While often overlooked by British tourists in favour of other spots, La Rioja is a region in Spain renowned for its internationally celebrated wine, with over 500 wineries, medieval villages, monasteries, and mountains to explore.

       Despite the many British tourists who visit Spain each year, only small amount go to the Rioja region—about 10,000—according to the Telegraph.

       The region is filled with beautiful natural landscapes, medieval villages, monasteries, and many vineyards which make some of the best wines of Spain and the world.

       This area of Spain is located in the Northern part of the country between the Basque Country, Navarra, and Castile and León.

       The capital of La Rioja, Logro？o, is known for its delicious tapas, especially on Calle Laurel, where each bar has its unique pinchos.

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       Located on the banks of the Ebro River, Logro？o has historical significance as a crossing point on the Camino de Santiago and is known for its Portales arches, the Parliament of La Rioja, Santa María la Redonda Cathedral, and Palacio de los Chapiteles.

       Santo Domingo de la Calzada and Nájera are two notable towns along the Camino, with rich history, monasteries, and stunning landscapes.

       A visit to San Millán de la Cogolla where the Monasteries of Yuso and Suso is a must and is believed to be the birthplace of written Spanish.

       The Monasteries of San Millán de Suso (6th century) and San Millán de Yuso (11th century) located in San Millán de la Cogolla, La Rioja, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

       Suso is believed to be where Saint Emilian lived and is famous for being the birthplace of written Spanish and Basque.

       The Glosas Emilianenses, early written phrases in these languages, are considered key to the development of the Spanish language, making San Millán a crucial historical site in the evolution of modern Spanish.

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       The Smoke Procession in Arnedillo, is another religious festival worth going to which takes place on the last Sunday of November and involves burning bonfires of rosemary and juniper to create smoke with a procession that honours Saint Andrew, the patron saint of health.

       If you're thinking of heading to the Rioja region for a June getaway, why not go to the Battle of Wine?

       The event takes place every year on June 29th in honour of San Pedro's day which involves a massive wine fight, where thousands of people gather in the streets of Haro, dressed in white clothing, and throw wine at each other.

       Haro is the most important town in the Rioja Alta where you can take a look at the stunning churches like that of Santo Tomás, palaces and a charming old town.

       For those who enjoy hiking, the Sierra de la Demanda and Sierra de Cebollera Natural Parks offer breathtaking views and wildlife.

       La Rioja is also renowned for its dinosaur footprints in Enciso, home to over 1,400 dinosaur footprints, making it one of the most significant sites for dinosaur tracks in Europe.

       Vivanco Wine Museum is also worth a visit if you're interested in finding out more about the region's enotourism.