La Rioja is
associated with its fantastic wines which are renowned throughout
the world but the local cuisine of the area also deserves a mention.
Vegetables play an important part in the gastronomy of La Rioja.
The rich fertile soil produces a wide variety of vegetables,
including peppers, artichokes, tomatoes and aubergines. Having
many fine trout streams and rivers, the area has some good trout
recipes and in many of the region's restaurants you will find dishes
like trucha a la Riojana
and trucha con jamón
which are fried trout stuffed with ham. Simple meat and
vegetable dishes are probably the most notable of the region's
specialities. Chorizo sausage is another favourite and a
combination of chorizo cooked with potatoes
Patatas con chorizo and
patatas a la Riojana
with added
peppers and meat are amongst some of the most popular dishes.
Being landlocked, La Rioja relies on other regions for fresh
seafood. Alternatives such as bacalo (salt cod) are popular in
the region. Bacalo Rioja style is a dish of salt cod which has been
soaked in water overnight, with a combination of tomato garlic and
red pepper stewed on top of the stove in an earthenware dish.
Quail dishes are also common pochas con codornices are
quail cooked with white beans red peppers and tomatoes.
La Rioja even has
its own variety of Paella which substitutes seafood with snails,
chicken and a variety of beans,
Travelsphere have
a great six day mini cruise and tour which includes the Basque
Country and wine tasting in La Rioja from only £349.
What's Included
Return overnight cruise
ferry crossings
Two nights’ inside cabin
accommodation including breakfast (upgrades available)
Three nights’ hotel
accommodation including breakfast
Services of a Travelsphere
Tour Manager
Excursions and tours as
detailed
Port taxes
Itinerary
DAY 1
Set sail late afternoon from Plymouth for your overnight
crossing to Santander.
DAY 2
Early afternoon arrival in Santander. Transfer to Bilbao for a three
night stay. Enjoy an included guided tour of the highlights of this
fascinating 700 year-old city.
DAY 3
Relax or join us on an optional guided tour of the elegant resort of
San Sebastian, situated on a shell-shaped bay guarded by the
tower-topped hills of Mount Urgull and Mount Igeldo and looking out
over the picturesque island of Santa Clara.
DAY 4
Our included excursion takes us along the Rioja Wine Route to visit
the Marqués de Riscal, the region’s oldest winery to enjoy a tasting
of the famous wines. Our next stop is the beautiful medieval hilltop
town of Laguardia before continuing to the quaint town of Haro with
its lively old quarter full of wine taverns and mansions.
DAY 5
After breakfast, we return to Santander with free time for a stroll
around the town, before setting sail on the return cruise this
afternoon.
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