DAY 1 – ARRIVAL BILBAO
Arrival at Bilbao’s airport, where our private transfer will be waiting for you.
We are staying in Hotel Miro, which is located in front of the famous Guggenheim museum and near the Old Town. It is the perfect location to explore this vibrant city.
Bilbao has sustained a radical transformation, world- known for its urban makeover, from an industrial town to a vibrant and cultural city. Great international architects such as Frank O. Gehry and Calatrava have contributed to Bilbao’s singular style, fascinating architectural work of art and reformed classical buildings. A city with lots of character and history, that offers a vast number of cultural and amusing plans.
Before dinner our guides will give you a welcome briefing and talk you through the itinerary for the tour.
Our first gastronomy experience is at the modern restaurant Nerua which is located in the Guggenheim Museum. This restaurant has one-michelin star and has a unique entrance through its’ kitchen. Their cuisine is based on local produce from the area, and the best products that each season has to offer. Chef Josean Alija respects the traditional cuisine but adds his own personal touch and converts traditional plates into small artworks.
DAY 2 – URDAIBAI
After we had breakfast and are checked-out of the hotel we will make our way towards the Natural Park of Urdaibai.
Our hike today starts at the beach of Laida where we can breathe the morning fresh air of the beach From here we walk towards the Hermitage of Atxarre to arrive at the beach of Laga where we can take a swim before we hike towards Ogoño and, finish at Elantxobe where we take a small boat that takes us along the coast to the town of Bermeo, a picturesque fishing village. In the afternoon, after we have enjoyed our well-deserved lunch we visit the interpretation center of Urdaibai , which is recognized by UNESCO as an area of special protection, the Biosphere Reserve of Urdaibai boasts the renown Urdaibai Bird Center that we will visit and where they will explain us about the wide variety of species that can be find in this area.
After our experience we will make our way to the small town of Ea where we are spending the night and enjoy a home cooked meal by our private chef.
DAY 3 – NATURAL PARK OF URKIOLA
After breakfast we head to the Monastery of Urkiola. This natural park is linked to many Basque myths and our guides will tell you about the legend of Mari amongst others. While trekking you can visit the ́Eskilaz ́ caves. We finish the morning in the town of Arrazola. From here we take our private transfer to Elorrio where we have a txakoli (Basque white wine) tasting.
After our txakoli tasting we are heading to Rioja Alavesa, the famous Spanish wine region.
Rioja, awash with rolling vineyards, quaint medieval hilltop towns and striking state-of-the-art wineries, this is a wine lover ́s dream destination. Spain ́s prestigious wine region is home to more than 150 wineries and winemaking infuses its soul and terraced landscape. In the last years the innovative spirit that has been blowing through La Rioja bodegas, has created superb red wines, but also eye- catching design. Intertwined between vines and baroque monasteries, singular wineries have sprung up by world- class architects such as Frank O. Gehry, Philippe Mazières or Zaha Hadid.
We are spending the next two nights at Hotel Marques de Riscal which is designed by Frank O. Gehry.
DAY 4– CYCLING AMONG THE VINEYARDS IN RIOJA
After breakfast we get on our road bikes and make our way to the town of Laguardia where we begin the ascent towards the Cripan mountain range. The highest point of this mountain range on this side is the port of La Aldea, also known as Bernedo.
In our ascent we can see different Paleolithic funery monuments. After reaching the top of the port we start our descent towards the villages of Bernedo and Lagran, where we arrive after cycling a beautiful road covered by lush beech.
From Lagran we cycle towards the town of Pipaon where we climb one of the biggest mountains of the Basque Country, “the port of Herrera”. We will take the easiest road and after a steep descent and 65km of cycling we arrive back at the beautiful Hotel Marques de Riscal.
At the hotel you have the opportunity to relax in the afternoon before we visit its’ beautiful winery located in a spectacular building designed by Frank O. Gehry.
DAY 5– THE END OF OUR FISH & WINE TRAIL
Oion – Labastida by bike
Today we take a different cycle route, which brings us to the final part of our fish & wine trail, to the town of Oion. From there we cycle towards Yecora and arrive at the small town of Meano, From where we start our descent into the town of Maranon.
Upon arrival at Lagran we have the opportunity to visit the museum to further our understanding of the fish & wine trail, the ancient trade route between the coastal towns and the inland Basque towns.
After our museum visit we get back on our bikes and ascend through the port of Rivas de Rereso to arrive at the town of Labastida. Here we are having a wine tasting in one of the oldest wineries of Rioja, R. Lopez de Heredia. With this wine tasting the first part of our time in the Basque Country comes to an end, however during the second part of this trip we will discover the Northern part of the St. James Way.
To start the second part we take our private transfer and make our way to the beautiful fishing village of Getaria. We spend the night in Hotel San Prudentzio a beautiful Country House surrounded by mountains and vineyards and from where we can enjoy spectacular views of the “mouse” of Getaria.
DAY 6– DEBA ZUMAIA
DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF THE FLYSCH
The Basque Coast Geopark, the first in the Basque Country and in the whole of Cantabria, was created to give us insight about the Earth’s history by reading the landscapes, rocks and fossils.
We start the day with a hike along the historical Flysch where our guide explains us more about this beautiful area.
After our morning hike and having learned about the Flysch it is time to enjoy a well deserved lunch in Zumaia. After lunch we will explore the spectacular Flysch cliffs by boat that date back over 50 million years, huge landslides more than 100m high, hidden coves and one of the largest abrasion platforms in Europe.
DAY 6- GETARIA
A CULINARY WALK THROUGH THE HISTORY OF GETARÍA
After we relaxed in the hotel after our hike we go to the town of Getaria to get to know all the ins and outs of this beautiful fishing village. We will do so with Aitor Arregui who is born and raised here and who is the proud owner of the one-Michelin star restaurant Elkano.
Getaria is a walled medieval town sitting on a hillside. The silhouette of Mount San Antón, better known as “the Mouse of Getaria”, draws special attention and comes out into the sea. The town is famous as it is the birthplace of the sailor, Juan Sebastián Elcano, who completed the first circumnavigation and the couturier, and Cristóbal Balenciaga the famous fashion designer.
We visit the old town, the harbour with the fish market where they bring in all the fresh fish throughout the day to sell to the restaurants and shops in the town, and we finish this culinary walk at Aitors’ Michelin-Star restaurant where he has created a menu of different fresh fish paired with the local Basque white wine, Txakoli.
DINNER AT ELKANO* – GETARIA
DINE AT ONE OF THE BASQUE MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANTS
Recently awarded with one Michelin star. Best known in the Basque Country for its delicious variety of grilled fresh fish.
In 1964, Pedro Arregui started with a small store in the coastal town of Getaria. In 1968, he started grilling fish, crab, lobster and others…. He became the master of the grill.
Now a day his son, Aitor Arregui, is in charge of the restaurant where he continues with his family tradition, grilling fresh fish and share the history and his passion for this fishing village with others.
After learning more about the history of Getaria we know will enjoy a delicious meal.
DAY 7 – CYCLING THROUGH THE BASQUE COUNTRY
CARESSING THE SEA
Pedalling sheltered from the breeze, enjoying a matchless view and with the sea as a partner. The history of the Basque Country is linked to the sea and in this unbeatable route, we will see the main fishing ports and Txakoli vineyards, always with the ocean as an inseparable partner we reach our final destination, San Sebastian the 2016 cultural capital of Europe and in the top 10 of happiest cities in the world according to National Geographic.
San Sebastian is located on the Basque Coast of northern Spain just 20km from the French border. The city spreads around the famous La Concha beach, but also has two other beaches which are Playa de Ondarreta to the west and Playa de la Zurriola to the east. This last beach is famous for its surf. Inland are the beautiful green mountain landscapes of Guipúzcoa of which San Sebastian is the provincial capital. Furthermore it is renowned for its famous Basque Cuisine.
In San Sebastian we stay at the Hotel Londres which has beautiful views of the La Concha Bay and is right near the Old Town of San Sebastian.
PINTXO TOUR
FOODIE GUIDE TO SAN SEBASTIAN’S PINTXOS
For dinner we are going tonight to the Old Town of San Sebastian and try out the famous Basque Cuisine. Indulge in the finest pintxos San Sebastian has to offer while traversing the vibrant quarters of the city with our expert guide.
An explosion of wonderful colours and tastes awaits you on this gourmet tour strictly for foodies. Nibble your way through San Sebastian as your guide dishes out some savoury tales about Donostia’s culinary habits too.
From the elegant classics to the highly creative newcomers, immerse yourself in the city’s zesty food scene. As any local would expect, standards are high and subject to scrupulous scrutiny. Entertaining, personal and above all delicious!
DAY 8 – JAIZKIBEL
JAIZKIBEL – ART IN THE BASQUE NATURE
Leaving behind San Sebastian we head in our transfer to Pasaia San Pedro from where we take a small boat to cross over to San Juan, here we start our trekking trail to Hondarribia. Along the trail we experience the views of the whalers and smugglers enjoyed for centuries.
With completing this trail we have finished a great part of the Nothern route of the St James Way and seen some spectacular views of the Basque Coast during our hikes and cycle experiences. To celebrate our accomplishment we will enjoy a well deserved lunch in the town of Hondarribia where we will also have the time to stroll around before heading back to San Sebastian.
And of course you cannot leave the Basque Country without having tried the local cider, which is a typical local drink. So for dinner tonight we will go the a Cider House where we have the chance to enjoy a typical cider house menu which includes one of the best t- bone steaks you will have tried paired with the local cider served straight from the barrel.
DAY 9- DEPARTURE
Everything has to come to an end! After 8 fabulous days in the Basque Country it is time to take you to Bilbao’s airport and say our goodbyes.
