The Rioja Wine Experience from £416

En route to Navarrete take a detour to Sajazarra, a charming village surrounded by vineyards which has an impressive, well-maintained castle. You can also make a stop at Santo Domingo de la Calzada which was founded in the 11th century by the saint after whom the town is named. Santo Domingo was built for the Compostela pilgrims and is one of the most important stopping points on the Way of St James. Its cathedral is by far its most famous landmark mainly due to its two unusual live residents - a rooster and a hen which are central to the miracle that supposedly took place here and visitors in their thousands come each year to see them.

Haro is one of the most outstanding wine-producing towns in this region and known as the Capital of Rioja Wine. During the morning you can visit the Barrio de la Estación and discover the history of Rioja wine and admire many centenary wineries with lots of tastings of course! Most of them can be visited but pre booking is essential. To complete your stay in Haro, be sure to visit the old town, declared a Historic-monumental site, and discover its rich cultural, historical, scenic, and gastronomic offer. Dont miss Herradura Street with its many bars and restaurants where you can taste local dishes and wines. Some suggestions are potatoes with chorizo stew, stuffed peppers, embuchadosos (pork tripe meatballs) or chuletillas al sarmiento (grilled lamb chops).

If you still have time, you can spend part of the afternoon enjoying a fun and interactive learning experience at the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture in Briones. This unique space has a permanent exhibition where you can learn the history and future of wine, as well as enjoy audiovisuals, temporary exhibitions, and the spectacular Bacchus Garden.

During the morning explore the lovely medieval village of Laguardia where you have the opportunity to taste the famous Rioja wine and local pintxos at a large choice of bars. Be sure not to miss out on the Villa Lucía Wine Theme Centre, where you can enjoy a 4D experience and learn about the history and rituals of wine in Rioja Alavesa in a fun and educational way (pre-booking essential). The afternoon can be spent in Logroño, the capital of La Rioja region. Perhaps not as well known as many of its more famous neighbours and therefore not as busy, Logroño has a charm all of its own and is a great place to explore. It was once an important stopping point on the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago and has an impressive reputation for good food and drink. In particular it is well known for its pintxo (tapas) bars so don't miss a visit to Calle Laurel and Calle San Juan where you will find the vast majority of them.

Before leaving La Rioja, on your way to the port make a quick stop and visit Elciego, one of the Magical Villages of Spain. We recommend a pleasant stroll through its charming old town where you can discover different stately homes, palaces and its Plaza Mayor. And then move onto the Wine City of Marqués de Riscal, an essential stop. The iconic avant-garde building designed by Frank O Gehry is one of the main attractions. Explore its surroundings, visit the winery and enjoy some tasting if you still have time.