La Rioja Travel Forum

Hi fellow VTers - I am going to be staying at Marques de Riscal 05-06 July. I am in need of a couple recommendations and transport information....responses including reference to other websites are welcome!

(1) What is the best/easiest method to transit between the airport and the hotel without renting a car?
(2) Where would you recommend going for out-of-this world (taste not necessarily price) lunch? dinner? in the region
(3) What (if any) nightlife can be had in the area on Thursday and Friday nights? Local bar with music would be okay, flamenco, other?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

Damn Paul, that is a pretty cool hotel you are staying at. As to getting from Point A to Point B, without renting that is a tough one. I would check with the concierge of the hotel as to the best way from Bilbao to the hotel. I recently spoke with one of my friends who grew up in the area and recently stopped by the hotel to check it out. He said there was an excellent restaurant in the next town (whereever that is?) let me know if you want specifics. You may have to go to Logrono or Vitoria Gaetaez (sp?) for nightlife. I have never seen flamenco performed in the Basque area of Spain, but I may have simply not been looking. The San Fermin Festival (running with the bulls) starts in Pamplona on the 7th. I will be there the 9th, 10th and 11th. Have a great time. Karl

The easiest way to get from A to B without hiring a ca r is to us a taxi. But that is not the cheapest, obviously. But staying at a hotel like that then why skimp on a few Euros?

For more information of places for eating out maybe you should look at the following web sites.
http://maribelsguides.com a good downloadable guide.
http://www.todopintxos.com a guide to Pintxos, a local variant of Tapas.
Bilbao is a small city so just wander around until you find something you like, but don’t expect any entertainment to start until late, may after midnight.

Flamenco is not part of the Northern culture. Yes you can see shows in Barcelona and Madrid but they are only put on for tourists. If you want to see something like that then maybe you should try and head for Andalusia.


Ian and Irene

Many thanks for the rapid responses. I thought I would provide a bit of background and clarify a few of my original queries...

Query 1 - My itinerary for this trip involves a Thu & Fri stay at the Marques de Riscal, Sat in Bilbao and return to the States on Sunday. Given that I will be in country less than 72 hours I really don't fancy the idea of renting a car. I assumed a taxi to be a option but given the distance I thought before committing to doing so I would inquire as to alternate methods to get to the hotel. (I am awaiting a response from the hotel concierge to see if they can arrange transport from Bilbao).

Query 2 - I found the invaluable Mirabel's Rioja guide last night around midnight after posting this message. Thanks for the link!

Query 3 - When my brother and I decided on the Rioja region as a place to meet up this summer I understood it to be a "quiet" location (compared to previous trips to say Madrid and Barcelona). Unlike the major cities where one can do a bit of everything I knew I would need the help of locals/fellow travelers to sort out what do to in the Rioja region. I understand the hotel has a fabulous restaurant and bar. Rather than stay put I thought it would be worth inquiring about other interesting/ must see/do activities in the area.

Again, many thanks for your responses to date!

To help you further could you please clarify some points? You only have 72 hours in Spain and all of that time your base will be in Bilbao? We understand that you are also want to meet your Bother in La Rioja region? How much time are you spending there and what are your interests? Also if you are not just stay in Bilbao, where in the region will you be based?


Ian and Irene

Ian and Irene, thanks for your reply. Per your request, some clarification on my itinerary...

Thu (05 JUL) - arrive in Spain (Bilbao airport) at noon, meet brother at airport and make way to the hotel Marques de Riscal
Thu (05 JUL) - base Marques de Riscal
Fri (06 JUL) - base Marques de Riscal
Sat (07 JUL) - noon depart Marques de Riscal for Bilbao. Check into hotel in Bilboa for the evening
Sun (08 JUL) - am return flight to the States

Thanks for the reply and clarification. The reason we asked is it could be possible that you are also going to the Rioja region. Bilbao is not in the region it is about 150km north.
Given the limited time and the lack of a car, we would suggest you stay in the city Here is the link to the tourist web site to give you some more ideas.
http://www.bilbao.net/nuevobilbao/jsp/bilbao/homeModulos.jsp?idioma=I&color=rojo
Use that with the above discussed guide and you should have plenty to do.


Ian and Irene

Hi Paul, I checked with my friend who was there in April. The area around the hotel is not more than a hamlet, very pretty area, but very much out in the middle of nowhere. Most of the nightlife will be 30 miles East in Vitorio, which has a college and student nightlife and to some extent in Logrono 20 miles to the West. You really need a car. I have driven in that area and it is very mellow. Look into Eurocar for less expensive rentals. Also, there are consolidators that package deals where you can get a car relatively cheaply. Book online. If you just show up it can get very expensive.

Well, this may come a bit late, but better late than never... Maybe this will help someone else.

Logroņo is the town with more nightlife you can find in Rioja, but depending ont he seasn there are many fiestas, mainly in summer, going around at many different places, like in Haro with the wine battle (end of June)

This is not really the region for flamenco though. The best way to move around is really the car. There are so many beautiful villages that it is worth renting one.

There are more and more wineries that provide interesting visits. I recommend you have a look at thi site, you can find recommendations on wineries and places to eat.
http://www.winetourismspain.com/rioja/wine-routes-in-rioja-spain.php

On food, I recommend you eat Bonito con tomate (tuna fish with tomato, excellent) and patatas a la riojana (a traditional dish with potatoes, very good and normally cheap)