Family holiday’s should enjoy something fun for the whole family, not just activities to keep the kids happy.
I have always wanted to do a wine tour and now my kids are a little bit older I think that it is something that can be done and everyone will enjoy the day.
Visiting La Rioja can be a fantastic mix of wine, scenery, and history. It’s Spain’s most famous wine region, but it also offers medieval towns, hiking in the Sierra de la Demanda mountains, incredible food and is easily accessible from the UK by plane, ferry, train and car.
There is lots of info on the region online and I have found lots of activities perfect for children of all ages, meaning you can plan a whole week (or two) of fun.
For Wine Lovers
If travelling with kids, I highly recommend looking up a tour company in Rioja, such as Riojawinetours, as they take care of organising the activities for you. Most offer guided tours and tastings—some are family-run and centuries old, others ultra-modern architectural icons.
One that really catches my eye is a bike tour amongst vineyards which offers a fantastic way to experience the region’s wine culture and scenic beauty. These tours often include electric bike hire, visits to wineries, wine tastings, and opportunities to explore the charming villages and landscapes of Rioja.
A good introduction to wine culture for children is the Vivanco museum, with great videos and amazing artefacts. Adults can enjoy wine tasting there and at other wineries that permit children during the visits. Some wineries like Marques de Riscal or Bodegas Ysios offer amazing architecture, opportunities to learn how Rioja wine is made and the chance to try treading grapes.
Other tips for taking the kids on a wine tour is timing. Go in the morning, or early afternoon when it is quieter and have open spaces for the kids to explore or farm animals, playgrounds, or on-site activities. It is also a nice touch for them to offer grape juice, or an alternative drink whilst the adults are tasting the wine.
Visit Haro, the wine capital in late June, as its especially lively during the Haro Wine Festival.
For Dinosaur Fans
We live on the Jurassic Coast and it doesn’t matter how old the kids are, but get them involved in some fossil hunting and it will keep them happy for hours. In Enciso, they have a dinosaur park, with over 1,400 dinosaur tracks recorded, including traces of sauropods and iguanodons and the Palaeontology Centre is the perfect starting point to visit the tracks and explore the region.
For History Buffs
There is nothing quite like really exploring the history of the country’s you visit and Rioja is home to beautiful castles such as Sajazarra or Cozcurrita, as well as medieval villages like Laguardia or Labastida.
Or visit the monasteries of Yuso and Suso, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the Spanish language was born. These monasteries hold amazing old and huge books children would love to see or visit the ancient caves cut into the southern slope of the mountain.
For Thrill Seekers
The multiadventure park of Ojapark, is a must for those seeking outdoor activities and adventure, including High Rope Treetop climbs, zip lines, climbing walls and mini golf.
Rioja is just 3 hours from Madrid and 4 hours from Barcelona, so you could plan a holiday involving both locations to make the best of the quiet, rural life in Rioja and the hustle and bustle of city life in either Madrid or Barcelona, both easily accessible by both train and car.
These cities are both walkable, full of parks, interactive museums, and plenty of churros breaks to keep energy levels high. They also give the kids the opportunity for some retail therapy or to visit theme parks such as the Warner Theme park or Port Aventura, which offer both rollercoasters and thrilling water rides.
Have you visited Northern Spain before?
