Bold & Beautiful: La Rioja & the Basque Country 2025

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1-888-597-3519

905-639-9954

dhtour@dhtour.ca

4 Days / 3 Nights
Availability : April to November
Start: Madrid, Spain
End: Madrid, Spain

Bold & Beautiful: La Rioja & the Basque Country: 3 nts Haro

Ever wanted to go somewhere a little less explored? The kind of place people ask “Where exactly is that?”… and you feel bad for them, because they’ve not experienced the same beauty and adventure as you have. But that’s for them to discover in their own time.

Instead, you sit there telling them about the incredible Moorish architecture and the way its beautifully intricate designs looked like poetry. You show them pictures of Celtiberian ruins, knowing that they won’t truly understand because pictures never do it justice. You try describing the smell of the seafood that was brought to your table in the wine capital of Haro, and suddenly both your stomach and your heart are longing to go back to Spain.

That’s La Rioja and the Basque Country.

4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS / MAX 16 GUESTS

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book this small group tour.

Tour Details
Places you explore

La Rioja – The famously delicious wines here perfectly complement the views of the Cantabrian Mountains

San Sebastián – The top beach town in the Basque region is known as both a surfer’s paradise and a foodie heaven

Burgos – Walk in the shadow of the soaring Gothic cathedral and admire this majestic city, once the capital of the old kingdom of Castille

Basque Country – Explore this unique and lesser-known region with one of the oldest cultures (and languages) in Europe

Haro – Get to know the wine capital of La Rioja a bit better as your overnight destination on this tour

Pick Up Location & TIme

Madrid  (Google Map)
Check-in closes at 08:30 (tour departs at 08:45) – Hotel Porcel Ganivet, C. de Toledo, 111, 113, 28005 Madrid, Spain

Drop off Location & Time

Madrid (Google Map)
6:15pm – Hotel Porcel Ganivet, C. de Toledo, 111, 113, 28005 Madrid, Spain

Price Includes

  • 3 nights 3/4 star hotel accommodation
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • Daily breakfasts
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
  • Rioja wine tasting and tour (not lunch) 
  • Admission to Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso (and gardens) with audioguide 

Meals

  • 3 breakfasts
  • 0 lunches
  • 0 dinners
  • 0 teas

Price Excludes

  • Entry fees to visitor attractions/Optional Activities
  • Airfare
  • Transfers
  • Pre / Post hotel nights
  • Driver / Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion
  • Travel Insurance
What to Expect

Explore in 16 seat mini-coaches, always taking the scenic route, you have great views through large windows, and you’re free to sample the local tipple without worrying about driving. Our driver-guides are famous for their knowledge, facts, quirky stories, history, and fairy-tales. They truly take you beyond the guidebooks and into your adventure. You make your trip your own. We provide the timetable; and you can choose where you want to eat and which attractions you pay to see. So, if you want to skip a castle and read your book by a mountain view, you can.

A good night’s sleep is often needed for a good day of travel. So we’ve hand-picked three-star to four-star hotels in remote coastal villages, bustling towns, and mountain valleys. Your accommodation is included in the tour price.

Most people can comfortably enjoy our tours, but it’s worth bearing in mind that we often include optional short walks in scenic locations. Please also be aware that many of the old European towns are built on steep hills with cobbled lanes, and you may have to carry your own luggage at times.

We’ve arranged experiences for you on your tour. The ‘included activities’ are already booked and paid for as part of your trip, whereas you can purchase ‘optional activities’ while on your tour. You also have free time in many destinations to pick and choose which attractions you visit.

Pack comfortable shoes for walks up to beautiful views. Carry swimwear and a towel for swimming spots. Your holiday’s more fun when you protect yourself from the sun.

Itinerary
Bold & Beautiful: La Rioja & the Basque Country

Day 1Madrid - Buitrago del Lozoya - Montejo de Tiermes - Haro

  • The Celtiberian fortress town of Buitrago del Lozoya really does have it all
  • Feel like an archaeologist among the ruins of Montejo de Tiermes
  • Figure out the best wine to pair with your meal in Haro, the wine capital of the La Rioja region

It’s farewell to the thriving city of Madrid for now but worry not – you’ll have plenty to fall in love with on this tour. And what better way to start your romance with Spain than with a bit of Moorish architecture? A 15th-century castle. A museum dedicated to Picasso. We’re talking about the historical Celtiberian fortress town of Buitrago del Lozoya. Try saying that five times fast.

You’ll have a couple of hours here to feel like a true explorer and even grab a bite to eat before we depart and continue north towards the ruins of Montejo de Tiermes. This ancient Celtiberian town was cut from the very rocks around them, the ruins of which still stand today, including a Roman aqueduct.

The day ends in the wine capital of La Rioja region: Haro. Wine bars, bodegas, vineyards, and glorious architecture. Wrapped up in the atmosphere of this wondrous town, you’ll consider yourself lucky to be spending the night here.

Accommodation: Eurostars Los Agustinos or similar, Haro

Day 2Haro - Santo Domingo de la Calzada - Winery Lecea - San Vicente de la Sonsierra - Haro

  • Historical and religious, be enamoured by the village of Santo Domingo de la Calzada
  • Enjoy a guided tour and wine tasting at Winery Lecea
  • Step off the beaten track into the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra

Make sure you have a big breakfast this morning because, as we leave Haro behind, it’s time to explore the wine region around you. We’ll pop in at the quaint old village of Santo Domingo de la Calzada this morning. Known for its historical and religious importance, it’s a famous stop on the pilgrimage route to the shrine of St James in Santiago de Compostela. 

And what holiday is complete without a little winery visit? We stop in at Winery Lecea for a guided tour and wine tasting which is included in your tour package. This family of winegrowers have been dedicated to producing their wine for more than four generations, and it’s time they shared a little piece of La Rioja with you.  

We then stop somewhere a little off the beaten track. That’s our thing, after all! San Vicente de la Sonsierra may not be as well-known as some larger Spanish cities, but lying in the heart of La Rioja, with a historic castle overlooking the Ebro River, a 12th-century church, and traditional Spanish charm, we’ll show you why this little village is worth your attention. You have free time here to explore and even grab a bite to eat. 

We return to Haro in the late afternoon to give you a bit more time to explore this wonderful city before you settle in for the night. (B)

Included Activities: Rioja wine tasting and tour (not lunch)

Accommodation: Eurostars Los Agustinos or similar, Haro

Day 3Haro - San Sebastián - Pamplona - Haro

  • Discover the little-known world of Basque Country
  • Devour the foodie heaven of San Sebastián
  • Relax as you wander the famous town of Pamplona

Today is all about the Basque Country. Not familiar with this region? You will be after today. Located near the border between Spain and France, at the western end of the Pyrenees Mountain Range, Basque is one of the oldest cultures in Europe with their unique language called Euskera. Among other things. Now’s the time to find out all about this rich culture.  

Everyone, meet San Sebastián, a foodie heaven with the highest number of Michelin stars per capita. You have time here to grab lunch and check out the beautiful blonde beach. 

You travel back inland to Pamplona. This town is famous for San Fermin, ‘the Running of the Bulls’. Fortunately, you aren’t going to have to run anywhere. Instead, you can stroll around the town’s splendid fortress walls and relax. 

Then it’s back to Haro for your final night, so make sure to take full advantage.  (B)

Accommodation: Eurostars Los Agustinos or similar, Haro

Day 4Haro - Burgos - Aranda de Duero - Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso - Madrid

  • Be welcomed to Burgos, once the capital of the old kingdom of Castille
  • ‘Wine-not’ enjoy a glass or two in the city of Aranda de Duero
  • Explore Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, Spain’s ‘mini-Versailles’

We know endings can be sad, but we assure you this one won’t be. Your first stop of the day gives you a chance to walk in the shadow of a soaring Gothic cathedral on your way to sample some of the region’s favourite dishes for lunch. We’re talking about the town of Burgos, once the capital of the old kingdom of Castille. It still seems royal to us.   

Now how about a bit of paradise and a glass of wine? That’s what the city of Aranda de Duero is for. While we’re only here for about an hour, you’ll love this town that’s famous for its interconnecting wine cellars that run under the town. 

Next, you head further south to the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso. Your included ticket to this stunning structure lets you wander through the rooms of Spain’s ‘mini-Versailles’ and wonder how much the gardening bill must be for its gorgeous grounds. 

As the day ends, you arrive in the country’s capital, Madrid. But the adventure doesn’t have to stop there.  

Included Activities: Admission to Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso (and gardens) with audioguide  

Dates and Prices - Hotel accommodation
Departure Dates and Days Double/Twin (pp) Single Rate
2025: April 19 $2,570 $3,150
2025: May 3, 17, 31 $2,570 $3,150
2025: June 14, 28 $2,570 $3,150
2025: July 12 $2,570 $3,150
2025: September 6, 20 $2,570 $3,150
2025: October 4, 18 $2,570 $3,150
2025: November 1, 14 $2,570 $3,150

All guaranteed departures.

Pricing

Pricing is per person (pp) based on twin/ double occupancy.
Rates are in $ CAD.

 


Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca  to book.

Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline.

 

Notes
Mobility: All of our tours involve walking and require our guests to board and disembark our vehicles several times a day making this tour unsuitable for those with reduced mobility.

Luggage: You’re restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.

Want to extend your stay in Madrid?  Ask us for a hotel package. 

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