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Gourmet Meal

Spain

CULINARY BAQUE COUNTRY GROUP TRIP

Dates TBD - 2021

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San Sebastián is a resort town on the Bay of Biscay in Spain’s mountainous Basque Country. It’s known for Playa de la Concha and Playa de Ondarreta, beaches framed by a picturesque bay front promenade, and world-renowned restaurants helmed by innovative chefs. In its cobblestoned old town (Parte Vieja), upscale shops neighbor vibrant pintxo bars pairing local wines with bite-size regional specialties.

Spain, Bilbao hotel

Following is the itinerary for this beautiful, memorable journey!

Day 1:

 

  • Arrival in Bilbao we will transfer to a small bus that will take us to San Sebastian (1 hour travel time)

  • Check in hotel - 8 single rooms with breakfast and taxes included - https://hotelarbaso.com/en/rooms#Calidad

  • Afternoon will consist of a tour of San Sebastian with pintxos (a small snack), and a top local guide. All food and drinks are included

    • The guide will consist of the famous beach of La Concha, the monumental buildings of the Old Quarter, the church of Santa Maria and the charming old fishing port

    • You will have lunch in the Old Town with your guide.

This  is a sampling of these delightful traditional small plate meals that you will enjoy. 

  • Gilda: this is considered the first pintxo (olive with smoked anchovies) 

  • Txangurro (Crab)

  • Cod Omelet

  • Croquettes (Iberian ham, cod, txangurro….all are fantastic)
    Fried Mushrooms

  • Rabas (Squids) 

  • Gernika Peppers 

  • Pil-pil cod 

  • Txakoli (Basque white wine)

Day 2:

 

  • A Full day tour of the French Basque Country. Including a visit to Biarritz Market, where you will experience cultural cooking and wine tasting 

  • Tour  Saint Jean de Luz.

    • 9:00 am your English-speaking driver will meet you at your hotel and depart for Biarrtiz (approx. 1-hour drive). 

    • 10:00 am Arrive in Biarritz and meet your a local tour guide for your guided tour of Biarritz.

      • Visit the Grande Plage and the Casino which is considered one of the main symbols of Biarritz.

      • Then on to the Rock of the Virgin (Rocher de la Vierge) which is connected to the mainland by an iron bridge that was commissioned by Napoleon III. Continue your way to the tiny Port Vieux and stroll around and enjoy the local anecdotes of the rich history of the city and Basque Country.

      • Finish up the day with a  tour of the market where you will have the opportunity to try some local products and wines. Here you will try oysters, “foie gras”, cured ham, cheese, wine and typical Basque cake.

      • 12:00 pm you will experience a private show cooking with the following pintxos (tapas) menu (lunch included) and a tasting of 4 wines​

        • Local squid and citrus

        • Txistorra sausage, chestnuts and leeks 

        • Local Fish ceviche 

        • Local organic veal steak, Lodosa peppers

        • Ardi gasna Ossau Iraty ( local cheese), Espelette's jelly 

        • Poached pears, raspberries and Bayonne's chocolate. 

      • During this experience, you will be able to participate helping the chef to prepare the dishes described above. Private lunch will be followed, paired with 4 different wines: Txakoli (Basque wine), Silice (white wine) , Apatía (Iroulegy red wine) and finally Manoir dea Shistes with the dessert.

    • ​3:00 pm Depart to visit Sant Jean de Luz 

      • Continue onto St. Jean de Luz (Approx. 30 minutes) a fishing village, which was considered one of the most important fishing ports of France in the 17th century.  Take a stroll through its lovely old town with its beautiful Basque houses. Walk down Rue Gambetta, the main pedestrian street where you will find many boutiques selling local produce, clothes & shoes. Visit the church of St. John Baptist which has been made famous by the royal wedding that took place in 1660 between Louis XIV and Maria Theresa of Spain. See the House of the Infanta, an elegant building from the 17th century where Maria Theresa stayed when she came to get married.

    • 4:15 pm depart to San Sebastian

    • 5:00 pm arrival to your hotel

Choux Pastry

Day 3:

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  • Independent time day where you can enjoy the beaches

  • Dinner on own in a Michelin star restaurant, Valesa, we will arrange your bookings

Day 4:

 

  • Move to Bilbao hotel

  • Tour San Sebastian  on your own, do some shopping or explore the streets.

  • Check in hotel Tayko Bilbao, mid-day.  8 single rooms with breakfast included - https://taykohotels.com/en/ 

  • Experience an afternoon of a tour of Bilbao including top local guide and transportation. 

  • Begin your with a trip to the Guggenheim Museum. The new Bilbao is best symbolized by the striking Guggenheim Museum.

  • Following we will proceed to the Old Quarter. The narrow streets of Bilbao's Old Town/Casco Viejo will resigante the experience tradition. This historical corner, that has keep its building intact since the beginning of the century, after rebuilding after the floods in 1983 It is one of the most vivacious and appreciated areas of a city.

  • Dinner on your own. Our recommendations are La Mina restaurant or Atelier Etxanobe. If you select Valesa can arrange a reservation.

 

Day 5:

 

  • Rioja Alavesa (full day trip), with 2 wineries with two tasting wineries included as well as transportation and lunch.

  • Relocate to Rioja Alavesa, wine region (aprox.1 hour and 30 minutes)

  • Visit Eguren Ugarte for private tour of Valesa, and an experience at Baigorri winery that includes a lunch and a wine paring lunch.

  • After lunch visitcharming village of Laguardia before retuning to Bilbao.
     

Day 6:
 

Departure thought Minibus, offering transfers to the airport for departure.

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Memories of an adventure that will last a lifetime!

Colorful Boat Ride
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