Ábalos
Today was our last full day in the Rioja region - we will certainly miss it. It has been a memorable, enjoyable experience for us. Today we travelled some roads that we had not covered earlier, plus re-visiting other areas (which, of course, is unavoidable at times!). We set off to explore the southeast extent of Rioja Alta, travelling on LR-341 between Ventosa and Sorzano. It is a lovely drive. Many of the 300 series roads in La Rioja province are wonderful driving experiences. We particularly like LR-319 from Ábalos to the junction with LR-318 and LR-318 between San Vicente and Baños de Ebro. Also of note are LR-317 between Rivas de Tereso Peciña and San Vicente, plus A-3228 from Elvillar to Laguardia. A-3228 is in Álava, in the Basque country.
We travelled north from Sorzano to Elvillar, which is roughly the eastern extent of Rioja Alta (until you cross the Ebro) and Rioja Alavesa. We stopped for café in Elvillar in the only bar (every pueblo has at least one), which doubles as the local retirement lodge. Then we meandered down to Briones, which we had passed by many times, but never visited. We can always see it in the distance - partly because it's on a hill (as are all the pueblos here), and partly because of the single spire from one of the local churches that stands out from afar. So, we explored a little of this village and stopped for a glass of wine and some snacks in the main plaza, in which stands the aforementiond spire that we had been noticing for days! A nice place with great views, enhanced by the gorgeous weather (another perfect 3.0 on the KWS). Then north across the Ebro on yet another unexplored road to San Vicente and finally back to our "home" for a rest.
Since it was such a beautiful day, we later decided to hike a bit north of Ábalos, where we climbed partway up one of the foothills (in front of the Sierra de Cantabria), searching for an old hermitage that we had driven to days before. However, it was too far to go, but we got some great views of the Rioja region/Ebro valley and some closeup looks at some of the local vineyards. As we circled back into town, we stumbled on to a small street party, where kids (and adults!) were breaking piñatas (clay pots here).
Tomorrow we're off to Peñafiel, which we don't know much about, except it's in the Ribera del Duero wine region, which we are quite interested in. We had not planned the next three days in advance, so we did a little searching on-line, found a place and Susan booked it on the phone entirely in Spanish. At least, we're pretty sure that's what happened! We'll know for sure tomorrow :-}
We travelled north from Sorzano to Elvillar, which is roughly the eastern extent of Rioja Alta (until you cross the Ebro) and Rioja Alavesa. We stopped for café in Elvillar in the only bar (every pueblo has at least one), which doubles as the local retirement lodge. Then we meandered down to Briones, which we had passed by many times, but never visited. We can always see it in the distance - partly because it's on a hill (as are all the pueblos here), and partly because of the single spire from one of the local churches that stands out from afar. So, we explored a little of this village and stopped for a glass of wine and some snacks in the main plaza, in which stands the aforementiond spire that we had been noticing for days! A nice place with great views, enhanced by the gorgeous weather (another perfect 3.0 on the KWS). Then north across the Ebro on yet another unexplored road to San Vicente and finally back to our "home" for a rest.
Since it was such a beautiful day, we later decided to hike a bit north of Ábalos, where we climbed partway up one of the foothills (in front of the Sierra de Cantabria), searching for an old hermitage that we had driven to days before. However, it was too far to go, but we got some great views of the Rioja region/Ebro valley and some closeup looks at some of the local vineyards. As we circled back into town, we stumbled on to a small street party, where kids (and adults!) were breaking piñatas (clay pots here).
Tomorrow we're off to Peñafiel, which we don't know much about, except it's in the Ribera del Duero wine region, which we are quite interested in. We had not planned the next three days in advance, so we did a little searching on-line, found a place and Susan booked it on the phone entirely in Spanish. At least, we're pretty sure that's what happened! We'll know for sure tomorrow :-}
posted by Steve at
11:00 p.m.
