Highlights

  • Taste you way around the historic wine region of the Ribera del Duero
  • Marvel at the impressive architecture of a luxury former 12th-century monastery
  • Savour the flavours of central Spain with the finest local produce
  • Relax and unwind in thermal pools with included spa treatments
  • Stay in a unique restored royal cloth factory replete with gourmet dining and state of the art spa facilities

Delve into the heart of the rolling countryside of the Ribera del Duero, one of Spain’s most distinguished wine regions on this self-drive itinerary. Knit together expert-led winery tours and tastings of the high quality tempranillo produced in this region, with delectable tasting menus savouring the seasonal flavours of Castilla La Mancha. Along the way, you’ll be treated to rejuvenating spa treatments for a complete wellness experience. Enjoy the flexibility to explore at your own pace with car hire included throughout, you’ll take in historic towns, blooming lavender fields and sprawling vineyards. 


Day 1

UK to Madrid

After enjoying your complimentary airport lounge access you’ll fly out to Madrid, where on arrival you’ll collect your hire car and embark on your onward journey. Perhaps you’ll choose to pause in the Capital to take in the ‘Golden Triangle of Art’ or visit the historic city of Segovia along the way, before winding your way through the Spanish countryside to reach the Ribera del Duero. On arrival at Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena, a former 12th-century monastery, you'll have the opportunity to relax and unwind in the spa facilities, enjoy the thermal pools and sauna and marvel at the impressive architecture. This evening, savour a tasting menu by renowned naturalist chef Miguel Angel de la Cruz based on flavours of the region. 

Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena

Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena


Day 2

Discover the Ribera del Duero Golden Mile

After breakfast, you’ll visit the Finca Villacreces winery to taste a variety of wines from the Ribera del Duero, the vineyard can be found in a unique secluded setting in the centre of a 200 year old pine forest. You’ll take a guided e-bike tour to the vineyard followed by a luxurious picnic amongst the vines. Later, you’ll get a chance to experience the complete winemaking process at the Pago do Carraovejas winery and taste five wines from the different Alma Carraovejas projects. Afterwards, return to the hotel for some well-earned relaxation with an included spa treatment. 

Pago de Carraovejas winery

Pago de Carraovejas winery

Spa, Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena

Spa, Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena


Day 3

Gastronomy of the Ribera del Duero

Today you’ll immerse yourself in the gastronomic delights of the Ribera del Duero region. Delve into the treasures of the kitchen’s organic garden with a guided tour; the carefully nurtured vegetables, fruits and herbs feed the hotel’s restaurant for many months of the year with seasonal produce dictating the basis of the menu. Later this afternoon, perhaps you’ll choose to visit the nearby Pico Melero cheesery to learn of the age-old cheese making process and taste some of their world-renowned raw sheep’s milk cheese paired with local wine.

 The organic garden, Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena

The organic garden, Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena


Day 4

Arrive at Castilla Termal Brihuega

Enjoy a final breakfast in the monastery before beginning the next leg of your picturesque journey. You’ll wind your way past the spectacular peaks of the Macizo del Pico del Lobo-Cebollera Nature Reserve onwards to the striking lavender fields of the Guadalajara region. You’ll be welcomed into Castilla Termal Brihuega, a charmingly restored 18th-century royal cloth factory with an exquisite tasting menu dinner, based on traditional flavours of Castilla La Mancha and served under the impressive domed glass ceiling of La Redonda restaurant.

Breakfast & Dinner included

Lavender field, Guadalajara

Lavender field, Guadalajara

Castilla Termal Brihuega

Castilla Termal Brihuega


Day 5

Wellness at Castilla Termal Brihuega

For the final day of your trip you’ll be able to enjoy a complete wellness experience in the hotel’s cutting edge spa facilities. Relax in the thermal pools and enjoy a special 1750 massage, designed to release tension, eliminate stress and improve flexibility. Perhaps you’ll spend the afternoon taking in the region’s famed lavender fields which bloom during the months of June and July, or walk the historic streets of Brihuega – a visit to the castle of the Piedra Bermeja is highly recommended.

Breakfast included

Thermal pool, Castilla Termal Brihuega

Thermal pool, Castilla Termal Brihuega


Day 6

Return to the UK

Following a final breakfast you’ll make your way back to Madrid airport for your return flight home, or extend your stay in the cultural capital.

Breakfast included


About the itinerary

"I've put this luxury itinerary together to really showcase one of Spain's lesser known regions. With a real focus on food and wine, this self-drive centres around a pair of restored historic properties, providing a touch of luxury wellness and elegant gastronomy."

Andy Austen

Destination Specialist

Pricing information

Guide price from £1,725 pp incl. flights

Jan - Mar / Jul / Oct - Dec from: £1,725 pp
Apr - Jun / Aug - Sep from: £1,980 pp

Includes

  • Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
  • Return flights between UK and Madrid
  • Car hire
  • 5nts accommodation on a BB basis (3nts at Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena and 2nts at Castilla Termal Brihuega)
  • Unlimited access to the Thermal Pool (recreational pools of mineral-medicinal thermal water)

Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena

  • 1 dinner at hotel’s Converso Restaurant (Tasting menu)
  • Ribera de Duero Ritual, a complete relaxation Treatment by Clarins
  • Wine experience (Finca Villacreces or Pago de Carraovejas)
  • Organic Garden visit
  • Religious art restoration workshop visit
  • Chapel of San Pedro experience

Castilla Termal Brihuega 

  • 1 dinner at hotel’s La Redonda Restaurant (Tasting menu)
  • Spa & Wellness experience (1750 massage)

You might also like:

  • Wide variety of spa treatments
  • Fly over the heart of Ribera del Duero or the Garden of La Alcarria in a hot air balloon excursion
  • Bicycle routes along the banks of the Douro and the Tajuña River
  • Discover Vega Sicilia, tasting exclusive wines
  • Pico Melero cheese dairy experience
  • Recommendations to the best local gastronomy close to the hotel
  • Visit the lavender field

Supplements apply for Weekend surcharges, and upgrades to higher room types - please ask your specialist for details

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