A Taste Of Spain

Stay at a cozy rural style hotel in the charming medieval town of Laguardia.
Taste the legendary Rioja wine (your choice of style: traditional or cutting edge) at the very same cellars where it is produced.
Discover the birth place of the Spanish language, the old medieval Monasteries of Suso and Yuso, in San Millan de la Cogolla.
Enjoy Riojan gastronomy at its best at the prestigious Echaurren restaurant, in the lovely mountain village of Ezcaray, as well as our choice of local restaurant favorites.

If you are a wine connoisseur, you’ll know that South of the Basque Country lies La Rioja, a region with distinctive personality, associated with the Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) and its picturesque towns… but more so with wine. Indeed, wine culture is an essential part of this region, with a long tradition dating back to the 17^th Century and deserved recognition reaching far beyond the Spanish borders. This tour will bring you inside that essence, still very much alive today, and all that surrounds it.

The region’s good wine is logically coupled with excellent cuisine, which of course you will also be enjoying to the fullest… Savory local meats combine delightfully with premium quality regional vegetables of all kinds, including the unique, world famous piquillo pepper. But what makes this tour especially enjoyable is not just the fabulous food and wine; you’ll find there’s an extra something, a special charm and joy, closely connected with the deep-rooted local customs in relation to gastronomy.

Your charming hotel in the town of Laguardia is the perfect backdrop for your discoveries. The historical city center of this town is a fully walled medieval village with six gates! And although it’s hard to believe in this day and age, no cars are allowed in the narrow streets, for a very special reason: underneath them lies the unexpected treasure of a manmade honeycomb of some 300 wine cellars. We’ll bring you to these and other wineries; it’s up to you to choose the type you’d like to see, with a complementary (and enlightening!) wine tasting session included.

In-between these visits, learn all about the scenic wonders that surround you; take in the beautiful landscapes as you drive to nearby cultural sites, dive into the history and cultural heritage of monasteries and churches, museums and gardens, all in a laid back mood, with plenty of time on your own, and always a break for an appetizing meal….

For three days, take a journey back in time; savor the food, the wine and the sights of the soul of La Rioja.

Itinerary

B =Breakfast L =Lunch D =Dinner

Day One

Depart from San Sebastian or Bilbao and travel to La Rioja for your visit to the first bodega (wine cellar) on the tour. A guided stroll around the premises and a look at the production methods will be followed by an exciting opportunity to taste some of the legendary Rioja wines.

From there, it’s on to Laguardia, a strikingly beautiful town, considered the capital of La Rioja Alavesa. Here you’ll check in at your charming and cozy rural hotel, very well situated in an area surrounded by vineyards and cellars.

When you’ve had time to settle down and “make yourself at home”, we’ll take you to lunch at the best restaurant in town, where you can get your first taste of the hearty and flavorsome regional cuisine.

Afterwards, take some free time to relax, before a walk along the fortified medieval town, with an underground labyrinth of more than 300 family cellars. Your last stop of the day will be a visit to one of these concealed wonders. You’ll enjoy a second wine tasting, before returning to the hotel for a leisurely evening on your own.

Night in Laguardia

Day Two

Today’s excursion will take you to San Millan de la Cogolla, where you’ll visit the monasteries of Suso and Yuso, considered the birthplace of the Spanish language. With one glance at these spectacular constructions, illustrating various architectural styles going back as far as the 6^th Century, you’ll understand why they are acknowledged as World Heritage sites.

Afterwards, enjoy lunch in Ezcaray, a lovely mountain village found nearby. The venue is the famous Echaurren, a family-owned restaurant dating back to the late eighteen hundreds. Sit down, relax, and indulge in several generations’ worth of gastronomic wisdom and tradition, impeccably combined with just the right touch of today’s modern cuisine.

Then it’s back to Laguardia, with an optional visit on the way, to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a picturesque little town with a 13^th Century cathedral, famous stopping point along the Pilgrimage Route of Saint James.

The evening is free for you to enjoy on your own.

Night in Laguardia

B, L

Day Three

The first stop today is a visit to a selected winery in the area, for further insight into the different winemaking methods, and yet another delicious taste of the excellent regional wines.

Then it’s on to Briones, where you can stroll the Museum of Wine Culture, hosted by the Dinastía Vivanco Foundation. This private museum takes you on a revealing voyage through the history and culture of wine, and exhibits the art and archaeology collection acquired by the family over the years. In addition, its garden houses over 200 varieties of grapes, forming one of the most important private collections in the world.

After this visit, sit down and prepare for the gastronomic finale of your tour. You’ll be pampered with a delicious lunch at our favorite restaurant in the area, featuring a mouth-watering selection of creative Riojan recipes, matched with only the finest of wines.

After lunch, return to San Sebastian or Bilbao for your plane back home… or continue your vacation in Spain!

B, L

What's included?

2 nights’ accommodation in a rural style hotel, with a cozy environment and the perfect location
Buffet breakfast daily
3 Lunches at selected restaurants, for a taste of tradition and some added touches of modern cuisine… accompanied with fine regional wines, of course!
A friendly English-speaking guide, specialized in gastronomy, who’ll be joining you for activities throughout the tour
Private, chauffeured transfers for all excursions
Culinary and cultural visits, including various wineries (your choice of style: traditional or more avant-garde), visits to various towns, spectacular historical sites, museums, etc.
Entry fees as per itinerary
Gourmet gift
All local taxes

Prices (land only, double occupancy, in Euros)

1,900 EUR per person for group of 2
1,320 EUR per person for group of 4
1,070 EUR per person for group of 6
Single Supplement: 100 EUR per person

Tour dates

Available upon request all year round.

Interested? Contact us or check out other ideas in the Basque Country:

· Northern Spain for Gastronomes · The Basque Kitchen · Cooking Class · Tapas Tour

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