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Grape Escapes in Spain
Added: (Fri Dec 10 2004)
Whether you are a wine beginner or a true connoisseur, there are few specialist tour organisers catering for those who long to immerse themselves in Catalonia’s wine producing regions.
You want to visit some of the best known Spanish vineyards but prefer someone else to do the organising. Great idea. Do it yourself and you waste time and money booking hotels, trying (and often failing) to reserve winery visits, plotting itineraries then getting lost. Spanish wineries have an annoying habit of hiding down unmarked country lanes and then if you do find them it’s come back mañana.
Fortunately, specialist wine tasting tour companies such as Wine Pleasures (www.winepleasures.com) have been created to cater for your every need. In 2002, Anthony Swift founded Catalonia’s best-known wine tour company. The company is based in La Llacuna close to Barcelona. They attract wine lovers from around the world. Most customers come from Scandanavia, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and the United States.
Wine Pleasures offers fixed tour dates throughout the year as well as catering for organised groups who require tailor-made itineraries. Tours are offered in the La Rioja, Ribera de Duero, Conca de Barberà, Empordà – Costa Brava, Penedès, Priorat and Terra Alta regions.
Group numbers tend to be small – 6 being a typical group size. Accommodation is in either Rural farmhouses or in small enchanting Hotels set in quiet towns.
The 3-day or 6 day tours take in private visits to top wine producers, catalan masía lunches, class dinners and cultural visits, comfortable transport and expert guidance, all for around $800 (3 days) or $1500 (6 days). T. +34 93 897 70 48.