#MAGICALVILLAGES-Magic Wine Route

Arrival at the rural accommodation we have chosen for you to enjoy a GENUINE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE ON THE GREAT MAGIC WINE ROUTE - EPAPA 1. One of those cities that can boast of having origins that date back to prehistoric times. Its streets, flanked by houses and balconies adorned with flowers, evoke an image of tranquility and tradition. We will visit the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria. Built on a Romanesque temple, the present collegiate church is the result of three different interventions that took place in the years after the reconquest and in the Mudejar period. Next, we will visit the Sanctuary of Misericordia. Place where the famous and controversial Ecce Homo is located. The place, idyllic, developed due to the fame of the waters of its springs and pine forest areas that make the stay very pleasant. You will have time to rest from the trip and choose the best outfit for tonight. You will be invited to dinner at a local restaurant. Return to the lodge to enjoy your well-deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and set out to discover Borja. We will start by visiting the Collegiate Church of Santa María. Built on a Romanesque temple, the current collegiate church is the result of three different interventions that were carried out in the years after the reconquest and in the Mudejar period. Next, we will visit the Sanctuary of Misericordia, where the famous and controversial Ecce Homo is located. The idyllic place was developed due to the fame of the waters of its fountains and pine forest areas that make the stay very pleasant. We will invite you to eat one of the typical dishes of the region in a local restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Borja and continue our route to the next Magical Town Ariza. It combines history, nature and culture. A perfect destination to immerse yourself in medieval history, enjoy the natural beauty and taste the delicious local cuisine attracts visitors from all over the world. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out to dinner in a typical restaurant. After a full day I return to the accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

After a wonderful night you will go down to have breakfast because you have to recover your strength for the day ahead. Today we leave to discover the treasures of Ariza. We begin with a visit to the Church of Santa María La Real. It is documented as early as 1390 but it was in the sixteenth century, when there is talk of its reconstruction, motivated by the forced conversion to Christianity of Muslims in 1526. We will continue with a visit to the Church of San Pedro. An architectural jewel dating from the twelfth century. With its impressive Romanesque style, it stands out for its bell tower and its beautiful cover decorated with carvings. We will finish our tour with a visit to the Ariza Castle. Ancient fortress of Al-Andalus dating from the Taifa Kingdoms. Although the few remains that remain, it was one of the most important castles of the kingdom of Aragon. Afterwards, we will invite you to have lunch in a typical restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Ariza and continue our route to the next Magic Town, Almazán. A historic village, located in the center of Castile in a hilly landscape and full of historical remains that recall the important role it played in medieval times. Its Plaza Mayor is seen as the “Castilian square” par excellence. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner one of the typical dishes of the region, in a local restaurant. After a full day return to the accommodation for a well deserved rest. 

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Almazán. We start by visiting the Walls of Almazán. The walls that we see today between alleys and small squares were built in the late twelfth century, following the topography of the place and encompassing the upper districts of medieval Almazán. We continue our tour visiting the Church of San Miguel. Romanesque church of the XII century. Declared a National Monument in 1931 for its artistic originality. It is a temple of exceptional interest for the peculiarities of its architecture. Next we will visit the Palace of the Hurtado Mendoza. Stately palace erected by the Hurtado de Mendoza family in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The huge building of the stately palace was built and renovated at different times. We will invite you to eat one of the typical dishes of the region in a local restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Almazán and continue our route to the next Pueblo Mágico Viana. This beautiful walled town is a historical jewel. It has a great architectural and cultural heritage. It is also known for its popular traditions and festivities. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at your chosen lodging with time to rest a little before going out for dinner with one of the typical dishes of the region in a typical restaurant.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Viana. We start with the Church of Santa Maria. It rises majestically in the main street of Viana. Raised on a hill for defense against Castile, it is the last town on the Camino de Santiago as it passes through Navarra. We will continue to the ruins of the Church of San Pedro. It was the first church to be built in the town at that time. In the eighteenth century extensions were carried out, damaging its master walls and causing its collapse in 1844. Then we will invite you to visit some wineries in the region ending with a tasting of its best DO. After the wine experience we will go to eat one of the typical dishes of the region in a typical restaurant. After lunch we will say goodbye to Viana and continue our route to the next Magic Town, Elciego. This wine village is the perfect place to taste some of the best wines of the region. In addition, Elciego has a beautiful historic center, which will take us back to times of fortune and wealth. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at your chosen accommodation with time to rest a bit before going out for dinner with one of the typical dishes of the region: Chuletillas al Sarmiento. After a full day return to the accommodation for a well deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and set off to discover Elciego. We start by visiting the Parish Church of Santo Andrés. Immerse yourself in its history, admire its architectural details and enjoy the serenity and spiritual atmosphere of this magnificent religious temple. Then, we will make a hiking route through the Meandros del Ebro between vineyards. An entertaining circular route from the village to the banks of the Ebro among vineyards and a wonderful landscape. Then we will invite you to visit one of the most impressive wineries in Spain. The Marqués de Riscal Wineries. The silhouette of the Hotel Marqués de Riscal is the most striking feature of this century-old winery. Its innovative architecture is a landmark in the region. After the visit we will have a tasting of their wines. We will finish this route inviting you to eat one of the typical dishes of the region, the Guizo de Patatas con Chorizo, Pimiento y Ajo (Potato Guizo with Chorizo, Pepper and Garlic), in a typical restaurant. After lunch we will say goodbye to Elciego and continue our route to the next Magic Town, Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón. On the banks of the Tirón River, it is known for its impressive architectural heritage, which includes churches, small palaces and old wine cellars. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner in a typical restaurant. After a full day you will return to your accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and set out to discover Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón. We begin by visiting its historic centre. The town was walled because it was a fortified town with an external castle from the 14th century. The square where the Church of San Miguel stands imposingly over the Tirón river is a must-see. From there we continue to the Castle and the Wash House. A 14th century walled, irregular square-shaped fortress. At the foot of the castle is the 19th century wash house, built due to the proximity of the river waters. After lunch we say goodbye to Almazán and continue our route to the next Magical Town, Peñaranda del Duero. A walled town with a 15th century castle, its main square and the former collegiate church of Santa Ana. The complex formed by the Castle, the Avellaneda Palace and the town was declared a Historic Artistic Monument. You will arrive at the accommodation we have chosen in the late afternoon, with time to rest a little before going out to dinner with one of the typical dishes of the region in a typical restaurant. After a full day, return to the accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Peñaranda de Duero. Walled village with a 15th century castle, its main square and the ex-collegiate church of Santa Ana. The ensemble formed by the castle, the Avellaneda Palace and the village, was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument. We begin with a visit to the historic center. Strolling through the town is a “trip back in time”. Streets that preserve the architecture of adobe, stone and wood. Balconies and arcaded houses transport us to another time. Next, we will visit the Castle of Peñaranda. A great fortress that clearly dominates the village. Most of what is currently preserved must be attributed to the first Count of Miranda, between the mid and late fifteenth century.

We will leave to discover the Palace of the Counts of Miranda. Beautiful building from the early 16th century. Plateresque façade, magnificent double-arched courtyard, elegant halls, Gothic, Mudejar and Renaissance coffered ceilings and plasterwork. Then we will visit a winery. In this experience you will enjoy a visit to the vineyards and you will learn about the main native varieties of the area and their differences. You will enter the winery discovering the elaborations and the most special products. The experience ends with a guided wine tasting. Afterwards we will invite you to have lunch in a typical restaurant.  After lunch we say goodbye to Peñaranda de Duero and continue our route to the next Pueblo Mágico, Peñafiel. It mesmerizes with its emblematic castle and vineyards that embrace hills. Wine history, with its Wine Museum and panoramic views attract those seeking cultural authenticity and natural beauty. You will arrive in the late afternoon at your chosen accommodation with time to rest a bit before heading out for dinner at a typical restaurant. After a full day you will return to your accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Peñafiel. We start with a visit to the Castle of Peñafiel. Dating back to the 10th century, its current appearance is the product of interventions that took place during the 14th and 15th centuries. This medieval fortress was declared a National Monument in 1917. Next, we will visit the Plaza del Coso. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1999, it is a public space created in the Middle Ages to host bullfights and continues to have that function today. We will finish our tour with a walk in the Pintia Archaeological Zone. With 125 hectares, it presents the patrimonial wealth of the history of more than a thousand years with three great cultural horizons: Vacceo-Roman and Visigoth centuries IV B.C. to the change of Era. We will end our visit to Peñafiel with a unique wine tourism experience. Unique territories. The opportunity to take a brief journey through the different projects of Alma Carraovejas and get to know its essence, its particularities and its unique territories. Tasting of 4 wines while enjoying 4 gastronomic proposals in a 2-hour tour of Pago de Carraovejas. The end of this adventure is coming and there is nothing better than ending this fantastic Magic Route with an incredible lunch. We invite you to eat one of the typical dishes of the region. The Lechazo in a wood-fired oven, in a local restaurant.