País Vasco – The Delicious Basque Country (5D4N)

Day 1: Arrival in Bilbao.

Transfer to 4* Hotel in Bilbao. Check in and distribution of the rooms. In the evening a local guide will meet the group at the hotel to start a Pintxos Tour dinner, a walking tour through the old part of the city, including the tasting of a total of 8 pintxos (tapas) and 4 drinks such as draught beer, glass of wine, txakolí (typical white wine), etc. There is a tradition in the Basque Country of going from one bar to another tasting these exquisite miniature cuisine pieces. Overnight in Bilbao.

Day 2: Coast of Biscay & Txakolí.

Departure to the coast of Biscay where we will visit a Txakolí wine cellar to taste this typical white wine. Continuing the tour we will arrive at Gernika where we will visit the Assembly House and the Oak Tree. Following the estuary to the coast we will be able to admire the magnificent views of the marshes of the Biosphere reserve of Urdaibai. Lunch at a restaurant with sea view. In the afternoon, we will continue our way to Bermeo and we will finish with a stop at the viewpoint of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Return to Bilbao and guided visit to the Guggenheim Museum. Rest of the day free time. Accommodation at the hotel in Bilbao.

Day 3: Rioja wine area.

Day trip with our local guide to the Rioja Alavesa wine area, home of one of the best and internationally reknown Spanish wines. Private guided tour to Marques de Riscal wine cellar, one of the most spectacular wineries of the region. This winery occupies part of “El Ciego”, a town where the history of wine production dates back through time, although it was during the 16th and 17th centuries that the vines extended through the municipality in such a manner that production increased sevenfold. Today it is the most important town in Rioja Alavesa. Marqués de Riscal old winery and its fabulous hotel designed by Frank Gehry, the same architect that sketched the Guggenheim Museum at Bilbao, will make this visit an unforgettable experience. After the visit we will continue our way to Laguardia, the capital village of Rioja, a spectacular town on top of a hill whose houses contain excavated caves where wine was produced and stored. Lunch at a restaurant in Laguardia with Rioja style menu. In the afternoon, we will do a walking tour through the medieval streets of Laguardia and we will also visit the Polychromatic Porch of Santa María de los Reyes Church. Continuing the route back to Bilbao, we will do a stop for a short visit to Vitoria, awarded as the Green Capital 2012. Overnight in Bilbao.

Day 4: Cheese – Cider – San Sebastián.

We will start the tour to the interior of Gipuzkoa, in Oñati, one of the most monumental towns in Gipuzkoa and one of the most beautiful areas in Euskadi (Basque Country), located in the Alto Deva region and at the foot of Aloña Mountain, surrounded by rough slopes and numerous mountains. To know and understand the culture and traditions of the places that you visit, there is nothing better than a visit to a real farmhouse or Caserío, symbol of the Basque rural culture where a professional shepherd will show us the daily life of a farm. We will learn more about the work with his shepherd dogs with a demonstration of their skills with the flock. We will end the visit with a tasting of the famous homemade Idiazabal Cheese. We will continue our way to Astigarraga, famous because of its cider houses. We will visit the Cider Museum Sagardoetxea, where we will be able to learn more about this drink with an opporrtunity to taste if afterwards. Lunch at a Cider House in Astigarraga with traditional menu including grilled T‐Bone steak. In the afternoon, we will continue to the coast to visit San Sebastian. A panoramic tour of San Sebastian will lead us to the Igeldo Mountain to enjoy the views of La Concha Bay and after a walking tour through the Old Quarter. Return to Bilbao. In the evening we will enjoy a Cooking Show from one of the Chef winners of many championships in the Basque Country and Spain for “Pintxos”, miniature cuisine. We will enjoy a tasting menu accompanied with wines and explanations. This will be a unique experience to discover by hand one of the most renowned chefs of this culinary art and taste the most celebrated cuisine by the locals. Overnight in Bilbao.

Day 5: Bilbao – Airport

Free time until the departure transfer to the Airport of Bilbao. End of our services.