Vitoria, Spain

Upon arrival in Bilbao, your journey begins with the convenience of a pre-arranged rental car awaiting you. Enjoy a leisurely 50-minute drive through breathtaking, mountainous landscapes that characterize the Basque Country. The route winds through picturesque valleys and verdant hillsides, offering glimpses of traditional Basque architecture nestled amidst rolling countryside.

Your destination is the historic Basque Capital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, where you'll settle into the comfort of a centrally located 4-star hotel. Nestled amidst the city's vibrant heart, your accommodation offers both luxury and convenience, ensuring easy access to the cultural and culinary delights that Vitoria-Gasteiz has to offer.

With the day ahead of you, take the opportunity to unwind and immerse yourself in the local atmosphere. Wander through charming streets adorned with medieval and modern architecture, or simply relax in a local café, savoring the rich flavors of Basque cuisine. Whether exploring the city's parks and plazas or discovering its cultural museums and galleries, Vitoria-Gasteiz promises a serene start to your Basque adventure.

Activities & Services Included today

• 6 days car rental. Standard size (Opel insignia or similar) Manual transmission
• Basic CDW, unlimited mileage and theft waiver
• 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

Laguardia, Spain

Today, embark on a journey southward to the renowned Rioja wine region. Along the way, make a stop at the Balcon de la Rioja, a breathtaking viewpoint nestled in the Sierra de Cantabria. This vantage point offers magnificent panoramic vistas of the sprawling Riojan plain.

Continue your adventure to Laguardia, the capital of Rioja Alavesa. This splendid walled town is celebrated for meticulously preserving its medieval charm and character.

In the afternoon, you'll meet with your private local guide for an immersive tour of the area. Your first stop will be a local winery, where you will gain insight into the winemaking process and sample some of the region’s finest wines. Following this, explore the enchanting narrow streets of Laguardia, a town known for its rich history and vibrant culture. Among the highlights is a visit to one of the town's 300 ancient underground wine cellars, providing a unique glimpse into the area's storied past.

Your exploration will also include visits to the Church of San Juan and the stunning portico of the Santa María de los Reyes church, both of which are architectural marvels. Along the way, take a break to savor some tapas and refreshments, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the local culinary delights.

Activities & Services Included today

• Car Rental as described previously
• Half Day Private Guided tour 
• Visit to a winery
• Tapas and drinks
• 4 star hotel accommodation in a standard room.

Meals Included today

• Full Buffet Breakfast

San Sebastian, Spain

Today after breakfast you drive through the Basque Country to San Sebastian, a splendid city set on one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

SAN SEBASTIAN or Donostia in Euskera (the Basque language), is gloriously situated around the shell-shaped La Concha Bay, protected from the ocean by a wooded islet, the Isla de Santa Clara. This city has long been one of Spain's most elegant and fashionable seaside resorts, becoming the summer retreat of Spanish aristocracy in the late 19th century. In recent years, San Sebastian has established itself as one of Europe's premier gourmet destinations.

The city's old town, Parte Vieja, is charming, though none of the buildings predate 1813 due to reconstruction after a devastating fire. Highlights include the 19th-century Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), the Museo San Telmo, and the Plaza Mayor. This vibrant area is renowned for its pintxos (pronounced pin-chose), the elaborately crafted Basque gourmet tapas that overflow on every bar counter. Choosing which pintxo to try might be the hardest decision you'll make in San Sebastian.

Later today, you'll join an expert local guide for a small group pintxos tour in the Old Quarter. Pintxos line every bar in San Sebastian’s famed Old Town, but knowing exactly where to find the best, freshest, and most exciting ones takes local expertise. Enjoy a night out in San Sebastian like a local, guided by our friendly and knowledgeable expert. Dive straight into the culinary heart of the city for an unforgettable evening of eating and drinking.

Activities & Services Included today

• Car Rental as described previously.
• Guided Gastronomic walking tour with a small group. Includes delicious tapas (pintxos in the Basque language) and drinks (10 participants maximum)
• 4 star hotel accommodation in a standard room. Upgrade available on request

Meals Included today

• Full Buffet Breakfast
• Tapas style dinner

San Sebastian, Spain

This morning, after breakfast, meet your expert local guide for a private tour of San Sebastian. Begin with a visit to the Old Town and a walk along the La Concha promenade. Your guide will highlight significant works, including Pico del Loro and Peine de los Vientos by Eduardo Chillida. You will also see the controversial Kursaal Centre, designed by Rafael Moneo and opened in 1999. Admire the Plaza de la Constitución and belle époque landmarks such as the Maria Cristina Hotel, the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, the Koldo Mitxelena Library, and the Town Hall. Take in the city's early 20th-century bridges, including Zurriola, Santa Catalina, and Maria Cristina, as well as the 19th-century Miramar Palace. Visit the station of the old Monte Igueldo funicular, which you will ride to enjoy spectacular views over San Sebastian Bay and the city.

This afternoon, consider relaxing at the La Perla spa, constructed in the early 20th century when the Royal family and aristocracy spent their summers in the city.

Activities & Services Included today

• Car Rental as described previously
• Private guided visit in San Sebastian with expert, english speaking guide
• Transport by taxi to Monte Igueldo
• Funicular ride up Monte Igueldo
• 4 star hotel accommodation in a standard room.
   

Meals Included today

• Full Buffet Breakfast

Bilbao, Spain

Today drive to Bilbao. As you make your way westwards, consider exploring the picturesque town of Zarautz, renowned for its expansive beach and vibrant surf culture.  In Getaria, a quaint fishing village and the birthplace of explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano, you can enjoy a stroll through charming streets and savor fresh seafood. Don't miss the chance to visit Zumaia, where the striking flysch cliffs offer breathtaking coastal views and fascinating geological formations. In the historical town of Gernika, you can explore the Casa de Juntas, Europe Park, and see the iconic Gernika Tree, a symbol of Basque freedom. Another must-see is the dramatic headland of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, with its chapel dedicated to John the Baptist, providing spectacular views after a climb up the stone steps. This must be pre-booked though.

As you travel, consider a detour through the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated natural area with diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Finally, arriving in Bilbao, you can immerse yourself in a blend of Basque culture and modern innovation.

Drop off your rental car in the city centre.

Activities & Services Included today

• Car Rental as described previously
• 4 star hotel accommodation in a standard room.

Meals Included today

• Full Buffet Breakfast

Bilbao, Spain

This morning you are joined by your expert local Bilbao guide for a private tour of Bilbao city.

Visit the Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry; a masterpiece of modern architecture from the end of the 20th century which has been acknowledged as one of the greatest buildings of the century. Walk around the space both inside and out to see the distinctive titanium curves and soaring glass atrium. In addition to visiting the temporary exhibition spaces, you’ll be able to enjoy the Puppy and Tulip sculptures by Jeff Koons and Louise Bourgeois’ Spider outside and Richard Serra’s Snake inside.

During your tour you will also see the Zubi Zuri Bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava and the `Fosteritos´ - as they are known locally - on the Gran Via (Norman Foster’s acclaimed metro entrances).  Visit Bilbao’s newest internationally designed library and cultural space – the Alhondiga (meaning wine warehouse) designed by Ricardo Bastida in 1909 and re-furbished by Philippe Starck in 2010.  

Activities & Services Included today

• Private guided visit of Bilbao with expert, English speaking guide
• Pre-Booked entrance tickets for Guggenheim Museum
• 4 star hotel accommodation in a standard room.
   

Meals Included today

• Full Buffet Breakfast

Departure,

Following breakfast you will be met by your private driver and transferred to Bilbao Airport for your departure.

Activities & Services Included today

• Private transfer from your Bilbao hotel to Bilbao airport

Meals Included today

• Full Buffet Breakfast