Rioja

8 nights; half board 2 - 4* hotels; £1195; single supplement £245

Dates & Prices 2000/2001 Tue 4 Apr - Wed 12 Apr 2000 Tue 23 May - Wed 31 May 2000 Tue 5 Sep - Wed 13 Sep 2000 Tue 17 Oct - Wed 25 Oct 2000 Tue 15 May - Wed 23 May 2001 From Rioja £1195 Single supplement £245 Flights UK to Bilbao from £165 Ferry UK - Spain from £195

The hilly terrain in northern Spain stretches from the lush, green foothills of the Pyrenees down to the dry and rugged plains bordering Castille. Here, where the Ebro river cuts a swathe through the landscape, are found the vineyards of Spain's best loved wines, Rioja. For centuries the region has been crossed by pilgrims following the route of St James and it is dotted with relics from the Moors to Charlemagne. Sometimes following in their footsteps, we explore medieval villages, churches and monasteries. We stay in excellent country hotels with a fine cuisine of spicy sausages and game, lamb and dairy produce washed down with classic oaky red wines and rich yet crisp whites. We explore vineyards, taste in some of the best wineries of the region and walk through scrub and woodland of acacia and oak.