Treat yourself to the unique flavors of northern Spain on this 9-day journey along the Rioja Vineyard Trail. The beauty of the countryside is only matched by the care that goes into the food and wine. The curvature of the Guggenheim Museum creates open bright spaces. The Rioja Vineyard Trail brings you into the valley and has you exploring the foothills and tasting all the spellbinding flavors of the countryside. Enjoy panoramic views and ancient monasteries, customized tasting menus and a unique...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Bilbao – Almost Touching the Vine
Welcome to Bilbao, a city in northern Spain that has combined the beautiful romance of narrow walkways with the modern architecture of the Guggenheim. The Old City is filled with cobblestone streets. Away from the historic center palm trees line the esplanade and you can hear the water lapping against the sea walls. The city is rich with earthiness and maintains a strong dedication to its role as a major European art center. The Nervion River divides the cityscape and you can see the pastel colors of the buildings that run along its banks.
Casco Viejo is the old quarter which brings you to the city’s jovial cafes. The aromas of pinchos, which are similar to tapas, fill the streets of Las Siete Calles, the city’s original seven streets. Bacalao, a traditional dish made of cod and roasted potatoes is succulent and often accompanied by a crisp white wine. The city opens itself up to you with friendly arms and a charm unique to Bilbao’s history. In the evening you can watch the sunset reflect off of the sweeping, glistening walls of the Guggenheim Museum.
What's Included:
Day 2
Rio Ebro Valley – Connect the Morning
Day 3
Rio Ebro Valley – A Matter of Taste
Day 4
Rio Ebro Valley – Wrapping Around the Vine
Day 5
Arnedillo – Deep in the Ground
Day 6
Arnedillo – The Colors of the Woods
Day 7
San Millan – The Rioja Alta
Day 8
Trapagaran – A Sculpted Forest
Day 9
Bilbao – An Ending Trail
Trip Highlights
- Indulge in the decadent flavors of special menus that will bring out the spectacular tastes of each ingredient
- Enjoy a private wine tasting course with a celebrated winemaker
- Discover the exceptional exhibits at the Dinastica Vivanco, a wine museum with an inclusive botanical garden filled with diverse varietals
- Visit Coll de Nargó, home to the oldest dinosaur nesting site in Europe
- Relish in the thermal baths of Arnedillo Village
- Explore the Monasteries of San Millan, cradle of the Bask and Spanish languages
- Take a romantic stroll through the Sculpture Forest around the hills of the Bizkaia Region
Detailed Description
Embrace the hillside and the traditional small dishes known as pinchos as you experience an ineffable romance through the famous Bask Region of Spain. Venture through the Rioja Vineyard Trail to savor the flavors of the wine and the cuisine. This custom tailored tour will bring passion to the glass and the plate as you taste your way through remarkable wineries and magnificent villages. Stroll through the combination of forestry and sculptures, and explore antique cellars located deep beneath the sprawling vines. Step onto the trail to find the majesty and intimacy of Rioja.
Your Spain tour begins with your arrival in Bilbao. The city is an amalgamation of medieval history and grand modern architecture. In the morning you will have time to visit the fabulous Guggenheim Museum. The edifice twists and curves to allow the sunlight to naturally flow through the glass windows. In the afternoon you will sit on the edge of Mirador de Tolono to look out over the Rioja valley and witness its precious microclimates. The following day you will venture out to the surrounding wineries to discover the charming flavors of Rioja wine.
The region is filled with boutique vineyards which have received accolades both nationally and internationally. The valley is wide and open to the view of the surrounding mountains, including a panorama of the castle at Davalillo. In the evening, partake in a three-hour private wine tasting tour with one of the region’s foremost experts. The wine museum of Dinastia Vivanco contains related artifacts and exhibits that offer insight into viniculture and brings winemaking into a brand new light. Venture to the summit of Sierra de San Lorenzo for a beautiful vista of the valley at large. Outside of the village, you will discover the largest dinosaur nesting area in all of Europe at Coll de Nargó, filled with fossilized eggs and footprints.
Explore the beech forest at Hayedo de Santiago and spend the afternoon indulging in the thermal baths of Arnedillo Village. Journey to the ridge that houses the monasteries of San Millan. The charming nearby town and the ancient monasteries offer insight into the culture and heritage of the region. The Meatzalde Goikoa Parkea is a sculpture park that creates a unique mixture of natural forest and sculpted artwork, oftentimes even blending the two together. Eventually, you will return to Bilbao to make the flight home but the majesty of the Bask countryside and the Rioja trail is endlessly magnetic.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.92 stars based on 2644 reviews.
We had a great eight-day trip to Madrid, planned by Zicasso's tour partners. They worked with me every step of the way to update the itinerary multiple times throughout the planning process and also helped provide great attraction, eatery, and transport recommendations.
When we arrived in Spain, we felt we were in good hands the entire time. Every driver and tour guide was on time, responsive, friendly, and knowledgeable! The agency even surprised us with a few gifts throughout our trip to help us celebrate our seven-year anniversary! I would definitely use them again!
Reviewed By Janice T.
Our trip to Spain was fantastic! Zicasso and their travel planner did an amazing job selecting well-appointed hotels in great locations, providing transfers, curating experiences and tours, and providing local tour guides who knew about Spain!
Reviewed By Kimberly T.
Memorable Mother-Daughter Trip!
We had a wonderful mother-daughter trip to Spain and Portugal! I traveled with my 16-year-old daughter and everything was beautifully organized—excellent accommodations, knowledgeable guides, reliable drivers, and thoughtful recommendations throughout. One of the absolute highlights was a cooking tour in Spain, which gave us an unforgettable, authentic experience.
The agency was extremely responsive and a huge bonus was their app, which made it easy to access our itinerary and connect with them via live chat for questions, tips, and extra suggestions along the way. We felt fully supported from start to finish and would enthusiastically recommend Zicasso's travel partners to anyone planning a special trip.
Reviewed By Shela H.
The trip was all that we expected and the Zicasso travel agency's planning and assistance were exceptional.
Reviewed By Chris V.
During planning for our trip and exploring options, Zicasso's travel partner was responsive and attentive to our desires. The trip execution was almost flawless. In the situations where we required assistance from them, they were quick to react and solve the minor issues beyond their control.
Reviewed By Daniel M.
The trip was fantastic. Everything that was scheduled was well planned, with excellent tour guides, communication with the guides, as well as travel agents live during the trip. The experience was five-star and we could tell that the way it was booked through Zicasso was better for the guides themselves versus how others in our group had booked (ie, through other agencies). There were fewer obstacles, complications, and issues with the booking. We could tell this through our tour guides, as they were more comfortable and knowledgeable about our requests and needs.
Tickets were all organized and either sent to us through PDF or to our tour guides. The off days were were well placed during the week and our requests were more than satisfied.
Reviewed By Shaheed H.