11 Days from $7,790 USD / person
Northern Spain’s Basque Traditions
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 – 4
International Arrival
Your English-speaking chauffeur will meet you at the Madrid airport and accompany you to your hotel in a private vehicle
3 Nights
Madrid
The beautiful city of Madrid serves the global traveler an amalgamation of Spain’s glorious history and modern culture on a platter. From the medieval heights of the Spanish monarchy to its modern monarchs in the football clubs of Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid, this Spanish capital has seen it all! Madrid is an art lover’s paradise, with museums and galleries lined with old masters and contemporary talent. Begin with the famous trio of Museo del Prado, Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza for a taste of Goya and Velázquez, as well as works of Picasso, Dalí and Miró. The landscaped gardens and boulevards lined with baroque mansions are a fitting frame for the lively tapas bars, trendy restaurants and taverns overflowing with good food and wine. All set to the pulsating beats of flamencos and Madrid’s reggaeton: Buena Vida!
Hotel options
URSO Hotel & Spa – Opt 1
Room
Urso Double Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Boutique
Hospes Puerta de Alcala – Opt 2
Room
Dreamer Double Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Boutique
Day 4 – 6
Your English-speaking chauffeur will drive you from Madrid to La Rioja Region in a private vehicle (Duration: 3.5 hrs)
2 Nights
La Rioja Region
La Rioja Region is marked by idyllic vineyards watered by the Ebro River, the lovely Cantabrian Mountains with the river valley below, and vast open blue skies. This northern Spanish region is best known for its full-bodied Spanish red wines, produced in wineries ranging from large commercial setups to small, local wine cellars. The most prominent town in the region is Haro and in summer, you can catch the Haro Wine Festival, which features the iconic Batalla del Vino or battle of the wines! The hoary monasteries of Suso and Yuso in the old town of San Millán de la Cogolla are worth a visit, as is the imposing Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Sign up for wine tasting sessions at the local bodegas (wineries) and explore the region’s UNESCO World Heritage monasteries and cathedrals to savor its diverse charms.
Hotel options
Hotel Echaurren Relais & Chateaux – Opt 1
Room
Double Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Boutique
Hotel Marques de Riscal – Opt 2
Room
Deluxe Gehry Guest Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Heritage
Day 6 – 9
Your English-speaking chauffeur will drive you from La Rioja Region to San Sebastian in a private vehicle (Duration: 2.5 hrs)
3 Nights
San Sebastian
San Sebastian, a stylish seaside town, enjoys a vibrant cultural scene throughout the year and is arguably the best destination for food connoisseurs! Come here to catch the many music festivals and Basque folk fests as well as the International Film Festival overflowing with cinema celebrities from across the world. The best seafood and fresh produce from the Spanish mainland are to be found here, often converted into bite-sized art forms at pintxos bars around the Old Town. In fact, San Sebastian is dotted with more Michelin star restaurants than any other city in the world! The waterfront promenades circling the Bay of Biscay perfectly frame the sandy beaches and North Atlantic surf kissing the shores of this resort town. The city’s landscaped parks, ornate buildings, the old town and lovely plazas form a beautiful backdrop to the energetic vibes from its beachfront revelry.
Hotel options
Villa Soro – Opt 1
Room
Double Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Heritage
Hotel Maria Cristina – Opt 2
Room
Deluxe Double Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
International
Day 9 – 11
Your English-speaking chauffeur will drive you from San Sebastian to Bilbao in a private vehicle (Duration: 1.5 hrs)
2 Nights
Bilbao
Bilbao is a sunny port city celebrated for its urban architecture of soaring skyscrapers, cultural centers and museums such as Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, offset by a coastal landscape and towering cathedrals. Perhaps the best way to explore this northern Basque city is to go bar hopping as the locals do, nibbling on pintxos and downing glasses of txakoli, the sparkling white wine of the region. Despite its modern avatar, Bilbao offers a surprising level of natural beauty with the Nervión River meandering through town, the waterside promenades, parks and tree-lined avenues, all framed by the rolling Iberian hills in the background. Catch a football game at the Estadio San Mamés, followed by tortillas de bacalao washed down with cider at a rustic tavern tucked among the cobbled streets of the old town.
Hotel options
Hotel Miro Bilbao – Opt 1
Room
Urban Double Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Boutique
Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao – Opt 2
Room
Superior Double Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
International
Day 11 – 11
Your English-speaking chauffeur will drive you from Bilbao to Madrid in a private vehicle (Duration: 4 hrs)
Madrid
The beautiful city of Madrid serves the global traveler an amalgamation of Spain’s glorious history and modern culture on a platter. From the medieval heights of the Spanish monarchy to its modern monarchs in the football clubs of Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid, this Spanish capital has seen it all! Madrid is an art lover’s paradise, with museums and galleries lined with old masters and contemporary talent. Begin with the famous trio of Museo del Prado, Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza for a taste of Goya and Velázquez, as well as works of Picasso, Dalí and Miró. The landscaped gardens and boulevards lined with baroque mansions are a fitting frame for the lively tapas bars, trendy restaurants and taverns overflowing with good food and wine. All set to the pulsating beats of flamencos and Madrid’s reggaeton: Buena Vida!
International Departure
Price & Inclusions
Prices are in USD and exclude international flights. This trip price is based on low season rates for accommodation and other applicable services, and may change depending on availability, currency fluctuations and number of people traveling together. For high season prices, please contact us with your exact travel dates and preferences.
Price Includes
- Accommodation and meals, as specified in the itinerary
- Activities and excursions, as specified in the itinerary
- Transportation services, as specified in the itinerary
- Your Trip Coordination Team: Dedicated support throughout your journey, with a primary, personal point of contact. Plus, in case of emergencies while you’re traveling, our trip coordination team are available 24/7 by phone
Not Included
- Entrance fees and meals, unless mentioned in the itinerary description
- Tips and personal expenses
- Visa and tourism fees
- Travel, health, and cancellation insurance
- International airfare
