R&K Trip Itinerary

A deep week of Castillian grace, from the stately and vibrant capital city of Salamanca into the sacred heartlands of Spain’s greatest product: jamón. This is an insider tour of a world-famous delicacy, and all the rich countryside that created it. And yes, there will also be rices and wines and olives and all the other fabulous products of Castilla y Léon and greater Spain.

Jan 28-Feb 4, 2024

Day 1

Jan 28 Sun

A Gilded Welcome

Madrid Hotel TBD

Private transfer from Madrid airport to our hotel
Welcome drinks with your hosts Nathan Thornburgh and Alejo Sabugo
First-night dinner of Castillian classics in the big city

Day 2

Jan 29 Mon

Head for the Hacienda

Hacienda Zorita
37115 Valverdón, Salamanca, Spain
+34923129400

Unhurried breakfast at our hotel in Madrid
Transfer out of the metropolis into the countryside where we’ll stay the rest of our trip
Lunch at Fernandica, legendary casa de comida, last of a dying breed, in the village of Ledesma
Check in at the gorgeous Hacienda Zorita, relax, wander the grounds, have a glass of wine or two
Wine cata and dinner at Bodega in Hacienda Zorita

Day 3

Jan 30 Tue

Wine, wine, wine

Hacienda Zorita
37115 Valverdón, Salamanca, Spain
+34923129400

Breakfast at Hacienda Zorita
Meet winemaker Charlotte Allen in the village of Fermoselle, perched high over the Duero River, with over 2000 years of wine history
Wine tasting in one of the many underground wine cellars beneath the ancient village
Bodega crawl for wine and classic Castillian lunch
Light dinner back near Valverdón

Day 4

Jan 31 Wed

Heroic Salamanca

Hacienda Zorita
37115 Valverdón, Salamanca, Spain
+34923129400

Slow breakfast at the Hacienda
Transfer to Salamanca, one of the great cities of Europe, the ancient capital of jamón
Lunch of Salamanca classics, golden toasted hornazo, meaty cochifrito, la Armuña lentils and Arribes de Salamanca cheeses
Private visit at dusk to the “new” Cathedral of Salamanca (building commenced 1513), a marvel of Gothic and Baroque architecture
A roving meal of light bites around Salamanca. Yes: it’s time for tapas

Day 5

Feb 1 Thu

TORO BRAVO

Hacienda Zorita
37115 Valverdón, Salamanca, Spain
+34923129400

Breakfast at the Hacienda
Visit to a typical Castillian dehesa, the unique wooded pastures that are home to both Iberian pigs and the fighting bulls, the toro bravo, of Spain
Lunch at a ganadería, where the bulls are raised, for an exploration of the beef culture of western Spain
Siesta back at the Hacienda
Light dinner for a bit of a break, a rare glimpse of moderation

Day 6

Feb 2 Fri

The Home of Pata Negra

Hacienda Zorita
37115 Valverdón, Salamanca, Spain
+34923129400

Head to La Alberca, perhaps the most famous village in Iberian ham production, home of the annual festival of San Anton, where a young pig is “adopted” each year and allowed to live free in the village before meeting its destiny at the next year’s festival
Visit to a traditional bakery for regional bread specialties like barra rustica and pan de montejos
Walkthrough with a jamón producer for a look at the backstory of the jamón process: selection, curation, elaboration, quality
Dinner at the iconic Pacheco restaurant on the way back to the Hacienda

Day 7

Feb 3 Sat

MATANZA

Hacienda Zorita
37115 Valverdón, Salamanca, Spain
+34923129400

This is the day
The culmination of our entire week of adventures
A village pig slaughter and feast, the kind that only happens in this place, at this time of year
All-day Castillian rural bacchanal of jamón, of wine, of bread, of cheese, of bonhomie and access to a culture that outsiders rarely see

Day 8

Feb 4 Sun

Hacienda Zorita
37115 Valverdón, Salamanca, Spain
+34923129400

Wake up at the hacienda, slowly, with a bit of breakfast and a bit of coffee
Private transfers back to Madrid, to the airport if you’ve got a flight that afternoon, or to the city center if you’re staying on
Adios, hasta la próxima, mis bravos