacon the next supported by yoghurt, muesli, cornflakes, toast, marmalade/marmite/peanut butter, fresh orange juice and endless tea and coffee.
Dinner
Day 1 – Tapas and Cava/Prosecco round the fire followed by roasted salmon with buttery new potatoes.
Day 2 – Homemade courgette soup spiced with Ethiopian Berbere followed by Duck confit with duck fat roasted potatoes and wilted greens.
Day 3 – Fresh asparagus followed by curry choices. Chicken masala, curried chestnuts and spinach curry. All with rice and homemade lime pickle, mango chutney, green tomato chutney and yoghurt accompaniment.
Day 4 – Tomato and mozzarella salad followed by seared tuna and new potatoes with a choice of salads.
Day 5 – Avocado and smoked salmon followed by Cantabrian Mountain stew (Pork and butter beans in a rich gravy)
Day 6 – Melon and Serrano ham followed by Tudanca beef joint (Tudanca being a local breed of cow).
Day 7 – Grilled Sardines followed by slow cooked Pork belly with roasted potatoes and baby leaf spinach.
We work hard to cater for all types of allergies and preferences. Oat milk is always available and gluten free is also possible if we know in advance. If most of the group prefer less fish then we will adjust the menu (and we can do the reverse too!). Roast Salmon or Tuna might be substituted for slow roasted leg of mutton with herbs and garlic, as an example. We also work hard to cater for vegetarians and vegans and to date all the guests have offered really positive feedback on the food we provide. Its hearty and nutritious with an informal presentation – that’s Agara!
While staying in the Duero - Along with a continental breakfast each day there are two meals included at local restaurants during your time in the Duero, these are likely to be late afternoon affairs and if you want something later on there will be plenty of opportunity for a snack at a local bars while you are enjoying the evening atmosphere.
Just to say what a lovely few days holiday I had staying at Agara and visiting the beautiful locations in Cantabria. Thank you and Maria so much for making us feel at home from home and showing us around the stunning area. 'Anne Marie'
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