La Rioja & Basque Country From Madrid - 4 days

La Rioja & Basque Country From Madrid - 4 days

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4 Days From

$2295

$1836

La Rioja & Basque Country From Madrid - 4 days

4 Days Starting and ending in Madrid, Spain

Visiting: Madrid, Haro, San Sebastian

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 16

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

16-

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Wine Tasting

From: $2295 $1836 Operator discount: -$459 -20%

NB: Prices correct on 03-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 4-day journey through La Rioja and the Basque Country, starting and ending in Madrid. This small group tour offers an intimate exploration of Spain's rich cultural and culinary heritage. Begin with a visit to the historic town of Buitrago del Lozoya and the ancient ruins of Montejo de Tiermes. In Haro, the wine capital of La Rioja, enjoy wine tastings and explore charming villages like Santo Domingo de la Calzada and San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Discover the culinary delights of San Sebastián and the historic allure of Pamplona. Conclude with a visit to the majestic Gothic cathedral in Burgos and the opulent Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso. With comfortable accommodations, a knowledgeable driver-guide, and transportation in a luxury mini-coach, this tour promises an unforgettable Spanish adventure.

Highlights

  • La Rioja - Taste the famous family-made wine at an included wine tasting.

  • San Sebastian - Roam the streets and iconic promenade of this picturesque beach city and food haven.

  • Burgos - Walk in the shadow of the soaring Gothic cathedral in this majestic city.

  • Basque Country - Visit a traditional winery and try the local rioja wine.

  • Haro - Explore the charming city, the capital of La Rioja, with its picturesque bodegas and vineyards.

  • Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso - Enjoy a tour of Spain's 'mini Versailles' and its gorgeous gardens.

  • Pamplona - Experience the town known for the iconic 'Running of the Bulls' event.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Madrid

Location: Madrid

Accommodation Name: hotel

Madrid - Haro. Setting out from the vibrant streets of Madrid, Our first stop: Buitrago del Lozoya, a charming Celtiberian fortress town boasting a 15th-century castle and a museum dedicated to Picasso. There's a couple of hours of free time here to explore.





Then, we journey northward to the ruins of Montejo de Tiermes. This ancient Celtiberian settlement, carved directly from the surrounding rocks, boasts well-preserved ruins, including a Roman aqueduct.





Our day ends in the wine capital of La Rioja region: Haro. With its charming wine bars, picturesque bodegas, sprawling vineyards, and magnificent architecture, soaking in the ambiance of this enchanting town.





Please note: Check-in closes at 08:30 (tour departs at 08:45) - Madrid Pick Up Point, Hotel Porcel Ganivet, Madrid,

Day 2: Haro

Location: Haro

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Haro - Santo Domingo de la Calzada - San Vicente de la Sonsierra - Haro. After breakfast, we're off to explore the surrounding wine region. Our first stop is the charming old village of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, renowned for its historical and religious significance as a key stop on the pilgrimage route to the shrine of St. James in Santiago de Compostela. Next, we stop by Winery Lecea for a guided tour and inclluded wine tasting. This family of winegrowers has been passionately crafting their wine for over four generations.





Next, San Vicente de la Sonsierra invites us, nestled in the heart of La Rioja, it offers a historic castle overlooking the Ebro River, a 12th-century church, and an authentic Spanish ambiance. You have time to freely to explore and savour local cuisine. Then, we head back to Haro in the late afternoon.

Day 3: San Sebastian

Location: San Sebastian

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Haro - San Sebastian - Pamplona - Haro. This morning we are ready to explore the Basque Country. Situated near the Spanish-French border, nestled at the western edge of the Pyrenees Mountains, the Basque culture, with its distinctive language, Euskera, stands as one of Europe's oldest.





We head first to San Sebastián, an exclusive beach resort and culinary paradise boasting the highest number of Michelin stars per capita. There's free time here to savour a delicious lunch and stroll along the famous La Concha beach. Next, we journey back inland to Pamplona, renowned for its iconic event, San Fermin, 'the Running of the Bulls'. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the town's magnificent fortress walls before we return to Haro for our last night.

Day 4: Madrid

Location: Madrid

Meals Included: Breakfast

Haro - Burgos - Aranda de Duero - Madrid. Our last day kicks off with a visit to Burgos, where we stroll in the shadow of a magnificent Gothic cathedral and you can enjoy free time to find a local restaurant for lunch. Once the capital of the old kingdom of Castille, Burgos still exudes a regal charm.





Then, we head into the charming city of Aranda de Duero. While our stay here is brief, we are sure to be enchanted by this town renowned for its labyrinthine wine cellars running beneath its streets. Our journey continues further south to the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso. Here, we have an included visit to explore the opulent rooms of Spain's 'mini-Versailles', and marvel at the exquisite gardens. We thne make our way back to Madrid, where our tour ends.





Please note: This tour ends at 18:15 - Madrid Drop Off, Hotel Porcel Ganivet, Madrid.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    3-4 Star hotel

  • 3 breakfasts

    Enjoy three breakfasts during your stay.

  • 3 nights in 3-4 star hotels

    Stay for three nights in comfortable 3-4 star hotels.

  • Escorted by a local driver-guide

    Travel with the guidance of a local driver-guide.

  • Transportation in 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning

    Travel in comfort with transportation provided in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach equipped with air-conditioning.

  • Rioja wine tasting and tour (no lunch)

    Participate in a Rioja wine tasting and tour.

  • Admission to Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso (and gardens) with audio guide

    Gain admission to the Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso and its gardens, with an audio guide included.

  • 20kg luggage

    You are allowed to bring 20kg of luggage.

  • Tourist taxes

    Tourist taxes are included in the tour package.

  • Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

    This tour is operated in conjunction with a trusted partner, and you will join travelers from different operators.

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visas

    International flights and visas are not included in the tour package.

  • Tipping

    Tipping is not included and is an entirely personal gesture.

  • Optional activities & additional attractions unless specified above

    Optional activities and additional attractions are not included unless specified in the inclusions.

Age Policy

Minimum age 16, escorted by an adult

Mode of Transport

Travel in style and comfort aboard a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning, ensuring a smooth journey through the scenic landscapes of Spain.

Accommodation

Enjoy three nights in comfortable 3-4 star hotels, providing a relaxing retreat after exploring the beautiful regions of La Rioja and the Basque Country.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of transportation is used during the tour?

    The tour uses a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning for transportation.

  • Is there a guide accompanying the tour?

    Yes, the tour is escorted by a local driver-guide.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    The tour includes 3 breakfasts.

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 3 nights in 3-4 star hotels.

  • Is there a luggage allowance for the tour?

    Yes, there is a 20kg luggage allowance. Please see the Trip Notes for details.

  • What is the minimum age requirement for this tour?

    The minimum age requirement for this tour is 16, and participants must be escorted by an adult.

  • Will there be opportunities for wine tasting during the tour?

    Yes, there is an included wine tasting and tour at a traditional winery in the Basque Country.

  • What is the policy on tipping during the tour?

    Tipping is not included in the tour package and is considered an entirely personal gesture.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Simla Patel (Google Reviewer)  

This company doesn’t deserve even...

26-Nov-2024

This company doesn’t deserve even 1 star. I would not recommend this company. There are hidden fees which means the cost of the holiday ends up being very expensive. We recently came back from our trip to China where it is not customary to tip in restaurants & hotel staff. Yet we had to make a payment upfront in cash to to the guide for more than £100. The hotel service was appalling. Just think £100 from each person. The trip was suppose to be a Tour yet we had to pay for all entrance fees. We complained about the poor condition of the hotels but no one responded to our emails to date. The after sales service is non existent. Do not use this company. Far far too expensive for what you get. Not competitive at all. They messed up our booking; repeatedly asked for the same information. We spent so much time correcting their errors. Very difficult to get hold of anyone because they all work in S Africa or New Zealand. Absolute nightmare

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

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Saturday - Tuesday

Apr 19, 2025 - Apr 22, 2025
$2295 $1836

Operator discount: -$459

Saturday - Tuesday

May 03, 2025 - May 06, 2025
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Operator discount: -$459

Saturday - Tuesday

May 17, 2025 - May 20, 2025
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Operator discount: -$459

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May 31, 2025 - Jun 03, 2025
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Operator discount: -$459

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Operator discount: -$459

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Operator discount: -$459

Saturday - Tuesday

Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 15, 2025
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Operator discount: -$459

Saturday - Tuesday

Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 09, 2025
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Operator discount: -$459

Saturday - Tuesday

Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 23, 2025
$2295 $1836

Operator discount: -$459

Saturday - Tuesday

Oct 04, 2025 - Oct 07, 2025
$2295 $1836

Operator discount: -$459

Saturday - Tuesday

Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 21, 2025
$2295 $1836

Operator discount: -$459

Saturday - Tuesday

Nov 01, 2025 - Nov 04, 2025
$2295 $1836

Operator discount: -$459

Friday - Monday

Nov 14, 2025 - Nov 17, 2025
$2295 $1836

Operator discount: -$459

Prices last published on 03-Dec-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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