Treasures of the Spanish Basque Country - Unique Small Group

Let’s travel to Bilbao to start our holiday in the Spanish Basque country, also known as “Biscay”. At the airport let’s meet our friendly local representative, before travelling onwards to our hotel in the city centre of Bilbao.

This evening let’s get together with our fellow travellers for a welcome dinner in a local restaurant.

Let’s start the day by diving back into the past as our guide takes us on a journey through the Ensanche quarter, where the city expanded at the end of the 19th century, as well as the cobbled streets, charming squares and corners the old part of Bilbao: the city walls, the Gothic cathedral of Santiago, the Plaza Nueva square, the San Anton church, the ancient ruins on which the city is based, and of course the bustling Ribera Market. (3,5 – 4km)

Today, for lunch, we will experience a pintxos menu: “Pintxos” are authentic culinary miniature works of art made by combining traditional products of Basque cuisine with a modern touch - a definite must to really experience Basque gastronomy. We will enjoy a seated lunch with a set-up menu of a variety of pintxos (several snacks).

You can spend the afternoon at your own, enjoying the comfort of your hotel to relax, or you can explore more the city with the Bizkaia Bridge, for example, a UNESCO world heritage site. One of the most thrilling aspects of visiting the Bizkaia Bridge is taking a ride on its hanging gondola. This suspended carriage, which functions like a vertical ferry, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the river and the surrounding landscape.

Today, we will discover more with a guided tour of the Guggenheim. Our guide will pick us up at the hotel and walk us (1 km) to this world-famous building that has come to be one of THE landmarks of Bilbao. We will not only be visiting a world-renowned art museum that houses some of the most vanguard art exhibitions, but also an important part of the recent city history.

You have free time this afternoon, to keep discovering Bilbao’s treasures, between, culture, architecture and gastronomy, and of course, go for some shopping.

Let’s experience more with a stop at the Eguren Ugarte winery, where we will learn about the Rioja wine-making process from the experts of one of the top wineries in the area, ending with a wine tasting, and enjoy a traditional Rioja lunch. La Rioja is renowned for its lush vineyards and centuries-old winemaking traditions, and the visit is a sensory journey into the rich culture, and picturesque landscapes with the rolling hills and verdant vineyards, before entering the historic cellars, some of which date back centuries. These underground caverns, with their earthy aroma and rustic charm, house countless barrels and bottles aging to perfection. There we will witness the meticulous sorting of grapes, the gentle pressing, and the careful fermentation, all contributing to the distinctive flavours that characterize La Rioja wines.

Let’s explore more with a visit of the charming village of Laguardia for a glimpse into the region’s wine making past. This walled town located on a hill overlooking the vineyards with the Cantabrian Mountains in the background is considered to be the most attractive towns of the region.

Let’s unveil more, starting the day with a visit of San Sebastian from an incredible viewpoint, then going down into the city for a walking tour. Nestled along the picturesque Bay of Biscay, San Sebastian (Donostia in Basque) stands as an elegant coastal gem, with two distinct beaches, Playa de la Concha and Playa de Zurriola. With our guide, we will wander through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Town, where centuries-old buildings house a labyrinth of pintxos bars, traditional shops, and vibrant plaza.

Lunch included

As we leave the urban bustle behind, the picturesque drive to the cheese farm introduces us to Biscay's rural charm. Winding roads flanked by green meadows and rustic farmsteads set the stage for an authentic encounter with Basque countryside life. We will engage in a guided tour of the farm's cheese-making facilities, learning about the meticulous process that transforms fresh milk into artisanal cheese, from curdling to molding, with a skilled cheese artisan, sharing insights into the unique characteristics that define Basque cheeses, ending with a proper tasting to enjoy the cheese flavours.

Today is yours, your can enjoy Bilbao on your own: its museums, shopping streets, pintxo bars, parks, or maybe even go up the Artxanda cable car for some of the best views of the city. Our guide will be more than happy to recommend you some local attractions.

Regular dinner included

Time has come to say good-bye to the green Spanish Basque Country and set off for our green home as we travel with guide assistance to the airport.