Rioja holidays

Mention Rioja, and chances are most people picture a teetering glass of vino, and rightly so – the northern province and autonomous community of Rioja has over 500 producers of the most fabulous red wines. An important stop off on many established wine tours of the region, with a rental car and a spirit for adventure it’s easy to go from vineyard to vineyard tasting the creme de la creme of the country’s grapes. Paired with a smattering of tapas dishes, it’s a luxurious, easy way to enjoy your Rioja holidays, but there are many other activities to pique your interest: horseback riding and 4x4 tours are tantalising ways to get under the skin of the region and discover its multi-layered landscapes. A stay here isn’t without its cultural merits, too – the magnificent UNESCO-listed mountain monasteries of Yuso and Suso are well worth a detour to wander through. Nature is woven into the lifestyle of Rioja and you’ll find Mediterranean forests, towering mountains and rolling rivers without having to go looking. Read more