Be amazed at this region’s rich history and culture. Gaze at ancient towns, green hills, deep valleys, towering mountains and the sparkling Mediterranean.
Learn about breeds, breeding, feeding, forage, animal health, and marketing from colleagues. Learn about environmental conflict, consumer tastes, import control, agricultural policy and the livestock economy from Spanish and French experts.
Day 1,
Madrid
Arrive Madrid airport and meet multi-lingual technical guide. Transfer to four star hotel in central Madrid. Welcome cocktail and presentation by technical guide. Comprehensive city tour including the Plaza de España, Gran Vía, Calle Serrano, Plaza Colón, Paseo del Prado, Atocha, Puerta del Sol and Palaciao Real. Group dinner in classic Spanish restaurant. Overnight Madrid
Day 2,
Madrid / Aranda De Duero / Vitoria
Breakfast. Depart to Aranda de Duero crossing the Guadarrama mountains. Tour of hog breeding facility which maintains more than 3000 sows. Discuss EU market challenges, health problems and environmental concerns with the manager and veterinarian. Continue to Burgos crossing the Cebollera range. Free time for lunch and to visit the famous cathederal. In the afternoon tour cheese factory specializing in fresh and cured cheeses. Continue to Miranda de Ebro in the heart of the Basque country. Visit livestock feed mill, and talk with owner/manager about the Comon Agricultural Policy and changes in feeds. Free evening. Overnight Vitoria
Day 3,
Vitoria / San Sebastian / Bayonne / Dax
Breakfast. Tour winery in the famous La Rioja Alavesa region. Includes vineyard tour, winery tour and wine tasting. Depart to San Sebastián on the Bay of Biscay. Orientation by local guide and free time to explore the city, and Playa de la Concha. Cross into France. Free evening. Overnight Dax
Day 4,
Dax / Burdeos
Breakfast. Tour of ranch specializing in Landesas. Interview ranch manager and owner about profitability, forage management and beef import restrictions in the EU. Continue to Bordeaux, crossing the broad grasslands of Landes Province, and enter France=s most famous wine country. Bordeaux city tour with local guide. Overnight Bordeaux
Day 5,
Burdeos / Angouleme / Limoges
Breakfast. Visit Charentaise des Viandes, one of the largest Limousin ranches in France. Talk with the manager about breeding program and market specialization. After lunch, take a guided tour of the old town and Cathederal of San Pedro. Continue into the uplands of Haute-Viene province. Overnight Limoges
Day 6,
Limoges / Clermont - Ferrand
Breakfast. Workshop with regional Agriculture experts on livestock production, marketing and economic impact. Guided tour of Limoges. Guided tour of one of the most important porcelean factories in the world. Continue to the Massif Central and the regional livestock center of Clermont-Ferand. Evening free. Overnight Clermont-Ferand
Day 7,
Clermont - Ferrand
Breakfast. Transfer to the international Sommet Beef show. Registration not included. Information available at www.sommet-elevage.fr Click on the British Flag for English version of web site. This beef, horse and sheep show is the most famous in Europe and includes 600 exhibitors, 50,000 visitors and 1300 animals. Competition among the best Charolaise, Limousine, Vosgienne, Simmental and other breeds. Transfer to hotel. Overnight Clermont-Ferand
Luxury bus transportation in Spain and France.
