Villa/Apartment in Spain Wine Country
Nov 14th, 2008, 08:49 AM
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Villa/Apartment in Spain Wine Country
Hi all,
Hoping you can help. My wife and I are planning a trip to Spanish wine country in 2009 and we are looking for a villa/apartment we can stay in for a week during our stay.
We would like to stay in the La Rioja region but we are having a difficult time finding much in the way of villas/apartments.
Any suggestion? is there a region nearby that is recommended (other than La Rioja)?
Any help would be much appreciated!
Tim
Hoping you can help. My wife and I are planning a trip to Spanish wine country in 2009 and we are looking for a villa/apartment we can stay in for a week during our stay.
We would like to stay in the La Rioja region but we are having a difficult time finding much in the way of villas/apartments.
Any suggestion? is there a region nearby that is recommended (other than La Rioja)?
Any help would be much appreciated!
Tim
Nov 14th, 2008, 09:32 AM
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I wish I could help. One thing to be aware of is that the Rioja wine region extends beyond La Rioja province; parts of the wine region lie in Navarra and Alava.
Maribel, Robert, and others familiar with the ares will be able to help with specific cities in which to base yourself and rent a place...
Maribel, Robert, and others familiar with the ares will be able to help with specific cities in which to base yourself and rent a place...
Nov 14th, 2008, 09:36 AM
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Nov 16th, 2008, 06:42 AM
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I concur with the above look at Toprural for reviews of houses can Casa Rurals (B&B type of establishments)
You also seem to talk about La Rioja region as the only wine region of Spain. It is perhaps the most famous, but there are many other delights to be discovered when you explore Spain.
Here is a good website for information about Spanish wines.
http://www.espavino.com/index_en.php
You also seem to talk about La Rioja region as the only wine region of Spain. It is perhaps the most famous, but there are many other delights to be discovered when you explore Spain.
Here is a good website for information about Spanish wines.
http://www.espavino.com/index_en.php
Nov 16th, 2008, 06:55 AM
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Hey there Troberts!@
I would carefully read Maribel's guides which has a whole section on Rioja.
Check it out
http://maribelsguides.com/mg_larioja.pdf
I would carefully read Maribel's guides which has a whole section on Rioja.
Check it out
http://maribelsguides.com/mg_larioja.pdf
Nov 16th, 2008, 08:07 AM
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Not a Villa per se, but this might interest you http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reser...a_De_Duero.htm
Another property a Priest-friend was building near Aranda (Couldn't find it on the 'net'): a residence that might have longer-term rental facilities. The Priest's name was Father Cristobal Figuero.
Unfortunately, I found from my search that 'Father Chris' passed away a few months ago.
Another property a Priest-friend was building near Aranda (Couldn't find it on the 'net'): a residence that might have longer-term rental facilities. The Priest's name was Father Cristobal Figuero.
Unfortunately, I found from my search that 'Father Chris' passed away a few months ago.
Nov 16th, 2008, 09:54 AM
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Ned, I don´t think Tudanca is the best recommendation.
It is a road stop hotel, with a big cafeteria where the buses coming and going from the North to Madrid stop so that people can get a bathroom stop and a coffee.
Troberts, Ann, ribeirasacra and lin have given you good ideas. Maribel´s guide for La Rioja is pretty good.
Bye, Cova
It is a road stop hotel, with a big cafeteria where the buses coming and going from the North to Madrid stop so that people can get a bathroom stop and a coffee.
Troberts, Ann, ribeirasacra and lin have given you good ideas. Maribel´s guide for La Rioja is pretty good.
Bye, Cova
Nov 16th, 2008, 12:42 PM
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Maribel's Guide to the Rioja is one of the best sources, but you may want to give us a little more information regarding your budget and dates in order to actually help.
Apartments are scarce outside of the Logroño and Haro, which have very few short term rentals. This is not a resort area, at least not yet. Your best bet is to find a good Casa Rural offering a room, or a full-house rental. The date is important as some full-house rentals are only available for longer term rentals during certain seasons.
As already mentioned, the Rioja wine region covers quite a bit of area, especially when you include Navarra and the Basque Rioja, the Alavesa.
Apartments are scarce outside of the Logroño and Haro, which have very few short term rentals. This is not a resort area, at least not yet. Your best bet is to find a good Casa Rural offering a room, or a full-house rental. The date is important as some full-house rentals are only available for longer term rentals during certain seasons.
As already mentioned, the Rioja wine region covers quite a bit of area, especially when you include Navarra and the Basque Rioja, the Alavesa.
Nov 16th, 2008, 03:02 PM
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Regarding villas in the Rioja,
you just won't find any for a weekly rental.
What you will find are quite small and very charming boutique hotels and rural homes (casas rurales) that are similar to B&Bs, all which I list in my Rioja guide, plus some apartments in Haro (which wouldn't be my first choice) or a few rural homes for a whole house weekly rental in the heart of the *best* of the Rioja, la Rioja Alavesa in Elciego, the town where the Marqués de Riscal winery is located.
In Haro you have
Loft suites and apartments-
Señorío de Haro - Pedro Ortega, the antique restorer and designer of the boutique hotels Hospedería de Casalarreina and Hospedería de Briñas, has done the interiors for a new member of his group, called the Apartamentos Señorío de Haro, Take a look at: destinorioja.com/restauracion/.
In Elciego you have two rural homes for weekly rental right in the village-
El Txoko del Inglés (3 double rooms, two baths)
www.elciego.com
and
La Cueva (4 double rooms)
www.turismorurallacueva.com
Also in the same area of the Rioja Alavesa there are two rural homes available for weekly rental-
Vinea Et Oliva
and Carpe Diem
which you can read about on www.nekatur.net,
which is the web of the organization of rural homes of the Basque Country. We have stayed in several of these over the course of many years of our exploration of the Basque Country.
The Rioja Alavesa, which for me is the most beautiful section of the Rioja D.O.C., is in the Alava province of the Basque Country.
but I don't know if the owners of the above homes speak English since it's still a bit hard to tour the Rioja without some understanding of Spanish.
Down south in Ezcaray, a charming town near the ski slopes, you will find cozy apartments, but Ezcaray isn't within close proximity of the wineries you would want to visit. It makes for a great weekend getaway, but it's not so handy at all for winery hopping.
Of course there are dozens of wine regions in Spain beyond the Rioja, but the Rioja is, of course, the most "famous" with exciting new wineries designed by world class architects.
Don't be reluctant to spend a week in a country home (casa rural) if you understand a bit of Spanish.
I'm staying in one right now for a week, just an hour east of the Rioja, in the Navarra D.O. The house is lovely, super quiet, with only 5 rooms, and it offers all the comforts of home, including laundry service and Wi-Fi, and it has its own cave (bodega).
you just won't find any for a weekly rental.
What you will find are quite small and very charming boutique hotels and rural homes (casas rurales) that are similar to B&Bs, all which I list in my Rioja guide, plus some apartments in Haro (which wouldn't be my first choice) or a few rural homes for a whole house weekly rental in the heart of the *best* of the Rioja, la Rioja Alavesa in Elciego, the town where the Marqués de Riscal winery is located.
In Haro you have
Loft suites and apartments-
Señorío de Haro - Pedro Ortega, the antique restorer and designer of the boutique hotels Hospedería de Casalarreina and Hospedería de Briñas, has done the interiors for a new member of his group, called the Apartamentos Señorío de Haro, Take a look at: destinorioja.com/restauracion/.
In Elciego you have two rural homes for weekly rental right in the village-
El Txoko del Inglés (3 double rooms, two baths)
www.elciego.com
and
La Cueva (4 double rooms)
www.turismorurallacueva.com
Also in the same area of the Rioja Alavesa there are two rural homes available for weekly rental-
Vinea Et Oliva
and Carpe Diem
which you can read about on www.nekatur.net,
which is the web of the organization of rural homes of the Basque Country. We have stayed in several of these over the course of many years of our exploration of the Basque Country.
The Rioja Alavesa, which for me is the most beautiful section of the Rioja D.O.C., is in the Alava province of the Basque Country.
but I don't know if the owners of the above homes speak English since it's still a bit hard to tour the Rioja without some understanding of Spanish.
Down south in Ezcaray, a charming town near the ski slopes, you will find cozy apartments, but Ezcaray isn't within close proximity of the wineries you would want to visit. It makes for a great weekend getaway, but it's not so handy at all for winery hopping.
Of course there are dozens of wine regions in Spain beyond the Rioja, but the Rioja is, of course, the most "famous" with exciting new wineries designed by world class architects.
Don't be reluctant to spend a week in a country home (casa rural) if you understand a bit of Spanish.
I'm staying in one right now for a week, just an hour east of the Rioja, in the Navarra D.O. The house is lovely, super quiet, with only 5 rooms, and it offers all the comforts of home, including laundry service and Wi-Fi, and it has its own cave (bodega).
Nov 18th, 2008, 10:52 AM
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Fantastic information! You have all been so helpful, thanks! I will check out the guides and recommendations you have given. For those that asked for a little more information:
We are staying in a hotel/resort in Barcelona then moving over to stay in a hotel in San Sebastian. Our plan was to then start heading towards Madrid where we fly out. On the way to Madrid we have 6 or 7 days that we would normally spend in a villa as we love to cook with local ingredients and of course, experience the wine.
Our plan at the moment is to spend that Second week of September (2009) in the villa/apartment/whatever we can find.
Budget is under $1500 US for the week although we are a bit flexible for the right place.
Hope that provides a little bit of clarification. Thanks again for all for the direction.
PS - any recommendations of wine country between San Sebatian and Madrid would be welcomed.
We are staying in a hotel/resort in Barcelona then moving over to stay in a hotel in San Sebastian. Our plan was to then start heading towards Madrid where we fly out. On the way to Madrid we have 6 or 7 days that we would normally spend in a villa as we love to cook with local ingredients and of course, experience the wine.
Our plan at the moment is to spend that Second week of September (2009) in the villa/apartment/whatever we can find.
Budget is under $1500 US for the week although we are a bit flexible for the right place.
Hope that provides a little bit of clarification. Thanks again for all for the direction.
PS - any recommendations of wine country between San Sebatian and Madrid would be welcomed.
Nov 18th, 2008, 11:20 AM
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Miribel;
I have downloaded your guide and will give it a read. It looks great! Thank you so much for taking the time to pass on this information. Once I have read the guide I will have a better idea of where to focus and I will be back.
Thanks again.
Tim
I have downloaded your guide and will give it a read. It looks great! Thank you so much for taking the time to pass on this information. Once I have read the guide I will have a better idea of where to focus and I will be back.
Thanks again.
Tim
Nov 18th, 2008, 11:56 AM
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Tim,
For your week between San Sebastián and Madrid, you will want to spend it in the Rioja, a perfect fit, and I would urge you to choose the Rioja Alavesa (the area of the Rioja D.O. which lies in the Basque province of Alava), as it is unquestionably the most beautiful, particularly at harvest time. And at the end of Sept., in and around Sept. 23, you would be able to attend the Festival of San Mateo in the Riojan capital of Logroño, which would be a unique, delightful experience-street barbeques of baby lamp chops, pressing of the grapes by foot, parades, music, etc.
I would choose lodging in Laguardia, the medieval walled city, capital of the Rioja Alavesa or in Elciego, 5 minutes south so as to be surrounded by vineyards and to have easy access to the best, most architecturally stunning wineries. But note that they will have limited visiting hours due to the harvest season.
For your week between San Sebastián and Madrid, you will want to spend it in the Rioja, a perfect fit, and I would urge you to choose the Rioja Alavesa (the area of the Rioja D.O. which lies in the Basque province of Alava), as it is unquestionably the most beautiful, particularly at harvest time. And at the end of Sept., in and around Sept. 23, you would be able to attend the Festival of San Mateo in the Riojan capital of Logroño, which would be a unique, delightful experience-street barbeques of baby lamp chops, pressing of the grapes by foot, parades, music, etc.
I would choose lodging in Laguardia, the medieval walled city, capital of the Rioja Alavesa or in Elciego, 5 minutes south so as to be surrounded by vineyards and to have easy access to the best, most architecturally stunning wineries. But note that they will have limited visiting hours due to the harvest season.
Mar 30th, 2009, 08:18 AM
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Mairbel,
Thanks so much for all of your help. We have booked our rural home in Elciego (one of your recommendations) and our trip is starting to take shape. We have depended on your guide for much that we have planned and certainly, for much of the planning we have yet to do.
Tim
Thanks so much for all of your help. We have booked our rural home in Elciego (one of your recommendations) and our trip is starting to take shape. We have depended on your guide for much that we have planned and certainly, for much of the planning we have yet to do.
Tim
Apr 3rd, 2009, 01:33 PM
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Hi troberts,
I've just returned from more wine touring in the Rioja and shall try to update my guide shortly with a few more wineries (such as ultra modern Darién, 8 km. to the east of Logroño on the road to Zaragoza), restaurants (a really great meal at Amelibia in Laguardia outside the medieval walls, below Hotel Restaurant Marixa) and activities such as horseback riding (Centro Hipico Sierra Cantabria outside Laguardia).
While on our scouting mission, we parked right in front of the home that I think you'll be renting in Elciego, and once again, I remarked to my husband that this would be a great rental for us someday. In Elciego stop by the Vinoteca La Ermita on the square for great wines by the glass at great prices and charcuterie platters. Other gourmet items sold there include really fantastic olive oil, La Maja, from Medavia in neighboring Navarra, which we bring back in 5 liter containers, because we like it to much!
Be sure to make a first stop at the tourist office in medieval Laguardia to pick up the English version of the '09 brochure, Ruta del Vino Rioja Alavesa-it will be extremely helpful to you for your touring.
www.rutadelvinoderiojaalavesa.com
I've just returned from more wine touring in the Rioja and shall try to update my guide shortly with a few more wineries (such as ultra modern Darién, 8 km. to the east of Logroño on the road to Zaragoza), restaurants (a really great meal at Amelibia in Laguardia outside the medieval walls, below Hotel Restaurant Marixa) and activities such as horseback riding (Centro Hipico Sierra Cantabria outside Laguardia).
While on our scouting mission, we parked right in front of the home that I think you'll be renting in Elciego, and once again, I remarked to my husband that this would be a great rental for us someday. In Elciego stop by the Vinoteca La Ermita on the square for great wines by the glass at great prices and charcuterie platters. Other gourmet items sold there include really fantastic olive oil, La Maja, from Medavia in neighboring Navarra, which we bring back in 5 liter containers, because we like it to much!
Be sure to make a first stop at the tourist office in medieval Laguardia to pick up the English version of the '09 brochure, Ruta del Vino Rioja Alavesa-it will be extremely helpful to you for your touring.
www.rutadelvinoderiojaalavesa.com
Apr 3rd, 2009, 02:18 PM
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Maribel, and other posters: As soon as I get up to this area.. I will not be able to do anything without being reminded of these wonderful suggestions!
I keep hoping that "someday" will come sooner than later!
I keep hoping that "someday" will come sooner than later!
Apr 12th, 2009, 12:18 PM
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troberts,
I think you'll be very happy with your cute little stone house in the village of Elciego, and you'll be just a 7 km. drive from medieval Laguardia, where you'll have more shops (butcher stores, bread stores, wine shops), a cute home furnishing store "Casa y Vino", a half dozen tapas bars and restaurants and an excellent tourist office.
For those contemplating a rental in La Rioja *primarily* for winery visits, of the many properties available on www.niumba.com in the entire Rioja province (but not all in the best wine producing areas)
I would not recommend choosing an apartment or villa in southern Rioja, such as those in the admittedly charming mountain village of Ezcaray or its neighbors Ojacastro and Valgañón (many apartments there for skiers),
in San Millán de la Cogolla,
in the southern Iregua valley,
in the Cameros villages (El Rasillo de Cameros)
in Viniegra de Arriba or Viniegra de Abajo (but great for fishermen)
in Anguiano
or in the spa town of Arnedillo.
The reason I wouldn't suggest these particular spots is that these villages are simply are not in the heart of the Rioja Alta or Rioja Alavesa wine producing region.
Staying in an apartment in capital of Logroño would be great fun during the wine festival of San Mateo (in/around Sept. 21) but at other times, busy Logroño is not necessarily the best option for leisurely winery touring.
Only one visitable winery is within walking distance-most are out of town, either east towards the airport or west off the road to Laguardia and Haro. It would simply require lots of driving, and getting in and out of Logroño can be quite confusing to those not familiar with the city's layout.
Of the Niumba listings, we've recently seen the designer-done "Casa Josephine" (sleeps 11) in teeny, dusty Sorozano. It's a lovely (but pricey) property, but not handy to the wineries of Haro and the Rioja Alavesa.
We've also toured the beautiful rural hotel listed in Briñas (without kitchen facilities), which is a fine location for winery touring. Ditto to its "sister' rural hotel in Casalarreina (where the management has recently changed).
And the Torre Medieval, rural B&B, in Baños de la Rioja, is stunning and in a good location south of Haro, although the village itself and surrounding countryside can't measure up to the beauty of the Rioja Alavesa with its Sierra de Cantabria mountain range backdrop.
Just 1 km. west of the Rioja Alavesa, the rural B&B "Casa Chicote" is a member of the Ascarioja rural homes association, a guarantee of quality, that provides very simple but very inexpensive accommodations for budgeters. It's in the tiny hamlet of Abalos (pop: 290) and adjacent to a multitude of wineries.
And the "Casa Mirador de Moncalvillo" is a quite lovely B&B property, also a member of the Ascarioja. It's located in the teeny, tiny hamlet of Daroca de la Rioja, due south of Logroño, This village also happens to have a fine, gourmet restaurant, "Venta de Moncalvillo", run by 2 brothers, chef and sommelier, with superb wine list, where I treated my husband to his birthday lunch last month. Highly recommended.
Hope this helps a bit to sort out some of the Niumba listings for those who are looking for a great base for winery visits,
I think you'll be very happy with your cute little stone house in the village of Elciego, and you'll be just a 7 km. drive from medieval Laguardia, where you'll have more shops (butcher stores, bread stores, wine shops), a cute home furnishing store "Casa y Vino", a half dozen tapas bars and restaurants and an excellent tourist office.
For those contemplating a rental in La Rioja *primarily* for winery visits, of the many properties available on www.niumba.com in the entire Rioja province (but not all in the best wine producing areas)
I would not recommend choosing an apartment or villa in southern Rioja, such as those in the admittedly charming mountain village of Ezcaray or its neighbors Ojacastro and Valgañón (many apartments there for skiers),
in San Millán de la Cogolla,
in the southern Iregua valley,
in the Cameros villages (El Rasillo de Cameros)
in Viniegra de Arriba or Viniegra de Abajo (but great for fishermen)
in Anguiano
or in the spa town of Arnedillo.
The reason I wouldn't suggest these particular spots is that these villages are simply are not in the heart of the Rioja Alta or Rioja Alavesa wine producing region.
Staying in an apartment in capital of Logroño would be great fun during the wine festival of San Mateo (in/around Sept. 21) but at other times, busy Logroño is not necessarily the best option for leisurely winery touring.
Only one visitable winery is within walking distance-most are out of town, either east towards the airport or west off the road to Laguardia and Haro. It would simply require lots of driving, and getting in and out of Logroño can be quite confusing to those not familiar with the city's layout.
Of the Niumba listings, we've recently seen the designer-done "Casa Josephine" (sleeps 11) in teeny, dusty Sorozano. It's a lovely (but pricey) property, but not handy to the wineries of Haro and the Rioja Alavesa.
We've also toured the beautiful rural hotel listed in Briñas (without kitchen facilities), which is a fine location for winery touring. Ditto to its "sister' rural hotel in Casalarreina (where the management has recently changed).
And the Torre Medieval, rural B&B, in Baños de la Rioja, is stunning and in a good location south of Haro, although the village itself and surrounding countryside can't measure up to the beauty of the Rioja Alavesa with its Sierra de Cantabria mountain range backdrop.
Just 1 km. west of the Rioja Alavesa, the rural B&B "Casa Chicote" is a member of the Ascarioja rural homes association, a guarantee of quality, that provides very simple but very inexpensive accommodations for budgeters. It's in the tiny hamlet of Abalos (pop: 290) and adjacent to a multitude of wineries.
And the "Casa Mirador de Moncalvillo" is a quite lovely B&B property, also a member of the Ascarioja. It's located in the teeny, tiny hamlet of Daroca de la Rioja, due south of Logroño, This village also happens to have a fine, gourmet restaurant, "Venta de Moncalvillo", run by 2 brothers, chef and sommelier, with superb wine list, where I treated my husband to his birthday lunch last month. Highly recommended.
Hope this helps a bit to sort out some of the Niumba listings for those who are looking for a great base for winery visits,
Aug 6th, 2009, 11:05 AM
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Maribel,
I had not looked at this posting for quite some time. Thank you once again for even MORE information. We will take full advantage of it. We are now just 3 weeks away from our departure date and still making (and changing) plans right up until the day we leave.
Thanks once agian for all of your help!
I had not looked at this posting for quite some time. Thank you once again for even MORE information. We will take full advantage of it. We are now just 3 weeks away from our departure date and still making (and changing) plans right up until the day we leave.
Thanks once agian for all of your help!
