Epicurean Cooking Academy RIOJA

  • PRICE: FROM €1529.00 P/P

  • WHEN: April to October

  • DURATION: 6 days

  • NEAREST AIRPORT: Bilbao

  • Discover first hand why La Rioja, Basque Country and its food have become so popular.
  • Unique locations for cooking classes: in Villa Lucia, Laguradia and in a well known Gastronomic Society in Logrono.
  • Fabulous food including tapas, great local atmosphere.
  • Visit great unique Rioja wineries and vineyards and enjoy selected wine and oil tastings.
  • Learn from experts, prepare food yourself and enjoy the result. Get your ingredients in the local markets: fresh vegetables and ingredients typical from the north of Spain.
  • Discover the medieval village of Laguardia and walk along its narrow streets.
  • Enjoy Logrono, the region capital, a modern city that preserves its history: being in the St James Way, the renowned Pilgrim's Route to Santiago de Compostela had made Logroño a crosswords of culture importance. In the historical centre of the town, you will discover historical sites from the 15th-18th century.

Tour Summary

This culinary vacation program will really allow you to discover first hand why Rioja and Basque Country and its food have become so popular. With a few hands-on classes of approximately three hours each and a combination of restaurant meals, tapas tours, food market visits and class preparation meals, a very good knowledge of Riojan and Basque cuisine can be attained. Four visits to unique Rioja wine producers and vineyards, along with wine tasting and a tutored professional wine tasting will allow you to discover and appreciate the fantastic Rioja wines. A fantastic olive oil tasting presentation will let you discover two of the best extra virging olive oils in Spain. A guided walking tour of Laguardia, the city of Haro and Logrono will enable you to learn of the area's history as well as indulge in the landscapes of this beautiful and unspoiled region.

Our gastronomic-wine tour will appeal to those with an insatiable appetite to learn more about the regional food and wine of Northern Spain. Whilst the region is known worldwide for its wines, it hides a wealth of epicurean delights that can only be experienced in person in the restaurants and bodegas of Rioja.

Here's a chance to get hands-on experience of the unique gastronomy of Rioja. Learn from experts, prepare the food yourself then sit down to enjoy the result.

Four inspiring meals to prepare over five days. Wine tasting, too, to find the best wine to crown your achievements.

This culinary vacation program will really allow you to discover first hand why Rioja and Basque Country and its food have become so popular. With a few hands-on classes of approximately three hours each and a combination of restaurant meals, tapas tours, food market visits and class preparation meals, a very good knowledge of Riojan and Basque cuisine can be attained.

VINEYARDS

Several visits are possible depending on the availability. Deep within the hillside crowned by the village of Laguardia are the great vine vaults of Bodega El Fabulista - the name says it all! Contino is unusual for its estate-bottled wine from the rare Graciano grape. Visiting Lopez de Heredia you will discover how the soil and the weather combine to create its exceptional wines. You may also visit the pioneering chateau-styled Remelluri Estate wherein great treasures lie and the wines of Roda as well as their renowned olive-oil will impress the most sophisticated palates.

FOOD

Locations play a major part in creating just the right ambience for both wine tasting and dining on the regional's extraordinary variety of ingredients and culinary styles. The dishes you will create for yourself include: canapes , a Mediterranean menu, a traditional Rioja lunch, and a variety of typical regional dishes at Laguardia The highlight is an invitation to one of Rioja's oldest gastronomic societies. But between times you will be introduced to the most entertaining of food, tapas, and plenty of it.

HOTELS

Laguardia - Villa Laguardia

Traditional and modern hotel at the same time, using only the finest materials and perfectly combining fabrics, wallpaper, colour schemes and furniture. This hotel brings together in one building, all the necessary elements for a state of the art property with extraordinary quality, service charm and harmony. It has a swimming pool and wonderful gardens.

Logrono

Our selection of hotels work overtime to impress it guests! Nicely presented these hotels keep reinventing itself to even higher standards of excellence. The rooms are a delight with very modern facility without detracting from their individual character. The hotels are centrally located near the cathedral and the gastronomic cornucopia of Calle Laurel.

This 6-day accompanied cultural hands-on culinary tour starts and finishes at Bilbao Airport and allows plenty of time to go exploring on your own.

The cooking classes take place at a Mansion-Wine Museum in Laguardia famous for the breathtaking views of the Riojan landscaped and in one of the renowned Gastronomy Societies in town such as La Becada located in a Palace-Mansion in the old quarter in Logrono.

Villa Lucia

Located in Laguardia it is divided into several floors and, because of its privileged location allows you to contemplate some of the most beautiful landscapes of La Rioja. A walk through Villa Lucia, the former holiday estate of the family of Samaniego, a fable writer, is the best appetizer to enjoy the day.

In Villa Lucia you will find a botanical garden with shrubs and species from around the world, natural nooks with commemorative sculptures, soothing waterfalls, an exhibit of the most outstanding grape varieties, and artisan machinery dating from the time immemorial craft, marquees and terraces.

Wine and food are two inseparable elements that are exceptional players in Villa Lucia.

Personalized tasting courses open to all audiences throughout the year have privileged settings and teachers.

There is a magical museum where craftsmanship and technology merge in a magical place to offer visitors a unique exhibition. It is undoubtedly the highlight of this centre. The museum focuses on the history and rituals of wine in an enjoyable way.

Day One - Bilbao-Laguardia

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 Laguardia. Welcome drink, menu hand out and introduction to the tour programme. Evening free.

-Optional: Guggenheim Museum visit in Bilbao subject to arrival time


Day Two - Laguardia

Tutored wine tasting of a selection of the most representative wines of La Rioja conducted by a wine expert. You will learn different techniques to taste wine as well as the unique characteristics of the wines of Rioja wine region. First hands-on cooking class in this culinary adventure, directed by British born, Cathy, who lives in Rioja followed by lunch.

Tapas tour in the amazing town of Laguardia, you will sample the best tapas of this town as well as mixing with the locals and experiencing the evening life in such a lovely town.


Day Three - Laguardia-Logrono

Private guided tour conducted by local expert of one of the most astonishing medieval towns in Europe: Laguardia. You will walk through the narrow-cobbled streets of the town enjoying stunning views as well as visiting small wine/food shops and bars.

Privileged visit to one of the best underground cellars in the medieval town of Laguardia. The cellar elaborates its wines in a traditional way. Wine tasting. Second hands-on cooking class followed by lunch.

Guided visit one of the wineries in La Rioja and vineyards walk followed by wine tasting. Transfer to Logroño, capital of Rioja for the last two days of our food and wine adventure.


Day Four - Logrono-Cameros-Logrono

Guided visit to the food market. You will be nicely surprise by the size, quality and taste of the vegetable and fruit in this area. Selection of ingredients for our dinner cooking class.

Next, we head to Cameros a region of contrasts in the Mountains. On the way we stop in an Almazara (Oil Mill) where we learn how they make extra virgin olive oil, essential ingredient in our gastronomy. Olive oil tasting included. If we have time we can also visit a beehive yard, learning how honey is obtained and different applications and products from honey.

After this interesting experience we have a traditional lunch in a local restaurant based on a menu typical of this quiet and mountainous area: Los Cameros. Return to Logroño. Free time to relax and enjoy Logroño before our third hands-on cooking class that will take place in our gastronomy society palace and followed by dinner.


Day Five - Logrono-Haro-Logrono

Today we leave behind our passion for cooking and we relax to visit and experience two unique wineries including a tasting of two of the best extra virgin olive oils. We will also be lucky enough to have one of the best traditional lunches in a fabulous setting.

Guided visit to one of the oldest and prettiest Wine Estates in Europe, tour conducted possibly by one of the members of the family. Wine tasting. Second guided visit to one of the most prestigious wineries in Spain for its winemaking methods, they have mastered one of the best wines in Spain. Wine and extra virgin olive oil tasting.

Superb typical lunch from the area. 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 and unique tapas from Rioja, while you mix with the locals. Highly enjoyable.


Day Six - Logrono-Bilbao

Return transfer to Bilbao airport. (Time, subject to participant schedules).

Tour Prices

Price per Person: 6 days / 5 nights

2 persons     2699.00

3 persons     2199.00

4 persons      1829.00

5 persons      1749.00

6 persons      1669.00

7 persons      1599.00

8 persons      1529.00


Hotel Supplements or Reductions

Single supplement: 299.00 EUROS

Per person supplement: 199.00 EUROS

Wine festival 22nd - 26th September 2021 and 21st - 25th September 2022

Upgrade of Accommodation on request.


Departures

From April to October- Every Week.

From November to March- On request.

We can also organize a similar tour subject to your requirements of number of people and days, budget etc,
please e-mail us on [email protected].

BOOK NOW e-mail us at [email protected] with the departure date and number of people.


Price Includes

Transport for 4 full days.

Transfers from and to Bilbao airport.

Personalised English speaking expert guide throughout the tour.

Five nights Accommodation based on double occupancy with private bath.

Three hands-on cooking classes.

Five full breakfasts.

Two tapas tour.

Four lunches.

Three dinners (two dinners based on tapas)

Four winery guided visits including wine tasting.

Tutored wine tasting.

Guided visit to a food market.

Commented extra virgin olive oil tasting.

Guided visits to an oil mill and possibly to see a beekeeper.

Private guided walking tour of a medieval town.

A recipe book.

All entrances and fees.

All taxes.

Note: If any of the published accommodation, range of wineries or restaurants in the tour becomes unavailable,
others of similar category will be allocated.

Note: Upgrade of wineries and/or restaurants will have a supplement. Please request.


What is not Included

Travel insurance.

Flights.

Tips.

Meals not specified.

Personal expenses.

Optional visits.

By booking your trip with The Unique Traveller you agree to our Terms and Conditions

EXAMPLE OF ACCOMMODATION IN MADRID AND LA RIOJA (*)

Hotel Villa Laguardia (Laguardia-Rioja Alavesa)

4 Star

Location:

The Villa de la Guardia Hotel is ideally situated in the capital of the Rioja Alavesa, Laguardia, and 50 Km from Vitoria and 18 Km from Logrono. With the hill upon which the original town stands as a backdrop and set against the Cantabrian Mountains. San Sebastian and Bilbao are approx. 150 KM away, about a 1 hr. drive from both international airports.

General Facilities:

This charming 4 star hotel is a luxurious but traditional and Provencal style hotel, using only the finest materials and perfectly combining fabrics, wallpaper, colour schemes and furniture Hotel

This hotel brings together in one building, all the necessary elements for a state of the art property with extraordinary quality, service charm and harmony. Restaurants, free Wi-Fi, and outdoor and private parking. It also has spacious well-groomed gardens surrounding it, and an outdoor swimming pool. The on-site spa offers a range of treatments, based on wine and oil therapies. The hotel also has its own extensive wine cellar and shop, where guests can take part in wine tastings.

The rooms:

Villa de Laguardia has 84 guest rooms.

Rooms have different exclusive decoration with views to Rioja Alavese wineries. There are 69 standard double rooms, 6 superior double rooms, 4 junior suites, 5 suites. Rooms provide satellite tv, blowdryer, mini-bar and all modern facilities.

Besides walking through the wonderful vineyards of the region, it is a unique setting for any kind of activity related to gastronomy, wine, culture and nature.


Hotel Marques de Vallejo (Logrono-La Rioja)

Boutique Hotel

Location:

This boutique hotel is located right in the centre, in the historic and cultural heart of Logrono, 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 Marques 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.

(*)Accommodation will be in these hotels or in others of similar category. Will be confirmed when making the booking. Upgrade available on request.

 
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