A Taste of Seville
(Option: Customized Itineraries)
Seville, Spain - 3 or 5 nights
Available year round
A Taste of Seville offers exceptional sherry, wine and foodie tours in Sevilla. Your guide will take you to the finest bodegas, food producers and hidden gems in the area. Choose from a three or five night tour - both are the perfect immersion into Sevilla offering beautiful accommodations, gourmet dining and the inside scoop on the finest tapas bars in the area.
Visit Seville, the magnificent and historic city in southern Spain, where life is lived to the fullest and where eating and drinking are taken very seriously.
This holiday offers you unrivalled gastronomy, incredible wines, food and cultural visits and fun loving visits to tapas bars and exquisite restaurants.
This experience is for those who have a passion for food and wine and for those who wish to learn the traditions and culture of this very special city.
THREE NIGHT ITINERARY - *Can start on any day Monday to Thursday
Day One
Arrival in Seville anytime after 2pm.
You will be met at the airport, bus or train station and taken to your four star hotel. Time for rest and relaxation before your evening out.
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel at 8pm for an evening tapas tour. You will be taken to four of the best bars in Seville, the city considered by many to be the tapas capital of Spain.
Day Two
Today we take you to the Sierra of Aracena in the province of Huelva, a mountainous area north-west of Seville near to the Portuguese border. It is here that the finest hams in the world are made from the Iberian pig. These hams are cured in the mountain air for up to 3 years and are considered by many people to be the jewel in the crown of Spanish gastronomy. This area is situated about 90 kilometres (56 miles) from Seville. We will first visit a farm to see how the pigs are reared and then go on to see the installations of one of the best ham producers in the village of Jabugo, a mythical name in Spain for fine ham. An expert will show us around, explaining the processes involved in the production of ham and of other products which come from the Iberian pig. At the end of the visit you will be able to taste the wonderful ham along with a glass of the best fino. Afterwards, we will go on to the town of Aracena where we will have a gourmet lunch at the best restaurant in the area. We will sample the finest local produce, including fresh cheese, ham, wild mushrooms, pork from the Iberian pig, asparagus, artichokes, etc. Many of the dishes will vary according to the season. The meal will be accompanied by fine Spanish red wine and end with typical desserts. On arrival back in Seville you will be free for the rest of the day.
Day Three
Today’s excursion takes you to Sanlúcar de Barrameda, the second most important sherry town, unknown to the majority of foreign visitors. It is a similar distance from Seville as Jerez and is a beautiful place at the mouth of the Guadalquivir estuary . It looks across to the Doñana National Park and out on to the Atlantic Ocean. Among the many styles of sherry wine produced here manzanilla stands out as a style of sherry made in a similar way to fino but lighter with a salty hint to it. The town is also known for very fine seafood; it is one of the best places for this in Spain. We will pass by some of the vineyards before arriving in the town, where we will start with a visit to the fantastic local market located in the old centre. We will then proceed to one of the best wineries in the town for an extended private tour. You are in for a treat as all the wines that you taste will be poured straight form the barrel, including some rare wines that are more than 30 years old! After the bodega visit we will go to one of the superb seafood restaurants along the bank of the estuary where we will indulge in langoustines, shellfish, fine fried fish, sea food and rice stews etc., all washed down with the finest manzanilla. There will be time to wander along the beach before returning to Seville when you will be free to explore the city.
Day Four
Farewell with transport arranged to airport, bus or train station.
FIVE NIGHT ITINERARY *Can start on any day Monday to Wednesday
DAY ONE
Arrival and pick up from airport or train station. Transfer to your four star hotel. Day/evening on your own. Welcome to Seville!
Day TWO
Your first tour of the trip will start at 3pm. You will be taken to a superb boutique olive oil mill situated on the outskirts of El Viso del Alcor, 35 minutes from Seville. The mill which is an old “hacienda” or farmhouse is surrounded by olive trees of the Arbequina variety, which makes light fruity olive oils of very high quality. In fact, the oil produced at the mill, which is probably the best in the province of Seville, has won medals at tasting competitions all over the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, China, Japan and Israel. With an expert you will learn about everything that goes into making fine extra virgin olive oils, from the olive tree to the final product. At the end of the visit there will be a tasting of different extra virgin olive oils as well as a defective oil to highlight what can happen if things go wrong! The tasting will end with a little something to eat that includes extra virgin olive oil made at the mill. We guarantee that you will be delighted with this experience as we have yet to experience a better olive oil mill tour anywhere.
After a short rest we will be heading out again at 7:45pm on a tapas tour. Seville is possibly the best city in Spain for tapas. In fact, it is more than likely that tapas started in the city. It has the largest number of bars per inhabitant anywhere, offering an amazing range of food. There is something for everybody, whether it be meat, seafood, vegetables, olives, cheese, etc. You name it, somebody is sure to have used it in a tapa. We will be stopping off at four fantastic places, not only noted for their great food, but also their wonderful atmosphere. You will become immersed in the ritual that is "el tapeo" and you will feel you have had a really unique experience.
Day THREE
Today you head off at 9:00am for an hour’s drive south to the region of Jerez, where the world-famous sherry wines are produced. Sherry got a bad name for itself with cheap commercial blends and awful imitations. But, thankfully, people have realised that true sherries are something else and are great with food. Those in the know are appreciating bone-dry finos and manzanillas as well as complex amontillados and aromatic olorosos, plus of course wonderful sweet Pedro Ximenez wine. You will start off by visiting a large winery in Jerez, the principal sherry-producing town. You will be taken around what are spectacular buildings with their rows and rows of sherry butts stacked one on top of the other. These buildings are often compared to cathedrals and it is certainly true that they give the impression of being sanctified places. There will be a detailed tour including a complete explanation of the unique sherry-making process.
The visit will finish with a tasting of a selection of fine sherry wines. You will then head off to the second most important sherry town, Sanlúcar de Barrameda passing by some of the most important vineyards on the way. The town is situated at the mouth of the Guadalquivir estuary and looks across to the Doñana National Park and out on to the Atlantic Ocean Among the many styles of sherry wine produced here manzanilla stands out as a light style of sherry. We are going to visit a winery on the outskirts of the town. It is run by two brothers whose family have been vineyard owners for generations and amongst the wines they produce are single vineyard ones and rare vintage manzanilla. Much of what you taste will come straight from the cask which is a rare treat! Sanlúcar is also one of the best places in Spain to eat seafood. We will be having lunch at one of the fantastic seafood restaurants along the bank of the estuary, indulging in the best local seafood washed down with the finest manzanilla. There will be time for a walk along the beach before returning to Seville. We should arrive back in the city at around 6:30pm.
Day FOUR
Today we leave Seville at 9:00am. Iberian or “ibérico” ham has become more and more well- known over the last few years, which is no surprise as it is the best ham in the world, especially if it is the acorn-fed variety. On today’s excursion we take you to one of the most important areas for the production of Iberian ham in Spain, the Sierra of Aracena, a mountainous area northwest of Seville near to the Portuguese border. The hams are cured in the mountain air for up to 3 years or more and are considered by many people to be the jewel in the crown of Spanish gastronomy. We will be starting with a visit to the installations of one of the best ham producers in the town of Jabugo, a mythical name in Spain for fine ham. An expert will show us around, explaining the processes involved in the production of Iberian ham. You will be completey taken aback when you see the thousands upon thousands of ham that are hanging up and slowly curing. At the end of the visit you will be able to taste the wonderful ham along with a glass of the best fino or manzanilla, a perfect pairing of food and wine!
Afterwards, we will head to a beautifully located organic Iberian pig farm run by a wonderful couple, Lola and Armando and one of their daughters. Armando or his daughter, who will be showing us around the farm, will explain everything that is involved in rearing the very best organic acorn-fed pure bred Iberian pigs. We will then be sitting down to a lunch prepared by Lola consisting almost entirely of produce from the farm, including, of course, their ham and other cured meats as well as vegetables from their garden and Iberian pork. From a gastronomic point of view, this could well be the most memorable day of your trip! On leaving the farm we should be back in Seville at around 6:30pm.
Day FIVE
We will be leaving again at 9:00am. On today’s excursion we start with a visit to a traditional olive oil mill close to the town of Zahara de la Sierra situated about 90 km (56 miles) to the southeast of Seville. This small spectacular town is situated in the mountainous and very beautiful area known as the Sierra de Grazalema. At the mill which dates from 1755 you will learn about the old methods of production using hydraulic presses which are now used in very few places. It is very interesting to contrast this with what you will have seen on the first day. We then continue on to Grazalema along one of the most spectacular roads in Spain. The Grazalema area is famous for cheese made from the indiginous Payoyo goat and Merino sheep of Grazalema. We are going to visit a wonderful artisanal cheese producer who will be teaching us about everything that goes into making her cheese and, of course, you will have the chance of tasting a selection of them.
We will then be heading down through a cork forest to a winery situated close to the town of Ronda. As well as the town being an obvious tourist attraction, the area around Ronda has become well-known among enthusiasts as a producer of very good red wines and to a smaller extent whites and rosés, which are being made in what are principally boutique wineries with every attention to detail. Grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Granache, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The vineyards are mostly from 700 to 900 metres above sea level, a necessary requisite for making high quality tables wines so far south in Spain. We will be visiting one of the best wineries in the area which is set in a beautiful location. The winery is run by a couple, Gema amd José María. Gema will be showing us around and sharing her enthusiasm with us. We will be tasting their wines alongside a superb lunch that Gema will be preparing; she is well known amongst the local winemakers for her great cooking! We will then head off to explore the wonderful town of Ronda with its Moorish and Christian legacy. It is famous throughout Spain for the gaping river gorge with a sheer drop of over 100m which divides the medieval from the more modern parts of the town. A spectacular bridge constructed in the 18th century spans the gorge and the view looking down from it is not for the faint-hearted! After a walk around Ronda it is then back to Seville after a very full day. We should be back in the city at between 7:30pm and 8:00pm.
Day Five
Farewell. Transport will be arranged to take you to the airport or train station.
*The content or order of the itinerary may change depending on dates, availability of services or activities, local festivals/holidays, weather constraints, etc. Menus are samples and may vary according to the season
CUSTOMIZED TOURS AND TAPAS TOURS
If you have already arranged a trip to Spain or Seville or you might be attending a conference there, you may want to add on one of our excursions or activities to your itinerary. As long as you advise us at least 15 days in advance we should be able to accommodate you. Groups can be from two people to fifty people and we can adapt all of the activities we offer to meet the needs of your group. We also design food and wine tours which go beyond southern Spain, taking you to wine regions such as La Rioja, and Ribera del Duero as well as sampling the culinary delights of Spain's capital city Madrid.
TAPAS TOURS
Seville is possibly the best city in Spain for tapas. It has the largest number of bars per inhabitant anywhere, offering an amazing range of food. There's something for everybody whether it be meat, seafood, vegetables, olives, cheese etc. You name it, somebody is sure to have used it in a tapa. For groups of as little as two people we offer you a guided tour of some of Seville's finest tapas bars. To help you out we will provide you with an English translation of Spanish food and cooking vocabulary. We will also advise you on all the best places to eat in and around Seville. The tour price includes four tapas and four drinks.
Inquire about our Excursions: The excursions go to the sherry towns of Jerez and Sanlúcar de Barrameda, to the Sierra of Ronda, the Sierra of Grazalema and to the Sierra of Aracena in Huelva, home to the finest ham in the world. They begin from Seville at 9:30am and continue until 5:30pm/6:00pm and a little later for the trip to Ronda. On our excursions you really get to know about authentic sherry wines and brandies, olive oil, fine red wine and great ham, and talk to the people who are directly involved in their production and not just to guides employed to show tourists round.
The excursions can be arranged on any day from Monday to Saturday except public holidays. Pricing includes, entrance fees, tastings and a gourmet lunch with wine.
SAMPLE DAY EXCURSION - JEREZ
Jerez is about 85 kilometres (53 miles) from Seville and is a beautiful town steeped in history. Prior to reaching the town we will be stopping to visit a vineyard where you will learn about the many factors which affect grape production and quality. Following this we will proceed to one of the bodegas (wineries) where we will be taken around what are spectacular buildings with their rows and rows of sherry butts stacked one on top of the other. These buildings are often compared to cathedrals and it is certainly true that they give the impression of being sanctified places. After a detailed tour including a complete explanation of the sherry-making process, there will be a tutored tasting of the different styles of wine, including high end wines not normally tasted. On the tour you will also find out how sherry vinegar and Jerez brandy are made and will also get the chance to sample some top brandies. Please let us know if you are more of a brandy fan as we can alter the tour accordingly. After this first visit we will proceed to a much smaller family-run bodega where as well as being shown around we will get the chance to taste some exceptionally fine wines unknown to all except a select few connoisseurs. We will then be going to one of the best restaurants in Jerez to enjoy a meal consisting of excellent local dishes accompanied by fine sherry wines. After this tour, and the one to Sanlúcar de Barrameda, we hope that you will agree with most of the world's top wine critics who believe that sherry is the most underrated fine wine in the world.
GROUP SIZE
A minimum of 2 participants is required to run this tour and the tour is limited to a maximum of 12 participants.
(The number of participants refers to how many persons are required to run the tour, not to how many persons you must have in your party. Please inquire.)
HOW TO ARRIVE
Closest Airport: Sevilla Airport is about 20 minutes from Sevilla center
Closest Train Station: Sevilla Santa Justa train station is 10 minutes from Sevilla center
*These details are provided as additional information. Please check below to see if transfers are included in this tour.
2024 Fees Per Person
THREE NIGHT PROGRAM
Double Room/Starting From US$1425
Single Supplement/Starting From US$350
FIVE NIGHT PROGRAM
Double Room/Please inquire
Single Supplement/Please inquire
*Pricing may vary depending on market fluctuation
*Please inquire about supplements for Holy Week and April Feria (Fair)
Deposit
After availability is confirmed, a 30% non-refundable deposit per person and the completed and submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full 75 days before your arrival date.
2024 Dates
Available year round. *Program can start any day from Monday to Thursday.
Included
*Accommodations in four star hotel, breakfast included
*Gourmet lunches and gourmet dinners (excluding those evenings where dinner is on your own)
*All wine and drinks with the included meals
*All cultural excursions as described in itineraries
*All transfers to and from Seville airport, train or bus station
Airfare and personal expenses are not included.
For further inquiries or to register, click here.
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CANCELLATION POLICY
Please contact us for cancellation policy information. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Jane T. - Auckland, New Zealand
"I had a wonderful time in and around Seville and was thoroughly spoilt. The food was great and plentiful. After my own country this is my favourite part of the world."
Nancy G. - Madison, Wisconsin
"We enjoyed ourselves tremendously. Your tour was such a good introduction to Spain. We really appreciated learning a lot of different things about the country."
Yves P. - Brussels, Belgium
"I learned a great deal about Spanish food and wine on your tour. I have even dared to prepare a Spanish meal for some friends! Thanks for a great time."
Jennifer D. - Vancouver, Canada
"What a fantastic place Seville is! We had such a good time. The food, the company and the wonderful hotel we stayed in. We'll definitely be back again. Thanks."
Lisa and Danny S. - Tempe, Arizona
"Dear Jo-Ann, Everything about the trip was great - Roger is a fantastic host, and the rest of the gang on our trip added to the experience, too. We loved the hotel, it had both perfect ambiance and location. All in all, Danny and I both agree, it is one of the highlights of our 23 years together. Danny's been cooking up a storm since we've returned, delighting not only us but friends and family alike with the dishes we learned how to prepare. And, we've been developing a taste for sherry, too! We will definitely return to Spain, and have already recommended you to several friends. Thank you so much for everything. All the best,"
Kathy and Dennis P., Palm Desert, California
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This exciting region is depicted below. You can also access Google MapsTM by clicking HERE.
*In some cases mapping may give clients a general sense of location due to changes in venue. Please inquire about specific location.
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