An Elevated Escape Through Northern Spain and Portugal

(Culinary, Cultural and Wine Tour of Galicia, Vinho Verde and Douro Valley)

Priced From

$5,998 USD *

(Price Per Person, Double Occupancy)

* Plus taxes. Tours sold on an availability basis.

Check Pricing & Dates

7 days | 6 nights

Spanish and Portuguese Cuisine
as You've Never Experienced Before

Indulge in a refined culinary journey offering exceptional wine, storied landscapes, and immersive cultural experiences. This exclusive exploration of Northern Spain and Portugal blends Michelin-worthy flavors, diverse heritage, and private tastings into one seamless, sophisticated escape. Your journey begins in Galicia, Spain's verdant northwest. In the timeless city of Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure, granite plazas glow at sunset and centuries-old traditions linger in the air. Here, your days unfold with curated market visits, intimate wine tastings, and hands-on culinary experiences centered on Galicia's prized seafood: tender pulpo, briny shellfish, and rustic, slow-simmered stews paired with elegant Albariño and other distinctive regional wines. Then, cross into Portugal's lush Minho region to discover Vinho Verde, where rolling green hills produce wines as vibrant as the landscape itself. Crisp, lightly effervescent, and refreshingly low in alcohol, these Atlantic-kissed wines are enjoyed in private vineyard settings, accompanied by refined interpretations of regional classics. Your journey culminates in the breathtaking Douro Valley a landscape of terraced vineyards cascading dramatically toward the river below. Often called the "enchanted valley" for its striking beauty, the Douro is revered for both its legendary Port and its acclaimed table wines, regularly celebrated by prestigious publications such as Decanter. Here, you'll enjoy private tastings with esteemed producers, savor vineyard lunches overlooking the river, and prepare traditional Portuguese dishes that highlight the region's agricultural abundance.

Small Group Friendly

VACATION HIGHLIGHTS

Please note: Tour inclusions can change depending upon seasonality and weather conditions.

•3 Nights in a 5-Star Hotel in Santiago

•3 Nights in Deluxe Boutique Hotel Douro Valley

•Personal Welcome and Journey Introduction

•6 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 4 Dinners

•Daily Spanish and Portuguese Breakfasts

•Welcome Dinner in Santiago

•Classic Douro Valley Dinner

•Guided Santiago Walking Tour

•Rías Baixas Winery Tour and Tasting

•Vinho Verde Minho Winery Tour

•Built-In Free Time to Explore

•Bread-Making Experience in Portugal

•Traditional 3-Course Cooking Class

•Douro Winery Visit with Tapas Lunch

•Farewell Dinner in Douro Valley

•Group Round-Trip Airport Transfers

•Chauffeured Services as per Itinerary

While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs, and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is appropriate for your situation.

AVAILABLE DATES

Please click on the orange "Check Pricing & Dates" button above to view available departures.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.

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Day 1

Private Transfer | Personal Welcome & Hotel Arrival

Upon arrival at Santiago Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your private driver. You will then be transferred by luxury air-conditioned vehicle to your elegant hotel in the heart of Santiago's city center. Your immersive Northern Iberian journey begins at one of Santiago's most distinguished boutique hotels, located in the very heart of the city's cultural district. Set in an elegantly converted monastery, the hotel blends timeless Galician character with contemporary comfort, offering refined rooms and elegant public spaces that still echo stories of illustrious past guests. Relax in your beautifully appointed room or unwind in the hotel's gracious common areas, while your local host remains nearby to offer practical assistance, orientation, and thoughtful local recommendations. Before dinner, you will have the opportunity to gather for a welcome drink, where your host will briefly walk you and other guests through the upcoming program, highlight key moments of the journey, and happily answer any questions, an easy, informal way to begin connecting with both the destination and one another.

Galician Chef's Tapas Dinner with Wine

Enjoy dinner at a charming, local Galician restaurant, just a few blocks from your hotel. The restaurant is located next to the local farmers market, where the chef buys most of his produce. You will taste a selection of the chef's signature dishes, in small, shareable "tapas" style. Dishes will be paired with excellent local wines and may include artichokes with clams, roasted and stuffed peppers, lamb chops grilled over vine prunings, and Galician risotto with scallops and black mushrooms. (D)

Day 2

Authentic Galician Breakfast

Each morning starts with a delicious Spanish/Galician buffet breakfast, featuring a wide variety of made-to-order egg dishes, cereals, cold meats, yogurt, breakfast pastries and breads, natural fresh juices, as well as tea and coffee, including a good selection of local Galician delicacies.

Private Guided City Tour

After breakfast, your private guide meets the group in the hotel lobby, marking the start of a carefully curated exploration of Santiago. Enjoy a tour with a local through the oldest and most remarkable areas of historic Santiago. Strolling through the small alleyways and majestic squares, you will enjoy the sights and sounds of this enchanting city with so many hidden nooks and crannies. The tour will be off the beaten track, and your guide will share with you those facts and stories about the area that are not usually mentioned in guidebooks. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the town and do some shopping. Lunch will be on your own; of course, your guide will give you some tips.

Rías Baixas | Albariño Winery Tour & Tasting

In the afternoon, your driver will bring you to a delightful historic fishing village in the Rías Baixas wine region. It is a short and beautiful drive away from Santiago. This village is the main production center for the wines of Rías Baixas and has a vibrant fishing culture. In the center of the village and main square, visit an elegant 16th-century Renaissance palace, home to one of the most emblematic wineries of Galicia. Here, some of Spain's top white wines are produced. A tour of the splendid winery will be followed by a tasting of their delicious Albariño wines.

Northern Spain Dinner Experience with Wine

Dinner will be enjoyed at a stylish modern restaurant in the delightful old town of Santiago. Here you will enjoy the signature dishes of a famous chef from Northern Spain. The traditional dishes from Galicia are being reinterpreted in a light, refined way; the wine list here is long and excellent. Dishes may include scallops with beetroot foam, marinated guinea fowl with peas, razor clams with chorizo, lamb shoulder with saffron potatoes, or fillet of sea bass with asparagus and tomato & onion confit. It is within walking distance from your hotel. (B, T, D)

Day 3

Authentic Galician Breakfast

Free Day at Leisure

The day is yours to enjoy Santiago de Compostela at your own pace, explore the charming old town, wander around Praza do Obradoiro, browse local shops, or relax in a café. As you have experienced already, Santiago is famous for its food and drink culture, featuring excellent seafood and traditional Galician dishes, best enjoyed in its taverns or at Mercado de Abastos. Don't miss the Museo do Pobo Galego, which offers insights into Galician history and traditions. For personalized suggestions, feel free to consult your hotel concierge or your dedicated host from the first day. The evening offers endless possibilities for culinary exploration. Wander through Santiago's ancient streets, discovering hidden tapas bars where locals gather, or dine at one of the city's many acclaimed restaurants. Your hotel also offers light meals and tapas at its restaurant, perfect for a relaxed evening of sampling local flavors. (B)

Day 4

Authentic Galician Breakfast | Check-Out

Begin your morning with a delicious Spanish/Galician buffet breakfast, featuring a wide variety of made-to-order egg dishes, cereals, cold meats, yogurt, breakfast pastries and breads, natural fresh juices, as well as tea and coffee, including a good selection of local Galician delicacies - a final taste of Santiago's hospitality before heading toward Northern Portugal.

Vinho Verde Minho Winery Tour and Lunch with Wine

After breakfast, depart on a comfortable group transfer through the Galician rolling green landscapes towards Portugal, on the way to Douro Valley. First, you arrive in the Minho region, on the Spanish-Portuguese border. Here, you will be greeted at one of the best Vinho Verde wineries, beautifully situated in the green hills of Ponte de Lima. These wines are made with modern techniques using grapes like Loureiro. International wine journalists, including Jancis Robinson, are very excited about the wines from this estate. The guided tour of the Quinta is followed by an extensive tasting of lively white wines, with a picnic-style light lunch accompanied by a selection of wines. After lunch, depart for the Douro Valley.

Douro Valley Hotel Check-in | Dinner with Wine

Upon arrival in Douro, check into the hotel. You will stay three nights at a contemporary and welcoming hotel set within the Douro Valley. It has a lovely manor house as its center, and a landscape surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The spacious rooms are stylishly furnished with wood and soft colors, creating a calm and comfortable retreat. Spend an afternoon exploring the hotel's gardens, the only heated outdoor pool in the Douro region, or enjoying the spa. This evening savor a multi-course dinner at the hotel's restaurant, where regional Portuguese cuisine is given a creative touch and paired with excellent local wines. The menu highlights the rich flavors of the region, from local produce and traditional dishes to seasonal specialties, think country dishes featuring local produce like cured meats, game on the spit, chestnuts, and wild mushrooms, complemented by selections from the Douro's celebrated wine culture. (B, L, D)

Day 5

Portuguese Breakfast

Begin your day with a leisurely individual breakfast in the hotel's inviting restaurant, overlooking the Douro landscape with vineyards and olive trees. A generous selection of locally sourced ingredients, fresh breads, seasonal fruits, and regional delicacies, including typical Portuguese custard tarts, is served in a serene atmosphere, for an elegant and unhurried start to the day.

Traditional Bread-Making | Hands-On Cooking Class with Lunch and Wine

Your driver will bring you to a classic manor house (quinta) to take part in a hands-on cooking class that has two main components: First, a lesson in traditional bread-making, using several kinds of corn, wheat, and rye grown in the area and used in the typical local breads, like Minho corn bread, Folar de Lamego, and Bola de Carne. The bread will be cooked in a wood-burning oven. The second part will focus on traditional dishes using local meats, with vegetables and fruits sourced mainly from the garden on the estate. Both lessons combine demonstration techniques & hands-on cooking hosted by the local chef and co-owner of this aristocratic quinta. You will enjoy lunch with the dishes you have just prepared, paired with local wines. After lunch, you can explore the estate and thereafter return to your hotel.

Evening at Leisure

The evening offers lovely possibilities for culinary discovery in these gastronomic lands. Wander the streets of the historic town of Lamego in search of lively petiscos (Portuguese for tapas) bars and restaurants, or return to your hotel, where the restaurant and gardens provide an elegant setting for a relaxed evening of light meals and local specialties. (B, L)

Day 6

Portuguese Breakfast

Winery Tasting, Tapas Lunch

At the end of the morning, get ready to enjoy one of the best Douro wineries. It is a lovely historic place with a beautiful quinta. The 18th-century buildings, while preserving the original baroque features of their architecture, also contain an excellent modern winemaking operation. Wines are superb, frequently receiving high accolades from international wine journalists. The tour of the quinta will be followed by a wine tasting of their signature wines, accompanied by some delicious local food, served as a light lunch (tapas style). After lunch, return to your hotel, where you have time to explore the estate, take a hike, or walk into lovely Lamego.

Farewell Riverside Dinner with Wine

Your farewell dinner will be waterside at a beautifully designed modern restaurant on the banks of the Douro River. You will enjoy the signature dishes of a famous Portuguese chef, with matching wines as you will have become accustomed to. Dishes will be light and pure, with the freshness of the ingredients shining through, seasonal, and mainly from Northern Portugal. The wine list here is both long and varied. (B, T, L, D)

Day 7

Portuguese Breakfast

Check-Out & Departure

After breakfast and check-out, your journey concludes with a comfortable group transfer to Porto Airport. Relax in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle as you enjoy the final views of the Douro countryside. It's time to say farewell to an unforgettable culinary, wine, and cultural experience in Northern Spain and Portugal. Time flies when immersed in such extraordinary adventures, and you'll depart with wonderful memories of some of Europe's most distinctive and celebrated regions. (B)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What Currency is being quoted?

The Currency Code is listed directly after the published amount. If it states USD, then the quoted price is in United States Dollars. If it states CAD, then the quoted price is in Canadian Dollars. If it states EUR, then the quoted price is in European Union Dollars…etc. However, please note that all charges are processed in USD, and Epitourean’s Merchant Bank automatically calculates the currency conversion on the day of the charge.

What does Double Occupancy mean?

Two persons traveling together, and staying in the same room. Tour prices are normally quoted as “per person, double occupancy” in case two people are traveling together and staying in the same room, but paying separately. The cost of the lodging is also shared by two people, thereby reducing costs. This could be a married couple, two friends or relatives.

What is a Single Supplement?

Whenever a person travels alone, the cost of their lodging cannot be shared by another person. When tour products are priced, they are normally stated as “per person, double occupancy.” Whenever a guest occupies a room as a solo, the whole cost of the lodging must be incurred by that one individual. Tour companies accommodate this by charging a Single Supplement. Epitourean does its best to keep the single supplement as low as possible, but it is a real cost that tour companies must absorb, and must pass along to the single traveler.

If I am a Solo Traveler, will I be paired with another person?

Epitourean never pairs a solo traveler with another person. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself.

Are flights included in the tour price?

No. Flights are never included in the price of our land-only tours. Epitourean does not provide air, rail or sea travel, unless expressly noted in the itinerary.

May I give a culinary tour as a gift?

Yes. Epitourean has a special program designed specifically for this purpose. Our Gift Packages come with features such as special messages to the recipient, gift box option, gift link (without pricing), and floating dates (should you not know when the gift recipient wants to travel). Contact a Culinary Travel Specialist at 800-390-3292 or customerservice@epitourean.com to receive additional information about this unique offering.

May we request separate beds if sharing a room?

Yes. In most cases, Epitourean can accommodate a request for two beds to be placed in one room. Just make sure to make this request in the comments section of the reservation process.

Does each guestroom have a private bathroom?

Yes. Epitourean partners with the best lodging options in each destination, and private (en suite) bathrooms are a requirement. However, you should inquire as to the configuration of bathrooms should you have a special need. For example, some tours include accommodations in medieval villages, where either a shower or bath(but maybe not both) are present.

Can your tours accommodate my dietary restrictions?

In almost all cases, Epitourean can accommodate dietary choices and restrictions. But we do request that you ask a Culinary Travel Specialist prior to making your reservation so that we can assess your individual situation.

If I am unable to use a portion of the tour, can I get a partial refund?

Unfortunately, due to vendor and supplier contracts, we are unable to provide partial refunds for unused portions of any tour or tour component.

Are Transfers included in the Itinerary?

Round-trip transfers from the airport or train station are normally included in our international tours. Transfers to the destination (for both international and domestic tours) are not included in the tour price. Please see the Sample Itinerary. If it mentions that transfers are included, then yes, transfers are included at no additional cost.

What meals and excursions are included in the tour?

The Sample Itinerary should be your reference. If the meal or excursion is described in the Sample Itinerary, then it is included at no additional charge. For those days where it expressly notes Free time, then any optional activities you elect to participate in might have an additional cost. In addition, if the itinerary states "evening on your own," it would imply that you have the opportunity to visit a restaurant of your own choosing, and at your own expense. If you have any question about inclusions, please submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button under the price section.

Is it possible to book pre or post tours or stays through Edible Destinations?

Yes, we often do have optional 2 and 3 night excursions that are priced separately from the tour. We can also assist with pre and post night stays in a hotel if you choose to come in early before the tour starts, or stay on after a tour ends. The price of those hotel stays are not included in the price of the tour, but we would be happy to provide a quote. Simply ask your Culinary Travel Specialist, or submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button.

Are Guide or Host Gratuities included in the price of the tour?

Since tipping guidelines and customs vary widely between countries, we do not include gratuities in the price of the tour. Your Culinary Travel Specialist can provide you with recommendations. But the general rule is to tip modestly when you are pleased with a guide’s services, either at the end of the tour, or at the conclusion of a specialty day excursion where you will only be with that guide (or chef) on that day.

Should we plan on any personal expenses during the tour?

All lodging, meals, transfers, classes and excursions mentioned in the Sample Itinerary and Vacation Highlights are included in the price of the tour. However, we highly recommend taking local currency for purchasing personal items, souvenirs, tipping, etc. You can either get the local currency at an airport exchange service, ATM or from your local bank prior to travel. However, you should note that many hosted destinations do not accept credit cards for personal purchases.

Do you recommend Travel Protection?

We recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer Travelex travel protection plans that can include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Travel Delay, Baggage Delay and more. For more information on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0248.

The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535, state of domicile: New York), 1299 Zurich Way, Schaumburg, IL 60196. Coverages available to residents of U.S. States and the District of Columbia only. Certain coverages are not available in all states.

An Elevated Escape Through Northern Spain and Portugal

(Culinary, Cultural and Wine Tour of Galicia, Vinho Verde and Douro Valley)

Spanish and Portuguese Cuisine
as You've Never Experienced Before

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An Elevated Escape Through Northern Spain and Portugal

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An Elevated Escape Through Northern Spain and Portugal

Spanish and Portuguese Cuisine as You've Never Experienced Before

Spanish and Portuguese Cuisine
as You've Never Experienced Before