Three Shepherds - Celebrating 29 years of teaching cheesemaking!
Experience the Magic of Central Spain
October 27 - November 3, 2026- Only 3 Spaces Left!
Join us in October 2026 for a truly unique all-inclusive exploration of the food and culture of central Spain! This region is the heartbeat of Spain, yet mostly undiscovered by international tourism. Stunning beauty and diverse landscapes abound, and the food culture rivals the best that Europe has to offer. Be ready as we explore the incredible food, traditions, dramatic scenery, and warm people of Castille-La Mancha and Castilla y León!
From October 27 to November 3, 2026, you will explore this amazing region of Spain. With the stunning autumnal beauty coinciding with harvest time, you will see and sample the best this region has to offer!
Thanks for your interest in joining Three Shepherds in Spain
For additional questions:
Fall is the height of sheep milking season, time to gather saffron, and the moment the grapes are harvested and turned into the nectar of the gods. So, you will witness the making of Manchego (one of the world's most renowned sheep cheeses), visit unique farms to learn about everything from making traditional paprika to raising snails, behold the traditional delicate harvest of saffron and attend a vibrant festival celebrating this treasured spice.
A food lovers paradise, we will engage in the centuries-old tradition of enjoying Tapas with a hearty glass of wine and experience a variety of dishes that this region is famous for including: Cochinillo asado (suckling pig), succulent lamb dishes, world class sheep & goat cheeses, nourishing stews, renowned cured meats, and a focus on quality local ingredients which will make your trip a joyful and satisfying journey!
This all-inclusive trip is a chance to experience authentic Spanish culinary traditions, take in the stunning natural and agricultural landscapes, and mingle with the warm and inviting Spanish people. As with all of our tours, it is not a bus tour with your days being spent being herded on large crowded buses from one tourist site to another. We want you to learn from the locals (our friends) and have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the camaraderie (and of course to eat and drink incredible food & wine!). To make our trips more personalized, we limit the group size to 7 people.
Our home base will begin in the lovely small mountain town of Arenas de San Pedro, in the heart of the picturesque Sierra de Gredos mountain range, and will transition to the vibrant city of Toledo for the last part of our tour.
Accommodations are in a boutique hotel which resides in a park-like setting at the edge of town. The entire hotel has been reserved just for our group and will provide warm and comfortable stays with a nice breakfast. All the rooms have en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and a veranda where you can enjoy with your morning coffee or soak in the afternoon sunshine.
Cost per person is $2,950 per person based on double occupancy/$3,125 per person single occupancy (includes $200 nonrefundable cancellation fee for any cancellation made before August 8, 2026).
Some of the activities we may do over the week include:
•
Take part in Spanish Tapas culture with your beverage of choice and an assortment of local favorite delicacies
Take part in Spanish Tapas culture with your beverage of choice and an assortment of local favorite delicacies •Witness the making of one of the world's best cheeses: Manchego, and enjoy a tasting where you learn how a few simple ingredients took a leap into immortality
Witness the making of one of the world's best cheeses: Manchego, and enjoy a tasting where you learn how a few simple ingredients took a leap into immortality •Visit local shops and markets featuring local products and crafts. A highlight will be the Mercado de San Agustin in Toledo
Visit local shops and markets featuring local products and crafts. A highlight will be the Mercado de San Agustin in Toledo•Visit local family farms where traditional paprika is made, as well as the raising of land snails for a variety of fascinating products
Visit local family farms where traditional paprika is made, as well as the raising of land snails for a variety of fascinating products •Tour wonderful Spanish wineries (Bodegas) to learn and sample the fruits of their labor, along with perfectly paired local cheeses
Tour wonderful Spanish wineries (Bodegas) to learn and sample the fruits of their labor, along with perfectly paired local cheeses•Visit local attractions in the Sierra de Gredos nature preserve, including a stunning cave, as well as remarkable medieval castles and bridges
Visit local attractions in the Sierra de Gredos nature preserve, including a stunning cave, as well as remarkable medieval castles and bridges•Witness the ancient tradition of the saffron harvest, tour an iconic windmill, as well as taste a variety of culinary creations at the renowned saffron festival
Witness the ancient tradition of the saffron harvest, tour an iconic windmill, as well as taste a variety of culinary creations at the renowned saffron festival •Experience the historic city of Toledo where Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures have lived in harmony for centuries, and beautiful buildings and antiquities abound
Experience the historic city of Toledo where Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures have lived in harmony for centuries, and beautiful buildings and antiquities abound •Visit and taste the craft of talented local goat cheese makers--lesser-known than Manchego but world-class in favor and texture
Visit and taste the craft of talented local goat cheese makers--lesser-known than Manchego but world-class in favor and texture •Indulge in traditional local and regional dishes that are shaped by history and culture. The Cochinillo Asado (roast suckling pig) is one of several dishes that is worth seeking out.
Indulge in traditional local and regional dishes that are shaped by history and culture. The Cochinillo Asado (roast suckling pig) is one of several dishes that is worth seeking out.And much more! All travel will be in a comfortable, air-conditioned van. Trips are less than 90 minutes one-way (some days a lot less). No difficult travel or standing in long lines on this trip!
The days are scheduled so that you will never feel rushed. Spain is best enjoyed at a slower pace with plenty of time to savor the sights, smells, food, wine & wonderful new friendships you will make with fellow travelers & the Spanish people!
What's Included:
•Transfer from the Madrid airport to Arenas de San Pedro on October 27, 2026
Transfer from the Madrid airport to Arenas de San Pedro on October 27, 2026•(7 nights) Bed and Breakfast accommodations in Arenas de San Pedro and Toledo
(7 nights) Bed and Breakfast accommodations in Arenas de San Pedro and Toledo•All scheduled classes and tours
All scheduled classes and tours•Ground transportation to and from all class and tour destinations
Ground transportation to and from all class and tour destinations•6 lunches with wine or beer
6 lunches with wine or beer•7 dinners with wine or beer
7 dinners with wine or beer•Return transfer to the Madrid airport on November 3, 2026
Return transfer to the Madrid airport on November 3, 2026What's not Included:
•Airfare to and from Madrid
Airfare to and from Madrid •Extra beverages and drinks, besides those included with meals
Extra beverages and drinks, besides those included with meals•Extra refreshments like cafe stops, food stalls, etc.
Extra refreshments like cafe stops, food stalls, etc. Costs:
Cost per person $2,950 per person based on double occupancy/$3,125 per person single occupancy (includes $200 nonrefundable cancellation fee for any cancellation made before August 8, 2026).
Cancellation Policy:
After August 8, 2026, the entire registration fee is nonrefundable, unless we are able to fill your spot. If your place is filled, then you will receive a credit for your payment (minus the $200 per person fee) which can be applied to a future tour or class.
Our cancellation terms are due to the payments we must make on your behalf. Our vendors do not offer us refunds, so those funds which we have paid out in advance, are no longer available to us. Because of this situation, we are unable to be as flexible as we normally are with our cancellation and refund policies.
Travel Insurance:
We strongly urge you to get travel insurance after you register for the tour. It is not a requirement, and everyone thinks "I would never need to cancel," but as we have experienced over the last few years, things do happen, and it is good to be protected. Once the deadline of August 8, 2026 has passed, we cannot provide a refund of your payments, so travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself.
You will find various travel policy options, and the best (and most expensive) is "Cancel for Any Reason" insurance. This type of insurance does not have all the exclusions that other types of policies often do, but you can decide what works best for you. This type of insurance protects you in the case of hurricanes, earthquakes, global pandemics, etc., but please note that you usually have to purchase this type of insurance within 14 days of registering for the tour.
