La Rioja and the Iregua Valley

Our home is located in the Iregua River valley, a small but active trout river about 20 kilometers south of the Riojana capital, Logroño. The old mountains of the Cameros start just behind the house and continue to the Piqueras Pass, altitude 1790 meters, on the road to Soria.

La Rioja is world famous for its red earth and the red wines that come from its dry slopes. The Romans started the industry here, and Logroño was a sea terminus for the galleys from the Mediterranean.

The Cradle of Spanish

The first written words of Spanish, and Basque, were cheat notes scribbled on the edges of a book of psalms written in Latin in the Monastery of Yuso and Suso in La Rioja. From these notes arose a world language, encompassing over half a billion speakers in dozens of countries.

Even within Spain, the dialect of the Riojanos is reputed to be one of the most elegant.

The Camino de Santiago

St. James walked from his base in the Pyrennes, preaching his way across northern Spain, through Navarra and La Rioja, to his final resting place in Santiago (St. James) de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.

In the Middle Ages, it was all the rage to walk in the great pastor´s footprints, to find spiritual rest in the weary walk. Monarchs and nobles dotted the trail with monasteries, bridges, pilgrim´s hostels, churches, and crosses.

In recent years, the same need for spiritual healing (and tourism) has increased the vitality of this thousand kilometer long walk through Spanish villages, towns, and wilderness. Pilgrims on foot and bicycle today cross the same bridges, and can stay for free in the same hostels as in years past.

Hiking on the Roman Road

When the Iberian Peninsula became the first and most important colony of the Roman Empire, the need for communications was essential. The Ebro River, wider and stronger 2,000 years ago than now, was navigable from the Mediterranean until Varea, a suburb of Logroño.

To connect from this deep inland seaport to the capital of Numancia in Soria, a 200 kilometer road was built crossing the Camero mountains. The road exists today, and runs in front of our house.

La Tierra del Vino

There is no doubt that you are in the land of fine wine here in La Rioja. A great world center of wines, the red, dry earth soaks up the summer sun and creates an ideal grape, tempranillo, to make the dark reds that Spain is famous for.

Although there are plenty of other very good wines in Spain, there is a very good reason why Spanairds are prepared to pay a premium for wine produced in this area.

La Ruta de los Monestarios

Following in the footsteps of St. James, came countless pilgrims from all over Iberia and Europe (and now from all over the world). Spanish nobility in particular felt it right to show off their faith and deep pockets by building monuments to the Lord along the way.
Retired royals came to the area to rest their last days as monks and nuns. The monasteries of La Rioja, Burgos, Navarra, and all over northern Spain are unmatched in their number and quality. Well worth various days of visits.

Nalda and Viguera

Our home base is situated on the Iregua River, between the villages of Viguera and Nalda. These two small villages have a long history and colourful festivals.

Viguera can boast that is was once a kingdom on its own right, even if just for three generations! The wealth of the mini kingdom can be seen in the wonderful church and the medivial bridge crossing by closeby.

Nalda once celebrated the Festival of the Cock by mounted horsemen pulling heads off helpless chickens. That ritual has fortunately been altered in recent years by similar displays of horsemanship, with iron chickens.

Calle Laurel (Good Tapas and Wine)

If you want good food, follow the truck drivers. That saying can be adjusted in a Spanish context by following the Spanish to their best food and drink. And they come to La Rioja. Great restaurants, and world famous wine. And one small and by day, unnoticable street in particular. Calle Laurel by night is thronged by hords of locals and out of towners looking for tapas in the numerous bars, few which have seats, Spanish style! Olé.