The 2008 National Association of Taurine Clubs of America---NATC---Convention will be held in Logroņo, Spain, from September 20 to September 27, 2008. It is being sponsored and organized by the New York City Club Taurino of New York. Lore Monnig, NYCCT President, sent the information related to this event to MMDT. 

Logroņo and Rioja have a long taurine history. There are 10 plazas de toros in Rioja that seat over 37, 000 people in total, with the new covered plaza, La Ribera, in Logroņo being the largest with 9,700 people. Although there are currently only two active matadors from La Rioja -  Diego Urdiales from Arnedo and the rejoneador Sergio Domínguez from Calahorra - there have been matadors and novilleros from this region for the last 100+ years, and taurine passion is high!

The 2008 NATC Convention will be held during Logroņo's famous Feria of San Mateo, which celebrates the grape harvest for the famous Rioja wines. There are many activities, including a daily corrida de toros, as well as concerts, fireworks, gastronomical events, etc. Please see www.sanmateos.com for a program of 2006 events; 2008 should be basically the same. Logroņo - like all of La Rioja - is famous for its excellent wines and fabulous food! And during feria, there are "chamizos" which are temporary club houses set up throughout the city by all sorts of organizations that serve as gathering places for having a drink and a tapa or meal with friends. The feria is truly a moveable feast!

Price: $2,008 per person. Included in the price: An abono (which in 2007 included 7 corridas de toros), 8 nights in the centrally located Hotel HUSA Gran Via, daily buffet breakfast, a visit to a bodega, an Opening Reception, a Closing Gala Awards Dinner, visits to local taurine clubs, tertulia(s) with taurine critic(s) and participation in the many local activities associated with the feria. Single Supplement: The supplement for a single room for 8 nights is $550. All prices are calculated assuming a Euro exchange rate of 1.50 dollars to the Euro. If this gets notably worse, there will have to be a supplemental charge to cover expenses. If the rate notably improves, you will receive a refund.

Transportation: Logroņo has an airport with service from Madrid. Be aware that if you fly an airline other than Iberia to Madrid, you must leave a minimum of 2 hours -- and ideally more in case your plane arrives late -- to transfer by bus from the arrival terminal to Terminal 4 from which the intra-Spain flights leave. Logroņo can also be reached by car from Madrid in about 3.5 to 4 hours. Alternatively, you can fly through Madrid to Pamplona and take a taxi down to Logroņo (about 30-45 minutes). There are also trains and buses from Madrid. The price does not include transportation.

For more information contact Lore Monnig, email: nycctusa@aol.com

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