La Rioja
As famous for its wine as for it beauty, La Rioja is a small region with a large reputation. As the country´s principal wine producing region, La Rioja boasts 500 bodegas (vineyards) and an interesting cuisine rich in venison, wild boar and pheasant. The region´s main town Burgos is a delightful medieval gem and is considered one of Spain’s hidden treasures.
Rioja is rich in natural attractions and offers the visitor a great deal as well as the many opportunities to taste the famous local wines. This region offers great possibilities for rural tourism. Skiing facilities can be found in Valdezcaray, aerial sports can be practiced in Lardero and water sports in El Rasillo. Cycling is popular throughout the whole region. Hunting is possible in three areas and you can fish for trout, barbel and crabs
There are four main fiestas in Rioja
- La Vendimia is held in Logrono on September 21st and is a display of grape-treading, floats and wine-tasting.
- The fiestas in Santo Domingo de la Calzada on May 12th include parades and dances which extend into the neighbouring villages.
- La Batalla del Vino in Haro on June 29th is an authentic battle with the ´blood of the earth´ used as the only weapon, dousing the participants in a shower of wine.
- The ancient Danza de los Zancos, held in Anguiano on June 22nd is a day of traditional dancing on stilts. There are of course many other fiestas and traditions in the region, all worthy of exploration.
Rioja a region in its own right but as it is small and borders Castile it is often considered part of Castile. It is one of Spain´s hidden treasures, accepted only as an agriculturally rich region it is seldom considered as a tourist or property hotspot and yet it is home to many of Spain´s hidden treasures and well worth a visit or consideration as a second home location. The region although very agricultural is easily accessible and conveniently located on the main route from Western France through to Madrid and Lisbon, so properties in both regions have always had an intrinsic value...and as the land is agriculturally rich it is not a case of land and rural properties being far cheaper than town houses. That said property bargains in certain key areas of both regions are plentiful.
