We started off with a cultural excursion to El Castillo de Olite and then after to una bodega (a winery) called Pagos de Araiz. We left at 9:30, got back at 2:30, had enough time to grab a quick lunch, and then had class from 4-9 as usual. And no time for a siesta either.
The castle was absolutely beautiful! It was built during the 13th and 14th centuries under the orders of Carlos III of Navarra. So many towers and stairs to climb and views to be seen. We only had an hour which I think we all decided wasn't enough, but everyone in the group enjoyed the time there a whole lot.
After our truncated time in Olite we headed to one of the many bodegas in the region. Pagos de Araiz was such a cool experience. I've never been to a winery or anything like it before and it was really interesting to learn about how the grapes were monitored and harvested. I then had my first wine tasting and was pleasantly surprised to find that there actually is a reason for all the smelling and swirling and other seemingly silly things that happen at wine tastings.
It was an exhausting day, and 5 hrs of class after all the stair climbing in the castle and being in the low-light interior of the winery was a struggle, but we prevailed :)
After our truncated time in Olite we headed to one of the many bodegas in the region. Pagos de Araiz was such a cool experience. I've never been to a winery or anything like it before and it was really interesting to learn about how the grapes were monitored and harvested. I then had my first wine tasting and was pleasantly surprised to find that there actually is a reason for all the smelling and swirling and other seemingly silly things that happen at wine tastings.
It was an exhausting day, and 5 hrs of class after all the stair climbing in the castle and being in the low-light interior of the winery was a struggle, but we prevailed :)
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