Independent touring for food-lovers in Spain & Portugal
As keen ‘foodies’ ourselves, local gastronomy is always high on our list of criteria when putting together our tours – for that very reason we consider that all of our itineraries qualify as Spanish and Portuguese food tours!
Each region is different from the next and fiercely proud of its cuisine. Wherever you go you will find the very best seasonal produce, locally sourced and home cooked, at very reasonable prices.
Most of our tours will bring you through wine regions. Spanish and Portuguese wines are constantly improving and offer superb value for money. Many producers and smaller regions haven’t yet made it into the supermarkets – be a little daring and you’re sure to find some truly excellent wines which combine perfectly with the local cuisine.
Fantastic food - everywhere!
We specialise in the lesser known areas of Spain and Portugal, avoiding the crowds. Take an independent tour and discover a different side of the Iberian Peninsula, with fantastic gastronomy, heritage and culture as well as beautiful landscapes and all the activities you can imagine.
About the tours:
- Independent touring with all the info and support you need
- Bespoke itineraries – designed and organised by our experts
- Fly to Spain or Portugal and we’ll include a hire a car
- Or we’ll build in the ferry travel to Spain
- Request a personal quote with route map, highlights…
- Travel with full directions, guidebook and touring map
- Regional guides, essential docs formatted for mobile and tablet
Practical Information
- Destinations
- North Spain
- Spanish Pyrenees
- Catalonia
- Madrid & Inland Spain
- Andalucia
- Portugal & Cross-Border
- Our food guide
Spain & Portugal - a foodie's paradise
Art, nature, history, music, language or even technology, there are several reasons to choose a destination when planning a holiday but, no doubt, gastronomy is a high priority for many of us. As one of the key elements that shapes cultural identity it’s perhaps at the table where travellers can best relate interactively with the area and its locals.
Spain and Portugal stand out from the long list of gastronomic destinations around the world. A history full of diverse cultural influences combined with a wide variety of terrains and contrasting climatic conditions have determined a strong regional gastronomy in both countries. In the face of the “fast food” onslaught the locals, fortunately, remain committed to their traditional flavours and cooking techniques.
Each region has its specialities and proudly offers its own flavours giving special emphasis to local seasonal produce. From delicious fresh fish and seafood along the coastline, top-quality vegetables and fruits from their fertile valleys, to the extraordinary meat-dishes of the mountainous areas, the Iberian Peninsula has much to offer.
Keen “foodies” ourselves, we’ve drawn on over 30 years of arduous gastro-exploration to create our Spain and Portugal Food Guides which we give to all our clients as part of our Vamoos Travel App.
Northern Spain - from Michelin stars to delicious local fare…
From the Basque Country to Galicia, Spain’s north-west coast is rightly gaining fame on the world gastronomic stage. Michelin stars abound but the culinary tradition goes much deeper and you will find remarkably good local fare at very good prices. Fresh fish and seafood stand out but don’t miss the excellent Galician beef, the bean stews of Asturias and Cantabria and of course the wonderful pintxos of the Basque country – see our North Spain tours.
Spanish Pyrenees – authentic flavour in every bite
Perhaps not normally considered a gastro-destination, the Spanish Pyrenees offer some fine mountain fare and a cuisine which varies from valley to valley. In the western valleys of Navarra Basque and French influences are brought to bear on the excellent local ingredients. In the central valleys there are wonderful meat dishes and stews and in the east the Garrotxa region offers its own twist on things with Cocina Volcanica.
You’ll also find some surprisingly good wines along the way, not least in Somontano, a long term favourite of ours – see our Spanish Pyrenees tours.
Catalonia - home of the Mediterranean diet
Known internationally for its fine wines from Priorat and of course cava, the region boasts fish from the Med, rice from the Delta and olive oil everywhere, making it a pillar of the Mediterranean diet.
In the north, in the Pyrenean mountains you'll find a feast of wild mushrooms and charcutterie and don't miss the 'volcanic cuisine' in the Garrotxa using ingedients grown in teh rich volcanic soil.
Madrid & Inland Spain – hearty food and wonderful wines in the interior…
Burgos lamb, Guijuelo ham, El Bierzo peppers or the famous suckling pig from Segovia. The fine olive oil and cheeses of Extremadura or lamb cutlets of La Rioja…
The cuisine of the Spanish interior is hearty and wholesome with some real treats for the discerning foodie traveller. Couple that with a truly vast selection of Spain’s best wines and you’re in for a feast! See our Madrid & Inland Spain tours.
Andalucia - a gastronomic identity shaped by countless influences
Here you’ll find the finest cured ham in the world, the revered Atlantic bluefin tuna and arguably the best olive oil to be found anywhere alongside simpler pleasures like a well made Gazpacho or a dish of fried fish with a glass of ‘fino’ sherry.
Apart from the myriad varieties of sherry, Manzanilla and Montilla-Moriles, you’ll find some excellent reds and whites in the Sierra de Málaga and delicious dessert wines in Málaga and the Axarquia region just to the east.
In particular the region’s Moorish past and proximity to Africa have made their mark and differentiate the local cuisine from that of the rest of Spain – see our Andalucian tours
Portugal – over 365 dishes of “bacalhau”!
It is said that the Portuguese say ”I love you” through food. The gastronomy is simple but flavourful, with the emphasis on quality ingredients.
Signature dishes are Caldeirada (seafood stews) and Bacalhao (salt cod) and the northern hills are well known for their pork dishes, roast kid and beef. Accompany these with a superb variety of wines, from the Vinho Verde from the far north to the exquisite reds of the Dao, the Alentejo and the Alto Douro – the oldest demarcated wine region on Earth – and of course, the classic Ports.
See our Portuguese tours
A taste of two countries - compare and contrast...
We all love to compare and contrast when we travel from region to region – so what better than to visit two world-class gastronomic, wine producing countries in one trip!
Follow the Duero as it becomes the Douro, compare Lisboan tascas with the tapas bars of Madrid. Taste both the well-known Alentejo wines and the up and coming reds and whites from Extremadura, see for yourself which side of the border has the best Albariño wine, the best seafood, tasty cheeses, the best cured ham…
See our Cross-Border tours
Travel with us - eat like a local
Travel with Casas Cantabricas and you’ll receive a local guide to each area which includes including our own restaurant recommendations - the places where the locals eat, and where we go ourselves!
You'll find this, as well as our Spain and Portugal food guides with vocabulary and all the essential foodie terms, as part of your personal paper-free Vamoos Travel App. The restaurants are all geo-located, so you can easily find those magical out-of-the-way places and you'll also find recommended wineries to visit and other gastronomic attractions.
The app includes everything you need to plan the detailed day-to-day activities with all the information at your fingertips:
- Full itinerary details
- Letters and receipts
- Ferry / hotel vouchers
- Our own guide to the areas you will visit
- General food and vocab guide
- Map with hotels and points of interest geo-located
- List points of interest by proximity
- Directions to find your accommodation
- Bespoke point-to-point directions
- Local weather forecast for each location
- Helpline messaging service
- Photobook facility
And, of course, if you need help or expert advice with any particular detail we’re only a phone call away and always delighted to help!
A taste of two countries - compare and contrast...
We all love to compare and contrast when we travel from region to region – so what better than to visit two world-class gastronomic, wine producing countries in one trip!
Follow the Duero as it becomes the Douro, compare Lisboan tascas with the tapas bars of Madrid. Taste both the well-known Alentejo wines and the up and coming reds and whites from Extremadura, see for yourself which side of the border has the best Albariño wine, the best seafood, tasty cheeses, the best cured ham…
See our Cross-Border tours
Explore our favourite tours for food lovers in Spain & Portugal
Here are a few of our favourite tours for food lovers - to see all our 'foodie' tours click here
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[description] => And it’s not all about the food – here you’ll find dramatic mountain scenery, fantastic beaches and a wealth of art and architecture, not least in Frank Gehry’s famous Guggenheim Museum.
[introduction] => Wherever you go in Northern Spain you’re in for a gastronomic treat, from the famous ‘Cocina Vasca’ to the first class seafood of Galicia, accompanied by world class wines from La Rioja to Albariño. Here we offer some of the highlights in a route full of contrasts yet without a lot of driving.
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[title] => Day 1 & 2 – Bilbao & the Basque Country
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[description] => Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim & its sister the Bellas Artes
Basque cuisine, pintxos or something more substantial
Basque coast, lovely beaches, spectacular rock formations
Head for the hills, great walking just near the city
Visit San Sebastian, Belle Epoque elegance by the sea
Spain’s most prestigious vineyards
Riojan & Basque cuisine – excellent local ingredients
Stunning modern architecture among the vines
Medieval Laguardia and Labastida
Dinastia Vivanco museum of wine culture
Historic seaside towns of San Vicente, Comillas or Santillana del Mar
Sandy beaches and craggy protected coves
Carmona, Barcena Mayor in the beautiful valleys
Prehistoric cave paintings at Altamira and many more
Wonderful walks along the coast or in the rolling hills
Try a seaside break in San Sebastian
or add a stop in the Picos
or the Pyrenees...
Ask about superior rooms, a larger rental car or better cabins on the ferry
or more economical options if you're on a budget...
Call us to talk through all the options - we'd love to hear from you!
Bilbao, the ‘Phoenix City’
The great wines of La Rioja
Architecture ancient & modern
Beaches & valleys of coastal Cantabria
Wonderful gastronomy throughout
Short drives – big contrasts!
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[description] => The full route takes two weeks but you can do as little, or as much, as you like.
[introduction] => The classic Northern Spain itinerary, from Bilbao to Santiago, following close to one of the original ways of St James yet never far from the beautiful coastline with the backdrop of the Cordillera de Cantabria mountain range. From start to finish you’ll find great walking, superb food and wine, great cities and lovely, well preserved towns to investigate as well as the legacy of hundreds of years of pilgrimage.
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[title] => Day 6 & 7 – Picos de Europa
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[description] => Breathtaking mountain scenery, walks & activities for all
Wildlife, butterflies to birds of prey, bears too!
Make a pilgrimage to Santo Toribio
Cable car at Fuente De whisks you up to 1800m
Potes, Cangas and Arriondas, historic yet full of life
Local mountain gastronomy, cider & Orujo
Historic seaside towns of San Vicente, Comillas or Santillana del Mar
Sandy beaches and craggy protected coves
Carmona, Barcena Mayor in the beautiful valleys
Prehistoric cave paintings at Altamira and many more
Wonderful walks along the coast or in the rolling hills
Fly into Santiago and end in Bilbao
Swap Bilbao for a stay in San Sebastian
Add a stop in the Rias Bajas - or stay there instead of Santiago
Ask about superior rooms, a larger rental car or better cabins on the ferry
or more economical options if you're on a budget...
Call us to talk through all the options - we'd love to hear from you!
Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim & its sister the Bellas Artes
Basque cuisine, pintxos or something more substantial
Basque coast, lovely beaches, spectacular rock formations
Head for the hills, great walking just near the city
San Sebastian, Belle Epoque elegance by the sea
Great seafood – famed throughout Spain
Playa de los Catedrales, one of many fantastic beaches
Unspoilt coastline with lovely fishing villages
Viveiro, lively seaside city with an atmospheric old town
Sagardelo pottery, traditional yet with a modern look
Journey’s end, for centuries Europe’s most important pilgrim destination
World heritage city centred around the magnificent Cathedral, said to house the bones of St James
Guided walking tour, there’s so much to discover
Lively bar scene, great tapas and young Ribeiro wine, or if you prefer, a drop of Albariño
Pretty fishing villages such as Cudillero & Luarca
Beautiful beaches & dramatic cliff-top coastal walks
Dinosaur coast & Jurassic museum
Oviedo, historic Asturian capital & Gijon by the sea
National Park of Somiedo – maybe you’ll see bears!
Visit a traditional Asturian cider house (sidrería)
World class wines and gastronomy
Spain’s most beautiful beaches
Breathtaking mountain scenery
The ‘Way of St James’, steeped in history
Magnificent cities, unspoilt villages
Ancient architecture; ultra-modern Guggenheim
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[name] => Discover North Portugal
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[description] => Vineyards and nature, delicious local food and world-class wine. From start to finish you’ll find stunning landscapes, wonderful walking, great cities and lovely, well preserved towns to investigate.
The full route takes ten days but you can do as little, or as much, as you like.
[introduction] => A longer tour taking in all the highlights of North Portugal yet without too much driving. Start in style in historic Porto and the Douro valley which marks the southern limit of the region, then head north to Guimaraes and Braga, the Lima Valley, and on towards the border with Spain to discover the windswept Costa Verde, Minho Valley fortress towns and Peneda-Geres, Portugal’s only National Park.
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[title] => Day 1 & 2 – Porto
[introduction] =>
[description] => Ribeira, Porto’s fascinating historic centre, a World Heritage site
Cross the impressive Dom Luis I iron bridge to the Port Wine Lodges
Art for all from finest museums to simple galleries
Walk the lanes, sail the river, live and breathe Porto
Ferry to Afurada and the golden beach of Estrela
Fabulous Douro scenery – take an unforgettable boat trip
World Heritage Douro vineyards, the World’s oldest!
Romantic Amarante on the River Tamega
Lamego – famous stairs of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios
Superb gastronomy in the atmospheric “adegas” taverns
Stunning Guimaraes – World Heritage Site, full of culture and art
Historic Braga with Portugal’s oldest Cathedral
Bom Jesus del Monte with its famous baroque staircase
Lively Barcelos – oldest market in the north, a must!
Celtic Citania de Briteiros, 2500 years of history
National Park Peneda – Geres: boulder strewn granite peaks, forests and waterfalls
Hiking, biking, horse riding, routes and water sports
Spa town of Geres at the heart of the park
Swim in turquoise rivers; marvel at the waterfalls in the Arado valley
Visit the “espigueiros” grain stores in striking Soajo
Delightful Caminha and the fortress towns of Valença, Monção and Melgaço, dotted along the river Minho
Historic step in the Portuguese Santiago pilgrim way
Imposing Viana do Castelo with its long surfy windswept Atlantic coastline
Graceful Ponte de Lima with its Roman bridge
Sample the Vinho Verde wine and hearty local fare
Fly into and back from Santiago and explore the city or the Rias Bajas
If you fly via Santiago, explore the Galician Ribera Sacra wine region
Add a stop in Viseu and the Dao wine region - south of the Douro Valley
or extend your stay at any of the stops - they are all worth it!
Call us to talk through all the options - we'd love to hear from you!
World class Port wines Douro and Vinho Verde
Historic Porto and its charming old quarter
World Heritage Arquitecture, Art and Culture
Breathtaking valleys, Douro, Lima and Minho
The Camino Portugues – St James’ Way
Boulder-strewn mountains of Peneda-Geres
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[description] => The circular route heads from chic Málaga and Granada deep inland to Ubeda, before following the river through Córdoba and Sevilla, south towards Cadiz then picking across the Grazalema mountains and Ronda, back to the start.
You’ll find great cities, high Sierra mountains, endless orange and olive groves as well as the legacy of great civilisations from Tartesians to the Moors – the only constant being the famous Andalucian vitality, humour and hospitality!
The full route takes two weeks but you can do as little, or as much, as you like.
[introduction] => The Guadalquivir river, into which flowed the riches of the Americas, forms the backbone of this wonderful two week tour of Andalucia.
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[title] => Day 1 & 2 – Malaga
[introduction] =>
[description] => Eat, shop or stroll in style in the stylish new port area
Thyssen, Pompidou – art galleries galore
Tapas bars, street music, Flamenco shows
Dip into Axarquia – stunning scenery, pretty villages
Visit Antequera, Moorish heritage, unique ‘Torcal’ landscape
The Alhambra Palace – city of the Nasrid Sultans
Atmospheric Albaicin with night time views to the Alhambra
Cathedral, resting place of the Catholic Kings
Wonderful bars, incredible tapas – many free!
Take a trip to the Sierra Nevada, mainland Spain’s highest mountains
Spain’s finest Renaissance architecture
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003
Sierra de Cazorla, Spain’s largest nature reserve
Source of the Guadalquivir at the heart of the park
Traditional ‘Alferería’ pottery – moorish in origin
The Great Mosque – western Europe’s largest Islamic building
Lose yourself in the Jewish Quarter
Marvel at the patios overloaded with potted geraniums
Medina Azahara archaeological site of on the outskirts
Montilla – Moriles wines – handle with care!
Roman ruins of Hispania Ulterior & Baetica
Gateway to the New World & all its riches
3 World Heritage Sites in Sevilla’s Old Town!
Colossal Cathedral, Moorish Alcázar Palace & Giralda Tower
Carmona, Sevilla in miniature, just half an hour away
Thriving Flamenco culture & lively atmosphere of Barrio de la Santa Cruz
Cádiz, steeped in history, Europe’s oldest city
Doñana National Park one of Europe’s best bird reserves
Spectacular white beaches
Jerez; famous sherry wines and dancing horses
Moorish pueblos blancos, Véjer, Medina Sidonia Bolonia
Hemingway’s Ronda, the most famous of the ‘Pueblos Blancos’
Spain’s oldest bullring
Wonderful wildlife and birdwatching in the Sierra de Grazalema & Sierra de las Nieves
Pueblos Blancos: Grazalema, Olivera, Arcos de la Frontera, Zahara de la Sierra
Extend your stay at any of the stops - they are all worth it!
Swap Sevilla for Carmona and stay at its historic Parador
Or combine with a stay in Madrid or Toledo - easy access from UK and worldwide plus fast train links to Sevilla and Córdoba
Ask about train travel between the cities - or a mix or car and train
Call us to talk through all the options - we'd love to hear from you!
Malaga – Mediterranean seaside chic
Granada´s Alhambra Palace
Renaissance gems Ubeda & Baeza
Cordoba’s magnificent mezquita
Carmona & Sevilla, rich moorish heritage
Cadiz, white beaches and sherry
Grazalema, Ronda & the ‘Pueblos Blancos’
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[name] => Discover Galicia
[slug] => galicia-round-tour
[description] => Apart from this rich heritage there are miles of beautiful coastline and an interior with many little known wonders in a province larger than Wales.
For the foodies there’s plenty to relish with Spain’s best seafood and some fantastic white wines as well as good meat and garden produce.
[introduction] => In the far north west corner of Spain, for centuries journey’s-end for pilgrims travelling from all over Europe and long considered the end of the earth, the Celtic land of Galicia has much to offer today’s visitor.
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[title] => Day 1 & 2 – Rias Altas y Costa de la Muerte
[introduction] =>
[description] => Prettiest, most unspoilt beaches in Spain
Finisterre, literally the ‘World’s End’
La Coruña with its working Roman lighthouse
Traditional life in the fishing villages
White sands and rock pools of Carnota bay – an old favourite!
Feast on delicious shellfish, locally farmed
Take a trip to the idylic islands of Cies & Ons
Lively Vigo, Europe’s largest fishing port
Cambados, at the heart of the Albariño wine region
Get active! Watersports for all in the Rias
Catamaran trip down the magnificent Rio Sil
Ribero wines from the vertiginous banks of the Sil
Historic Monforte, Ribadavia & local monasteries
Octopus in Ourense, best in Spain, maybe the world!
Los Ancares Nature Park, immense native woodlands
Playa de los Catedrales – among the world’s most famous
Lively Viveiro with its active fishing port and beaches
Sargadelo pottery, traditional yet surprisingly modern!
A wealth of unspoilt fishing villages to dip into
Pop across to Asturias, just a short drive to the border
One of Europe’s most important pilgrim destinations
Take a walking tour around this World Heritage City
Visit the Cathedral said to house the bones of St James
Always lively with a strong tradition of street music
Multitude of bars and restaurants, a last chance to retry all the Gallego treats!
Dip into northern Portugal
Head down to Porto - it's not far!
or head east into Asturias
Ask about superior rooms, a larger rental car or better cabins on the ferry
or more economical options if you're on a budget...
Call us to talk through all the options - we'd love to hear from you!
Rugged ocean coastline. Lush green hills
World famous seafood & Albariño wine
Celtic roots visible throughout
Finisterre – the Romans’ worlds-end
Ribera Sacra – the sacred river
Santiago – journey’s end
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[name] => Secrets of Southern Catalonia
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[description] => Well known for its bucket-and-spade seaside resorts this fascinating corner of Catalonia is laden with secret gems just waiting to be discovered.
In Tarragona, the lively regional capital, you’ll find a city to rival Barcelona but without the tourist crowds – and with spectacular Roman remains. Nearby Reus has some splendid Modernist buildings and a Gaudí museum tracing his roots in the region.
Head north or south and you’re in wine country of Priorat and Cava. Hiking trails among the vines offering stunning scenery to enjoy between tastings.
You’re never far from the coast and here also there are some lesser-known gems such as delightful Altafulla and Ametlla del Mar or elegant Sitges. At the southernmost point awaits the Ebro Delta where a immensely rich birdlife thrives among the rice fields proving a unique eco-system and spectacular views. Head inland and explore medieval Tortosa and Miravet set below the 1500m mountains of Els Ports.
[introduction] => Gastronomic delights, wonderful wines, breathtaking scenery, fascinating heritage… whatever you’re looking for this short trip has it all – plus the Mediterranean climate and never far from the Costa Dorada.
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[id] => 01k47k1ad3f9zpdv3a6g09n1hc
[title] => Day 7 & 8 - Alt Penedés - Cava Country
[introduction] =>
[description] => Home of Cava and fine Penedés wines
Visit the Modernista 'Cathedrals of Wine'
Witness the death-defying 'castellers' human towers
Hit the coast at nearby Sitges, or unspoilt Altafulla
Year-round hiking among the vineyards
Add a stop in Barcelona, Catalonia's oh-so-lively capital
Stay in a magnificent early-medieval castle - Parador de Cardona
Add an overnight stop at the 4-star Parador de Lleida
Extend your stay at any of the stops - they´re all worth it!
Ask about superior rooms or a larger car
or more economical options if you're on a budget...
Call us to talk through all the options - we'd love to hear from you!
The Priorat wine region: Exceptional wines from one of the smallest wine regions
Montsant Natural Park: Stunning rock formations with breathtaking views
Walk or cycle amongst the vines
Catalan Modernist wineries - 'Cathedrals of Wine'
Explore the historic charms of Siurana and La Cartoixa de Scala Dei
Take a trip to Reus for Modernist architecture and Vermouth
Superb bird watching in the Delta
Delicious rice combined with locally caught seafood
Tortosa, gateway to the mighty Ebro river
Head up-river to picturesque Miravet
Great cycling, among the rice fields or on the Via Verde
El Ports mountains, soaring to over 1500m
Spectacular remains of Roman Tarraco - among Spain's finest
Take a walking tour of the medieval old town, set amongst Roman remains
Reus, a treasure trove of Modernist architecture
Join in the local Vermouth culture - see where it's made in Reus
Try the city beaches or head south to Tamait and Altafulla, just nearby
Roman Tarragona - amazing ruins right by the beach
Cava vineyards in Alt Penedes
Fascinating Modernist architecture in Reus
Priorat - world-class wines in breathtaking scenery
Flamingos - and birds galore - in the Ebro Delta
Historic Tortosa and the Els Ports mountains
Costa Dorada beaches - there are some hidden gems - never far away
Why our clients love our tours
Your satisfaction is our Nº 1 priority – read independent reviews of our holidays on AITO.com
