Food and Wine Journey through Northern Spain: 9 Nights / 10 Days
It's not often you get to spend time in a region that is home to some of the best food and drink in the world, and this itinerary certainly doesn't disappoint! Whilst enjoying some truly sumptuous tastings and meals, you will also have the opportunity to relax and balance out your food indulgences with some activties should you wish to do so. From the culture in Bilbao, to the food scene in San Sebastian, via the wines of Rioja, you will be sure to have the trip of a lifetime when you come to Northern Spain!
Itinerary and Specifics
Highlights:
- Discover the historic cities of Bilbao, San Sebastian and Logroño
- Explore top wineries in the La Rioja wine region.
- Enjoy the culinary pleasures on the Basque coast from the rare to the rustic.
- Discover quaint Cantabrian sea ports and beautiful quintessentially Basque towns along the northern Coast.
Included:
- 4 Star minimum accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast Basis where available
- Meet and Greet at Airport
- Expert driver/guide
- Comfortable touring vehicle
- Local knowledge, recommendations and help with any bookings you want to make
Not included
- Flights - purchase your own flights
- Gratuities minimum recommended $20 per person per day
- Lunches and dinners not specified in the itinerary
- Insurance
- Personal expenses such as shopping, visas etc.
- Entrances to cathedrals and churches
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Bilbao - Welcome
Arrival to Bilbao
Transfer from Airport to hotel
18:00 Welcome reception
Discover the city in your own free timeDay 2: Discover the Museums of Bilbao
09:30 Local tour of Bilbao and walk to Museum Guggenheim
11:45 Private visit to the Guggenheim
14:00 Pick up at the Hotel Tayko
14:30 Lunch at Aruzmendi (3 star Michelin restaurant)
17:00 Transfer to Hotel Tayko
Free eveningDay 3: Rioja Alta - Wine Region
08:45 Transfer to La Rioja
10:15 Visit and wine tasting at top winery
12:15 Wine tastings in a second top winery
13:15 Transfer to the restaurant
13:30 Lunch in La Vieja Bodega restaurant
16:00 Exclusive visit to their wine cellars + we open and enjoy 2 aged wines from 1950
18:30 Transfer to your hotelDay 4: La Rioja a Bilbao: Museums
09:30 Transfer to largest wine museum in the world
10:30 Visit to Ezcaray and the artisan wool-based products store
13:30 Lunch in Ezcaray in Restaurant terrace
17:00 Transfer to your hotel
Free afternoonDay 5: Rioja Alta - Wine Grower for a Day
9:45 Transfer from the hotel to a top winery
10:00 Private hands-on fun experience in vineyards Theme ‘be a wine grower.’
11:30 Picnic in the vineyard with wines and tapas.
12.00 Return to the winery.
12:30 Winery tour with paired tasting.
13:30 Traditional sit down lunch with lamb chops paired with the winery's family wines.
15:30 Transfer to your the HotelDay 6: Cantabrian Coast: Hike + Culinary Experience
08:30 - Pick up at the hotel
11:10 - 13:00 Arrival to the Islet Gaztelugatxe + hike the Islet Gaztelugatxe (requires 2 hours on foot approx
return) This hike is only possible with good weather. If this were the case, we would take a cultural visit to
Gernika to the Casa de Juntas and in walking distance, through the nearby “Parque de los Pueblos de
Europa” that has huge sculptures of two well-known artists: Eduardo Chillida and Henry Moore.
14:30 Visit to Getaria + authentic fisherman's den octopus and freshly prepared conserves foodie
experience.
16:00 Visit the Balenciaga Museum in Getaria.
17:15 Depart Getaria to San Sebastian Hotel.
17:45 Check into the hotel.
19:00 A brief ‘get-your-bearings’ explanation on the rooftop terrace of the hotel with wine before you are on
your own and dinner suggestions.Day 7: San Sebastian - Museum
09:30 - 13:00 Walking tour of San Sebastian including a private visit of a gorgeous culture. This will include
a visit to a Basque culture and traditions museum.
19:30/20:00 Regroup for a pintxos and wine evening in the historic quarter of San Sebastian, then walk
back to your hotel. (3hrs approx - 4 pintxos and wines).Day 8: San Sebastian - Relax
Enjoy San Sebastian on your own.
Optional extra day trips:1. Hike with us along the Basque Coast (medium level difficulty, 3hrs hike) (Supplement
150€)
2. Golf in the San Sebastian private golf club + lunch (Supplement 350€)
3. Personal shopping experience (Supplement 150€)Day 9: Basque Port Town - Culture
09:00 Pick up to visit Pasajes
11:00 Albaola private visit
12:00 Mid-morning lunch at an authentic fisherman’s tavern for their local specialties with Basque cider or
txakoli wine.
13:30 Historic visit to Hondarribia
15:00 Transfer to San Sebastian to relax.
20:00 Regroup at 20:30 for dinner in Astelena (a 10 mins walk from your hotel).Day 10: Bilbao - Departure Day
Check-out after breakfast and transfer to the airport