GODNEY WARRIORS BIKE
TOUR 2007 LA RIOJA DESCENT
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Highlights |
La Plaza Mayor de Laguardia |
The main square of this village has a pretty arcaded Town Hall (which dates back to the 15th century) with a Royal Coat of arms dedicated to Carlos V and a very unusual clock with dancing hands (called the "Reloj de Carillon"). The square has a wonderful wine shop, with amazing wines such as Ramirez de Ganuza, Artadi and Finca Valpiedra at very competitive prices. The main square is the center of village life, and during the local festivals and fiestas, it comes alive. There is an unusual Bagpipe festival in Laguardia in May, an event that originated in the middle ages. The villagers have a parade with bag pipe musicians, jugglers, etc.
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La Muralla- the Medieval Wall |
The fortification of Laguardia is the most impressive aspect of the pretty village. The wall wraps clear around the hamlet, and in the fall, the locals hang peppers out on the wall to dry in the sun. There are four main vaulted entrances into the village through the Muralla, and various turrets and towers. The storks, so typical in La Rioja, have claimed the towers and church tops of Laguardia as their home, and you can see the beautiful birds flying overhead daily.
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El Poblado de la Hoya |
In 1935, the Hoya archaeological site was discovered by a villager from Laguardia. What the archaeologists discovered was breathtaking- a Bronze Age settlement dating back 3,500 years!
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Wine Tasting in Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta |
If you visit Laguardia, it would be criminal to not visit some of the local wineries! Some open to the general public, while others do not have staff who speak English. A few wineries that are open to all audiences (not VIP) include Bodegas Palacio (in Laguardia village), Muga (in Haro) and Juan Alcorta (in Logroņo). You must pre-book all winery visits. If you would like a special, VIP private tour of world famous Rioja wine estates (to include vineyard tours by 4X4, transportation by Mercedes, professional wine tastings with enologists, etc) then contact info@cellartours.com to help plan your special wine tour of La Rioja. |