Day 3 | Mon 10th August

La Rioja

A self-guided day to visit prehistoric cave paintings and a painted forest before driving inland to La Rioja.

The Bosque Pintado in the forests of Urdaibai

A lovely view of the sunset from the Painted Forest

The ancient caves art of Santimamiñe

Samaniego village at sunset

Mondays are market day in the town of Guernica. Here, in the heart of the Basque province of Vizcaya, you will witness the appreciation of great ingredients first hand. This is your chance to assemble a picnic worthy of the gods as you set off into the nearby forested hills towards the Santimamiñe caves.

Part of the UNESCO World Heritage site which covers the Paleolithic cave art of northern Spain, these caves are the most significant ancient paintings in the Basque Country. Although access is heavily restricted, there is a first rate virtual headset experience here which, combined with your being able to peek inside the real caves, makes for a fascinating visit.

Tucked away in the forests of the hill opposite is the marvellous 'Painted Forest'. After a pleasant walk of a couple of kilometres, you walk into a section of forest in which 34 different works of Land Art have been created by local artist Agustín Ibarrola. The clusters of trees reveal themes and collages which are best seen from specific viewpoints marked on the forest floor. It's a rather magical place and a splendid place for a picnic.

Later this afternoon, drive the 90 minutes or so to the heart of the Rioja wine-growing region today.

Drive 130km, 1hr 30mins.

Surveying the vineyards and limestone cliffs of La Rioja, close to Laguardia

Today's activity

Visit Guernica market, Santimamiñe caves and the painted forest

Included excursion

Santimamiñe cave entrance (€2 fee payable locally)

Included excursion

Painted forest entrance

Overnight

La Molinera Etxea

1 x Suite - La Hera

1 x Apartment - La Tolva

Meals

Breakfast included

Day 4 | Rioja Alavesa

La Molinera Etxea

Housed in a converted grain mill in a 16th century stone building near the middle of the pretty village of Samaniego, La Molinera Etxea is a modest looking place from the outside. Stone wall, small windows and a heavy wooden door. Being a 'Casa Rural' (bed & breakfast) you won't find a reception desk, or uniformed staff. You will be met by the owner and possibly her small children. You will be shown into the old living area of what was her family home, and a meeting place for villagers. Up the stairs you will be shown to one of the six bedrooms - and here's the surprise, they are beautifully modern, very comfortable and stylish. Where you think you would find flickering old standard lamps, you'll find concealed LED strips. It's the perfect combination of personality and modernity. The welcome and hosting could not be more friendly. Breakfasts are served (often in two shifts) along the old dining table, family style. What they serve is mostly harvested, baked and made from the immediate surrounds. The hospitality is just wonderful. There's a little outdoor patio area with gorgeous views out over the vineyards of La Rioja Alavesa.

Day 4 | Rioja Alavesa