Arrival at Bilbao or Vitoria airport where you are welcomed and escorted by our guide to our carefully selected hotel in La Rioja in our vehicle. Check in at our pre selected hotel in Haro. 20.00 Welcome drink and dinner at the courtyard of our hotel Los Agustinos in Haro and the evening is free. Optional: Guggenheim museum visit in Bilbao subject to arrival time 08.30-09.30 Buffet Breakfast 10.00-12.00 Extraordinary guided tour of the world’s largest wine museum, experiencing the wine culture of centuries. A unique experience learning the history of wine not only in Spain, but in Europe. 12.15-13.00 Visit to the fabulous Remelluri Estate,one of the most important wineries in Rioja for its successful style of blending the modern technology with the wine-making traditional methods. One of the few Chateaux-style wineries in Rioja, located in a peaceful setting, at the base of the Cantabrian Mountains 13.00-15.30 Superb typical lunch from the area, overlooking the vineyards and accompanied by the much acclaimed wines from Remelluri 16.30 -17.30 Private guided walking tour of Haro. The city of Haro is acknowledged as being the centre of Rioja wine production. 18.00-19.15 Tutored wine tasting of a selection of the best wines of La Rioja conducted by a wine expert at a historic building.You will learn different techniques to taste wine as well as the unique characteristics of the wines of Rioja wine region. 19.30 Free evening. Time to relax in your hotel or to enjoy the numerous bars and restaurants around the city. 08.00-09.00 Buffet Breakfast 10.00-15.00 Private cooking demonstration arrange by leading local Chef held at Villa Lucia where many Famous Spanish figures (politicians, marquises, Monarchs, gastronomy and wine critics etc) have been entertained for years. The class will focus on local dishes prepared with fresh products from the market near-by. Traditional dishes and tapas cooking demonstration followed by lunch. Later we will arrange a Ham-master (professional of cutting Iberian ham, the most expensive and sought after ham in the world) Private tasting of iberico ham and learning how to cut it. Tasting of extra virgin olive oils and 5 different cheeses of Spain. (Optional and paid for locally) 16.00-17.30 Private guided tour conducted by local expert of One of the most astonishing medieval towns in Europe. Located on a hill, surrounded by a valley of vineyards, overlooking the back-drop of the Cantabrian Mountains. You will walk through the narrow-cobbled streets of the town enjoying stunning views as well as visiting small wine/food shops and bars. 20.00-23.00 Cooking demonstration at an charming mansion in the historic part of Logrono. This house is the building used by the oldest gastromic society in La Rioja for their culinary experiences. Cooking demonstration conducted by the president of the gastronomy society. The group will be able to ask questions take notes and participate in the making of the different dishes. Dinner included. 08.15-09.00 Buffet Breakfast 10.00 -11.30 Guided tour of the one and only Marques de Riscal, Pioneer in the Rioja wine region. Its wines have earned some of the most distinguished international awards including the amazing Hotel Marques De Riscal designed by world renowned architect Frank Ghery. Wine tasting 12.30-14.00 Guided tour of the old quarter of Logrono, capital of La Rioja, visiting Calle Laurel one of the most famous gastronomic streets in Spain. A unique guided tour seeing hundreds of small bars, each one specialising in a different tapa (small portions of food, an authentic delicacy) 14.30-16.30 Gourmet lunch in a members only private club of wine estate owners and entrepreneurs. Highly recommended! 16.30-19.30 Free afternoon with time to relax in the hotel or go shopping in Logrono. 20.00-22.00 Guided tapas tour of the best tapas of the area some of them never seen before. You will sample authentic fresh food from the North of Spain, while you mix with the locals. Highly enjoyable. 08.00-09.00 Buffet Breakfast and return to Airport Optional: Private guided tour to The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (subject to flight times) 2010: 26-30 May & 13-17 Oct