#MAGICALVILLAGES-Northern Valleys Route

You will arrive in Viana after lunch, at noon. Upon arrival, you will stay at the Hotel Palacio Pujadas or the Hospedería los Parajes, both with their own restaurant that prepares exquisite traditional dishes of the region.

After checking in and dropping off your bags, you will depart at 2:00 PM for a half-day tour with a local guide (duration: 3 hours). During this activity, an expert will explain the wine history of the area as you visit a local winery and taste a selection of iconic wines. If you have time, you will complement the experience with a walk through the historic center and a visit to the imposing Church of Santa María. Upon returning to the accommodation, you will enjoy dinner at the hotel, with the following options:

• Hotel Palacio Pujadas: Its restaurant offers Rioja-style cod.
• Hospedería los Parajes: It stands out for its traditional cuisine, specialising in Rioja-style cod.

You will start the day with breakfast at 08:00 h in Viana. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, you will start a guided walking tour of the historic center, where you will explore squares, monuments, and traditional streets (duration: 1.5 hours). Then, you will participate in a complementary cultural activity, such as a visit to a small local museum or a craft workshop (duration: 1 hour). Take advantage of the time to take pictures and enjoy the local atmosphere.

At 12:00 pm, you will leave the hotel, drop off your bags at reception and immediately do a short additional free activity (e.g. a walk in the central park) for 30 minutes. At 1:00 PM, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Viana, with the following options:

• El Portillo Restaurant – specialty: Rioja-style cod.
• Casa Armendariz cider house – specialty: Rioja-style cod.
• Asador Tres Tinas Restaurant – specialty: chops with vine shoots.

At 2:30 p.m., you will depart for Elciego, arriving at 3:00 p.m.

In Elciego, you will check in at  the Casa Rural Rojanda or the Hotel Marqués de Riscal, both with their own restaurant. There, you will enjoy a winery tour with tasting (duration: 2 hours) at the iconic Marqués de Riscal winery, where an oenologist will explain the production process and invite you to taste their best wines. During the afternoon, you will take a relaxing walk through the historic center and its charming viewpoints. Finally, you will return to the accommodation and have dinner.

Accommodation and dinner options in Elciego:

• Casa Rural Rojanda: Their restaurant prepares, for example, baked lamb.
• Hotel Marqués de Riscal (with sur.) – in addition, at Taberna 1583 you can taste grilled sirloin.

After enjoying a tasty breakfast in Elciego, you will start your day with a specific cultural activity: you will take a guided tour of the Museum of Riojan Tradition, where a local expert will introduce you to the history, artisanal techniques and customs that have forged the identity of La Rioja. This experience lasts approximately 1 hour and will allow you to get to know the cultural heritage of the region in depth.

At 12:00 p.m., you will check out of the hotel and leave your bags at reception. Immediately after, you'll enjoy a short free activity: a relaxing 30-minute walk through the charming streets of Elciego, ideal for taking advantage of the local atmosphere before lunch.

At 1:00 pm, you'll head to a local restaurant in Elciego to feast on a traditional lunch. You can choose between the Marqués de Riscal Restaurant, where it is recommended to taste its exquisite roast lamb, or the Taberna 1583, renowned for its authentic grilled sirloin, two proposals that highlight the unique flavour of Riojan cuisine.

Once lunch is over, at 2:30 p.m.  you will depart for Cuzcurrita del Río Tirón. The journey is approximately 40 km, which translates into about 40 minutes by car, arriving at the destination around 3:10 p.m. Upon arrival in town, you will check in at your accommodation – either at the Hostal El Botero, the Palacio de Cuzcurrita or the Hotel Teatrisso – before starting the afternoon activity.

During the afternoon, you will participate in a Riojan cooking workshop, a paid activity in which a local chef will teach you traditional techniques and recipes, culminating in the tasting of your own creations. This activity lasts approximately 2 hours and will allow you to take a piece of the culinary tradition of La Rioja with you.

The day will close with dinner at the accommodation. For example, at the Hostal El Botero or at the Palacio de Cuzcurrita you can enjoy a delicious plate of Rioja-style beans, while at the Hotel Teatrisso they offer traditional cuisine alternatives  adapted to your preferences, always accompanied by an excellent wine.

After enjoying a comforting breakfast in Cuzcurrita, you will have the opportunity to do a free activity beforehand: a self-guided walk through the old town for about 45 minutes. This extended tour will allow you not only to capture the latest charms of the town, but also to stop at some points of interest, such as viewpoints or small squares, which reflect the local essence.

At 12:00 p.m., you will check out and leave your bags at reception. Immediately after, before having lunch, you can enjoy another free activity: a relaxing tour around the village for another 30 minutes, ideal to say goodbye to the local atmosphere and breathe in the tranquility of the area.

At 1:00 PM, you'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Cuzcurrita. Here you can choose between, for example, tasting an exquisite grilled T-bone steak at the Asador Aker or delighting yourself with other Riojan delicacies at the Casa Guillermo Restaurant.

Once lunch is over, at 2:00 p.m.  you will depart for Santa Gadea del Cid, traveling approximately 60 km in 1 hour by car, and arriving at the destination around 3:00 p.m. Upon arrival, you will check in at the Casa Rural Quinta Plazo or the Casa de la Roca, two cozy establishments with authentic culinary proposals.

During the afternoon, you will participate in the Ebro River and Puente Roto Hiking Route, a paid activity guided by a local expert. Lasting approximately 2 hours, you will walk along the river, cross the iconic Broken Bridge and enjoy stunning panoramic views, as well as complement the experience by visiting the medieval wall and fortified church of the village.

The day will close with dinner at the accommodation. At Casa Rural Quinta Term, the restaurant prepares, for example, black pudding from Burgos with peppers, while at Casa de la Roca you will enjoy a varied menu of traditional dishes adapted to your preferences, always accompanied by excellent wine.

After enjoying a comforting breakfast in Santa Gadea, you will have the opportunity to do a free activity beforehand: a self-guided walk through the old town for about 45 minutes, which will allow you to capture the last charms of the town and stop at small viewpoints and representative squares.

At 12:00 p.m., you will check out and leave your bags at reception. Immediately after check-out, to make the most of the time until lunch, you will take another free activity: a relaxing 30-minute tour around the village, which will allow you to say goodbye to the local atmosphere.

At 1:00 p.m., you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Santa Gadea; here you can choose between the Porticada Restaurant, ideal for tasting an exquisite roast lamb, or the Monumento al Pastor, which offers other local specialties, always accompanied by excellent wine.

Once lunch is over, at 2:00 p.m.  you will depart for Valdegovía, traveling approximately 50 km in 50 minutes and arriving at the destination around 3:00 p.m. Upon arrival, you will check in at the Arkamo Atea Rural House or at the Montehermoso Farmhouse, two establishments with their own restaurant that offers authentic local cuisine.

During the afternoon, you will participate in the Hiking Route in the Valderejo Natural Park, a paid activity guided by a local expert. With an approximate duration of 2 hours, you will explore trails surrounded by rich biodiversity and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the natural environment, ending the activity around 5:00 p.m.

After the route, you will enjoy a 30-minute break, where you can relax and refresh. Afterwards, to close the day in a quiet way, you will do an additional relaxed activity: a short walk through a nearby natural viewpoint or a visit to a small local tasting center, where you can taste some typical products of the area in a relaxed atmosphere.

The day will close with dinner at the accommodation, where you will taste a varied menu of typical dishes of the region. For example, at the Arkamo Atea Rural House you can enjoy specialties such as a lamb stew with seasonal vegetables and homemade desserts that reflect the Riojan tradition, while at the Montehermoso Farmhouse diners will delight in traditional homemade dishes, such as beans with sacraments, all accompanied by excellent local wine.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast in Valdegovía, you will have the opportunity to do a free activity beforehand: a self-guided walk around the village for about 45 minutes. On this tour, you'll be able to admire the  characteristic rural architecture, with its stone houses, traditional facades,  and ornate details that reflect the rich history of the area. It is suggested to follow a route that takes you through the less traveled streets, where you can stop in small squares, observe carved portals and solid wood doors, and enjoy the red tiles that crown each house, thus discovering those small corners that make the essence of Valdegovía unique.

At 12:00 p.m., you will check out and leave your bags at reception. Immediately after, to make the most of the time until lunch, you will take another free activity: a relaxing 30-minute tour around the village. On this second walk, you will enter rural paths that border the fields and vineyards, where the fresh air and the tranquility of the landscape will allow you to say goodbye to the local atmosphere. During this journey, you will observe centuries-old olive groves and extensive traditional orchards, while the horizon is dressed in colors and nature is shown at its best, offering you a sensory and relaxing experience before continuing with the day.

At 1:00 PM, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Valdegovía. Here you can choose between the Mesón Vaderejo, ideal for tasting exquisite beans with sacraments, or the Asador Gobea, renowned for its Navarrese-style trout, both options accompanied by excellent local wine.

Once lunch is over, at 2:00 p.m.  you will depart for El Astillero, traveling approximately 120 km in 1 hour and 30 minutes and arriving at the destination around 3:30 p.m. Upon arrival, you will check in at the Vistapark Inn or the Las Anclas Hotel, two establishments with their own restaurant that offer seafood and regional specialties.

During the afternoon, you will enjoy an activity at El Astillero: you will walk along the charming Paseo Marítimo and the port, where you can appreciate the maritime atmosphere and the activity of the area. This experience, of a relaxed nature, lasts approximately 2 hours.

After the tour is over, you'll enjoy a 30-minute break to freshen up and relax. Later, to close the day in a quiet way, you will do an additional relaxed activity: a short walk on the beach or a visit to a terrace overlooking the sea to enjoy a coffee or soft drink, thus completing a unique sensory experience.

The day will close with dinner at the accommodation. At the Vistapark Inn, you can enjoy a careful selection of seafood dishes—for example, a grilled seafood dish prepared with fresh ingredients—while at the Hotel Las Anclas they offer specialties such as hake casserole, both options accompanied by excellent local wine and menus adaptable to your preferences.

You will start the day with breakfast at El Astillero. If you did not take advantage of the boat trip the day before, you will have the option of doing it this morning as a paid activity, an ideal opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the coastline and the maritime environment.

At 12:00 p.m., you will check out and leave your bags at reception. Then, before lunch, you'll do a free activity to make the most of your morning. You can choose between a self-guided walk through the fishing port, where you will observe the daily activity of the sailors and learn about the maritime history of the area, or a short visit to a local market, where you will discover fresh products and specialties of the region. This activity will last 30 minutes.

At 1:00 PM, you'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in El Astillero. You will have the option to choose between the Tasca Orconera, famous for its  fresh and crispy squid squid, or the Portilla Bar, which stands out for its delicious hake casserole, both options accompanied by excellent local wine.

Once lunch is over, at 2:00 p.m.  you will depart for Castillejo de Robledo, traveling approximately 160 km in 2 hours, arriving at the destination around 4:00 p.m. Upon arrival, you will check in at your accommodation, either at the Isabel y Fernando Rural House or at the Casona del Royo, both with their own restaurant serving authentic regional dishes.

During the afternoon, you will participate in a winery tour with tasting, a paid activity guided by a local expert, in which you will discover the secrets of traditional winemaking and taste wines made by hand. This activity will last approximately 2 hours.

Afterwards, you will enjoy a relaxing walk through the old town of Castillejo, where you can visit the Romanesque church and soak up the historical atmosphere and traditional architecture of the town.

The day will close with dinner at the accommodation. At Casa Rural Isabel y Fernando, the restaurant prepares a traditional menu that highlights the flavours of the area, with dishes such as oven-roasted lamb accompanied by salad from the garden, followed by a homemade dessert such as almond cake. Meanwhile, in the Casona del Royo, a complete proposal of regional cuisine is offered, with specialties such as Castilian soup, the traditional lamb chops with vine shoots, and typical desserts such as homemade egg flan. Both options will always be accompanied by an excellent wine from the region and adapted to your preferences.

You will start the day with breakfast in Castillejo de Robledo, enjoying a rural and relaxed atmosphere.

Before check-out, you will have the opportunity to do a free activity beforehand to take advantage of the morning. You can take part in a self-guided tour around the castle of Castillejo de Robledo, a historical enclave linked to the legend of the Cantar de Mio Cid. For 45 minutes, you can stroll through the ruins of the castle, explore its medieval walls, and enjoy panoramic views of the valley, while learning more about the history and strategic importance of the site in the Middle Ages. 

At 12:00 p.m., you will check out and leave your bags at reception. Immediately after, to make the most of the time until lunch, you will take another free activity: a self-guided walk through the vineyards and rural roads of Castillejo, where you can contemplate the landscapes of the Ribera del Duero, get to know the local flora and fauna and enjoy the pure air of the area. This tour will last 30 minutes.

At 1:00 PM, you'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Castillejo de Robledo. You can choose between the Venta de Corpes Restaurant, where the exquisite roast suckling pig stands out, or La Casona de la Vid, which offers, among other specialties, the traditional homemade Castilian soup, both options accompanied by an excellent wine from the Ribera del Duero.

Once lunch is over, at 2:00 p.m.  you will depart for Duruelo de la Sierra, traveling approximately 80 km in 1 hour and 15 minutes, arriving at the destination around 3:15 p.m. Upon arrival, you will check in at your accommodation, either at the Eco Urbión or at the Hostería de Castroviejo, both with their own restaurant and specialized in dishes from the mountains.

During the afternoon, you will participate in an exciting adventure activity: the Via Ferrata in Duruelo de la Sierra, a paid experience guided by local experts. This tour, with an approximate duration of 2 hours, includes:

• Five suspension bridges (or Tibetan)
• A hanging walkway
• A balance post
• A Nepalese bridge
• Rock Anchor Ladders
• A stunning viewpoint with panoramic views
• And the grand finale: a 164-metre-long zip line

After this intense activity, you will enjoy a 30-minute break to relax and refresh in the accommodation. Later, to close the day in a quiet way, you will do a free and relaxed activity: a walk through the pine forests of Duruelo, where you can breathe fresh air and enjoy the tranquility of the natural environment for about 30 minutes.

The day will close with dinner at the accommodation. At Eco Urbión, its restaurant offers specialties such as stewed veal from the mountains with local mushrooms, while at the Hostería de Castroviejo a varied menu of typical dishes from the mountains is presented, such as lamb stew, all accompanied by excellent local wine and menus adapted to your preferences.

After a last breakfast at our hotel, we will enjoy a relaxed activity to close the experience in the best possible way. We will take a guided walk through the lush pine forests of Duruelo de la Sierra, a tour that will allow us to connect with nature, breathe fresh air and marvel at the impressive mountain landscapes. During this walk, of approximately 1 hour, we will travel along trails surrounded by imposing Scots pines and crystal clear streams, observing the flora and fauna of the environment and appreciating the tranquility of the landscape.

If the weather permits, we can complement the morning with a free visit to the Fuente del Berro, a natural spring located in the middle of the mountains, where water gushes from the rock uninterruptedly. This corner is ideal for taking the last photographs of the trip and relaxing before starting the return.

Finally, at 12:00 p.m., we will check-out at our accommodation and return home, taking with us unforgettable memories of this adventure full of nature, history and gastronomy. This experience will have been a unique opportunity to discover the charms of the Magical Towns, explore unknown corners and enjoy the best traditional cuisine of each region visited.