Arrive at Lovanla Town Center and check into your group villa at Casa Marisol, where friendly staff will help stow luggage and set up a quick welcome kit for the nine of you. After a short rest, stretch your legs with a guided orientation walk led by a local guide — wander down Plaza Verde to admire the mural-lined Avenida Sol and pop into Mercado del Reloj for fresh pastries and strong Lovanlan espresso to kick off the day.
Spend the afternoon exploring the town’s highlights: take a hands-on ceramics workshop at Taller Arana to make a keepsake, then head to Biblioteca del Puerto for a brief cultural talk about Lovanla’s history and festivals. Break for a long, relaxed lunch at Restaurante La Quilla on the square, sharing mezzes and local seafood while planning tomorrow’s Highlands hike with your guide.
As evening falls, enjoy a casual welcome dinner at Rooftop Saffron, where you’ll toast with regional wine while watching sunset over the river and the Old Clock Tower. After dinner, stroll along the Lamp-lit Promenade to Gelato Bianca for dessert, then gather back at Casa Marisol for a low-key briefing about logistics and gear for Day 2 before turning in.
Rise early after last night’s briefing and meet your guide at Casa Marisol for a hearty packed breakfast from Restaurante La Quilla before the transfer to Lovanla Highlands. Begin a guided hike along the Mirador Trail, stopping at Cascada Verde for photos and a short interpretive talk about local flora and the Highline shepherding tradition.
Break for a riverside picnic prepared by a local catering collective near Piedra Azul, sampling smoked trout and seasonal salads while swapping stories on the sun-warmed rocks. In the afternoon choose between a gentle ridgewalk to the Windbell Lookout for sweeping valley views or an optional short via ferrata section for a dose of adrenaline guided by the certified outdoor team.
Return to town via the scenic backroad and freshen up at Casa Marisol before a relaxed dinner at Finca del Camino, where you’ll enjoy a communal farm-to-table meal with Lovanlan cheeses and herb-roasted lamb. Cap the night with a small bonfire on the villa terrace — local storyteller Marta will share Highlands legends as you toast under the stars and prep gear for tomorrow’s cultural day.
After a leisurely breakfast on the Casa Marisol terrace — where you can debrief last night’s bonfire stories — head into the Old Quarter with your local guide for a walking tour of the cobblestone lanes. Start at Iglesia de San Vito to admire its carved altarpiece, then meander through the colorful stalls of Mercado de las Flores to sample street-side arepas and kupi coffee while chatting with artisans about their crafts.
Spend the afternoon on a curated food crawl: join Chef Ana at Cocina Callejera for a hands-on empanada lesson, then taste small plates at three family-run spots along Calle de los Suspiros, including a tasting of fermented cheeses at Queseria La Loma and a plate of spiced ceviche at Puesto Marisca. Between bites, pop into Galeria Luna to browse contemporary Lovanlan art and pick up a postcard or two to send home.
As dusk falls, settle into Plaza del Tiempo for an early tapas-style dinner at Meson de la Abuela, sharing platters of roasted peppers, slow-braised pork and a tangy citrus dessert while live guitarists play nearby. Finish the night with a slow riverside stroll back to Casa Marisol, stopping at Candeleria for handmade sweets, and gather for a short packing-and-transport briefing ahead of tomorrow’s relaxed Riverside farewell.
Sleep in a little after the evenings of stories and music, then amble down to the Riverside Boardwalk for a gentle yoga stretch led by local instructor Mateo before breakfast. Enjoy a long, leisurely brunch at Brisa Café — share mimosas and the chef’s signature river trout benedict while recounting favorite moments from the Highlands hike and Old Quarter food crawl.
Spend the afternoon at your own pace: take a short guided kayak on the calm bend near Puente Antiguo for one last close-up view of the town, or linger at Jardín de Té for a tasting of herbal infusions and a light pastry while the group swaps contact details and photos. Pop into the Artisan Wharf to collect any last-minute souvenirs from Mercado del Reloj’s makers or to pick up postcards stamped at Oficina Postal del Río.
Gather at Casa Marisol’s terrace for a relaxed farewell toast with regional sparkling wine and a shared platter from Restaurante La Quilla as you pack and finish any luggage notes with your host. Departures are staggered — drivers from the villa will escort small groups to the station or airport after a warm goodbye, leaving you with the memory of a snug riverside town and plans to return.