Sizzling Spain: Don't Miss Out Tours
Spain
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Sep 26 - Oct 5, 2023
Madrid Winery Tour was wonderful. The guide we had (sorry don't remember his name) was very knowledgeable about the 3 wineries we visited and seemed to have a great relationship with the owners & key employees working them. Having experienced a Tuscan Winery Tour in the fall of 2015, I wasn't sure how this tour would compare! It was wonderful! I especially enjoyed touring the winery that utilized the clay vats (oldest in Spain). My only criticism of the tours would be the inability of the owners and staff of the wineries to speak English and engage in conversation/questions with our tour group. I would also recommend that the size of the tour group be no larger than the number we had in ours. Someone with limited mobility would not be able to explore/experience the cellars and tight confines of some areas in the tours. I hope you communicate this to individuals who are contemplating signing up for the wineries tour. (I can't remember if you ask about mobility challenges when you are getting to know your clients and arranging the tour package). Please note our family had no problems with this.
Prada Museum and Botin Lunch was one of my favorites on the tour. As a foodie I looked forward to lunch at the oldest restaurant in the world! The day started with the museum tour which was very informative. Our tour guide (don't remember her name) was extremely knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour that added to the enjoyment of exploring the museum and then hosting/entertaining our group at lunch. The tour and food at Botin was magnificent! I especially enjoyed the cheesecake that our guide was emphatic we save room for! It was the best I've ever eaten and will be what I compare all future cheesecakes to!!! The Rioja wine served with the meal was also wonderful and is now one of my favorites to enjoy and bring back memories of Spain. Again the walk from the Museum to Botin and the ability to tour the cellar and then get up the narrow staircase and manipulate the tight table seatings to get to our table would be difficult for those experiencing mobility issues.
My favorite experience was the market tour and cooking class in Barcelona. Our tour guide/chef extraordinaire (I don't remember her name) was fantastic. The market was amazing! You could spend a whole day exploring all the different vendor stalls. The cooking class was entertaining and informative. It was well thought out in terms of participatory activities including the preparation of the foods, group interaction (switching up cooking partners and food prep) and then sharing what we had created in the end. Best Paella ever! Again Rioja was paired with the 4 course meal that we prepared. To access the cooking class kitchens you have to climb a narrow staircase. Again would be difficult for someone with mobility issues.
Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia was also a hi-lite for me. Not only was Antoni Gaudi an talented architect but an artist and genius in his designs. I especially loved the park as a seasoned gardener looking for ways to improve my piece of paradise (yard). He was born in the wrong era with his propensity for recycling! I knew nothing about Gaudi before Adam suggested this tour and was thinking it was just "another Church tour"! Boy was I wrong! I would highly recommend this for anyone planning a trip to Barcelona. Having talked to others, it's highly likely ticket sales to this tour sell out in advance and you'll miss out on these "iconic landmarks". Our tour guide (can't remember her name) was very knowledgeable and engaging. She spoke fluid English (and 3 other languages) and was easy to understand. The park portion of the tour is tricky to manipulate without the right shoes due to cobblestone surfaces and pathways even in good weather conditions. Anyone with mobility issues will be challenged or excluded (one person was) from this portion of the tour. The Church was awe inspiring and I look forward to a return sometime,when it is completed.
Hotel Reviews
The Petit Palace Posada del Peine in Madrid was a lovely place to stay. It was old yet clean, and centrally located, giving us a sense of being in the heart of the city's history. The lack of a pool wasn't an issue as there was so much to explore around the area.
This hotel had a modern feel and was situated a bit out of the downtown area. We had to rely on buses and cabs to get around, which wasn't ideal. The hotel was right across from a soccer stadium, which would be great for sports fans. The hotel was beautiful, but I prefer a more historic location where I can walk out to local cafes. The pool hours also didn't work for us since it closed at 7pm.
This hotel was historic and nice, but there were some issues with the elevator. While it wasn't a problem for us to take the stairs, I can see this being a potential issue for guests with mobility challenges. Overall, I enjoyed the historic charm of this hotel.
Activity Reviews
Overall, I truly enjoyed the winery tour. The only small hiccup was that the owners of the wineries did not speak English and had to constantly translate through the guide, which somewhat dampened the experience. Nevertheless, the trip was eye-opening and the wines were fantastic. It's noteworthy that this industry is still new in Spain and they're exploring ways to enhance their tours.
The visit to Prado Museum was enriching and the lunch at Botín was delightful. The restaurant was housed in a 400-year-old building, which added to its charm.