It seems to be difficult do reach the Rioja by plane?
Logronos airport is only for national flights?
What would you suggest is the best way to travel to la Rioja?

Thank you Robert for this information.
I have never been in Spain before, so I plan to come 1,2 or 3 days ahead to see a very little bit of Spain.
This means also, I will definitely take part on the conference, you can put me on your list

Hi Robert,

Great to see you at Tapas Fantasticas. I thought Olly was a class act; my positive post about his masterclass will ‘autopublish’ tomorrow.

Regarding the European Wine Conference, whilst I appreciate it is European in focus rather than simply a party for transplanted U.K. bloggers(!), I do feel the arrangements somewhat ostracise those travelling from the capital.

The only vaguely viable option I spy is the EasyJet / Stanstead one, which leaves at 07:15 in the morning, Friday. In all honesty, I have no idea how to get to Stansted in time for check-in using public transport. Furthermore, if I did camp out all night under Norman Foster’s albeit airy terminal roof, the plane arrives over three hours before the organised bus gets into Logrono. To catch a plane back on the Sunday would be impossible in the current schedule, forcing another night onto the schedule with a very early departure to get back to Logrono.

I am also concerned about the costs. Although my site may have affluent inclinations, being a relatively younger member of the vinous blogosphere and largely freelance, the costs are adding up sharply, detailed as follows (Euros converted to £’s at today’s rates):

Conference cost (paid) £40; Flight: £97; Hotel for two nights at discounted rate: £84; Further night: £56; Transfer to airport, day four: £20 (estimated); Wine for Invitational tasting: £80 = a total approaching £400.

Quite aside from the costs, however is my nervousness about actually getting there. Have any other London bloggers raised similar concerns, and if so, how were their qualms qualmed?

Sorry to pester you with these niggles.

Very much looking forward to hearing from you,

Douglas.

I think there will be a few coming in on that flight, and it will hopefully coincide with our ‘free’ coach. Do you have the timings to hand? I can look them up, as well, but if you could email me your suggested travel plans, I’ll do my best to coordinate this

thirstforwine@gmail.com

Robert

Ane Miren said:

Hi everyone,

I live very close to both Bilbao and Bilbao airport. For those of you who arrive early, I would be more than happy to meet you at the airport and show you around the area a little before we catch the bus to Logroño at 1:30 pm.

I have a 7-seater car so this offer is for a maximum of 6 people.

Let me know if you’re interested.

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Hi Ane Mirene, I and my wife will be landing at Bilbao Airport around 10,30 am with the easyjet fly from Stansted on friday 29th. I’ll be glad to take advantage of you offer, if it’s not too late.
poggioargentiera