From America to Spain, learning
authentic Spanish food
At CÚRATE Madrid & Castile we bring to you peerless access to explore central Spain through some of the world’s most acclaimed food and wine experiences all through the personal surveillance of Katie Button and Félix Meana to get to the very essence of the real Spain.
This new journey personally guided by Félix – one of the most influential people in the Spanish food scene – uncovers first-hand the real Central Spain through the authentic Spanish food, living some of the most fascinating experiences accessible to a very few. Get priceless insider access, connections, and a tantalizing insight into the culinary essence of the country.
CÚRATE not only brings Spanish cuisine to Asheville, NC in the United States, but invites you to accompany them across Spain to get the real feel of the authentic Spain in a new sui generis 10-day trip from November 2 to 11 2018. Learn more about CÚRATE here.
CÚRATE has joined forces once again with the specialist food and wine tour operator Paladar y Tomar to provide the most seamless journey that only two in-the-know insiders can assure.
It’s time to discover this signature 10-day program across Central Spain through enjoyable and comprehensive show-cooking and intimate visits, and only-well-connected experiences under the expert purview of Katie Button and Félix Meana and the most illustrious local cooks and professionals.
Félix leads a dream program that contains unimaginable visits all along with the valuable insight only locals can give, leaving you well versed in many foundations and techniques of Spanish gastronomic culture and the Mediterranean soul.
After a welcome drink, in the afternoon, enjoy a unique century-old shops tour. These historic establishments have seen the birth and growth of more than three generations of Madrid’s citizens. Let’s explore some food- related ones. The welcome dinner will immerse you in the authentic Madrid way of life.
Dinner
Hotel Urso 5* Boutique
Enjoy a getaway to Toledo. Also known as the City of Three Cultures for having been influenced by a historical co-existence of Christians, Muslims and Jews, as you stroll around the streets of Toledo among its huge haul of churches and convents, mosques and synagogues, you will be delighted.
IN AN OLD TAVERN
Since 1898 this tavern is daily feeding madrileños and some octogerian neighbors keep coming every day not only for the great homemade food but also for the warm service, you always feel that you’re entering the house of friends. You’ll leave in high spirits! And tonight, roll up your sleeves if you feel like to participate at an amazing and intimate show cooking led by an old friend from Katie and Félix, a very well renowned chef in Madrid and beyond.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hotel Urso 5* Boutique
An intangible air of magic ensconces Segovia. Whether it can be attributed to warm hues of terra-cotta contrasting a backdrop of snow-capped Sierra de Guadarrama mountains or to the ancient architectural splendor of its Roman aqueduct towering over a dynamic, modern city, one thing is for sure: it’s undeniable. And the whole world knows about the gastronomic miracle in Segovia; Cochinillo Asado or Roast Suckling Pig that has become a legend. Do you want to know why?
HACIENDA ZORITA WINE HOTEL
Only 10 minutes from the historic city of Salamanca surrounded by countryside and vineyards. This ancient Dominican monastery, located on the river Tormes, is now a unique Wine – Hotel & Spa, with its’ history stretching back to 1366. It was at Zorita that Cristopher Columbus persuaded the “Reyes Católicos” to provide the support he needed to realize his dream, leading to the discovery of the New World. Enjoy a private wine tasting in an impressive atmosphere.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hacienda Zorita Wine Hotel & Spa
A member of Zorita will lead a beautiful day in a land filled with evergreen oak trees, olive trees, vineyards, the local Churra sheep, the Verata Slow goats, water buffalas and the Iberian and Mangalica pigs. Taste the own-produced cheeses, olive oils and our unique balsamic vinegar aged for 10 years.
SALAMANCA BY NIGHT
Salamanca’s cathedrals and churches rise up suddenly on the other side of the Tormes River, The old city remains much as it was in the 18th century and nothing seems to alter the rhythm of this ancient ville. The city’s pride is the University of Salamanca founded in 1218, it is said to be the third oldest university in Europe after Oxford and Bologna.
The central Plaza Mayor is perhaps Spain’s most glorious square, and throughout the city you’ll see exceptional Plateresque carving thanks to the soft sandstone. Enjoying Salamanca at night is a lifetime experience.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hacienda Zorita Wine Hotel & Spa
Probably the best beef in the world. Proclaiming the culinary superiority of beef that isn’t raised agribusiness-style and shipped halfway around the world. But within that mind-set is a range of philosophies about what to feed the animals, when to slaughter them, how to age the meat, how to cook it. Selecting the animals can go beyond breed to — yes — personality. This is a chance to meet José Gordon, a breeder and chef in Spain devoted to offer the best meat.
ASTORGA
After lunch, transfer back to Astorga to relax or stroll around on your own across this charming town, you won’t miss the imposing Episcopal Palace of Astorga as it is one of only three works completed by Gaudí outside of Catalonia, along with Casa Botines in León and “El Capricho” in Comillas. Anyway, tonight you will feel Astorga in full and literally “eat the city” by delving into the stories of the best restaurateurs in town in a dynamic show-cooking dinner.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hotel casa de Tepa, 4* Boutique
Las Médulas is an historic mining site in the region of El Bierzo which used to be the most important gold mine and largest open pit gold mine in the entire Roman Empire. The survey and excavations of pre-Roman and Roman settlements throughout the area allowed for new historical interpretations that greatly enriched the study of Roman mining. A positive result of these systematic studies was the inclusion of Las Médulas as a World Heritage Site in 1997. The view from Mirador de Orellán is truly breathtaking and definitely a highlight.
VERÓNICA ORTEGA
Verónica Ortega, after studying oenology in her native Cádiz (Andalucia) spent several years of training and work in places like New Zealand, South Africa or France. It was precisely working in France where she learnt about the spectacular Bierzo terroir through major wine representatives in the region as Raúl Pérez and Ricardo Pérez Palacios, who became good friends and showed her all the potential of the region known as the Spanish Burgundy. Verónica is ready to share with us her internationally recognized personal project.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hotel casa de Tepa, 4* Boutique
Spain is doubtlessly a big cheese producer, and we couldn’t help taking you to one of the most prestigious artisan cheese-makers in the area, one of the most rewarding experiences. Learn all the secrets from a family artisan cheese maker and you will understand why they have been awarded with several World Cheese Awards.
We continue our way to Burgos, and you’ll leave the rustic side behind you to enjoy an unexpected Michelin restaurant lunch showcasing contemporary cuisine with clearly defined traditional roots.
WINE TASTING
Relax today at Hotel Landa, situated in a painstakingly restored mansion and Medieval tower, and before dinner enjoy the best Ribera del Duero wine tasting session ever, it’ll be fun and instructive. The delicious home made Castilian cuisine at the hotel deserves being enjoyed in calm, it’s freshly-made bread and pastries are superb.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hotel Landa, 4* Boutique
Burgos evokes medieval knights and princesses, such as El Cid, streets, avenues, statues, bakeries, basketball clubs.., everything has Cidian. The spiers of the Cathedral – declared World Heritage – stand out over the forest of Gothic church towers. The mansions and houses emblazoned like the one of the Cord, Castilfalé or the House of Miranda remind palace intrigues and times of plenty.
After a guided visit, trying the local traditional lechazo or suckling lamb, this is something of an institution.
TAPAS TOUR
Gastronomy in Burgos is an essential cultural landmark, and as we crave for meaningful experiences a tapas tour with locals will uncover the local rustic culinary scene, morcilla de Burgos (spiced-blood-and-rice sausage) and red beans stews are off-the-scale delicious.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hotel Landa, 4* Boutique
Ribera del Duero is one of the world’s most prestigious wine regions and well know for its big well-balanced reds. This is a once in a lifetime visit; accessing one of the finest wineries in the world is an experience attainable by a very few. Grapes apparently were cultivated and wines made in the Ribera del Duero by the Romans, but modern plantings date from the Middle Ages when French monks brought vine cuttings to the Cistercian monastery at Valbuena de Duero.
MADRID
Today’s farewell dinner will be an intimate session at a private cookhouse from a well renowned Spanish culinary personality and friend, you’ll feel at home!
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hotel Urso, 5* Boutique
Following breakfast, private transfer to Madrid airport at your appointed time or continue your journey if you decided to extend your trip.
Breakfast
At CÚRATE, THE TRIP the excellence of the landscape’s cuisine along with its breathtaking natural surroundings, exceptional wine varieties, and tranquility of the hand-picked singular accommodations create a getaway unparalleled in value and authenticity.
CÚRATE, THE TRIP benefits from the expertise of Paladar y Tomar curating every hotel in search of the most unique nature of each location. This allows us to cater for every different type of personality and taste and have selected for this occasion singular hotels with immense value that enhance every moment. Our stories start from the moment you arrive.
The perfect quadrilateral in the historic heartland.
While in Asheville CÚRATE brings to you daily the Spanish flavors, this journey represents the exaltation of the largest Spain’s community, Castilla y León; such a richly endowed region boasts an extremely rich culture, and nowhere more so than in its cuisine. At the core of this adventure are the tenets of authenticity, exclusivity and personal enrichment brought all together by a team of passionate experts and the priceless company of Félix Meana.
Make your taste buds dance with the popular cocido madrileño – a hearty chickpea stew typical from Madrid -, a melt-in-you-mouth cordero lechal (suckling lamb) in Burgos or the finest egg yolks. And make your soul fly tasting some of the most exceptional wines from Bierzo and Ribera del Duero.
Katie Button and Félix Meana take you to their secret gems in this spectacular 10-day unique and therapeutic escape.
DATES:
INCLUDED:
NOT INCLUDED:
EXTENSIONS:
If you are interested in a pre or post extension trip:
PRICE:
Total journey: €6,550
*Rates are per person, on double occupancy, in Euros
BOOKING DEPOSIT:
– At the time of reservation: 25% of journey cost per person
– 90 days before departure: Balance due
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
– Payment method: Bank transfer or major credit cards are accepted (Visa, American Express, Mastercard)
© 2018 Paladar y Tomar
