DISCOVER UNKNOWN SPAIN

3 NIGHT'S PACKAGE

Just 2, 5 hours from Barcelona or Valencia airport La Torre del Visco, surrounded by romantic gardens and its own organic farm set in a hidden river valley, is the ideal place to discover the beauty and peace of the unspoiled Spanish region called “The Matarranya”.  The 3 night’s package for two includes 3 night’s accommodation in a superior double room with breakfast and three-course dinner each day, itineraries for beautiful walking routes in the area and a picnic for a day of your choice.

Price per room 765 Euros, includes:

·         3 night's accommodation in a large double room

·         Full breakfast/brunch every day

·         Elegant three course dinner every evening

·         One picnic

Valid April-May-June, from Sunday to Thursday

·         Supplement for a suite with private salon and chimney, 210 EUR

·         Airport and train station pick up service available. 

·         Additional nights with breakfast in a  large double room 161 EUR and in a suite 231 EUR

·         Other additional activities include 4x4 routes, horse trekking, cycling routes, visit to a local winery for winetasting and visit to a local oil press with olive oil tasting, Ask us for more information and prices.

3 WALKS TO DISCOVER THE LOCAL VILLAGES

Route 1 Fuentespalda

This route to the small village of Fuentespalda takes approximately 5 hours and follows the river Tastavins and its valley. The scenery is very serene and unspoiled and gives a lot of opportunities to see wildlife and depending on the season the different colours of the trees and the flowers. At the end of the route you will come to the secluded spot of the hermitage of San Pere Martir.

          

Route 2 Valderrobres

This circular route takes you to Valderrobres and is neatly divided into two parts of three hours each. This will leave time to visit the village and its castle and have lunch in one of the restaurants. If you prefer to bring your picnic today there are lots of beautiful spots along the way to relax for a while and enjoy the views of the mountains and the tranquillity.

      

Route 3 La Fresneda

This circular route takes you from the hotel to the enchanting medieval village of La Fresneda. On this walk you will have the chance to visit not only La Fresneda but also a waterfall, the striking remains of the monastery of Virgen de Gracia and La Portellada. In la Fresneda you have a choice of two very pleasant restaurants for lunch and small shops to stock a good range of local products (olive oil, goat’s cheeses, almonds,…) to take home with you.

Your route home takes you over the 20 meter waterfall in the Tastavins river known as El Salt, wonderful rock formations.

COOKERY COURSE

SOUTH EAST ASIAN COOKERY

A fascinating introduction by chef Steve Anderson to Thai, Burmese and Vietnamese cuisines and a chance to prepare some of their most representative dishes.

Date:    Sunday 29^th January – Monday 30^th January 2013

Price per person:

·       Double room shared with other participant: 320 €

·       Double room single occupancy: 395 €

·       Non participants sharing with course participant : 220 €

·       Supplement for Monday night with dinner and breakfast 75 €

Prices include the classes, recipes, accommodation with full board and wine (10% tax not included).

Programme:

Sunday 29^th Arrival at the hotel in the morning

12.00         Presentation of the course and first session (2 hours)

14.00         Light lunch

17.00         Cookery class (3 hours)

21:00         Dinner

Monday 30^th

10:00         Cookery class (4 hours)

14.30         Lunch and discussion and course conclusions.

 

As a very young child Steve loved cooking and was taught by two great chefs, his grandmother and his mother, who combined dishes from their Burmese heritage with European culinary traditions.

Steve is without doubt one of the most knowledgeable chefs in Spain on the gastronomy of South East Asia. Few have his depth of experience in terms of the raw materials, the spices and herbs, their uses and combinations. He is a natural teacher and his courses are both instructive and entertaining..

In his restaurant, Seu Xerea in Valencia, Steve has been offering his personal version of “fusion” cuisine long before the term came into fashion, full of colour, delicacy and subtlety of flavours. A light and  healthy approach to cooking and eating.

Amongst other dishes you will prepare:

·                     Thot man pla – fish balls

·                     Steve´s grandmother´s  shrimp “parcels”

·                     Thai style mussels

·                     Vietnamese spring rolls

·                     The maestro Lalith´s prawn curry

·                     Wonton soup with shellfish

·                     Cream of pumpkin soup with coconut

·                     Herb lasso

For more information: 978 76 90 15/56 - torredelvisco@torredelvisco.com

PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES - AUTUMN 2012

OCTOBER

§  Saturday 13^th                      Cookery workshop – Cheese based recipes with Kristian Lutaud

                                               Optional cheese based special dinner menu available.

§  Saturday 20^th                      Honey – Workshop and tasting with Joan María Llorens associate of the Honey Museum in Alcover.

                                               Introduction to honey; the different varieties, properties and flavours.

§  Saturday 27^th                      Gin & tonic tasting with Mar Barba

                                             New combinations and techniques for preparing the perfect gin tonic.

                                              

Sunday 28^th & Monday 29^th   Cookery course “Thai cuisine” with Steve Anderson from the Restaurant Seu Xerea (Valencia).

NOVEMBER

§  Saturday 3^rd                        Workshop – Floral decoration “Autumn colours”

§  Saturday 10^th                      Cookery workshop “Autumn dishes: Wild mushrooms”

Optional special dinner menu based on seasonal wild mushrooms gathered locally.

§  Saturday 17^th                               Dinner with live music: Two guitars and Cuban rhythms

                       

§  Saturday 24^th                      “Cheese tasting workshop – cheeses from Spain and other European countries and their accompaniments, beer, wine and champagnes.

§  Friday 30^th / Sat 1^st Dec      Night photography – practical course of techniques to photograph clear night skies with professional photographer Xavier Molla

DECEMBER

§  Friday 30^th Nov / Sat 1^st    Night photography – practical course of techniques to photograph clear night skies with professional photographer Xavier Molla

§  Saturday 1^st                        Workshop – Floral decorations for Christmas

§  Thursday 6^th                     Champagne tasting with Eric Lahon, oenologist and wine critic for the Vanguardia newspaper.

§  Friday 7^th    (19:00 – 21:00)  Gin & tonic and cocktails workshop with Mar Barba

§  Saturday 8^th (19:00 – 21:00) Cookery workshop – Foie gras and special Christmas dishes

PRICES - 10% VAT NOT INCLUDED

Monographic cookery classes:                   30€ per person

Full cookery course (28-29/Oct)                  Please consult for prices

Wine, champagne and gin-tonic tastings:    30€ per person

Flower arrangements workshop:                 25€ per person

These activities (except the full cookery course) will be free of charge for bookings of two nights with half board.

ALL THESE ACTIVITIES CAN BE ARRANGED AT ANY TIME PROVIDING THERE ARE A MINIMUM OF 4 PARTICIPANTS.

DINNER

Friday 2^nd November 2012

Baby mussels from the Ebro Delta in a white wine,

onion and tomato sauce with fresh coriander

Sauté of seasonal wild mushrooms

Cream of celeriac soup with Stilton

~

Mediterranean sole pan-fried and served with

a saffron sauce

Roast suckling pig with red cabbage

Casserole of tender local beef in red wine with root vegetable purée

~

Apple and peach pie with cinnamon ice cream

Brownie with white chocolate and coffee ice cream

Mandarin and Campari sorbet

Cheeseboard

The vegetables, fruit and olive oil are produced on our own organic farm

Price per person 47€ - drinks and 10% taxes not included

CHRISTMAS 2012

Celebrate a traditional, peaceful Christmas with family, friends or on your own at La Torre del Visco: a beautifully converted medieval estate house whose name signifies the “mistletoe tower” set in the heart of the countryside.   Enjoy the seasonal decorations, country walks, quiet conversations in front of the open fires, music, board games, and delicious Christmas menus with all the trimmings served by candlelight.  Just settle in and forget about everything including your waistline.

Christmas 2 night package (24 & 25 December)

Double small room          570 €

Double room                   630 €

Junior suite                     690 €

Suite                              850 €

Prices are per room with breakfast, special dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day lunch and a delicious buffet on Christmas night. 10% tax not included.

ROASTED FIGS WITH CARDAMOM & ORANGE

Ingredients – Serves 6 people 

8 – 12        Whole Ripe Figs – not to soft

1               Lime - grated Rind and Juice

2               Oranges - juice

5               Cardamom Pods – seeds removed and crushed

75gm         Soft brown sugar

1               Orange – segmented for decoration (optional)

Method

Slice the figs in half and lay in a shallow baking dish – cut side up.

Mix together the citrus juices, grated rind and the crushed cardamom seeds.  Carefully pour over the figs.  Sprinkle over the brown sugar and bake in a pre-heated oven (180’C) for 10 – 15 minutes. 

The figs should retain their shape but are soft.   Once removed from the oven they will continue to cook a little until they have cooled.

They can be eaten room temperature or chilled.  To serve put three or four halves in a bowl, cut side up, cover well with the juices and a scoop of vanilla ice-cream or whipped cream.

DINNER ON THE TERRACE WITH MUSIC

Friday 31^st August – Songs from around the world

A gastronomical tour accompanied by music

France  ʺAspic de foie-gras et fruits secsʺ

Carla Bruni – Quelqu’un m’a dit

Grecia  ʺTiropittes mé spanakófetaʺ

Anastasia Moutsatsou – Ola ta aiskola

Brasil  ʺSopa picantinha de camaráo com feijáoʺ

Mariza Monte “Infinito Particular”

Portugal  ʺBacalhau a Gomes de Saʺ

Ana Moura – Leva-me a os fados

Argentina  ʺAsado de panceta de chanchito caramelizada y papas a la brasaʺ

Adriana Varela – Tango “Me gustas cuando callas”

Italia  ʺTiramisùʺ

Jimmy Fontana “Il mondo”