| It was during their southbound march
through La Rioja that the Christians first integrated Mediterranean agriculture:
the olive grove, the vineyard and the irrigation system. For centuries this junction
would be both a disputed territory between the people of Castile and Navarre,
and the centre of cultural creation; for here is where the language of Spain was
born, where the Route of Santiago de Compostela was consolidated, and where superior
wines were nurtured.
The first route of our journey takes us to
the Bilbao Airport, designed by the renown architect Calatrava, followed by another
landmark of contemporary art, Frank O. Gehry's Guggenheim Museum, the newest icon
of the Basque Country's industrial capital city. We will further explore this
refurbished city with a scenic tour that takes us from the newer suburbs to the
historic old town and its Seven Streets. Travel to Logrono for overnight.
We will begin by visiting the old section of Logrono -capital
city of La Rioja- and will walk along the city stretch of the Path of Saint James
where we will find the late Gothic church of Santiago, as well as the con-Cathedral,
the church of Saint Bartholomew. The towns of Samaniego and Labastida await us
in the Alaves district of La Rioja. Possibility of visiting different wineries
with tasting Possibility of organizing a regional Rioja lunch On our way back,
we will enjoy a walk in San Asensio -a prosperous village known for its Davalillo
Castle ruins and the Battle of Wine- and in Cenicero, whose historic past is evidenced
by gated homes marked with their respective coats of arms. Overnight in Logrono
Today we follow the Path of Saint James
to Najera, the former venue for the kings of Navarre -buried in the church of
Santa Maria la Real-. Possibility of visiting different wineries with tasting
Continue to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a site created for those making the pilgrimage,
its walls, a beautiful Main Square, Cathedral, pilgrimage Hospital and the noted
Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral remain intact. At the foot of the Sierra de la Demanda
hills, we will retreat to San Millan de la Cogolla, the birthplace of the language
of Castile, and a reference point for the history of Riojan monasticism dating
from the Visigoths to the 18th century in the Suso and Yuso monasteries. Overnight
in Logrono
We will begin the day in Navarrete,
a small village whose Calle Mayor will lead us to the castle and to the Romanesque
gate of the cemetery. Navarrete maintains a strong pottery-making tradition and
in Tricio we will discover a small church raised with Roman columns. We will cross
the Ebro river to reach the village of Laguardia with its walled old quarter which
has been perfectly kept, as has been its medieval urban layout. Laguardia is well
situated above La Rioja Alavesa and offers the best views of the Riojan vineyards.
Walking through its streets, we will visit the Church of Santa Maria and appreciate
its polychromatic Gothic facade. Possibility of visiting different wineries with
tasting Overnight in Logrono
Today we will focus on the upper
region of Rioja. Its capital city Haro, surrounded by renowned wineries, boasts
the Plateresque facade of the church of Saint Thomas. Possibility of visiting
different wineries with tasting and one of the renown wine museums in Haro or
Briones In the surroundings of Haro we will discover Casalarreina with its Palace
of Los Condestables, the large Baroque Ollauri homes, and the narrow, winding
streets of the walled city of Briones beneath the chapel of the Virgen de los
Remedios. Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner Overnight in Logrono
Transfer to the Bilbao Airport
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