La Rioja - Spain's Wine Capital by Seb Jay

Descending from the foothills of the Sierra del Moncayo in North East Spain is La Rioja - Spain's smallest region. It is an area renowned for its natural beauty and, of course, for its wines. Flanked by mountains to its north and south - and with the River Ebro running through it - La Rioja benefits from a unique microclimate. The land here is protected from cold winds and low temperatures, making it a very special place in which to grow vines. Indeed, the first thing you notice on entering the region is the uninterrupted view of vineyards that seem to spread across the rolling countryside.

Three distinct wine-growing areas exist in La Rioja. In the far east, and stretching across the regional border into Navarra, is Rioja Baja. This is the hottest and driest part of the region. The soils are also very fertile, making it a prime location in which to grow the Garnacha grape.

Coming westwards we find the Rioja Alavesa region. Here the climate is moderated by cooler breezes that descend from the mountains. The soils in Rioja Alavesa are of the calcareous clay variety and lend themselves well to producing the finest of La Rioja's red wines from the Tempranillo grape.

Rioja Alta is the third wine-growing area in La Rioja. The climate here is much cooler and wetter owing to its height and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The soil composition in Rioja Alta is similar to that of Rioja Baja. It is the climate though that has the biggest impact on wines from this area.

Visiting La Rioja Wineries

As you might very well imagine, La Rioja is packed full of wineries to visit. Logrono and Haro should top the list, but don't ignore the more rural areas. Visitors can expect a warm welcome at whichever winery is chosen.

Getting to La Rioja

Bilbao on the North Spanish coast is the nearest international airport to La Rioja. From there the region can be reached within a couple of hours. Closer in there are small domestic airports. Vitoria and Zaragoza are both served by the international airports at Madrid and Barcelona. Car hire can be booked in advance for pick up at any of these airports by visiting www.your-carhire.com

Seb Jay is a freelance writer specializing in the origination of web content for http://www.your-carhire.com

Whatever you do, don't miss SoFo when you visit Stockholm

New York and London have their SoHos. Now Stockholm has one too. SoFo comprises the area south of Folkungagatan and east of Götgatan on Södermalm – hence, SoFo. In this district, one of the capital’s trendiest, you’ll find a huge selection of stores and cafés, each with its own individual style. Three words best describe SoFo’s atmosphere: young, hip, and laid-back.


Young people, artists, and designers make their way here to live and work, giving the area a very distinct character. Nowhere in this regal capital is the selection of design, art, and handicrafts bigger. And nowhere else is the atmosphere more easygoing. In SoFo, swarms of small boutiques, restaurants, and cafés vie for attention in an urban environment dominated by older buildings. As you stroll along the streets, you will also discover the squares and parks that help to make this neighborhood so special. Make a mental note of Nytorget, where you can relax in the shade of a tree or enjoy a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants that line the park.
Why not set aside a day for SoFo? Just put on your walking shoes and set out on a stroll. You’ll find cafés, restaurants, and stores all along your route. And to the great delight of visitors and residents alike, the stores in SoFo stay open until 9 p.m. on the last Thursday of every month.

Below are some addresses that will help you get around the neighborhood:


Restaurants

Folkhemmet
Renstiernas Gata 30, Telephone: 08 - 640 55 95
It’s often crowded here, especially in the bar to the right, nicknamed “...and the big, blue sea.” This extraordinarily pleasant bar, with red velvet walls and twinkling disco lamps, creates a delightful ambience. The menu features an assortment of dishes – the fish is usually superb!
Koh Phangan
Skånegatan 57, Telephone: 08 - 642 68 65
Koh Phangan, which specializes in well-seasoned Thai food, adds a touch of the exotic to Skånegatan. As soon as you enter this restaurant, you’ll feel like you’re standing in a Thailand jungle, with sounds to match.
Östgötakällaren
Östgötagatan 41, Telephone: 08 - 643 22 40
Östgötakällaren has a genuine neighborhood pub feel. You’ll do well to hoist a Belgian or Czech beer and enjoy a meal at moderate prices. After-work prices between 4 and 6 pm, music every Monday night.
Öst 100
Östgötagatan 100, Telephone: 08-556 976 70
With its over-the-top designer décor, this huge Asian restaurant is one of Stockholm’s most attractive places to enjoy a meal. Its most enticing aspect is the outdoor dining area, where you can sit in big, luxurious sofas, right down by the water’s edge. What a sensational feeling! DJs spin both Friday and Saturday nights.
Lo Scudetto
Åsögatan 163, Telephone: 08 - 640 42 15
Without a doubt, Söder’s best Italian restaurant. In addition to its congenial atmosphere, Lo Scudetto serves first-rate cuisine. But don’t forget to reserve a table; this little place is almost always full.
Stiernan
Renstiernas Gata 22, Telephone: 08- 643 97 33
Don’t look for a name; there is none. But a big blue star adorns the space above the door and all the menus. This cozy restaurant consistently maintains a high standard of quality in both its cuisine and service. Culinary influences from all over Europe are evident on the menu, and everything is moderately priced – for less than 1,000 kronor you can enjoy several dishes on the menu as well as selected wines. After such a delicious meal, you’ll probably feel like hanging out at the bar for the rest of the evening.
Gretas Kök / Upstairs Bar
Clarion Hotell, Ringvägen 98, Telephone: 08 - 462 10 00
With Upstairs, Skanstull has a new, high-class hotel bar that offers its guests comfortable armchairs, a great view, and sometimes a live band. If hunger pangs get the better of you, enjoy a meal at Gretas Kök, located in the same hotel.


Something different


Boulehallen Boule 1
Närkesgatan 6, Telephone: 08- 641 26 26
Give indoor boules a try. Drink a Czech beer, eat some tapas, and roll boule balls with a couple of friends. Guest DJs often spin. This place has 13 lanes, but we recommend that you reserve a lane ahead of time. Instructors will be happy to help the novice boule player.


Clothing stores

Le Shop
Nytorgsgatan 23B, Telephone: 08-644 9155
Street- and ready-to-wear fashions for guys and gals. Tons of accessories.
Sneakersnstuff
Åsögatan 124, Telephone: 08 - 743 03 22
Today, Sneakersnstuff, with its unique assortment of exclusive, limited-edition sneakers, has become somewhat of a legend. There’s a shoe for everyone here. The store also sells clothing.
Neu
Nytorgsgatan 36, Telephone: 08-6422004
Incredibly beautiful designer fashions at reasonable prices, all chosen with care and a real eye for quality. Extremely friendly personnel.
Grandpa
Södermannagatan. 21, Telephone: 08-643 60 80
A nice assortment of 60s and 70s furniture mixed in with more contemporary items. Also new and old clothes for guys and gals.
Tjallamalla
Bondegatan 46, Telephone: 08-640 78 47
The young and hip come to Tjallamalla, looking for something cool from new Swedish clothing designers. Much of what the store sells is only available here. In addition to clothing, the boutique also sells handbags, jewelry, and other accessories.
Lisa Larsson Secondhand
Bondegatan 48, Telephone: 08 - 643 61 53
Most eras and styles are represented in this, one of Stockholm’s most well-known second-hand stores. A lot of leather clothes, but also party dresses and suits, shoes and hats.


Home furnishings stores

Coctail de luxe
Bondegatan. 34, Telephone: 08-642 07 41
Coctail, Skånegatan 71, Telephone: 08 - 642 07 40
These two sister stores, a study in kitsch, primarily sell plastic items in every imaginable color and size. You can also find patterned plastic tablecloths, crazy key rings, multi-colored glass, jewelry, clothes, beaded curtains, and inflatable objects.
Apparat
Nytorgsgatan 36, Telephone: 08-653 66 33
Sells everything from industrial lighting fixtures that once illuminated a Parisian factory, to attractive shoe-polishing kits. Its motto: The design is more important than the designer.
Maroc
Skånegatan 78, Telephone:08-714 77 98
A bazaar filled with glorious Moroccan objects that you didn’t know you needed, including serving dishes, lamps, bowls, jewelry, and footwear.
Elviras Värld
Renstiernas gata 24, Telephone: 08-640 09 00
Beautiful, traditional, timeless wooden furniture shares floor space with popular, modern items for the home. Renovated classics mingle with the store’s own designs from Skåne and Gotland.
125 kvadrat
Kocksgatan 17, Telephone: 08-640 97 77
Let yourself be inspired by the works of some twenty artisans who create in a variety of media – ceramics, textiles, glass, wood, and metal. The premises also house an art gallery.
Model 70Åsögatan 132, Telephone: 08-462 02 86
Plastic lovers, check this out! A smile will cross your face as soon as you cross the threshold of this fantastic little store. If you were born in the mid-60s, this nostalgic journey back in time will knock your socks off!

For more information on beautiful Stockholm go to Stockholm CityGuide

Liseberg The world's best wooden roller coaster is in Göteborg!

For the second time in three years, Balder has been voted the world’s best wooden roller coaster. Enthusiasts from around the world took part in the annual poll to rank every wooden roller coaster in the world. As the only wooden roller coaster to rank ahead of the experts’ favourite steel roller coaster, Balder is therefore considered the very best of the world’s 2,000 or so roller coasters.

The poll was conducted online and covered 175 wooden roller coasters around the world. The roller coasters were compared on the basis of whether the ride was better than, worse than or as good as other roller coasters. Consequently, each roller coaster was treated fairly despite the variations in passenger numbers. Experts in the field believe this to be the most reliable survey of its kind, and their comments can be read at .

Balder was followed in second place by Thunderhead in Dollywood, Tennessee, and in third place by Boulder Dash in Lake Compounce, Connecticut. In fifth place was Aska in Nara Dreamland, Japan, making it the best wooden roller coaster in Asia. The next European roller coaster, Colossos in Heide Park, Germany, did not appear until twelfth place.
For the full list, visit .

The 581 enthusiasts who took part in the poll have travelled all over the world trying out roller coasters. On average, they have ridden more than 30 different wooden roller coasters during the year. They take at least three rides on each: one in the front part of the train, one in the middle, and one right at the back. The ride can differ slightly depending on your position in the train. The main variation is in “air time”, the periods when you feel you are rising from your seat. Balder has high air time and a very soft ride, which the experts praised.
Mats Wedin, Liseberg CEO, expressed pride in the award:

“It’s fantastic news that Balder has been ranked world No. 1 for a second time. This goes to show that Liseberg is holding its own against international competition.”

For more tourist information on Goteborg go to Goteborg CityGuide

Cooking, Food & Wine Tours of Spain

Cooking, Food & Wine Tours of Spain - In a recent issue of Food & Wine Magazine there is a great article featuring Spain's Top Food Critic José Carlos Capel discussing issues like "Why is Spain the world's most exciting food destination right now?" more... As well in this same issue Anya Von Bremzen gives some insider tips on... "Where To Go Next: Catalonia, Madrid, Galicia | Spain"

This year we have many new exciting culinary & cooking holiday and deluxe wine tours for travelers who would like to savor Spain with a Gourmet Appetite!

Starting off your journey you could try a Galician Coastal Cooking, Food and Wine Tour on the Atlantic Coast of Spain. Galicia is famed for it's fresh, abundant Seafood, highly-acclaimed Albariño white wines and recently new young chefs like; Xose Cannas of Pepe Vieira who was just mentioned in this months issue of Food & Wine. On the Rias Baixas the sea plays an important role in peoples lives, come visit this magnificent coastline from the sea on our Gastronomic Sailing Journey. For an in-depth view of this undiscovered region of Spain try our 8 Days or 12 Days Deluxe food & wine tours. Even if you only have a couple of days in this region you could take a one day wine tour sampling Albariño white wines of the D.O. Rias Baixas or Mencia red wines of the D.O. Ribeira Sacra. If you are just stopping through, or arriving at one of the ports of call on cruise and have time only for a half-day, we can offer guided tapa tours in Vigo, La Coruña, Santiago de Compostela and Lugo.

Moving across Northern Spain to the Basque Country, one of the most notable regions for it's dynamic cuisine with top chefs like; Arzak, Berasategui, etc... In San Sebastian you could take a half-day hands-on Basque cooking class in one of the authentic gastronomic societies or a Pintxo tapa tour of the old quarter enjoying the "tasty little bites" in the most emblematic bars and taverns. For more days we could recommend our week-long Basque Country & Cantabian Cooking Holiday. For wine touring you could visit a Txacoli white winery from Bilbao, as well we can't forget to mention the world-renowned Rioja wines of the Basque/Rioja wine region D.O. Rioja which are a "must-taste" if your are in the area.

On the Eastern side of Spain you will discover the delights of Catalan Cuisine!Another region of "Hot" chefs like; Ferran Adria. Either basing your stay in Barcelona or exploring the countryside of Catalonia we have various tours to offer, for example in Barcelona how about a half-day private cooking class with a visit to La Boqueria Market to shop for the special ingredients for your class with a professional chef. Evening or midday tapa tours with a Food & Wine guide are also a lot of fun to wander the city's old quarter. Venturing out from Barcelona for the day you could learn about the Roots of Catalan Cuisine or a private wine tour to one of the regions like; Penedes, Cava, Priorat & Montsant, Emporda-Costa Brava, Coster del Segre or Conca de Barbera. As well you could try a short-break or week-long trip to learn in-depth about the wines with a expert wine guide. Gourmet Culinary Holidays in the Priorat region are also available for short-breaks or week-long stays.

If you are traveling as a group of ten or more you could stay at the Luxurious 5* Read's Hotel on the Balearic Island of Mallorca and learn the cooking secrets of the Michelin-starred Chef Marc Fosh.

In the middle of Spain lies Madrid, the heart and capital of this country which has much to offer for culinary travelers. Learn about Castilian Cuisine with a professional chef for a half-day cooking class or up to week-long cooking vacations. In the evenings or for lunch this is yet another Spanish city where tapa tours are very popular, or try a more "sit-down" gourmet dinner with a commented Spanish Olive Oil tasting in Madrid at a prestigious city centre restaurant. Ribera del Duero, one of Spain's most important wine regions can be reached in a day as a private VIP chauffeur driven tour or joining a deluxe small group tour from Madrid. Or how about a group excursion of Toledo and the wines of Castile Spain. Explore Quixote Land and discover the roots of Spanish Saffron of La Mancha.

Down South in Passionate Andalusia we have various, cooking, food & wine related tours. Leaving Madrid by high-speed train you could join in on a one day or short-break deluxe tour of Cordoba and the Wines of Montilla. In Seville we have two options for private half-day cooking classes. Learn how to make Spanish Tapas in the well-equipped kitchen of the apartment of an expert chef, or an exclusive cooking classes with one of Seville's most prestigious chefs Willy Moya at his restaurant Poncio. Also within reach from the city are day wine tours to Jerez (Sherry), Sanlucar de Barrameda or Ronda as well visits to Olive Oil Mills and Spanish Cured Ham producer. Try a 4 Day or 7 Day stay in Seville and enjoy all these culinary activities. Nearby Seville in the beautiful Andalusian Countryside can be found the 5* Grand Luxury Hacienda Benazuza, where you could learn the original recipes of Ferran Adria in La Alquería Restaurant (two Michelin Stars) prepared by chef Rafael Morales, under the management of the "El Bulli" team. In Granada learn about the ancient Arabic influences in the rice dishes of the region by cooking with local women of Granada. Down on the Costa del Sol in Marbella relax, play some golf and do a bit of wine touring.

After this delectable summary of cooking, food & wine tours we offer to Spain, we are also capable of creating a "personalized" culinary holiday just for you! Lets us know your desires and we will do our best to fulfill your appetite for a food and wine adventure in Spain... as well as Portugal!
For more info go to Euroadventures

London Golf - Getting into the swing at the new Northwick Park golf course

Europe’s first ever six-hole golf course will be launched in London this April. For those looking for a game of golf in London but don’t have a full day to spare, Northwick Park is the perfect course. The six holes have been recreated from the six most famous holes around the world.
Europe’s first ever six-hole golf course will be officially launched in London on 13th April 2005. Based in Northwick Park, the spectacular course has been designed exclusively for golfers with limited time.

A short way off the busy Watford Road near Harrow, this golfing haven will delight players of all abilities. The new course has been recreated from the world’s six most famous holes and will take about an hour to get around. Other fantastic facilities include a state-of-the-art 60 bay two tier driving range, short game academy, indoor school, superb restaurant, Pro shop and creche. It also boasts the first course designed exclusively for children.

The idea was produced by Peter McEvoy, former Amateur Champion and his partner David Piggins.
“Our aim was to build a first-class course that will take little more than an hour to play. Our holes at Northwick Park take their inspiration from some of the world’s greatest holes,” says Peter.

The carefully recreated holes are based on the famous Postage Stamp at Troon, the 12th at Birkdale, the popular 6th at Riviera in Los Angeles and the par four at Oak Hill – scene of the Ryder Cup. You can also try your hand at the double green at Augusta on the 12th and 16th.

Built on an old rubbish tip, the course has certainly achieved its aim and will be popular for all golfers who fancy a game but do not have the time for a five hour round. At twenty pounds a go, the pristine course has a relaxed dress code and welcomes golfers from all over the world. It’s too good to be missed.

Read more about this in London CityGuide. You will find a comprehensive list of golf-courses in and around London at http://cityguide-europe.com/uk/london/golf.php

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