Overview
If you’ve done the original El Cavino, you’ll be familiar with this trip because of the lasting memories of the experience. After maturing as a Cavino hiker (aka Caviniker), you’ve now reached Gran Reserva status.
GR stands for the Gran Recorrido walkway, or Gran Reserva wine. Or both at the same time.
The GR has the same format as El Cavino: relatively easy walks in the morning, winery tours, fantastic lunches, great wining and dining and top-rate hotels.
A Gran Recorrido (or GR) is a walkway that’s longer than 50 km, through the natural environment, on traditional walk. It has to be suitable for most walkers all year, although it may be subject to restrictions for environmental or safety reasons.
In Spain alone there are around 300 GR walks. One of these, the GR 14 or Senda del Duero, goes along the banks of the mythical Duero River, from its source in the province of Soria to its mouth in Oporto (Portugal), covering more than 800 km.
The walk goes through key wine locations, taking in the Ribera del Duero, Cigales, Rueda, Toro, Arribes del Duero, Alto Douro and Oporto Denominations of Origin, on both sides of the Duero River.
El Cavino Gran Reserva
Walks
WALK 1. LANGA DE DUERO – MONASTERIO DE LA VID (10 km)
WALK 2. PEÑAFIEL – PESQUERA (9 km)
WALK 3. LA SENDA DE LOS PESCADORES – CASTRONUÑO (7.5 km)
WALK 4. MORALINA – VILLADEPERA (8.5 km)
WALK 5. TRAVESÍA EN BARCO POR EL DOURO.
REGUA – OPORTO (6 horas)
As we make our way to Oporto on board a vessel belonging to the Rota do Douro fleet, we’ll delight in the natural beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Douro wine region, the world’s oldest wine-producing area.
- Cruise on the Río Duero from Cais do Regua to Cais do Porto.
- Lunch on board.
- Passage through the lock at Carrapatelo dam (35 m change in water level)
- Passage through the lock at Crestuma-Lever (14 m change in water level)
Wineries
FINCA TORREMILANOS (DO Ribera del Duero)
Torremilanos has a winemaking tradition going back to 1903, and has been owned by the Peñalba López family since 1975.
Convinced of the quality of the region’s native grape variety (Tempranillo) and with a solid grounding in viticulture, the Peñalba López family decided to increase their vineyards to the 200 hectares they now own. All the vines grow on the hills around the winery and are nurtured with an environmentally friendly philosophy to ensure all Bodega Torremilanos wines are certified as ecological.
The optimum ageing and the quality of the Finca Torremilanos wines are the result of the quality of the grapes, the soil, the climate, on-site cooperage and the unique conditions of the winery.
Tasting and lunch at the winery.
JAVIER SANZ VITICULTOR (DO Rueda)
Travel back in time to discover the oldest DO Rueda vineyards, first registered in 1863 and owned by Javier Sanz Viticultor. Among the vines are genuine treasures of viticulture, such as the pre-phylloxera vineyard El Pago de Saltamontes.
The tasting and lunch are in a deconsecrated church (Iglesia Orden Tercera) in the town of La Seca, in the heart of the Rueda DO. Orden Tercera is a space that was revived and reworked by Javier Sanz, inside a refurbished 18th century church that offers endless possibilities.
The 300-year-old church was deconsecrated in the 1970s. After years of neglect and abandon, the building became a ruin. Today this unique space is our tasting and lunch venue.
BODEGAS FARIÑA (DO Toro)
Bodegas Fariña is in the Toro region, surrounded by aged vines. The winery façade in the traditional architectural style contrasts with the technical nature of the interior, in a fusion of tradition and modernity. Since its inception, the winery has upheld these essential values.
One of the buildings at the winery houses the Museum of Wine and Art, on the upper floor. The constantly updated museum includes a collection of vintage winemaking and vineyard machinery and an exhibition of “El Primero” abstract art, showcasing the work of the 40 finalists in the national painting competition the winery organises each year to choose a new image for its Primero wine.
Lunch served with wine at the winery.
BODEGA ALMA ROJA (DO Arribes del Duero)
Red symbolises vitality, courage, optimism, nonconformity and passion… values that reflect the human condition. They also perfectly reflect part of the soul of British ex-pat winemaker Charlotte Allen.
Charlotte fell in love with the vines she found in a wild, remote part of Zamora, removed from the world but with strong links to the land and its significance, and formed an immediate bond with a virtually forgotten landscape.
But rather than reflecting the harshness of the soil, the tough climate or the hardy nature of the local people, Charlotte’s Almaroja (Red Soul) wines are delicate and subtle, built in very different layers that are both complex and kind. They showcase the countryside at its most beautiful, during spring when the sun is half way in the sky, flowers are blooming, insects are flitting around and the air smells of honey. They reveal the flavours that a carefully tended old vineyard can give to wine, painting a portrait of the rural bounties of an almost forgotten corner in the far west of Spain.
GRAHAM´S (DO Oporto)
Legend has it that two 18th century wine merchants exploring Portugal’s Duero Valley discovered that the abbot of a monastery in Lamego added grape alcohol to his wine at the start of fermentation to retain its sweetness.
The merchants decided to use this method, known as fortification, to preserve their wines on the long voyage back to England. Port wine is named after Oporto, the city where the merchants were based and from where it’s now sent around the world.
Port is still produced the same way, by interrupting the fermentation of grape must (juice) by adding an egg yolk liqueur, typically referred to as “brandy”, to make fortified wines.
We’ll learn all about it on our tour of Graham’s, one of Oporto’s top wineries, followed by lunch at their restaurant Vinum, with amazing views over the city.
Hotels
CASTILLA TERMAL BURGO DE OSMA****
Hotel Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma (****). Housed in the emblematic 16th century building of the former University of Santa Catalina, Hotel Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma features the original Plateresque façade and a Renaissance courtyard at the heart of the hotel topped by a large glass dome.
Entry to the thermal pool is included.
The town of El Burgo de Osma, in the province of Soria, has earned the status of Cultural Interest Site for its historical and cultural treasures. The history-filled sites, buildings, old town and squares will take you back in time.
CASTILLA TERMAL MONASTERIO DE VALBUENA*****
Hotel Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena (*****) is on the golden mile of the Ribera del Duero wine region. It has 79 high quality rooms and is built over 18,000 square metres.
Entry to the thermal pool is included.
Nearby, there’s so much history, culture and tradition, and so many art and heritage wonders, that you won’t know where to start.
Monasterio de Valbuena is now home to Fundación Las Edades del Hombre (Ages of Man Foundation), after it was refurbished and spaces were created to adapt the building to modern times, while maintaining its identity and history.
PARADOR NACIONAL DE TORDESILLAS****
At the historic crossroads of Tordesillas, we’ll stay at the recently refurbished 4-star Parador.
The elegant building is in a beautiful natural setting, sheltered by pine trees in carefully tended grounds. Castilian style predominates in the architecture and furnishings, and the atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing inside and out. Facilities include a Turkish bath, hot tub, heated pool, sauna and gym.
In Tordesillas you can visit the Treaty Houses, overlooking the Río Duero, next to the Church of San Antolín. These adjoining 15th and 17th century manor houses are a Cultural Interest Site. The older building is where Spain and Portugal divided up the New World territories at the signing of the Treaty of Tordesillas.
NH ZAMORA PALACIO DEL DUERO****
Hotel NH Zamora Palacio del Duero is located in part of a 14th century convent, just a few minutes’ walk from the river. The cathedral, Holy Week Museum and other tourist spots are also a short walk from the hotel.
The seamless blend of history and modernity is evident in the delightful restaurant with its vaulted ceiling and the elegant terrace overlooking the church.
The many fascinating places to visit in Zamora include the cathedral, with its ribbed dome, the Dueñas Convent, the blend of modern touches and Romanesque features in many of its buildings, the castle, and the Baltasar Lobo Museum.
DELFIM DOURO HOTEL****
Perched on a hillside with panoramic views, Delfim Douro Hotel provides luxury accommodation with private balconies overlooking the Douro River. It features a rooftop terrace, an outdoor pool, a restaurant and massage services.
The stylish air-conditioned rooms and suites include a seating area with flat-screen satellite TV, minibar and free Wi-Fi.
Enjoy refinement and luxury in an exceptionally beautiful location: a relaxing afternoon and a treat for all your senses.
HOTEL CATALONIA PORTO****
Catalonia Porto is a four-star boutique hotel with 86 rooms in the centre of Porto, in various protected 18th century buildings. It’s next to the cosmopolitan Batalha Square, one of the city’s main leisure and shopping areas, and not far from Sao Bento train station and Porto’s most popular tourist attractions.
The hotel facilities include a pool and hot tub in the delightful leafy courtyard, as well as a spa, fitness area and snack bar. Its modern, light-filled rooms are decorated in the local style.
We’ll stay two nights at this hotel.
Information
Price
The price of El Cavino is €2,280 per person (including VAT) with accommodation in a shared double room.
Bookings for a room with single occupancy include a supplement of €490 (including VAT).
Booking
Once you’ve chosen the date to do El Cavino, payment is made as follows:
- €790 on signing up and booking, to reserve the selected place(s).
- The remaining €1,490 must be paid no later than 15 days before the start of El Cavino.
Supplement for single occupancy
If you choose to have a room to yourself, the supplement of €490 must be paid on the first payment.
If you book a double room and one of the two people cancels their trip, the company will not be responsible for paying the supplement for single occupancy.
The package includes
- Seven nights at 4**** and 5***** hotels, with accommodation and breakfast
- Welcome Dinner at the start of the trip and Farewell Dinner at the end of the trip
- Tours of wineries from five Denominations of Origin
- Lunch after the winery tours
- Entry to the spa pool on two days
- Cruise on the Duero, with lunch on board
- Free El Cavino bus from Madrid to Burgos de Osma on the first Sunday for travellers departing from Madrid, and from Oporto to Madrid the following Sunday, plus all bus journeys between the locations of El Cavino Gran Reserva
- Expert guide throughout the trip, starting and ending in Madrid
Trip start and finish times departure from Madrid
For those starting the trip from Madrid, the departure is from the street at the entrance to Atocha train station on Calle Méndez Álvaro.
Location:
The departure time from Madrid on the first day of El Cavino is 15.00 h (3.00 pm).
Those making their own way to Burgo de Osma can enter the hotel from 14.00 h (2.00 pm).
The group will meet at the hotel reception at 21.00 h (9.00 pm) to go to the Welcome Dinner together.
The approximate time of arrival in Madrid at Atocha train station is 17.30 h (5.30 pm).
Please Note
The organisers of El Cavino reserve the right to cancel the trip if there are not enough participants enrolled to form a group three weeks before the chosen date. You’ll have the choice of changing the date of the trip, free of charge, or receiving a full refund of the amount paid.
Where any changes to the programme are necessary for reasons beyond the control of the organisers, another option will be chosen of an equivalent or higher category than those included on this website.
Cancellation policy
If you’re unable to travel on the date you initially chose, you’ll be offered the chance to change to another group free of charge, providing there are places available on the alternative trip.
If you want to change the date of your trip, you must give notice 45 days before the start of the trip you originally selected.
For cancellations made by clients, the full amount paid will be refunded if cancellation is made 45 days before the trip.
For cancellations less than 45 days before the trip, a fee will be deducted as follows:
• 10% of the total amount of the trip if the cancellation is made within 44 to 30 days before the trip.
• 20% of the total amount of the trip if the cancellation is made within 29 to 15 days before the trip.
• 40% of the total amount of the trip if the cancellation is made within 14 to 7 days before the trip.
• 60% of the total amount of the trip if the cancellation is made within 6 days to 72 hours before the trip.
• 100% of the total amount of the trip if the cancellation is made within 72 hours or less before the trip.
In addition to this, a fee of 50 euros per person must be paid to Momentos Wine S.L.U. for the administrative expenses of cancelling the trip.
No refund will be paid in the case of non-shows at the time of departure (15.00 h/3.00 pm in Madrid or 21.00 h/9.00 pm in hotel de Burgo de Osma) .
Travel insurance
For situations in which a cancellation is made within 44 days of the start of the trip, we offer the possibility of taking out Travel Insurance that includes cancellation. The terms and coverage of the insurance are available on the booking page. We can provide you with a non-binding quote.
Itinerary
DAY 1
- Free El Cavino bus from Madrid to Burgo de Osma departing at 15.00 h (3.00 pm), or arrival in Burgo de Osma by your own means
- Accommodation at Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma, including entry to the spa pool
- 21.00 h (9.00 pm) Welcome Dinner at the hotel
DAY 2
- Walk 1: Langa de Duero – Monasterio de la Vid
- Tour and lunch at Bodega Torremilanos, DO Ribera del Duero
- Accommodation at Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena, including entry to the spa pool
DAY 3
- Walk 2: Peñafiel – Pesquera
- Tour with Javier Sanz Viticultor. DO Rueda tasting and lunch in La Seca at the town’s deconsecrated chapel events venue (Capilla de la Orden Tercera Eventos)
- Accommodation at Parador de Tordesillas
DAY 4
- Walk 3: Ruta de los Pescadores, Castronuño
- Tour and lunch at Bodegas Fariña, DO Toro
- Accommodation at NH Hotel Palacio del Duero, Zamora
DAY 5
- Walk 4: Moralina – Villadepera
- Tour of Bodega Alma Roja, DO Arribes del Duero
- Lunch and wine at Restaurante España (Fermoselle)
- Accommodation at Delfim Douro Hotel, Lamego (Portugal)
DAY 6
- Cruise on the Douro to Oporto, with lunch on board
- Accommodation at Catalonia Porto (Portugal)
DAY 7
- Tour and lunch at Graham’s Port Lodge, DO Porto
- 21.00 h (9.00 pm) Farewell Dinner at our accommodation, Catalonia Porto (Portugal)
DAY 8
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Optional return journey to Madrid on the El Cavino bus, free of charge. Approximate time of arrival in Madrid 17.30 h (5.30 pm)
