Gastronomy & wellness in central Spain

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.