Culinary, Cultural and Wine Tour of Galicia, Vinho Verde and Douro
This fascinating culinary vacation brings you to two countries for a deliciously diverse experience. Spend your time in Northern Spain enjoying wine, coastal cuisine and the historic city of Santiago de Compostela. Then, make your way to the Douro Valley in Portugal, also known as the enchanted valley because of its impressive and beautiful landscapes. There, get to know the Port and table wines the region is known for, earning recognition in leading wine magazines like Decanter and Wine Spectator. All this wine pairs excellently with the bread and local specialty dishes you'll cook and enjoy as part of your vacation. Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its culinary identity rooted in Galician traditions, emphasizing fresh, local seafood such as octopus (pulpo), shellfish, and hearty stews. In contrast, the Douro Valley in Portugal is celebrated for its wine culture, particularly Port wine, alongside dishes that highlight the region's rich agricultural bounty and cascading vineyards.
ItineraryAccommodationsMapFAQ
VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
Please note:
Tour inclusions can change depending upon
seasonality and weather conditions.
•2 Nights Accommodation in 5 Star Hotel in Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
•4 Nights Accommodation in Douro Valley Exclusive Hotel/Winery (Portugal)
•6 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners
•Round-Trip Airport Transfers
•5 Days of Chauffeur Services
•Culinary and Wine Tour
•Galician Chef's Dinner
•Santiago Walking Tour
•Rias Baixes Winery Tour and Tasting
•Minho Winery Tour
•Bread Making Experience
•Traditional 3-Course Cooking Class
•Winery Cooking Class
•Winery Visit with Tapas Lunch
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
Year Round, Based on Your Travel Dates
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
Click arrows (▶) to show details
Day 1
▶
Private Transfer | Santiago Airport to Hotel
You will be greeted at the Santiago International Airport by your driver and car service then traverse the city on your way to the hotel. The easiest and most convenient way is to fly into Santiago de Compostela's airport is via Madrid. Madrid's international airport has at least two daily connections between the two cities. Flights are operated by Iberia/Vueling.
▶
Northern Spain Dinner Experience with Wine
Dinner will be enjoyed at a stylish modern restaurant in the city 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 seabass with asparagus and tomato & onion confit.
Day 2
▶
Breakfast Daily
Each morning starts with a delicious Spanish 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
▶
Santiago Walking Tour
After breakfast, enjoy a tour with a local guide 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 which are not usually mentioned in guide books. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the town and do some shopping. Lunch will be on your own.
▶
Rias Baixes | Albarino Winery Tour & Tasting
In the afternoon you will visit a delightful historic fishing village in the Rías Baixas wine region close to Pontevedra. It is a short and beautiful drive away from Santiago. This village is the main production center for the wines of Rías Baixas and have a vibrant fishing culture. In the center of the village and main square, visit an elegant a 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 renowned and delicious Albariño wines.
▶
Galician Chef's Tapas Dinner with Wine
Enjoy dinner at a charming, and typical 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, sharable “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.
Day 3
▶
Breakfast Daily
▶
Minho Winery Tour and Lunch with Wine
After breakfast, as you arrive into the Minho region, you will be greeted at 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 pic-nic style light lunch accompanied by a selection of wines. After lunch, depart for the Douro valley.
▶
Douro Valley Hotel and Winery | 4 nights | Dinner with Wine
You will stay 4 nights at a working winery with its own hotel, in the heart of the Douro Valley. The 18th century Quinta has been restored and turned into an intimate hotel. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, with charming period details. Enjoy a winery tour, followed by a comparative wine tasting. A three-course dinner at the winery's own restaurant will wrap up the day. Here you can enjoy tasty country dishes featuring local produce like cold cured meats, game on the spit, chestnuts and wild mushrooms. The food will be paired with the wines from this unique family-owned estate.
Day 4
▶
Breakfast Daily
▶
Two Hands-on Cooking Classes | Bread Making | Traditional Family Meal with Wine
The hands-on cooking class has two main components: First, a lesson of traditional bread making, using several kinds of corn, wheat and rye grown in the area and used inc 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 with local wines. After lunch, you can explore the estate or head to town to explore. Dinner on your own.
Day 5
▶
Breakfast Daily
▶
Winery Cooking Class | Dinner with Wine
Your morning will be free for you to enjoy the estate or further explore the stunning landscape and heritage. Lunch on your own. Late afternoon is time to cook! You will attend a cooking class lead by the head chef of a working winery and hotel in the heart of the Douro valley. Although his focus is in the culinary traditions of rural Northern Portugal he is not afraid of innovation. This 18th century Quinta is extensively restored and turned into an intimate and exclusive hotel. It's located on a slope, allowing for the most spectacular views over the countryside and property. The cooking class will focus on the seasonal, local food stuffs, which could be game, like partridge and hare, and wild mushrooms like ceps and trompetes which grow in the local forests; in a combination of a demonstration of techniques & hands-on cooking. At least three dishes will be prepared. The class will be followed by a dinner of the cooked dishes paired with matching wines from the winery.
Day 6
▶
Breakfast Daily
▶
Winery Tasting, Tapas Lunch | Free afternoon
Get ready to enjoy one of the best wineries in the Douro sub region Baixa Corgo. It is a lovely historic place with a beautiful manor house. The18th century buildings, while preserving the original baroque features of its architecture, also contain an excellent modern wine making operation. Wines are superb, receiving frequently high accolades from domestic and international wine journalists. The tour of the quinta (manor house) will be followed by a wine tasting of their signature wines, accompanied by some local delicious food, serving as a light lunch (tapas style). Free afternoon to discover on your own.
▶
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.
Day 7
▶
Breakfast Daily
▶
Departure Transportation to Porto Airport
After breakfast, your private driver will escort you to Porto Airport. it is time to say farewell to one of the most comprehensive culinary, wine and cultural experience in Northern Spain and Portugal. There are several departures daily from Porto via Madrid or Lisbon to connect to your flight home.
Santiago Hotel
Relax for two nights in an elegant, 5-star hotel, formerly a medieval convent in the heart of this ancient city. The Santiago hotel has been recently refurbished in a contemporary style. There is a lush garden and spacious outdoor terrace with fine views of the city. Rooms are comfortably large and the old city of Santiago is just a short stroll away. Wander the arcaded, stone streets, nibble on tapas in the taverns or gaze down at the city from atop the cathedral.
Douro Valley Hotel and Winery
You will stay 4 nights at a working winery with its own hotel, in the heart of the Douro Valley. The 18th century Quinta has been restored and turned into an intimate hotel. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, with charming period details. Enjoy a winery tour, followed by a comparative wine tasting. Dinner at the winery’s own restaurant will wrap up the day. Here you can enjoy tasty country dishes featuring local produce like cold cured meats, game on the spit, chestnuts and wild mushrooms. The food will be paired with the wines from this unique family-owned estate.
Santiago de Compostela, Spain•Porto, Portugal
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 without a special request. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself. However, should you wish to be paired with another solo traveler to save on the single supplement, you may make this request. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate such requests, since it would take another solo traveling on the same tour for the same dates. But if requested, we will certainly try.
▶
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.
Winner OUTSTANDING CULINARY TRAVEL Category
Vacation options presented on this website are offered by Epitourean LLC doing business
as Edible Destinations pursuant to an agreement with Marriott Resorts, Travel Company,
Inc. d/b/a MVC Exchange Company (“MVC”). MVC and its respective affiliates make no
warranty, express or implied, regarding the quality, condition, features or amenities
or any other aspect of any tour or package. The tours and packages offered herein may
have limited availability, are subject to change, and/or may be subject to additional
fees and/or taxes. MVC and its parent company and respective affiliates are not liable
for any damage to, loss of, or theft of personal property, for any bodily injury, or
any other matters, that occurs arising out of or related to the tours or packages
available through Epitourean. MVC HAS NO CONTROL OVER THE CONDUCT OF Epitourean, AND
DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY IN THIS REGARD TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Access to the Culinary Tours is made available through the Abound by Marriott Vacations™
exchange program and is subject to the terms and conditions as outlined in the
applicable Abound documents. Actual experiences will be provided via contractual
arrangements with third-party providers and may require the payment of additional fees.
The experiences described herein are examples of potential vacation opportunities and are
subject to change.
Marriott Vacation Club International and its respective affiliates and subsidiaries make
no warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, capacity, performance, features or
amenities or any other aspect of the activities, events, or service providers listed
herein. No inquiry has been made into the activities or events, or the qualifications or
the quality of services offered by the providers. Do not consider this an endorsement of
or recommendation for any of the activities, events, or providers.
Winner
