Wine Tour to Spain, La Rioja
Discover the vibrant region of La Rioja on this wine tour through Spain. Begin your adventure in Bilbao with a city tour and a welcome dinner. Explore the heart of the metropolis and visit the famous Guggenheim Museum. Enjoy a free day in Bilbao before heading to Haro for a wine tasting. Continue to Logroño, where a pintxos tour and a visit to the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture await you. Stroll through the historic streets of Laguardia and visit the majestic Gothic cathedral in Burgos. In Valladolid, explore the Cervantes House Museum and discover the rich cultural heritage of Salamanca. Conclude your tour in Madrid, visiting the Prado Museum and enjoying a farewell dinner.
Services Included:
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IncludedWine Tour to Spain, La RiojaTransfers in and outBreakfast dailyBilingual Guide Spanish – EnglishHalf board, (Alcoholic beverages are not included)Excursions includedAir conditioned car or van
October 02, Tuesday - BILBAO
Arrival at Bilbao Airport and self-transfer to the hotel. City Tour HOP ON-HOP OFF. Welcome dinner. Overnight Bilbao.
October 02, Wednesday - BILBAO Free Day
October 03, Thursday - BILBAO – HARO – LOGROÑO
Breakfast and drive to Haro. Visit to a winery with wine tasting, before continuing to Logroño, the capital of La Rioja Region. Pintxos tour lunch.
Logroño is the capital of the autonomous community of La Rioja, Spain. Located in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, primarily on the right (South) bank of the Ebro River, Logroño has historically been a place of passage, such as the Camino de Santiago. Its borders were disputed between the Iberian kingdoms of Castille, Navarre and Aragon during the Middle Ages. It is where Saint Francis of Assisi healed a child during his pilgrimage, which is why the Franciscan monastery was built.
Cervantes' House is a house/museum in Valladolid, Spain, devoted to Miguel de Cervantes. The museum is located in the house that was Cervantes's home. It is one of the National Museums of Spain and is attached to the Ministry of Culture.
It is not to be confused with other houses associated with Cervantes, the birthplace in Alcala de Henares, and the museum in Esquivias.
Cervantes is the most well-known writer for his book "The Quixote". He is the Shakespeare of the Spanish literature. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, is a Spanish novel published in the early 1600's. Declared by many critics and authors to be the first "modern novel," Don Quixote charts the adventures of a middle-aged nobleman who, unsatisfied with ordinary life, views his actions through the lens of medieval chivalry.
Overnight Logroño.
October 04, Friday - LOGROÑO AND SURROUNDING AREA
Breakfast. Before visiting the winery this morning, you will take a brief walk through the medieval town of Laguardia. Laguardia is one of the nicest and most important spots in Rioja Alavesa. The town’s urban center is surrounded by defensive walls, built at the beginning of the 13th century. At one end of the main street is the church of San Juan Bautista, and at the other the church of Santa María de los Reyes. Both are located next to the town’s walls. Towards the northern limit of the walled center, on El Collado promenade, there is a monument to the fabulist Félix María de Samaniego, who was born in the town.
From there, you will continue to the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture. It was declared the best museum devoted to wine by UNESCO in 2007. It covers an area of 4,000 m2, which includes five permanent exhibition rooms. Outside the museum is the Garden of Bacchus, with a collection of more than 220 varieties of vines from all over the world. The permanent exhibition houses the collections that the Vivanco family has acquired over the years. There are more than 6,000 pieces on display, from centuries-old vessels and presses to great works of art from artists such as Picasso, Menchu Gal and Barceló, as well as audio-visuals that let you discover all about the history and future of wine. The winery is functional and aesthetic. The building was constructed underground in order to minimize the environmental impact and conserve the landscape, as well as to favor naturally-balanced temperature and humidity conditions all year round, which are essential for the good conservation and ageing of wine in oak barrels or vats. The visit to the winery includes a stop at the vineyard. Once inside the winery, you will be shown the grape reception and selection, production and ageing areas, before finishing in the tasting room. Lunch and return to Logroño. Overnight Logroño.October 05, Saturday - LOGROÑO – BURGOS – VALLADOLID
Breakfast. Departure for Burgos, the most emblematic city in Castile and León. There, we visit the Gothic-style cathedral, which is the third-largest in Spain. It has a splendid façade, and special attention should be paid to the Chapel of the Constable inside the cathedral. Other important monuments in the city are the Santa María Arch and Plaza, the Plaza Mayor (Main Square) and the Casa del Cordón. Visit to the Museum of Human Evolution.
Lunch. On the way to Valladolid, you will visit a winery that is part of the Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) Ribera del Duero. Continue to Valladolid. Overnight Valladolid.
October 06, Sunday - VALLADOLID – SALAMANCA
Cervantes' House is a house/museum in Valladolid, Spain, devoted to Miguel de Cervantes. The museum is located in the house that was Cervantes's home. It is one of the National Museums of Spain and is attached to the Ministry of Culture. It is not to be confused with other houses associated with Cervantes, the birthplace in Alcala de Henares, and the museum in Esquivias. Cervantes is the most well-known writer for his book "The Quixote". He is the Shakespeare of the Spanish literature. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, is a Spanish novel published in the early 1600's. Declared by many critics and authors to be the first "modern novel," Don Quixote charts the adventures of a middle-aged nobleman who, unsatisfied with ordinary life, views his actions through the lens of medieval chivalry.
October 07, Monday - SALAMANCA Walking City Tour
Breakfast. Salamanca was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO some years ago for the outstanding universal value of its history, culture and monuments. The city was first conquered by the Carthaginians in the 3rd century. It then became a Roman settlement, and under their dominion enjoyed a period of grandeur. The Roman Bridge still exists today. The city was later occupied by the Visigoths and then the Arabs. At the end of the 11th century, it became part of the Kingdom of Castile and León. Salamanca became famous for its university, founded in 1215 around the same time as the University of Paris. By the 16th century, the university already had 12,000 students. Following a brief historical introduction, we present some of the monuments that were built from the 16th century onwards, which are found in the Old City, the center of which is the Plaza Mayor, one of the most beautiful in Spain. From there, you will begin the walking tour, taking in the Roman Church of San Martín, the Casa de las Conchas – a beautiful Gothic building built in the 15th century – and the Patio de Escuelas in front of the marvellous façade of the Old University. You will also visit the Old Cathedral, built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style. Of note are the central altarpiece and a series of chapels around the cathedral’s interior. The New Cathedral mixes different architectural styles – including Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque – due to its extended period of construction, and we draw particular attention to the western façade. We also comment on the façade and main cloister of the Convent of San Esteban, as well as several other palaces, convents and churches. During the visit, you can admire all of the sites and monuments described above.
Lunch and free afternoon. Overnight Salamanca.
October 08, Tuesday - SALAMANCA – MADRID
Breakfast. Visit to the Salamanca Central Market and the Museum of Automotive History, before your transfer to the train station. You will then take the train to Madrid and a transfer to the hotel. Farewell dinner. Overnight Madrid. Visit the Museo del Prado, one of the best museums in Europe. Explore the masterpieces from the 12th century to the early 20th century, including Spanish, Italian, and Flemish paintings. You will also find sculptures, photographs, drawings, and other artworks.
October 09, Wednesday - MADRID DEPARTURE
Breakfast. A leisurely free morning for shopping or walking around the city. Transfer out to the airport to continue to another destination or home. End of the tour.
TOUR LOCATION
Bilbao, Haro, Logroño, Burgos, Valladolid, Salamanca & Madrid