Laguardia - Pais Vasco (The Basque Country)

Pais Vasco or The Basque Country on Spain's northern coast is where the green hills meet the Atlantic beaches. It borders France in the east and Cantabria in the west. The cliffs along this stretch of coast are broken by rocky coves, rias, and wide bays with sandy beaches interspersed with fishing villages. Inland, winding lanes pass through woods, hills, valleys and gorges, passing castles and isolated farmhouses. The Basque Country is an important industrial region. The Basques are great deep-sea fishermen and fish play an important part in their cuisine, thought by many to be the best in Spain. The Basque language "Euskera" is widely used on signs and most towns have two names. Bilbao is the largest Basque city and Spain's leading commercial port; it also has an international airport. San Sebastian is the most elegant and fashionable Spanish seaside resort. Laguardia is a walled hill town located in the south of the Basque region, around 5 miles from the border with La Rioja. It is a short distance, around 10 miles, from Logrono and the Ebro valley.

Laguardia is one of the most perfectly preserved medieval villages in Spain. It is surrounded by an ancient wall, with towers and fortified gateways, and has a delightful jumble of cobblestoned streets lined with "Tabernas", wine shops, wine cellars (bodegas), palaces and cafes. Before the medieval village was built, deep tunnels were carved out of the hill and the village of Laguardia was actually underground. The tunnels were used as a defence tactic, but over the centuries came to be used to store wine and eventually to make wine. In the village, the superb gothic Church of Santa Maria de los Reyes has an austere facade and an unusual portal with the Virgin and Child delicately sculpted on a door inside. Laguardia stands on a fertile, vine-clad plain sheltered by high hills to the north. It has two natural freshwater wetlands, a favourite stopping place for migrating aquatic birds such as cormorants, herons, cattle egrets, mandarin ducks, glossy ibis and purple herons.

Marixa, Sancho Abarca, Laguardia, 1300
	The hotel, situated opposite the Laguardia medieval city walls, boasts fantastic views of the Ebro valley and the surrounding vineyards. A great base for those looking to go on wine tours, the intimate and welcoming hotel offers 10 comfortable rooms, fully renovated in 2006 and a well-known restaurant. In addition there are golf courses within close proximity and Logrono is located 10 km away. A prized establishment (Plato de Oro de la Gastronomia Espanola 1999), the restaurant offers innovative dishes based on the traditional, local cuisine and is a lovely vantage point from which to admire the grapevines. There is also a gourmet shop where you can purchase the quality, local Riojas. The hotel can also assist in arranging visits to some of the most important, local wineries.

Posada Mayor de Migueloa, Mayor, Laguardia, 1300
	Located in amongst the world-famous vineyards of La Rioja, this prestigious, 17th-century palace is the ideal place to explore the world of wine and fine cuisine. The Posada Mayor de Migueloa is set in the former Viana Palace, which dates back to 1619.

Sercotel Villa de Laguardia, Paseo San Raimundo 15, Laguardia, 1300
	Located in the mediaeval town of Laguardia, La Rioja, this hotel is close to important vineyards. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, a wine and oil spa and free Wi-Fi access. The Sercotel Villa de Laguardia offers spacious rooms, with wooden floors and attractive decor. All air-conditioned rooms have flat-screen satellite TV and a work desk. Hotel Laguardia's El Medoc Alaves restaurant offers guests à la carte cuisine, and Restaurante Italiano TexMex serves a range of pizza, pasta and meat dishes. There is also a cafe-bar and terrace, where guests can enjoy views of the hotel gardens. The on-site spa offers a range of treatments, based on wine and oil therapies. The hotel also has its own extensive wine cellar and shop, where guests can take part in wine tastings. The Villa de Laguardia is 45 km from Vitoria-Gasteiz and a 90-minute drive from Bilbao and Pamplona.

Hotel Urturi Golf, Arriba s/n, Laguardia, 1118
	This cosy, mountain hotel, situated amongst nature, is just 200 metres from the Urturi golf course and Izki Nature Reserve and a half an hours' drive from Rioja, Vitoria and Logrono. The rooms have all been decorated in a personalised style and boast lovely views of the surroundings. Amongst the facilities there is a lounge with a fireplace with a TV and board games and free wi-fi internet access. The large windows throughout the hotel look out over the gardens, with paths, a swimming pool and a barbecue area. Being surrounded by the Izki Nature Park, the hotel is a wonderful base for those who want to hike, cycle or do other outdoor activities. There are also a number of charming villages in the vicinity with well-preserved chapels and the possibility of visiting a cave.

Hotel Villa de Abalos, Plaza Fermin Gurbindo no2, Laguardia, 26339
	Villa de Abalos is a rural hotel set in a town dedicated to winemaking. The hotel offers free wired internet, free private parking and a range of wine-related activities. The hotel is set in a traditional 17th-century house. The building includes original stone and wood. The house has a library, a garden and a terrace. Villa de Abalos is in the heart of the La Rioja Alta region, surrounded by vineyards. The green areas are ideal for hiking. The Villa specializes in enotourism. Wine-tasting and visits to wineries can be organized by the hotel. Typical Spanish meals are offered at the hotel restaurant. Agoncillo Airport is only 35 km away. Haro and Laguardia are within a short drive.

Hotel Viura, Calle Mayor, Laguardia, 1307
	This design hotel is in Villabuena de Alava, in the La Rioja Alavesa Wine Region. There is free Wi-Fi, free private parking and a rooftop terrace with fantastic views. The Hotel Viura has an à la carte restaurant, with regional meals and a full wine cellar. There is also a fitness room and a business centre. The hotel terrace offers views of the Sierra de la Cantabria Mountains. There are also views of the San Andres Church, first built in 1538. The Viura has an ideal setting for discovering La Rioja. Logrono and Haro are 20 minutes away. Ysios and Marques de Riscal wine cellars are also nearby. During the summer, guests of Hotel Viura enjoy free access to a nearby public swimming pool.

Hotel Castillo El Collado, Paseo El Collado, Laguardia, 1300
	Nestled in the beautiful Basque countryside, this enchanting castle has been converted into a charming boutique hotel with a fine restaurant and a tower overlooking the surrounding vineyards. Stay in your very own magic castle this holiday. The Hotel Cas

Palacio de Samaniego, Constitucion, Laguardia, 1307
	This historic building is surrounded by beautiful gardens, vineyards and countryside. The Palacio de Samaniego offers an award-winning restaurant and free Wi-Fi in its elegant rooms. Free public parking is available nearby. The hotel is in a charming little square in Samaniego. This town is in the province of Alava, in the Basque Country. All of the rooms at the Palacio de Samaniego have attractive design, with wood and bright colours. Rooms at the front of the hotel have a balcony. The hotel has a nice terrace. The main dining room offers a welcoming space with large round tables. There are also 3 dining rooms for private events. The surroundings are ideal for hiking and cycling. Bicycle rental is offered on site. Wine-tasting and visits to vineyards and wine cellars are possible nearby.

Hotel Eguren Ugarte, Carretera A124, Laguardia, 1309
	Free Wi-Fi and free private parking are offered at the Hotel Eguren Ugarte. This design hotel is surrounded by 130 hectares of vineyards and fields in Alaves, in La Rioja. Hotel Eguren Ugarte is set within a winery in this famous winemaking region. The hotel restaurant offers wines from the hotel's own cellar and a range of traditional cuisine. There is also an on site wine shop, a terrace and a business centre. The rooms at Hotel Eguren Ugarte all have a flat-screen TV. They are decorated in warm colours, with attractive wood floors. The spacious bathroom comes with 2 sinks and a large shower. The hotel lies between Logrono and Vitoria and is near both airports.

Hotel Cosme Palacio, San Lazaro, Laguardia, 1300
	Cosme Palacio is set in a 19th-century winery in Medieval Laguardia, the capital of the Rioja Alavesa. Guests enjoy free entry and wine-tasting at the hotel's old wine cellars. Each unique room at Cosme Palacio is named after a different variety of grape and offers free Wi-Fi. All have air conditioning and heating. A hairdryer is offered in the bathroom. Local and Mediterranean meals can be enjoyed at the restaurant. This elegant space has stone walls and wood columns. There is an excellent wine list. Cosme Palacio offers free parking on site. Logrono is a short drive away. The local area is ideal for wine-tasting and visits to wine cellars.

Hospederia De Los Parajes, Mayor 46-48, Laguardia, 1300
	The historic Hospederia de los Parajes has its own spa centre with hammam, jacuzzi and wine therapy. There is free Wi-Fi access and stylish design throughout. Guests can taste a range of wines in the Hospederia's 15th-century wine cellar. There is also an elegant restaurant and a spacious bar area. Rooms at the Hospederia are built around a patio. Each offers full heating and air conditioning and a balcony or terrace. They also come with a dressing room, a bathrobe and slippers. Los Parajes lies in Laguardia, capital of the Alava La Rioja wine region. This Medieval city is just 23 km from Logrono-Agoncillo Airport.

Hotels in Laguardia Pais Vasco accommodation SPAIN