Need advice on wine tasting in La Rioja - need a place to rent, tips for getting around, where to go..?

Question

Can anyone help, ideally someone who has been there..

I want to go wine tasting with my partner in Rioja, say in about 4-6 months time, I'm not sure where you can stay - I don't want to stay in a hotel, a private villa would be ideal and I don't want to spend anymore than say £500 for a weeks rent, even 10 days would be great, in that case then £650??

Can anyone reccomend where to stay in Rioja, companies that have villas for rent in and around Rioja, how to get around - I assume I'd need to rent a car, in that case which airport would I need to fly to (from London) - and when is the best time to go and what vineyards/bodegas to visit?...

Also - anyone know how much wine I can bring back before I get charged customs, and btw how much is customs?.. I think you can bring 4 bottles each - would I inculde these in hand luggage for the flight?...

Anyway - I'm sure someone out there can help....

Thanks!

Answer 1

From London, you can flight with Ryan Air to Saragossa, and then rent a car at the airport.

You can't include liquids in your hand lugage.

If you don't want to stay in a hotel, try the "Casa Rural", that are small villas or farms where you can stay and they are cheaper and more beutiful than a hotel.

Answer 2

http://www.spanishaffair.com/

i have used this company for villa rentals & it is fine... variable pricing & very nice places for reasonable prices...

yes, a car is mandatory.  you can visit any time of year, but greenest scenery of course is from spring to fall/crush season.  also, stop in small out of the way taverns for local wines....some wines are unnamed yet the best you will ever find...& they come w/ complimentary local tapas!!!!!!