Discover Spain’s Fall Food & Wine Festivals
Bagno Nuovi Hotel, Bormio
"Coolcations,” i.e. holidaying either in cooler countries, or in hot countries in off-peak season is a growing trend, according to travel companies. I too fled the Valencian heat for some fresh alpine air in Liechtenstein, Austria and northern Italy this summer. One of my highlights was soaking in outdoor thermal pools at the Bagno Nuovi hotel (above) in the mountains of Bormio.
With climate change driving temperatures ever-higher, coolcationing may become inevitable. Spain broke records again this summer for heatwaves and fires, which is not only devastating for people, flora and fauna, but will impact its tourism economy in the not-distant future.
For mellow weather, September and October are the perfect months to visit Spain. Harvest season kicks off too, so whether you’re into wine and food, or a parade and a knees-up, there’s a local harvest festival for you.
Some are a little out of the way in country towns and villages. That's what I'm here for! I can find you the perfect accommodation, sort out transport, and get you teed up with an itinerary so you can kick back and enjoy the experience.
Here’s a taster of some fall festivals and tips on nearby hotels...all bookable through me, some with VIP Fora Perks.
Foodie fiestas
Oyster-tastic
Fiesta del Marisco O Grove: If towers of shellfish and a chilled glass of Albariño are your thing, then head to the seafood festival in O Grove, Galicia from 2nd to 12th October for an extravaganza of molluscs, music and traditional dancing (fair warning: they’re big on bagpipes).
Stay: Parador de Pontevedra is a stunning hotel in a restored 16th century palace, just a 30 minute drive from O Grove.
Guernica food fair: The town of Guernica in Basque Country hosts a huge agricultural fair on the last Monday of October, with 100s of stalls selling local produce, like scrumptious Idiazabal cheese and txakoli wine. Guernica was wiped out in 1937 by the Luftwaffe bombing, a horror immortalised in Picasso's famous painting, and it's worth visiting the town's Peace Museum to learn more about that day.
Stay: The five-star Gran Hotel Domine in Bilbao is around 30 minute's drive from Guernica.
Crushing it
Marqués de Riscal
Grape harvest festivals take place all over Spain in September and October, with each region celebrating its own wines. Here’s my quick guide to some of the lesser known wine regions. There are some vineyards where visitors can join in the grape harvest, or you could just watch grape stomping in village squares, sip sweet mosto and enjoy the vibe.
The San Mateo Grape Harvest Festival in Logroño, Rioja on 20-26 September is one of the largest and liveliest, complete with parades of “big head" costumes. It’s the perfect excuse to spend some time in Spain’s wine mecca.
Stay: The mind-bending Marqués de Riscal hotel designed by Frank Gehry (above).
The Wine Harvest Festival in Alella (Festa de la Verema) in Catalonia in the second week of September is just a half hour from Barcelona, with the chance to get involved in a dawn harvest and grape stomping.
Stay: Mas Salagros Eco Resort.
Binissalem wine festival (Festa des Vermar) in Mallorca is a blast: you can pelt people with grapes and then sit down to a huge communal meal. It runs from the 20th to 28th September.
Stay: one of the many beautiful fincas and agrotourism hotels in the area.
My vineyard strolls…
Please don’t hesitate to reach out for advice and planning for your next trip. I've got you covered with:
... itinerary creation
... research and recommendations for stays, eats, and tours
... bookings and logistics.
Have a great start to September!
Love, Jill