driving day trip to la rioja from San Sebastian- winery / lunchcstops
Apr 26th, 2015, 05:32 PM
#1
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driving day trip to la rioja from San Sebastian- winery / lunchcstops
We will be spending 4 nights in San Sebastian in mid June with a car and would like to do a day trip to the La Rioja region just to get a taste of the scenery and wineries of the region. We know realistically we can only do 2-3 places and booking required cause we understand that we must (and we want to) do the tour of the place plus tasting- so we are after people recommendations for which wineries are great to visit from San Sebastian plus including a lunch stop- we don't mind driving distance for scenery - we know it will be a day of driving but hopefully with several well timed stops. We would like equally a good wine for purchase plus nice location (I hear there are some architecturally beautiful wineries in the region also) and maybe one with a kitchen or local produce could also work well.
driving route recommendations also welcome.
thanks.
driving route recommendations also welcome.
thanks.
Apr 26th, 2015, 06:40 PM
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You can drive down Laguardia in the Rioja on the E-5 past Vitoria-Gastaz (about 2 hours) or via Pamplona (2hr 20min), or do the loop. Both drive tend to be scenic, but I prefer the route that will take you past Pamplona.
The problem is that if you are driving, spending over 4 hours on the road in June can be taxing, especially after doing some tastings and having lunch (2 hours at a minimum). It's possible, but with the DUI laws being what they are, is not practical.
Personally, unless you're interested in taking a guided tour (car and driver), then I would stick with Getaria or the area around Pamplona, where you will find some premium wineries open for touring from San Sebastián-Donostia (Bodegas Arinzano, Pagos de Araiz, Pago de Larrainzar, Bodegas Irache, Bodegas Otazu and Bodegas Nekeas).
As Navarra is considered food central in northern Spain, there is no lack of excellent restaurants to choose from.
The problem is that if you are driving, spending over 4 hours on the road in June can be taxing, especially after doing some tastings and having lunch (2 hours at a minimum). It's possible, but with the DUI laws being what they are, is not practical.
Personally, unless you're interested in taking a guided tour (car and driver), then I would stick with Getaria or the area around Pamplona, where you will find some premium wineries open for touring from San Sebastián-Donostia (Bodegas Arinzano, Pagos de Araiz, Pago de Larrainzar, Bodegas Irache, Bodegas Otazu and Bodegas Nekeas).
As Navarra is considered food central in northern Spain, there is no lack of excellent restaurants to choose from.
