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Spain/Portugal

Beyond the Vineyards: Sample Northern Portugal & Spain

Program No. 22812RJ
Venture along the vineyards of northern Portugal and Spain to taste regional delicacies, learn local history and discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this inspiring adventure.

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itinerary
Please Note:
The itinerary for this program is different on certain dates.
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jun 4 - Jun 18, 2023
Starting at
4,849
Aug 27 - Sep 10, 2023
Starting at
4,999
Sep 10 - Sep 24, 2023
Starting at
4,999
Itinerary Note

Hotel is different from day 4 to day 6

Oct 1 - Oct 15, 2023
Starting at
4,849
Oct 8 - Oct 22, 2023
Starting at
4,849
Apr 14 - Apr 28, 2024
Starting at
4,699
May 5 - May 19, 2024
Starting at
4,849
Jun 2 - Jun 16, 2024
Starting at
4,849
Sep 8 - Sep 22, 2024
Starting at
4,999
Sep 22 - Oct 6, 2024
Starting at
4,999
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jun 4 - Jun 18, 2023
Starting at
5,479
Aug 27 - Sep 10, 2023
Starting at
5,769
Sep 10 - Sep 24, 2023
Starting at
5,769
Itinerary Note

Hotel is different from day 4 to day 6

Oct 1 - Oct 15, 2023
Starting at
5,479
Oct 8 - Oct 22, 2023
Starting at
5,479
Apr 14 - Apr 28, 2024
Starting at
5,399
May 5 - May 19, 2024
Starting at
5,479
Jun 2 - Jun 16, 2024
Starting at
5,479
Sep 8 - Sep 22, 2024
Starting at
5,769
Sep 22 - Oct 6, 2024
Starting at
5,769

At a Glance

Rooted in ancient tradition passed down from generation to generation, the unique winemaking process of Spain and Portugal produces some of the best wines in the world. From the sweet, fortified wine of Porto to the rich, bold reds of Ribera del Duero, learn about northern Spain and Portugal on a journey from vineyard to vineyard. Study the specialized process and then uncover how this industry impacted the region’s economy and environment. When you’re not sampling the local vino, explore seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, experience a treasure trove of Roman history and taste a variety of delicious cuisine as you learn how time-honored traditions paved the way to a fruitful future.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles a day.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Discover the vineyards and history of the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enjoy visits to several other renowned wine-producing regions.
  • Savor Portuguese cuisine during a cooking demonstration with a local chef.
  • Trace Spain's ancient history through the towns of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Las Medulas and Leon, and marvel at the well-preserved Roman aqueduct in Segovia.

General Notes

Program includes independent time to explore the city and several meals on your own. Group Leaders will provide directions for self-directed excursions. Suggestions for free-time activities provided in preparatory materials.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
Ulises Diaz-Ropero
Ulises Diaz-Ropero is originally from Toledo and is fluent in Spanish, English, and an intermediate level of French. He is an avid traveler and has visited many countries on four different continents. Ulises completed a Master’s degree in ethnomusicology at the School of Oriental Studies in London before becoming a world music artist in the thriving music scene in London. For the last five years, Ulises has been pursuing a career in education, leading educational travels as well as teaching Spanish to adults.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Ulises Diaz-Ropero
Ulises Diaz-Ropero View biography
Ulises Diaz-Ropero is originally from Toledo and is fluent in Spanish, English, and an intermediate level of French. He is an avid traveler and has visited many countries on four different continents. Ulises completed a Master’s degree in ethnomusicology at the School of Oriental Studies in London before becoming a world music artist in the thriving music scene in London. For the last five years, Ulises has been pursuing a career in education, leading educational travels as well as teaching Spanish to adults.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Spain, A History
by Raymond Carr
An authoritative overview of Spain through the ages by one of the world's leading scholars on the history of Spain, Sir Raymond Carr.
Eyewitness Guide Portugal
by Eyewitness Guides
Featuring hundreds of photographs and drawings, an excellent overview of the culture and history, and good information about where to go and what to do.
The New Spaniards
by John Hooper
John Hooper's fascinating study brings to life the new Spain of the 21st century
Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empirer
by Roger Crowley
This epic narrative history by bestselling author Roger Crowley (City of Fortune, MED185) chronicles the rise of Portugal as the small nation forged a dominant share in the global spice trade. His cast of characters (the ambitious King Manuel I, marauding governors and intrepid seamen) built a trade monopoly with the ferocity of a holy crusade, forever shifting Europe's center of power from the Mediterranean to Western Europe.
Spain, A Traveler's Literary Companion
by Peter R. Bush, Lisa Dillman
Journey to Portugal, In Pursuit of Portugal's History and Culture
by Jose Saramago
Jose Saramago's richly detailed account of his journey across Portugal in 1979. He combines his vivid impressions of the Portuguese landscape and people with a dose of history, fiction and meditations.
Eyewitness Guide Northern Spain
by DK Eyewitness Travel
A literate, visually rich guide to northern Spain from Galicia across Asturias and the Basque Country to La Rioja to the Pyrenees.
A Traveller’s History of Portugal
by Ian Robertson
A lively, admirably concise survey from prehistory to the present, great for travelers to Portugal who would like an overview of the country's history and culture.
Grape Harvest
by Miguel Torga
Miguel Torga's first novel is a tribute to the Douro, its people, and its landscapes. A book for all who love this extraordinary region.
Roads to Santiago, A Modern-Day Pilgrimage Through Spain
by Cees Nooteboom
Food and Wines of Spain
by Penelope Casas
A classic collection of 400 recipes, interwoven with cultural commentary and the culinary history of Spain
Spain & Portugal Adventure Map
by National Geographic
A double-sided full color map of Spain and Portugal at a scale of 1:1,000,000 with good shaded relief, topographic detail, roads and waterways.
The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: The Complete Cultural Handbook
by David Gitlitz
A kilometer-by-kilometer guide to the route of St. James across northern Spain with copious information on the historical and artistic sites along the way. You probably won't want it in your daypack, but in your suitcase it will be invaluable for previews of the following day and reflections on the preceding one
Ghosts of Spain
by Giles Tremlett
Tremlett captures the Spanish character, history and modern politics in this masterful portrait, interweaving the story of his love for the country (where he has lived for 20 years) with interviews, anecdotes and observation.
The City and the Mountains
by José Maria Eça de Queirós
Eça de Queirós' novel is a tribute to rural Portugal, and a satirical condemnation of the emptiness of city life and modernity.
The World of El Cid: Chronicles of the Spanish Reconquest
by Fletcher & Barton





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