Wine and Cultural Spain Tour
8 Days – 7 Nights
Itinerary: BARCELONA – LA RIOJA – BARCELONA
Day 1: BARCELONA
Arrival to Barcelona, meet and assistance. Transfer from the airport to the hotel.
Barcelona is a Spanish city and capital of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia. Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, about 120 km south of the Pyrenees mountain range and has been the scene of many world events.
Nowadays, Barcelona is recognized as a global city for its cultural, financial, trade and tourism.
Overnight.
Day 2: BARCELONA – LOGROÑO
Breakfast at the hotel.
At the suggested time, our tour guide will be waiting for us at the hotel’s lobby to begin the trip towards Logroño. Logroño was first settled in the fourth century on monte de Cantabria (Mount Cantabria), which dominates the city today from the left bank of the river. Celtiberian settlements were established within the walled district before these strongholds were destroyed by Liuvigild in 575. In the sixth century, the city was established in what is now Logroño. Later on, in the eleventh century, the capital of the Rioja consolidated its importance through two major events: the code of law or charter of Alfonso VI and the development of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James). Over subsequent centuries, the city would develop its trade – wine production and river fishing – under the strong influence of the church and militia, which played an important role in urban life. During this period, the Plaza del Mercado (“Market Square”), also known as Plaza de Herventía, became popular as a meeting point for merchants and market stallholders. This is why the square is one of the most obvious sites for hosting culture and leisure events today.
At the arrival, free time for lunch on your own.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight.
Day 3: LOGROÑO – SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA – LOGROÑO
Breakfast at the hotel.
Early in the morning an English speaking guide will escort us towards Santo Domingo de la Calzada, where our today’s tour will begin. Santo Domingo de la Calzada has important monuments such as the walls of S. XI, the San Francisco Covent and the Cistercian Monastery. It’s a key point of pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. We’ll go into the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
Free time for lunch on your own.
After the lunch, we’ll return to Logroño. We’ll start the tour in the old city, with multiple allusions to the Camino de Santiago. We’ll see the Cathedral, called the Round with its “Twin Towers” and we’ll have free time for have a walk along the famous street of Laurel and for taste traditional tapas and local wines. Free time. Overnight.
Day 4: LOGROÑO – HARO – LOGROÑO
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we’ll visit two important cellars: Bilbaínas Cellar and Ramón Bilbao Cellar, where we’ll learn the way they elaborate their magnificent wines and we’ll also taste some of them. For this, we’ll need a short transfer by bus to Haro. Internationally renowned for its wines, the city of Haro has much to offer in the way of tourism and culture, making it a favourite weekend or holiday destination for many. It is this mixture of culture, landscape and fine food and wine which makes a visit to our city an unforgettable experience. Free time for lunch on your own.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight.
Day 5: SONSIERRA REGION; BRIÑAS, SAN VICENTE DE LA SONSIERRA, ÁBALOS, NÁJERA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today, a local guide will escort us on our visit to the only region of La Rioja on the left bank of the Ebro River, with towns that don’t have more than a thousand inhabitants and surrounded by vineyards. In the village of Briñas stand out the noble houses of S. XVI and XVII, the Plaza Mayor Fountain and the Church of the Assumption. From there we’ll go to San Vicente de la Sonsierra, where is located the castle of XII century. We will also visit the Church of Santa María, great example of the Rioja Romanesque. After this, we’ll go to Ábalos, where stands the Palace of the Marqueses de Legarda.
We’ll continue to Nájera, where during the afternoon we’ll visit the Monastery of Santa María la Real, the pantheon of the Kings of Navarra, in flamboyant Gothic style and where stands the cloister of the Knights (Claustro de los Caballeros).
Return transfer to the hotel in Logroño.
Overnight.
Day 6: LOGROÑO – LAGUARDIA – LOGROÑO
Breakfast at the hotel.
At the suggested time, the driver and our tour guide will be waiting for us at lobby’s hotel to escort us towards Laguardia, which has its name because its strategic location in the front of Castilla during the Middle Ages. Its main attractions are the Santa María de los Reyes Church, the Abacial Tower and the cellars. We’ll visit some of them: Viña Real Cellar and Campillo Cellar, where the guide will show us the vineyards, the cellar and we’ll taste some of the best wines.
Return to the hotel in Logroño.
Overnight.
Day 7: LOGROÑO – BARCELONA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Return transfer to Barcelona (lunch on your own during the way)
Overnight.
Day 8: BARCELONA
Breakfast at the hotel
Free day to enjoy the last minutes in Barcelona and its magical places, or do some more shopping!
Transfer from hotel to Barcelona airport.
Price includes
-7 nights BB 3*** hotels (2 Barcelona, 5 Logroño)
-Transfer in and welcoming
-Bus at disposal and tour guide from 2nd day to 7
-Santo Domingo de Silos half day tour –
-Logroño half day tour – Burgos (bus + guide)
-Ramón Bilbao Cellar visit – Haro (bus + guide + ticket and tasting)
-Bilbaínas Cellar visit – Haro (bus + guide + ticket and tasting)
-Full day tour : Sonsierra Region (bus + guide + tickets)
-Campillo Cellar visit – Laguardia (bus + guide + ticket and tasting)
-Viña Real Cellar visit – Laguardia (bus + guide + ticket and tasting)
-Transfer out
-ESCORTED ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE
Prices per person based on 25 people minimum. Children´s discounts: 0 – 2 years free; Up to 12 years and sharing room with 2 adults: 25% discount. 3rd person discount: 10 %.
For certain dates as events prices are not valid, please consult.