This trip takes you to on a truly special event - the annual harvesting of the saffron flower in La Mancha. Discover the roots of La Mancha Saffron, the most expensive spice in the world, and without which Spanish Paella would not exhibit its unique flavor and color.

DAY 1: MADRID
- You will arrive to Madrid and will be lodged in a   4 stars centrally located hotel, placed in a   historic building in the old part of the city.
- You will enjoy the day on your own, to rest, to      go for a walk,…
- Evening welcome drink and meeting with the      group and the guide at the own hotel.
- Overnight in Madrid

DAY 2: MADRID-OROPES-JARANDILLA DE LA VERA-PLASENCIA-JARANDILLA DE LA VERA
- Breakfast
- After breakfast, we will take you to Jarandilla de   la Vera in the North of Extremadura, with a stop   in Oropesa to have coffee break at the Parador.
- For the following two nights you will be lodged   at the Parador of Jarandilla, a real castle and      one of the Parador's net most beautiful hotels.
- After checking - in , we will transfer you to       Plasencia for lunch in one of the best    restaurants in the area.
- You will have the opportunity of visiting this      splendid medieval monumental city .
- Back to el Parador, you will have evening and    dinner on your own.
- Overnight in Jarandilla de la Vera

DAY 3: JARANDILLA DE LA VERA - EXPLORING PEPPER FIELDS AND PAPRIKA GRINDING
-  Breakfast
- After breakfast , we will bring you to visit the    fields of peppers, surrounded by beautiful    landscapes.
- You will see the harvest and traditional smoking    of the peppers, the way it has been done for    centuries.
- To complete your experience with this unique    ingredient, you will visit La Dalia, one of the    best pimentón (paprika) companies to see how    they process the peppers: the grinding.
- Lunch in the area will be based on the regional    rural cuisine and will include, of course,       preparations with pimentón.
- For this afternoon we have planned a visit to    the Monastery of Yuste, impressive place where    Emperor Carlos V decided to end his days, such    is the beauty and peacefulness of this    monastery and its gardens.
- Dinner free.
- Overnight in Jarandilla de la Vera

DAY 4: JARANDILLA DE LA VERA - TOLEDO
- Breakfast
- Early transfer to Toledo, one of the most historical towns in Spain, where Christian, Muslim and Jewish   cultures used to share a cultivated and peaceful medieval society.
- You will be lodged for this and next night in one of the best hotels, very well located under walking    distance of the old Toledo.
- You will have the opportunity of visiting the very old cellar of restaurant Adolfo, one of the best   addresses in Toledo, where you will enjoy your lunch. Paprika and Saffron will be some of the       ingredients in the menu.
- Late afternoon guided visit of Toledo, including the extraordinary El Greco's painting.
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight in Toledo

DAY 5: TOLEDO - LOS YEBENES - TOLEDO
- Breakfast
- You will have the morning free to visit museums, shopping, etc.
- Transfer to The Yebenes and lunch in a well known restaurant of La Mancha, specializing in the          preparation of game recipes (alternatively, those who don't like game can enjoy lunch at another          restaurant in Toledo).
- Back to Toledo, free time.
- Evening cooking lesson using saffron as ingredient.
- Dinner will consist on the prepared dishes.
- Overnight in Toledo

DAY 6: TOLEDO - TEMBLEQUE - ALMAGRO
- Breakfast
- You will leave Toledo through the trails of Don Quixote, the land of the authentic Manchego cheese.
- After a short stop in Tembleque to visit its original Plaza Mayor, meet with an artisan cheese producer   to know how they elaborate this famous sheep cheese protected by a Denomination of Origin. Tasting   of the cheese and rural lunch (open air if weather allows it) at this "queseria".
- You will continue to Almagro. Check-in at the Parador of Almagro. Guided visit of Almagro, historic town   with the oldest theatre in Europe still in functioning.
- Dinner in the best restaurant in Almagro focusing on the most authentic recipes of La Mancha.
- Overnight in Almagro

DAY 7: ALMAGRO - VISITING THE FIELDS TO SEE THE SAFFRON FLOWER BEING HARVESTED
- Breakfast
- Day will start very early for visiting the fields to see the harvest of the saffron flowers- only possible   time to see that- and rural farms. A unique experience!
- Visit of the fabulous windmills, famous since Cervantes wrote Don Quixote de la Mancha.
- Return to Almagro for lunch.
- Free time and dinner on your own.
- Overnight in Almagro

DAY 8: ALMAGRO - CONSUEGRA - MADRID
-  Breakfast
- After breakfast, transfer to Consuegra, the saffron capital to attend to the Festival of the Rosa del    Azafran.
- You will share with locals and visitors this once a year Festival, where you will see how the    "mondadoras" do their work with the saffron flowers as well as regional dancing.
- Typical lunch there.
- Transfer to Madrid and lodging there.
- You will enjoy your farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant, a "classic" of the capital of Spain.
- Overnight in Madrid

DAY 9: MADRID
- Breakfast
- Independent departure arrangements

This tour needs to be pre-paid 45 days in advance, if within this time payment is due at the time of booking. At the time of booking 10% is non-refundable (min. 200 euros fee). 45-30 days 50% is refundable, less than 30 days 100% non-refundable.

THE TOUR INCLUDES:
- 8 nights in selected Historic Hotels or Parador Hotels with private bathroom
- Transfers where specified in itinerary
- Tour Director accompanying the group for the duration of the tour
- Local Step-on guides to also help illustrate the beauty of historic cities
- Welcome drink in the hotel
- (B) Breakfast Daily except day of arrival
- (L) 7 lunches typical product of the area & some tapa tour lunches including a selection Spanish wines
- (D) 4 dinners including Spanish wine
- 1 Cooking Lesson
- Entry fees as per the itinerary
- All culinary and cultural excursions
- Local Taxes
- Detailed tour information

THE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Airfare
- Transfers not specified in the itinerary
- Entrance fees not specified in the itinerary
- Beverages not specified in selected meals
- Meals not specified in itinerary
- Laundry Expenses
- Telephone & Facsimile charges
- Excess Baggage charges
- Passport & Visa fees
- Personal & Travel Insurance
- Airport & Departure Taxes
- Optional excursions
- Room Service
- Tips & Gratuities to Tour Director and driver