Arrive at Bilbao or Vitoria airport where you will be welcomed and escorted by our guide to our carefully selected hotel in La Rioja. 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 also 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 modern technology with traditional wine-making methods. This is one of the few Chateaux-style wineries in Rioja, located in a peaceful setting, at the base of the Cantabrian Mountains. We will then enjoy a superb lunch typical of 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. After, there is an optional 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 the Rioja region. The evening is free - relax in your hotel or enjoy the numerous bars and restaurants around the city. We are happy to offer you recommendations. 08.00-09.00 Buffet breakfast and check out of our hotel 10.00-11.30 Spectacular guided tour to one of the best wineries in Rioja. Situated in a medieval village in Rioja Alavesa wine region. Tour of medieval winery (entirely made of stone), walks around its vineyards and wine tasting. Next a guided visit to one of the oldest and prettiest wine estates in Europe: Lopez de Heredia - the tour is conducted by one of the members of the family. A visit to this traditional wine estate will demonstrate more clearly than a thousand words or pictures just what tradition in the making of fine wines really means in the 21st century. Wine tasting Lunch is at a traditional restaurant in La Rioja renowned for combining traditional and nouvelle cuisine. Late afternoon take a 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). We then check-in at our second hotel and your evening is free to enjoy Logrono, the capital of La Rioja. Bars and restaurants can be recommended 08.15-09.00 Buffet breakfast 10.00 -11.30 Guided tour of the one and only Marques de Riscal, a pioneer in the Rioja wine region. It's wines have earned some of the most distinguished international awards including the amazing Hotel Marques De Riscal designedby world renowned architect Frank Ghery. Wine tasting. Next, a guided tour conducted by a 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. A gourmet lunch will be served in an exclusive private club whose membership includes the discerning palates of wine estate owners and local entrepreneurs. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the hotel or perhaps shopping in Logrono. In the evening there is an optional guided 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. After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Optional: Private guided tour* to The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (subject to flight times) *Transfer to the airport not included when this tour is taken. 2008: 7 May, 4 June, 2 July, 17 Sept*, 15 Oct NB. *Wine Festival 17 Sept - supplement applies