Tour Summary
Highlights
- Itinerary well balanced with culture, food and wine
- Unique towns and Monasteries, such as Yuso and Suso, World Heritage Site since 1997
- Breathtaking scenery
- Fabulous food including tapas.
- Excellent range of wineries.
LA RIOJA, GASTRONOMY, WINE AND CULTURE AT ITS BEST
In five days we will take you back over a thousand years from the lustrous convolutions of the Guggenheim Modern Art Museum in Bilbao to the jewels of ancient Rioja: the 16th century La Piedad Monastery with its majestic stone alter piece and exquisitely carved portal with plant, animal and human motifs; Santa Maria La Real, an 11th century fort-like burial place of kings; the baroque golden doors of San Millan’s Yuso monastery, a repository for the earliest known Spanish manuscripts and nearby the Suso Monastery, hewn from living sandstone. The cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada lies on the pilgrims’ road to Santiago de Compostela and contains an extravagantly decorated cage where, for centuries, a live hen and a cockerel have been kept. You will discover the bizarre, the beautiful and the bounty of Spain’s famous vineyards and gastronomic hot spots.
PLACES: Leaving Bilbao, you will travel by road to Haro, where elegant wine mansions meet lively pavement cafés. The picturesque Roman village of Briones is encircled by a huge loop of the River Ebro. Nearby, is Elciego, the home of Marques de Riscal Winery and its dazzling hotel designed by Frank Ghery. Najera was built by the Romans, occupied by the moors an conquered by the Spanish who built monastery of Santa Maria la Real in the 11th century by a cave in which a statue of the Madonna was found. It is also well-known for the artwork in the choir of the church. You will walk through Laguardia, a medieval hilltop city with encircling ramparts and the church of Santa Maria de los Reyes whose highlight is the impressive portico richly decorated with the Madonna flanked by the apostles. Narrow, cobbled streets are lined with bodegas and tapas bars. Finally, Logroño, the region’s capital with its wide boulevards reminiscent of Bordeaux from where the emigré wine makers came.
WINES: It starts with an exclusive tour round the amazing Dinastia Vivanco Museum which tells the story of wine-making in Spain and Europe. Next, you will visit to the nearby the château-style Remelluri Winery where you will have lunch. Then, a complete contrast at Bodegas Roda - after years of research, winemakers Rottlant and Daurella contracted 17 separate vineyards to produce a limited quantity of very prestigious, organically-produced wine. A tour of Lopez de Heredia (founded 1877) will show how a family business has developed some of the finest wines in the region. At internationally famous Marques de Riscal, you will discover is Medoc inheritance, its varieties of wines and its passion for winemaking. Finally, you will arrive at El Fabulista, located under the Palace of the Samaniegos in Laguardia, a kind of museum where you can taste the wine and learn more about the stages of winemaking.
FOOD: Rioja is not just famous for its wine. The River Ebro irrigates and fertilises the Garden of Spain where Spain’s finest and most abundant fruit and vegetables come from. Just as the wines of Rioja have a unique character, so does the regional gastronomy. Some say the food here is more sophisticated and varied than anywhere else in Spain. So, as you dine in fine restaurants, tapas bars and the famous gastronomic societies, it will dawn on you how Rioja’s food and wine really is a marriage made in heaven.
This 5-day accompanied cultural food and wine tour starts and finishes at Bilbao Airport and allows plenty of time to go exploring on your own
Itinerary
DAY ONE- Bilbao- Haro
You are welcomed and escorted by our guide to our carefully selected hotel in La Rioja in our vehicle. Check in at our pre selected hotel in Haro. Evening free
Optional: Guggenheim museum visit in Bilbao. Subject to arrival time
DAY TWO- Haro-Briones-La Bastida-Nájera-Haro
We depart from Haro towards the hill-top village of Briones, guided tour through its medieval streets and fabulous guided walk with spectacular views around the outer half destroyed wall overlooking a meander of The River Ebro.
Next door to Briones is Dinastia Vivanco, extraordinary guided tour of the world’s largest wine museum, experiencing the wine culture of centuries.
Visit to the fabulous Remelluri Estate, It is one of the most important wineries in Rioja for its successful style of blending the modern technology with the wine-making traditional methods. After the visit you will be given a typical lunch from the area, overlooking the vineyards and accompanied by the much acclaimed wines from Remelluri.
For the traditional tour we will visit Rioja Alta, one of the most reputable, traditional and oldest wineries in Rioja with very high quality wines. Lunch will take place at our historic hotel.
After sampling a fabulous lunch we continue to the next town: Najera, here we visit the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real, an important pilgrimage stop on the Camino de Santiago. After this very interesting visit we return to the hotel.
DAY THREE- Haro- Casalarreina-Haro
After breakfast we will have a guided visit to one of the oldest and prettiest Wine Estates in Europe: Lopez de Heredia. Tour can be conducted by one of the members of the family. Wine tasting included
Private guided visit to Roda, one of the most prestigious wineries in Spain for its winemaking methods, ,their constant research in perfecting the wines as well as experimenting with the Grapes.They have mastered one of the best wines in Spain: Cirsion.Wine tasting included
After two amazing winery visits we head to Casalarreina.for our well deserved lunch.
Traditional restaurant in La Rioja, one of the best to experience the art of combining traditional and nouvelle cuisine.(Exclusive Tour)
Lunch at traditional restaurant in Haro. Charming little restaurant with a great variety of dishes and products from Rioja Alta. (traditional tour)
We continue to visit one of the biggest and impressive Monasteries in Spain, Nuestra Señora de la Piedad, built in 1522 the guided tour, allow us to discover this incredible unknown architectural jewel, This is undoubtedly a surprising visit.
DAY FOUR- Haro- San Millán- Sto Domingo de la Calzada- Logroño
We drive to San Millan from Haro to visit two unique Monasteries:Yuso and Suso. Privilege visit to the famous Monasteries of Yuso and Suso surrounded by nature, where the first books in Spanish Language were written.
A guided tour through history learning the birth of the Spanish Language, how the monks lived centuries ago, their involvement in the making of wine and everything in a superb peaceful setting.
After experiencing this magnificent UNESCO site we have a light lunch next to the Monastery of Yuso. After lunch we head for to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, strategic town for the pilgrims of the way of St James. Its network of medieval streets, declared a National Historic Interest Site, store a valuable heritage, particularly its walls, the Cathedral and the old Pilgrims' Hospital.Guided tour of the town and the Cathedral.
Transfer to Logrono for our last two nights before going back to Bilbao.
DAY FIVE- Logroño- Elciego- Laguardia
We depart to the village of El Ciego where we visit the centenary winery Marques De Riscal, pioneer in the Rioja wine region.
Guided tour of Marques de Riscal and hotel including a wine tasting, its wines have earned some of the most distinguished international awards. This amazing hotel has been designed and built by Frank O. Gehry. Wine tasting
We continue visiting Laguardia, private guided tour conducted by local expert of one of the most astonishing medieval towns in Europe. Located on a hill, surrounded by a valley of vineyards, overlooking the back-drop of the Cantabrian Mountains. The visit includes the unique church of Santa Maria de los Reyes with its incomparable portico one of the few of its kind in Europe.
Privileged visit to one of the best underground cellars in the medieval town of Laguardia. Located under the Palace of the Samaniegos. Wine Tasting
After a very busy morning we have lunch held at a Mansion in Laguardia Palace hotel, wine cellar and restaurant providing superb dishes as fine examples of Basque and Riojan Cuisine, based on fresh ingredients and excellent service. (Exclusive tour)
Lunch at this renowned restaurant in Laguardia. A prized establishment (Plato de Oro de la Gastronomía Española 1999), the restaurant offers innovative dishes based on the traditional, local cuisine and is a lovely vantage point from which to admire the grapevines. There is also a gourmet shop where you can purchase the (traditional tour) quality, local Riojas. (traditional itinerary)
We continue driving to Logrono, capital of Rioja, experiencing a guided tour of the old part, the cathedral Santa Maria de la Redonda and numerous churches as well as the main boulevards and squares. Return to our hotel in Logrono, Free time.
In the evening we have a fabulous treat:
Guided tapas tour in the famous gastronomic street: Calle Laurel, sampling the best tapas of the area accompanied with wine or beer.You will experience authentic fresh food from the North of Spain, while you mix with the locals. Highly enjoyable.( tapas tour not included in the traditional)
DAY SIX- Logroño- airport
After the buffet breakfast we return to Bilbao, subject to flight times
Accommodation
IN LA RIOJA
Hotel LOS AGUSTINOS (Haro)
HISTORIC-BUILDING , 4 star
Location
This four star property is located right in the historic centre of Haro, centre of the wine production in Rioja, surrounded by a valley of vineyards and the Cantabrian Mountains. Walking distance you can experience numerous and excellent tapas.
General Facilities
Founded as a convent in 1373, Los Agustinos hotel is a beautiful and protected building, now its walls full of history play host to exceptionally comfortable facilities where it is a privilege to stay. It has an impressive courtyard where you can relax reading your favourite book or having a glass of Rioja.
Particular mention should be made of the Las Duelas Restaurant; the Bistrot de las Duelas; Bar-Cafeteria; 24-hour room service; and free WIFI throughout the Hotel.
They offer conventional, modern and regional cuisine based on fresh products from the area and also having an outstanding wine-list and everything in historic surroundings.
The rooms
There are 62 guestrooms, most of which are outward-facing, whilst the Hotel's most salient feature is the impressive, glass-domed cloisters, which are air-conditioned and enclosed. All rooms are decorated in a rustic style and enjoy all the modern comforts: satellite TV, wifi, private bathroom with hairdryer. Guests also have access to the hotel’s fitness center.
Hotel MARQUES DE VALLEJO (Logroño)
BOUTIQUE HOTEL for the Exclusive tour, three or four star modern city hotel in the centre for the Traditional tour.
Location
This boutique hotel is located right in the centre, in the historic and cultural heart of Logroño, at a walking distance of the main gastronomic streets, where you can find the best pinchos and tapas in northern Spain, the old part with the cathedral and numerous churches and the outdoor dining area full of terraces where you can have delicious meals accompanied by excellent wines.
General Facilities
Built in 1911, was known popularly as Posada de las Animas (Inn of the souls).
In May 2004, Hotel Marques De Vallejo had a meticulous work of restoration, interior design and decoration, always with the aim of offering a more comfortable and pleasant stay to our guest.
Nowadays they keep on working/betting on the innovation and the improvement of our services and facilities with the aim of satisfying each and every need of our guest.
The rooms
The 50 contemporary rooms at Hotel Marqués de Vallejo feature parquet floors and air conditioning. They contain an LCD TV, and the private bathrooms come with a hairdryer.
Wifi access, safe and temperature controller as well as mini bar, are also available in the rooms.
or
3 or 4 STAR CITY HOTEL(Logroño) in the centre for the Traditional tour.
Our selected 3 or 4 star hotels are located in the central business and leisure area of Logroño. Ideally situated for guests seeking a culturally-rich break in this great city.
Discover the old quarter with the cathedral and numerous churches and the outdoor dining area full of terraces where you can have delicious meals accompanied by excellent wines. Enjoy the famous tapas’ area ‘The Elephants path’, which is situated just a few minutes walk from your hotel.
The furnishings throughout are of a good quality, the rooms are clean and the modern conveniences plentiful and state-of-the-art, including fully equipped bathrooms, air-conditioning, satellite TV and mini bar. n the well-appointed public areas of the hotels, guests are treated to friendly service and a range of excellent facilities
