Bilbao - Vitoria, Spain

Arrive in Bilbao, collect your rental car and continue the short drive into Bilbao city.

Enjoy the city sights including the Guggenheim Museum for which pre-booked entrance tickets are included.

Afterwards cross the Zubi-Zuri bridge, one of the most recent works by the architect Santiago Calatrava, which crosses the Bilbao River near the Guggenheim. From here you might take the funicular and ascend Monte Archanda, where you can appreciate a magnificent panoramic view of Bilbao.  Then continue along the Bilbao River to the Plaza del Arenal, passing on the way several historic buildings including the splendid Town Hall. Enter the Casco Viejo (Old Town) where many of the city´s most emblematic building can be found including the Teatro Arriaga, Plaza Neuva, Catedral de Santiago, Mercado de la Ribera, San Antón bridge, the Bidebarrieta library.

Later enjoy a short 50 minute drive, through spectacular mountainous countryside, to Vitoria-Gasteiz and check in at your hotel.

Activities & Services Included today

• 3/4 days car rental. Standard size (Opel insignia or similar) Manual transmission
• Basic CDW/LDW unlimited mileage and theft waiver
• Pre-booked entrance to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
• 4 star hotel accommodation in a standard room. Upgrade options available on request

Vitoria, Spain

Today after breakfast meet your expert local Vitoria guide and enjoy a panoramic walking tour of the city including the medieval quarter. See the Virgin Blanca Plaza. See Stately homes and Renaissance palaces such as Villa Suso, Casa del Cordón, Escoriaza-Esquival, Portalón and Montehermoso. Visit also the unique Fournier Playing Card Museum, which holds one of the most important collections of playing cards in the world. See also parts of the medieval wall that once surrounded the original village of Gasteiz.

Tour the Santa María Cathedral where a very important restoration and excavation project is taking place. See also the Church of San Miguel, the Plaza del Machete, the Plaza de Esoaña.

Afterwards enjoy any of the fine restaurants and bars serving delicious Basque cuisine and local beverages such as Rioja wine, Txakolí (a young white wine) and traditional cider. Your guide will be happy to make a suggestion.

Later today you might enjoy shopping along fashionable Calle Dato or perhaps you may choose to visit the Museum of Fine Arts or Museum of Modern Art, the Artium.

 

Activities & Services Included today

• Car Rental as described previously
• Private guided visit of Vitoria with expert, English speaking guide
• Pre-Booked entrance tickets for Santa Maria Cathedral
• 4 star hotel accommodation in a standard room.
   

Meals Included today

• Full Buffet Breakfast

Vitoria - Daytrip to Rioja, Spain

Following breakfast, depart by car for the Rioja wine region.

Go via the Balcon de la Rioja which offers magnificent panoramic views as you enter the Rioja Alavesa wine region. Travel through the typical landscape of vineyards, where the region´s internationally renowned wines, are produced.

Visit Laguardia, capital of Rioja Alavesa, a splendid walled village that has carefully preserved its medieval characteristics. Walking through its narrow streets stop at the the church of San Juan and be sure to see the extraordinary portico of the Santa María de los Reyes church. Enjoy an included visit and tasting at one of the ancient underground wine cellars of which there are over 300 in the village.

Afterwards head over to the Villa Lucía Wine Centre, and have the opportunity to learn interactively about wine culture and production methods in Rioja Alavesa.  Here you will also enjoy a special included lunch.

Following lunch you may like to tour some of the other medieval villages in the area or visit the ancient Roman ruins, La Hoya, on the outskirts of Laguardia.

Activities & Services Included today

• Car Rental as described previously
• Guided Visit with wine tasting in Laguardia
• Entrance to Villa Lucia Wine Centre
• Special 3-course traditional Riojan lunch. Drinks are not included.
• 4 star hotel accommodation in a standard room.
   

Meals Included today

• Full Buffet Breakfast
• Lunch

Departure,

Following breakfast make your way to Bilbao Airport where you return your rental car.

Activities & Services Included today

• Car Rental as described previously. Returned today.

Meals Included today

• Full Buffet Breakfast