Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Back to Brews Cruise Blog

Sights and Cider in Spain this Summer

a sign on a brick building

We have teamed up with our friends at eighteen twenty wines and Longer Vacations to put together an amazing group trip opportunity to visit Spain this July!

Located in Portland, eighteen twenty produces amazing wines made from rhubarb. But they also make delicious cider from apples, and they desire to see this very special place in the world where wine and cider are such a major part of the culture.

We even shot a fun announcement video with Amanda at eighteen twenty talking about the trip, and what it means to their young company. Check it out here:

So, consider joining us on this unforgettable trip throughout Northern Spain this summer.

If you haven’t been before, this is where the golden shorelines meet lush green valley and towering peaks. It is also where you can experience the highest quality of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and to be able to explore the history and culture that is Northern Spain.

The tour starts in Barcelona and ends in Madrid. In between, there are 1,500 kilometers of amazing sights, delicious cider, and so much more!

Here are just some of the highlights of this incredible trip:

  • We will meet as a group in Barcelona. 
  • We will start in northeastern extremity of the Iberian Peninsula, in the capital and largest city of Catalonia. With a population of 1.6 million people, Barcelona is also the second largest city in all of Spain. 
    • Airfare is not provided as part of the package to give you the most flexibility on travel to this country. Come a few days early to explore this city or the Catalonia area. 
  • A special visit to a winery in the heart of the wine region D.O. Cava.
    • The Catalan word cava means “cave” or “cellar”. Caves were used in the early days of cava production for the preservation or aging of wine. Catalan winemakers officially adopted the term in 1970 to distinguish their product from French champagne.
  • A visit (and overnight) in one of the greatest cultural and food cities in all of Europe: San Sebastian.
    • Looking to relax a little bit? You could spend a day on one of the most perfect beaches in Europe, followed by trying some mouth-watering Pintxos (Tapas), washed down with a little Txakoli (dry sparkling wine), enjoying one of the wide variety of local craft brews.
    • Perhaps you’re a bit more culture-focused? Put on your walking boots and explore the Old Quarter or the more modern architecture at the Kursall building or the Tabakalera, a 90-year old tobacco factory, reinvented into a hub of arts, design, and local culture.
    • Make sure to explore the night scene, when the city really comes to life; from cider houses and small craft beer-focused bars or one of the many tapas bars, all within the lively city. 
  •  A trip to Bilbao and the world-famous Guggenheim Museum
    • The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is is a building that would forever change the world of architecture. We will be sure to take some time to explore this amazing building, both inside and out.
    • Bilbao is quickly gaining a great reputation for their craft beer scene. Around mid-day, we will explore some of these delicious offerings along with lunch.
  • A journey (and overnight) in Santander.
    • This is a city that (like Portland, Maine) was greatly affected by a massive fire that devastated much of the original buildings.
    • Santander has all the characterizer and charm that you’d expect from a city rising from the ashes. It’s a coastal city, with a modern twist.
  • A visit to the medieval town of Santillana Del Mar
    • Often known as The Town of Three Lies since it is neither a Saint (Santo), nor flat (llana), nor is it by the sea (Mar) as implied by its name.
  • A venture away from the coast into the Picos De Europa, the first National Park in Spain.
  • One of the most stunning National Parks in Spain, if not Europe. A truly unspoiled landscape of jagged peaks, and rolling green hills, deep gorges, and glistening lakes. A pristine landscape just begging to be explored and If you’re up for one of the best hiking trails in Spain the Ruta Del Cares should satisfy, this 11km trail is considered one of the most beautiful natural sites in the country.
  • A stop in Oviedo, the Asturias capital city which will serve as our base for the remainder of the tour
    • Rustic, musty and tart, Spanish cider (or sidra) is one of the great treasures of the cider world. Sidra production in the España Verde region of Spain began in the late eleventh century when the region’s climate was unfavorable for grape cultivation. Farmers planted apple orchards instead of grapes and began producing their own cider. It has become not just a beverage, but a major part of the Spanish culture. 
  • A day (or two) at the world famous Natual Cider Festival at Nava
    • The Natural Cider Festival in Nava is the most famous Asturian festival and is highly regarded as one of the worlds best cider experiences. 
    • This festival has been running since the 60’s and there are talks, discussions, exhibitions, concerts, theatre… until Saturday’s proclamation and the firecracker that marks the start of a free tasting session where thousands of liters of cider are consumed. 
    • The Museo de la Sidra is located in the Plaza del Príncipe de Asturias in Nava. Opened in 1996 by Prince Philip, it is a themed museum that showcases Asturian national drink, cider. Interactive exhibits cover the entire process of cider creation, from growing apples, through pressing, fermenting, bottling, to consumption of this alcoholic beverage.
  • An adventure towards Madrid, and the end of our trip
    • We finish up the festivities with a night (or more if you wish) in Madrid before the trip back home.
    • This is the capital of Spain and is the third largest city in all of Europe behind London and Berlin. 
    • While Madrid possesses modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighborhoods and streets. Its landmarks include the Royal Palace of Madrid; the Royal Theatre with its restored 1850 Opera House; the Buen Retiro Park, founded in 1631; the 19th-century National Library building (founded in 1712) containing some of Spain’s historical archives; a large number of national museums, and the Golden Triangle of Art, located along the Paseo del Prado and comprising three art museums. 
    • If you didn’t spend any extra time in Barcelona, this might be a perfect place to add a few days to the trip. Madrid is an amazing destination to spend some time in. 

We hope that you will join us on this adventure through Northern Spain.

Contact Longer Vacations today!

Website: Sights and Cider in Spain with eighteen twenty wines and The Maine Brew Bus

Previous Post Next Post