Northern Spain:
Rioja, Navarra and Basque Country

  • PRICE: from € 739.00 p/p

  • WHEN: May, Jun, Sep, Oct

  • DURATION: 7 days

  • NEAREST AIRPORT: Bilbao

  • This tour focuses on prestigious wine estates, excellent gastronomy, medieval and fishing villages, delightful seaside towns and gorgeous countryside in La Rioja, Navarra and San Sebastian.
  • Spectacular landscape.
  • Visit unique wine estates in Haro and Elciego with the flamboyant hotel designed by Frank Gehry; the largest wine museum in the world: Dinastia Vivanco.
  • Navarra and the royal fortress city of Olite.
  • Freshly harvested, tender Tudela Artichokes, fresh Garlic or succulent White Asparagus, Lodosa's lusciously sweet Red Peppers or artisan Roncal and Idiazabal Cheeses are some of the best known dishes in the gastronomy of Navarre.
  • San Sebastian and Bilbao, two magnificent cities, home of the best gastronomy in Spain and a chance to visit the Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art.
  • San Sebastian cuisine and chefs boasts 16 Michelin stars. The town reminds somehow the French "Belle Epoque", the great Golden Age.
  • La Rioja and its capital Logrono. The Pilgrims path to Santiago de Compostela crosses the river Ebro in Logrono.
  • A memorable feast of history, religious culture, beautiful scenery, gorgeous wine and gourmet food, said to be the best in Spain.

Tour Summary

A carefully designed excursion into the delights of Rioja: a journey through the history and the great wines of Rioja, plentiful meals to taste one of the best gastronomies in Spain, delicious local dishes with unique flavours and innovative nouvelle cuisine at your award-winning hotel., Marques de Riscal.

A manageable pace will allow you to enjoy the unique scenery as well as the pleasures of the good food and fine wine. Your incomparable accommodation will make you feel privileged, a well deserved break to celebrate any special occasion.

The Marques de Riscal Hotel, a Luxury Collection hotel designed by Frank O. Gehry. A masterpiece between the Rioja Alavesa vineyards whose doors opened in October 2006 . Winegrowing tradition and avant-garde art: luxury, vineyards and relaxation: discover Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa.

PLACES

Modern Bilbao, home of the Guggenheim Museum with its lustrous exterior and collection of modern art. Haro is a graceful town on the banks of the River Ebro. It has a lively old quarter where elegant wine mansions meet lively pavement cafees. Laguardia is a medieval hilltop fortress city with narrow cobbled streets flanked by bodegas and tapas bars.

WINES

To set the scene, you will be guided through the world's largest wine museum, The Dinastia Vivanco, this museum will pleasantly surprise you. On to a chateau-styled Remelluri Estate embracing the cultures of Bordeaux and Burgundy in a modern Riojan context, and to two exclusive wineries by the Cantabrian mountains where you will experience the passion of two reputable winemakers including a tasting of their acclaimed wines. You will tour the distinguished Marques de Riscal Estate, pioneer of the region and master of the tempranillo grape. This winery continues its innovative reputation exemplified by its flamboyant Frank Ghery hotel where you will be staying. You will also discover the unique cellar construction of the Palace of the Samaniegos.

FOOD

Gastronomy plays an important role in our thrilling wine journey. Locations play a major part in creating just the right ambience for both wine tasting and dining on the region's extraordinary variety of ingredients and culinary styles. A memorable lunch experience is set in a mansion-hotel next to the town hall whose wine cellar and restaurant provide fine examples of Basque and Riojan cuisine.

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-Labastida-Haro

 

Extraordinary guided tour of the world's largest wine museum, Dinastia Vivanco, experiencing the wine culture of centuries.

First guided visit to a winery, you will either visit one of the most prestigious wineries in La Rioja for its successful style of blending the modern technology with the wine-making traditional methods or one of the most reputable, traditional and oldest wineries in La Rioja with very high quality.

Superb typical lunch from the area. After lunch we will have a private guided tour to one of the pintoresque villages of the area: Haro or Briones.

Optional. Tutored wine tasting of a selection of the best wines of La Rioja conducted by a wine expert at a historic building. You will learn different techniques to taste wine as well as the unique characteristics of the wines of Rioja wine region. Free evening.

 


Day Three - Haro-Logrono

 

Second visit to a winery. Spectacular guided tour to one of the best wineries in Rioja and Spain and wine tasting.

Next your third visit to a winery. A visit to this traditional wine estate will show you what tradition in making wines means nowadays.

Lunch at a traditional restaurant.

Guided tour of the old quarter of Logrono, capital of La Rioja, visiting Calle Laurel one of the most famous gastronomic streets in Spain. A unique guided tour seeing hundreds of small bars, each one specialising in a different tapa (small portions of food, an authentic delicacy). Free evening in Logrono. Bars and restaurants recommended.

 


Day Four - Logrono-Elciego-Laguardia

 

Fourth visit to a winery. Guided tour of one of the pioneers wineries in the Rioja wine region. Its wines have earned some of the most distinguished international awards. Wine tasting.

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.

Privileged visit to one of the best underground cellars in the medieval town of Laguardia. Gourmet lunch providing superb dishes based on fresh ingredients and excellent service. Free afternoon. Time to relax in the hotel or go shopping in Logrono.

Optional Guided tapas tour of the best tapas of the area some of them never seen before. You will sample authentic fresh food from the North of Spain, while you mix with the locals. Highly enjoyable.

 


Day Five - Logrono-Puentelarreina-Olite-San Sebastian

 

Departure to Navarra. The sixth and privileged private guided visit to a wine estate located in a astonishing valley. Formed by several manors, this Señorío has mastered throughout the years the wine-making of reds, whites and roses in an area between Rioja and Bordeaux. Wine tasting.

Guided visit to Puentelarreina. Puentelarreina, "the crossroads of the ways", is a medieval town where the two main routes on the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela converge.

Visit to Olite Castle which some parts has been preserved as in the Middle Ages. (Private guide on request). A 12th-century German traveller wrote his impressions in his diary, now conserved in the British Museum in London: "Surely there is no king with a more beautiful castle or palace and with so many gilded rooms". Gourmet Lunch in a charming restaurant of a medieval town located in a castle.

Transfer to San Sebastian.

 

 


Day Six - San Sebastian

 

Definitely one of the most adored places in all of Spain with majestic buildings, beautiful beaches and mountains that form a perfect set. A beautiful city with touches of the Belle Epoque initiated in the second half of the 19th century, becoming the most cosmopolitan city in Europe with a remarkably high level of cultural activity.

If you are a culture lover you have countless museums and attractions to visit. If you are a good food lover San Sebastian will be your paradise. On the other hand you have fifteen famous restaurants in the city or close by, with several Michelin stars run by some of the most prestigious chefs in the world. Remember as well that San Sebastian is known for been the capital of the pintxo (tapas).

Relax and enjoy San Sebastian.

Optional. We can offer collective or private guided excursions either in San Sebastian or to the coastal towns like Hondarribia, Zarautz, Guetaria including St Jean de Luz in neighbouring France. We can also offer cooking classes and demonstrations, guided tapas tour and make a reservation on any restaurant including the numerous Michelin Stars (we can e-mail you our recommendations).

 


Day Seven - Departure

If you are flying from Bilbao, there are plenty of trains and coaches from San Sebastian. Alternatively we can provide private transfers on request.

Schedule Tour Prices

TRADITIONAL Rioja Wine Tour, Navarra Day Tour and Two Night Accommodation in San Sebastian

Price per Person: 6 Nights / 7 Days

2 persons     1659.00

4 persons     1349.00

6 persons     1169.00

8 persons      1059.00

The difference between the traditional and the exclusive Rioja tour lies in the rating of accommodation, quality of meals,
upmarket wineries and type of restaurants.

EXCLUSIVE Rioja Wine Tour, Navarra Day Tour and Two Night Accommodation in San Sebastian

Price per Person: 6 Nights / 7 Days

2 persons     1789.00

4 persons     1459.00

6 persons      1169.00

8 persons     1099.00


Supplements

Single supplement: 329.00 EUROS

Per person supplement: 199.00 EUROS

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


In Navarra is only included the transport and guide, entrances and lunches excluded

This tour operates every week from April to October. November to March on request.

- For the scaled pricing system, the total number of people in the tour refers to how many are actually booked for the particular week, and not to how many people you must have in your party. For example if you call to book two people and we already have four people booked, you will be paying the price designated to six people, if at a later day we book two more clients you will eventually pay the price designated to eight people.

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].

(*) SPECIAL PRICES for groups with 4 people or more.


Departures for Scheduled Tour

May 2022: 4th May - 11th May - 18th May – 25th May

June 2022: 1st Jun - 8th Jun – 15th Jun – 22nd Jun - 29th Jun

September 2021: 1st Sep - 8th Sep – 15th Sep – 22nd Sep – 29th Sep

September 2022: 7th Sep - 14th Sep – 21st Sep – 28th Sep

October 2021: 6th Oct - 13th Oct – 20th Oct – 27th Oct

October 2022: 5th Oct - 12th Oct – 19th Oct – 26th Oct

Other days on request.


Price Includes

Transport for 4 full days.

Transfers from Bilbao to Rioja and from Rioja to San Sebastian.

Personalised English/Spanish speaking expert guide throughout the tour excluding San Sebastian.

Six nights Accommodation based on double occupancy with private bath.

Six full breakfasts.

Six wine estates visits. (Entrance to winery visit in Navarra not included).

Six wine tasting.

Four gourmet lunches (Lunch in Olite not included).

Visit to the world largest wine museum.

Three towns guided walking tours.

Visit to Olite Castle (entrance not included).

In Navarra is only included the transport and guide, entrances and lunches excluded.

All taxes.


What is not Included

Travel insurance.

Flights (Bilbao or Vitoria airports).

Entrance to winery visit in Navarra not included.

Entrance to Olite castle.

Tips.

Meals not specified.

Personal expenses.

Optional visits.

In Navarra is only included the transport and guide, entrances and lunches excluded.

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.

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

EXAMPLE OF ACCOMMODATION IN LA RIOJA, NAVARRA, AND SAN SEBASTIAN (*)

Hotel Los Agustinos

(Haro-La Rioja)
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

Logrono
Boutique Hotel

   

Location:

This boutique hotel is located right in the centre, in the historic an d 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 ofrestoration, 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.


San Sebastian

4 Star Hotel, Tryp Orly,
Silken Amanda Plaza or Monte Igueldo

(*)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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