What Is a Private Tour and How Does It Differ from a Shared Tour?

· 7 July, 2025 · 7:50 pm

Discovering La Rioja with a private tour is an exclusive and personalized way to explore the region. Unlike shared tours, private tours in Rioja adapt to your interests, offering comfort, flexibility, and individual attention. Whether as a couple, with friends, or with family, a custom-made tour allows you to enjoy Rioja’s wine, gastronomy, and culture at your own pace.

What is a private tour?

A private, tailor-made tour designed for you or your group is an exclusive experience. The itinerary adapts to your interests, pace, and needs. In destinations like Rioja, private tours offer personalized access to boutique wineries, where you can interact with owners and winemakers, making your tour unforgettable.

You’ll enjoy alternative routes through unique landscapes and charming villages, letting you experience the region authentically and without annoying interruptions.

Advantages of a private tour vs. a shared tour

FeaturePrivate TourShared Tour
Itinerary flexibilityTotal. It adapts to your tastes, schedule, and preferences.Limited. Fixed itinerary with pre-set stops.
Guide attention100% personalized. The guide is dedicated exclusively to your group.Shared. The guide attends to the entire group equally.
Tour paceYou decide how much time to spend at each place.Pace determined by the group and schedule.
Privacy and intimacyJust you and your companions. Ideal for families, couples, or closed groups.Shared with unknown people.
Adaptability to needsFully adaptable: children, elderly, reduced mobility, etc.Few options to adjust to specific needs.
Personalization levelMaximum. A tailor-made tour with unique experiences.Low. Standard experience for all participants.
Type of transportationPrivate vehicle with driver. Flexible stops and greater comfort.Collective transport with fixed schedules and routes.
Price per personHigher, but with better quality-experience ratio.Cheaper, split among participants.
Social interactionLimited to your chosen group.High. Opportunity to meet other travelers.
Example in RiojaPrivate visit to family wineries with premium tasting and exclusive guide.Group visit to a winery with standard tasting and guide.

When should you choose one over the other?

Choosing between a private and a shared tour depends on your expectations and the type of experience you want:

  • Choose a private tour if you value exclusivity, comfort, flexibility, and personalized attention. It’s ideal for celebrations, romantic getaways, family trips, or simply to enjoy Rioja more authentically and peacefully.
  • shared tour can be a suitable option if you’re traveling solo, have a tighter budget, and want to socialize with other travelers. However, you’ll have to stick to a fixed itinerary and share the experience with strangers.

In summary, if you’re looking to discover La Rioja deeply, in style, and your way, private tours in Rioja are undoubtedly the best choice.

7 Reasons to Choose Private Tours in Rioja

Discovering La Rioja through a private tour is one of the best ways to experience this wine region with all your senses. Beyond luxury, it’s a journey designed around you, your tastes, and your pace. Here are seven reasons to choose private tours in Rioja—perfect if you’re looking for quality, comfort, and authenticity:

Personalized itinerary based on your interests

With a tailor-made tour, you decide what you want to see and do: visits to family wineries, tours of charming villages, vineyard routes, or exclusive food-and-wine experiences. Everything is designed to match your interests, whether it’s culture, wine, nature, or gastronomy.

Exclusive guide and transport

When booking a private tour in Rioja, you’ll have a local expert guide dedicated solely to your group, plus private transport with a driver. This allows you to move with complete freedom—no timetables or sharing space with strangers.

Ideal for couples or small groups

Private tours are perfect for couples, families, or small groups of friends. You’ll enjoy an intimate, relaxed atmosphere tailored to your group’s dynamics—excellent for celebrations, anniversaries, or romantic escapes.

Comfort and privacy at all times

Avoid crowds, rush, and impersonal routes. A personalized tour offers privacy, exclusivity, and a higher level of comfort—time to savor each place without pressure. You set the pace and decide when to stop, rest, or explore more.

Adapted to special needs

Tailor-made tours adapt to any circumstance. From schedule and tour pace to vehicle type or choice of activities, everything is designed to guarantee your well-being and enjoyment.

Local gastronomy to your liking

Instead of eating in standard tourist restaurants, you can choose where, when, and what to eat. Private tours in Rioja let you discover local gastronomy authentically—from Michelin-starred tasting menus to traditional meals in wineries or rural roasts.

A more authentic and memorable experience

A private tour in Rioja connects you more genuinely to the destination. With an exclusive itinerary, you gain access to less touristy places, personalized attention, and experiences beyond the usual circuit. What you get isn’t just a tour—it’s an unforgettable experience.

    Amelia’s Custom Tours Designed for You

    In La Rioja, every trip can become a unique experience. Amelia’s personalized tours offer the opportunity to discover the region your way, visiting wineries inaccessible to the general public, tasting select wines, and enjoying cultural and gastronomic experiences on an itinerary designed exclusively for you. These tailor-made tours in Rioja are aimed at those seeking an authentic, local, and fully customized experience.

    What’s included in a private tour?

    A custom tour in Rioja goes beyond a preset route. It’s fully tailored to your preferences and interests. Here are common inclusions:

    • Personalized pre-trip consultancy to design your ideal itinerary.
    • Private vehicle with driver and specialized local guide.
    • Exclusive access to wineries, vineyards, and cultural sites.
    • Reservations in selected restaurants based on your tastes.
    • Fully flexible activities and schedules.
    • Accommodation of your choice (rural, boutique, luxury, etc.).
    • Attention to specific needs like diets, mobility, etc.

    Every detail of the tour is adjusted so you can enjoy a unique, comfortable, and worry-free experience.

    Examples of personalized experiences

    Private tours in Rioja allow you to experience the region exclusively. Popular activities you can include:

    Private tastings in exclusive wineries

    Savor Rioja’s best wines at their birthplace, in family estates or private cellars. You’ll learn winemaking secrets, visit centuries-old cellars, and enjoy personalized pairings just for your group.

    Vineyard walks with local winemakers

    Explore unique landscapes by foot, bicycle, or 4×4 alongside wine experts. Learn about soils, native grape varieties, and winemaking traditions directly from those who work the land.

    Cultural visits with expert guide

    Include visits to monasteries, medieval villages, and museums in your itinerary—always accompanied by a History and Geography specialist who provides a deep, enriching perspective on Rioja’s heritage.

    Exclusive transport in private tours
    Tags: , ,

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.