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EXCLUSIVE FOOD & WINE TOURS

Intimate Small Group Tours

DISCOVER OUR NEW JOURNEYS IN 2026

GET INSIDER ACCESS INTO THE REAL MEDITERRANEAN SOCIAL SCENE

Spain • Portugal • Morocco • Sicily• Croatia

The Valfers: Your Hosts in the Mediterranean

At The Valfers, we curate rare, ultra-exclusive small-group journeys—intentionally limited in departures, deeply niche, and meticulously crafted.

As a boutique travel company, we go beyond traditional wine and culinary tours to offer a deep cultural immersion into the Mediterranean’s most captivating regions, including Spain, Portugal, Sicily, Croatia, and Morocco. Each journey is a carefully curated exploration where gastronomy, wine, art, and society intertwine as expressions of human identity.

Through intimate encounters with winemakers, chefs, artists, and local visionaries, our travelers don’t just experience a place—they connect with its essence. Personally hosting each journey, we guide our guests through private tastings, exclusive winery visits, cultural and artistic encounters, and world-class culinary experiences, creating a gateway to understanding the stories, traditions, and creativity that define each destination.

The Valfers isn’t just about travel—it’s a way of living, of savoring every moment, of embracing the extraordinary. Welcome to our intimate world.

Exclusive Small Group Tours 2025 & 2026

MOROCCO

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2 UNIQUE DEPARTURES SCHEDULED | Click to Check Dates

BARCELONA & CATALONIA

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SOLD OUT | Click to Register Your Interest in 2027 Edition

ANDALUSIA

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SOLD OUT | Click to Register Your Interest in 2027 Edition

MADRID & CASTILE

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DATES: 23 OCT - 01 NOV. 2025 | Available spots: 6/20

PORTUGAL

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2 UNIQUE DEPARTURES SCHEDULED | Click to Check Dates

BASQUE COUNTRY

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2 UNIQUE DEPARTURES SCHEDULED | Click to Check Dates

SICILY

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DATES: 22 SEP - 01 OCT 2026 | Available spots: 18/20

CROATIA

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SOLD OUT | Click to Register Your Interest in 2027 Edition

LIMITED TO MAXIMUM 20 PARTICIPANTS PER TRIP

The experts

VALESKA IDARRAGA

Valeska brings a rich gastronomic heritage, inherited from her French father’s love of culinary culture and her Basque grandmother, a well-regarded chef of her time. After studying Economics and Journalism in Barcelona, she moved to Switzerland to pursue hotel management, working at some of the most prestigious hotels in the industry. Fluent in five languages, Valeska is a Certified Sherry Wine Cellar Advanced Expert and holds a WSET Level 3 certification with merit. As co-founder of Paladar y Tomar in 2014, she serves as Marketing Manager, overseeing client relationships and operations at The Valfers. With her unique combination of cultural insight, business acumen, and wine expertise, Valeska crafts unforgettable experiences for every traveler.

FERNANDO PAREDES

Fernando is the CEO, financial director, and lead wine consultant at Paladar y Tomar and The Valfers. A Barcelona native with a background in economics and business management, he transitioned from a corporate career to the world of luxury travel, food, and wine. With extensive experience as General Manager of a bespoke travel company, Fernando excels in strategic planning, operations, and financial oversight. His expertise in wine is equally impressive—he is a Certified Sherry Wine Cellar Advanced Expert, holds a WSET Level 3 certification with merit, and advises on wine programs and cellar selections. His deep connections in the wine and hospitality industries allow The Valfers to offer unparalleled insider experiences. 

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The Valfers tours destinations in the Mediterranean

TOP FOOD & WINE DESTINATIONS

Spain & Portugal & Morocco & Sicily & Croatia

These journeys embody the soul of the Mediterranean—a region where art, food, wine, and culture converge in a celebration of life. More than just travel, they offer a deep, immersive experience into the region’s most authentic expressions of identity. At the heart of each adventure are the pillars of authenticity, exclusivity, and personal enrichment, all brought together by a team of passionate experts who personally guide each journey.

Expect to soak up local culture through intimate encounters with winemakers, artists, and culinary visionaries, gaining insight into how gastronomy, traditions, and artistic heritage shape the essence of each destination. These journeys are designed to go beyond the plate and the glass, revealing how food, wine, and art serve as a reflection of history, identity, and human creativity. From private tastings and curated cultural experiences to exclusive access to the Mediterranean’s most vibrant artistic and gastronomic communities, every moment is crafted to create a profound connection to place and people.

Stories to Inspire

The Amazigh: Morocco's natives shaping the Mediterranean

09/05/2025

The Amazigh: Berber Echoes, Morocco’s Timeless Dialogue with the Mediterranean

I believe that to travel is to listen—to the whispers of ancient stones, the salt...
READ MORE
Feria de Jerez: The Wonderful Horse Festival not to be missed!

29/11/2024

Feria de Jerez: The Wonderful Horse Festival

The Feria de Jerez is a vibrant celebration of Andalusian culture, featuring stunning horse exhibitions,...
READ MORE
Al Andalus: A Fascinating Tapestry of Legacy and Influence.

27/11/2024

Al Andalus: A Fascinating Tapestry of Legacy and Influence

Enter a world where ancient wisdom echoes through Al-Andalus, rich with stories of intellectual brilliance,...
READ MORE
Thank you for a beyond amazing trip, or should I say experience. Even the weather was perfect. Everything was organized, on time and exceptionally executed. You were truly instrumental in making our trip fantastic. Truthfully, I wish I were still there. Many thanks and looking forward to something we can plan together again in the future. Abrazos,
Julie MunizMay 2019
Y’all made it such a fun trip.....thank you, thank you, thank you! Made it home!
Doug & Elise BeckstettCÚRATE Trips
The trip was amazing in all aspects. We were really impressed with everything. The hotel choices were wonderful, the locations were perfect, the guides were terrific and very knowledgeable. Your restaurant choices were all very good as well. As for the sherry and bodega visits, those were even more impressive. We had such a terrific time and the experiences were very personalized. Thank you so much for arranging special tastings for us. It was absolutely incredible. Everyone we met were so kind and welcoming. We are Sherry wine fans for life!!
Kiran & Kirsten KapurSeptember 2019
I didn't mention how nice it was to spend time with the people in our group, yet they played a role in rounding out this wonderful experience. We signed up and took a chance, and were rewarded greatly. The happy group is a testament to not only your planning and professionalism, but your kindness as well. Hands down, best tour trip ever 🙂
Anonymous surveyCÚRATE Trips
Hi Valeska, My whole team is still raving about the experience and Carmen’s charisma and generosity. Congratulations to her and your team on an extremely successful tour! Best,
Nicolas VillalonJune 2019
The trip was AMA-zing! So grateful for the opportunity to get to know all of you!
Julie & Dave Obenauer CÚRATE Trips
This trip was life-altering for me. As my first visit to Spain, I fell in love with the country!
Anonymous surveyCÚRATE Trips
The trip was terrific— so happy to meet you all. Thanks for everything!!
Debbie Sinex CÚRATE Trips
Dear Valeska, The trip was amazing in all aspects. We were really impressed with everything. The hotel choices were wonderful, the locations were perfect, the guides were terrific and very knowledgeable. Your restaurant choices were all very good as well. As for the sherry and bodega visits, those were even more impressive. We had such a terrific time and the experiences were very personalized. Thank you so much for arranging special tastings for us. It was absolutely incredible. Everyone we met were so kind and welcoming. We are Sherry wine fans for life!!
Laura DavisSeptember 2019
Dear Valeska, I was so impressed with everything you arranged and your promptness and professionalism. Dillon had a wonderful time and was very complimentary. Thank you for everything. With gratitude, Star
Star SoltanApril 2018
Dear Valeska, Thank you so much for this helpful list! Gary and I are still talking about what a great time we had on the trip to Spain and how much we enjoyed meeting you, Fernando and Felix. You did an amazing job and we so appreciated seeing Spain's beautiful cities, historical treasures and of course the wonderful food, wine and people! Gary and I wanted to thank you again for your continued care and concern as we spent three additional days in Madrid with the Millars. You and Fernando were so nice to make sure all went well and to see us off when we finally had to depart. We are wishing you all the best and a wonderful holiday season ahead.
Margaret HemricCÚRATE Trips, Nov. 2017
Hi Valeska, we were welcomed like royalty at Hotel Alma & the room is fantastic. Looking forward to the wonders of Barcelona over the next 2 days. (...) We had a winderful time particularly thanks to your superb arrangements. We will return! Arrivederci Marco.
Marco Belgiorno-ZegnaOctober, 2018
Valeska put together an incredible itinerary for my honeymoon to Spain. We were looking for a good mix of culture, food, and relaxation and she delivered on all fronts. She was easy to work with and really listened to our wishes in making recommendations. All the private excursions that she arranged were excellent. At some point during every tour our guide received a message from our agent checking in on how everything was going. We felt very well taken care of during our honeymoon and very thankful for all the assistance Valeska provided in making this dream vacation come true.
Donna EidukJuly 2017

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