🍷 14-Night Rioja Wine Route Campervan Itinerary | Vandango Campervan Hire

Looking for an unforgettable food and wine adventure this autumn? The Rioja Wine Route in northern Spain is the perfect choice for couples who love slow travel, world-class vineyards, and evenings of tapas and wine.

Starting your journey from the Isle of Man, this 14-Night Rioja Wine Route Campervan Itinerary gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace, stop where you like, and wake up in the heart of Spanish wine country.

👉 Book your Isle of Man campervan hire with Vandango and start planning your Rioja adventure today.

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Why Choose Rioja for Your Campervan Adventure?

• World-class vineyards: Discover Haro’s famous bodegas and boutique wineries.

• Tapas culture: Enjoy the food scene in Logroño’s famous Calle Laurel.

• Scenic drives: Rolling vineyards, medieval villages, and autumn colours.

• Couples escape: Blend wine, culture, and slow travel with cosy evenings in your campervan.

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🚐 Getting to Rioja from the Isle of Man

There are three realistic routes for reaching Rioja with Vandango. Each has its own benefits, so you can choose the one that best fits your time, budget, and travel style.

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Option 1: Portsmouth → Bilbao Direct Ferry

• Total Cost (including both return ferry costs + fuel): ~£1,403

• Travel Time: ~3 days round trip (mostly on the ferry).

• Driving Distance: ~700 miles total.

• Why Choose This Route:

• Less driving, more time in Spain.

• Arrive fresher and ready to explore.

• Great for couples who want a more relaxed journey.

Outbound Flow

• Day 1: Isle of Man → Liverpool ferry, drive to Portsmouth.

• Day 2: Board overnight ferry Portsmouth → Bilbao.

• Day 3: At sea.

• Day 4: Arrive Bilbao, short drive to Rioja.

Return Flow

• Day 11: Drive Rioja → Bilbao, board ferry.

• Day 12: At sea.

• Day 13: Arrive Portsmouth, drive north.

• Day 14: Ferry Liverpool → Isle of Man.

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Option 2: Eurotunnel via France

• Total Cost (including IOM ferry & Eurotunnel return + fuel): ~£1,029

• Travel Time: ~4 full driving days (2 each way).

• Driving Distance: ~1,900 miles total.

• Why Choose This Route:

• Cheaper overall.

• Flexibility to stop in France (Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Basque Coast).

• Ideal if you enjoy the road trip aspect as part of the adventure.

Outbound Flow

• Day 1: Isle of Man → Liverpool ferry, overnight in southern England.

• Day 2: Drive to Folkestone, Eurotunnel → Calais, overnight near Reims.

• Day 3: Drive south through France, overnight near Tours.

• Day 4: Enter Spain, overnight in San Sebastián.

• Day 5: Arrive in Rioja.

Return Flow

• Day 11: Rioja → Bordeaux.

• Day 12: Bordeaux → Loire Valley.

• Day 13: Loire → Calais, Eurotunnel, overnight in southern England.

• Day 14: Drive north, ferry Liverpool → Isle of Man.

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Option 3: Mix of Both (Eurotunnel Outbound, Ferry Return)

Some travellers prefer to combine the two routes — driving down through France on the outbound journey, then returning via the ferry from Bilbao or Santander.

• Cost: Around £1,188 total (between the Eurotunnel and ferry-only options).

• Driving: Fewer miles than the full Eurotunnel option (~1,100 vs 1,900).

• Time:

• Outbound → enjoy French stopovers (Loire, Bordeaux, Basque Coast).

• Return → relax on the ferry, arrive back in the UK fresher.

• Why Choose This Route: It’s the best of both worlds — road trip variety on the way out, with a restful journey home.

👉 Interested in this mixed option? Get in touch with Vandango and we’ll help you plan the perfect route for your Rioja adventure.

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Core Rioja Wine Route Itinerary (Days 5–10) 🍇

No matter which route you take, the highlight of this trip is the same — 6 days in Rioja’s wine country, blending tastings, tapas, and scenic drives.

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Day 5 – Arrival in Haro

• Morning: Arrive and settle into Haro, the capital of Rioja wine.

• Afternoon: Visit the Wine Museum of La Rioja.

• Evening: First wine tasting at a Haro bodega, followed by a relaxed dinner.

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Day 6 – Haro’s Famous Wineries

• Morning: Tour traditional bodegas like CVNE and Bodegas Muga.

• Afternoon: Explore the medieval town of Briones.

• Evening: Local wine and tapas evening.

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Day 7 – Logroño Tapas Crawl

• Morning: Short drive to Logroño.

• Afternoon: Explore the historic centre.

• Evening: Tapas crawl in Calle Laurel, famous for its lively food scene.

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Day 8 – Vineyard Adventures

• Morning: Walk in the Sierra de Cantabria hills.

• Afternoon: Private tasting at a boutique winery.

• Evening: Dinner in a vineyard restaurant.

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Day 9 – Navarre & Surroundings

• Morning: Day trip into Navarre, exploring small towns.

• Afternoon: Relax at a hot spring or spa.

• Evening: Return to Rioja, enjoy a final vineyard sunset.

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Day 10 – Farewell Rioja

• Morning: Final tasting session or vineyard brunch.

• Afternoon: Scenic drive around the region for last photo stops.

• Evening: Overnight in Rioja before beginning return journey.

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🍂 Special Autumn Hire Offer

If this Rioja itinerary has got you dreaming of a bigger adventure, we’ve put together a limited-time long-hire package that makes it even easier to hit the road.

• 18 nights for just £1,500 (normally ~£1,900).

• Collection: Monday 22nd September

• Return: Friday 10th October

• Perfectly timed for an autumn road trip to Rioja, Portugal, or beyond.

👉 Book the Autumn Long Hire Special now – there’s only one van available, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.

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🍷 A Note on Responsible Travel

The Rioja Wine Route is all about enjoying the region’s incredible food and wine — but of course, that should always be done responsibly.

• Don’t Drink and Drive: Spain has strict drink-driving laws (and lower alcohol limits than the UK). If you’re tasting wine, always plan to leave the van parked for the day.

• Stay Nearby: Many wineries offer on-site parking or nearby campsites, so you can settle in after tastings without needing to move.

• Choose a Designated Driver: If travelling as a couple, alternate driving days so one person can enjoy tastings while the other takes the wheel.

• Local Tours: For a deeper dive, consider joining a guided vineyard tour or shuttle service for a day — then return to your campervan in the evening.

👉 With a little planning, you can enjoy Rioja’s world-class wine safely while still experiencing the freedom of a campervan adventure.

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Practical Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: September–November (harvest season and autumn colours).

• Driving Distances: Eurotunnel route = ~1,900 miles return; Bilbao ferry route = ~700 miles return.

• What to Pack: Wine carrier bags, walking shoes, warm layers for evenings.

• Campsite Options: Haro and Logroño campsites, plus vineyard park-ups.

• Extra Flexibility: Extend your trip with stops in Bordeaux, San Sebastián, or the Loire Valley.

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Why Book Your Rioja Campervan Hire with Vandango?

With Vandango, you’re not tied to hotels or fixed tours. Instead, you can:

• Travel from the Isle of Man with everything you need on board.

• Wake up beside vineyards, medieval towns, or coastal stopovers.

• Add optional extras like a bike rack or awning for more comfort.

👉 Hire Vandango today and make the Rioja Wine Route your autumn escape.