7 Amazing Things To Do In La Rioja, Spain: Spain’s Wine Country

Delicious food at Vivanco, La Rioja, Spain

From sampling Spain’s best red wines, to exploring underrated charming cities, and feasting on delicious tapas, there is so much to do in La Rioja.

When you hear ‘Rioja’ no doubt you imagine pouring a lovely glass of red with dinner. Located in the north of Spain, La Rioja is a region famed for its delicious wine! It’s one of Spain’s premier exports, with wineries producing over 300 million litres each year.

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A Colourful Guide To Barcelona

Hansel and Gretel house at Parc Guell, Barcelona

From Parc Guell’s bright mosaics, to the vibrant stores in the Gothic Quarter, and delicious tapas, come and explore colourful Barcelona with me!

As a travel blogger, I feel a bit guilty about having favourites. Isn’t it a bit like teachers having favourite kids in their classes? Obviously I share my opinions on places I like and dislike and the reasons why… but it’s rare I shout THIS IS MY FAVOURITE!

Until now.

BARCELONA IS MY FAVOURITE CITY IN THE WORLD.

There, that feels better, doesn’t it?

Other than my home city of London, I’ve been to Barcelona more times than any other place on the planet. I’ve been with friends, partners and my family.

I love the city’s temperament. It has a buzzy, feisty vibe. I love its architecture and landscapes. I love getting lost in the skinny streets of the Gothic Quarter. I love hiking to the top of Montjuic and taking in the views. I love ordering 8 dishes for lunch, because… you know, tapas!

Enjoying the tapas bars in Barcelona
Enjoying the tapas bars in Barcelona

Every time I return I discover new things I love about the city, and on my KLM 101 Reasons To Travel adventure, it was all about colour. So come with me as I take you on a tour of Barcelona’s most colourful spots.

Parc Guell

If I could only recommend one place to visit in Barcelona, it’d be Parc Guell. Gaudi’s architecture is just incredible! From the colourful mosaic-covered terrace, to the beautifully wonky colonnaded pathway, to the dragon staircase and the Hansel-and-Gretel style gatehouses – there’s so much to see. Not only that, but as the park is at quite a height, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views of the city too.

Parc Guell, Barcelona
Parc Guell, Barcelona

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5 Amazing Wine Experiences To Enjoy In Spain

Sunset over the vineyard

Get to know Spain via some of its most famous tipples! From visiting a festival dedicated to wine, to learning about Rioja, and even cycling through some of the most beautiful vineyards in the country, here are some of the ultimate wine experiences in Spain.

Romantic Riojas, crisp Cavas and sweet Sherries, Spain has a variety of high-quality, internationally exported wines. But why limit these experiences to your home? How about planning a holiday to explore the regions where they’re produced? It makes for a very special experience.

I’ve enjoyed a few wonderful of wine experiences around the world, including a Malbec tour of Argentina’s Uco Valley with spectacular views of the snow-capped Andes, sampling the best reds and whites in California’s Sonoma Valley, and even stopping off in one of the world’s most famous wine regions, Chateau Neuf Du Pape, to sample a few local wines.

Salentein Winery, Uco Valley
Salentein Winery, Uco Valley

Picking out my favourite wine in Lapostolle's wine cellar (Photo @BackpackerMacca)
Picking out my favourite wine in Lapostolle’s wine cellar (Photo @BackpackerMacca)

As you’ll know if you follow my blog and my travels, Spain is one of my absolute fave countries. I adore the scenery, the cities, the people, the food and the general vibe! No wonder it’s a country I return to over and over again.

I’d love to explore more of its wine scene though. I’ve visited a few wineries including a stunning spot close to Ronda which I wrote about in this post, but I dream of returning on a wine-themed trip! How wonderful would that be?

So from Rioja to Jerez, San Sebastian to Catalonia, it’s time to find out about Spain’s top wine experiences. I think you’ll want to plan a trip too after learning about these adventures!

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