Spain Fly and Drive - The Best Road Trips

FLY AND DRIVE, THE BEST ROAD TRIPS

WINE ROUTE IN THE RIOJA ALAVESA

This route takes you through beautiful vineyards to what have become today's ca- thedrals of wine: avant-garde buildings and wineries designed by truly prestigious contemporary architects.

Photo: ACEVIN

RIOJA ALAVESA

Start your journey in Vitoria-Gasteiz , the capital of the Basque Country and the province of Álava, a delightful city with many green areas and a magnifi- cent old town where you'll find a good selection of bars and restaurants. Take the A-2124, a mountain road over the Herrera Pass and prepare yourself for the spectacular views you'll get over the Ebro valley from the Balcón de La Rioja Alavesa lookout point in the dis- trict of Samaniego . On a clear day you can see the whole of the Rioja Alavesa and part of the La Rioja Region.

Continue along the N-232 surrounded by vineyards towards amazing towns like Laguardia , the capital of the region, with narrow streets and ancient walls. There you'll find Bodegas Ysios, de- signed by Santiago Calatrava, a build- ing which blends perfectly with the local landscapes. There is also the sur- prising Bodega Viña Real, designed by the French architect Philippe Mazières, where the main building is made of red cedar and is in the form of a vat. A visit to the town of Elciego , the City of Wine is a feast for all the senses. This

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