San Sebastian & the Vineyards of la Rioja
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Highlights:
This suggested program combines one of Spain’s pre-eminent culinary centers with one of its most noted wine regions. You will explore the country of Basques and be introduced to Pintxos and Txacoli wines and be inspired by the architecture of the Guggenheim museum.
Travel to Rioja and its vineyards and admire the architecture of the Marques de Riscal winery while having lunch there. Finish your stay with a tapas tour through the old quarter of Madrid, a former hangout of Ernest Hemingway
This suggested program combines one of Spain’s pre-eminent culinary centers with one of its most noted wine regions. You will explore the country of Basques and be introduced to Pintxos and Txacoli wines and be inspired by the architecture of the Guggenheim museum.
Travel to Rioja and its vineyards and admire the architecture of the Marques de Riscal winery while having lunch there. Finish your stay with a tapas tour through the old quarter of Madrid, a former hangout of Ernest Hemingway
SKU:
Explore: san sebastian and la rioja
Customizable Itinerary - 10 days (from $8,769 / person)
Day 1: Depart USA
Tonight you board an aircraft for a flight to Spain and the city of Bilbao. Here you will begin your custom culinary adventure through Spain.
Day 2: Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum
After you arrive at Bilbao airport you will be met by your driver and taken to your hotel which is located across the road from the Guggenheim museum. We will provide tickets for you to visit the museum and admire both its art and its architecture. We will also provide a list of restaurant recommendations for the cities throughout your stay.
Day 3: San Sebastian and its old town
After breakfast, your driver will be waiting to take you to the city of San Sebastian which will take just over an hour. Upon arrival in San Sebastian you check into your hotel. You then meet up with a guide in nearby old town for a walking tour of its quaint streets and alleyways. During the tour you will enjoy a variety of Pintxos, the Basque equivalent of Tapas before returning to your hotel. There are more Michelin stars per capita in San Sebastian that any other city including Paris, Tokyo and Lyon. The competition is intense so no matter where you choose you will dine well. Again, we are happy to recommend.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Guetaria and the Txacoli Vineyards
The Basques are an ancient pre-Indo-European race with their own language and culture. Although primarily on this part of the coast, the culture crosses the border into France in cities like St-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz. You will be driving up the coast to the quaint fishing village of Guetaria. You can explore the town and the nearby vineyards from which Txacoli wine is made. This wine is unique to the area, has a natural sprizzle and is ideal as an accompaniment to Pintxos, the Basque equivalent of tapas. Enjoy a seafood lunch and then return to San Sebastian.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Secrets of the Basque Kitchen
There is something about the Basque way with food as the number of Michelin stars validates. Enjoy a day at leisure to spend time at the beach outside your hotel or rent a bike for a ride around the bay. In the late afternoon you will be transferred to the kitchen of a master chef where you help create a four course meal which you enjoy as dinner along with wine or the local hard cider which is a Basque favorite. You then return to the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Pamplona and the Rioja Wine Region
Today you leave San Sebastian and the coast as you head into the countryside. You will stop in the charming town of Pamplona famous for the running of the bulls. After a chance to wander around and have lunch you continue on to the town of LaGuardia in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa wine area. After you check in you might want to try out the spa before dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Marques De Riscal, Wine and Design
After breakfast your guide will take you Fuenmayor and the vineyards of Marques de Riscal. The estate is not only home to one of the largest wine producers in Rioja but the hotel was designed by Frank Gehry who also designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa. You will get a tour of the hotel and lunch followed by a tour of the vineyards, cellars and a tasting of some vintages. You will then return to your hotel .
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8: Laguardia and Selected Vineyards
Laguardia is a charming walled city with narrow cobblestone streets and quaint plazas. Your guide will help you explore the area and visit four local vineyards, each rated above 90 points by Parker and including sparkling wines. You will also have lunch accompanied by the appropriate wines. You have the option of selecting wine for shipment back home.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: Madrid and a Tapas Farewell
In the morning you will be transferred to the station for a train to Madrid. You will be met and taken to your chic boutique hotel in a great location for last minute shopping. In the evening, you will enjoy a tapas crawl through the old part of Madid escorted by a knowledgeable guide. It will give you the chance to compare Pintxos to Tapa.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: Return to USA
Today you will be transferred to Barajas Airport where you board your aircraft for the return flight to the USA.
Breakfast
Tonight you board an aircraft for a flight to Spain and the city of Bilbao. Here you will begin your custom culinary adventure through Spain.
Day 2: Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum
After you arrive at Bilbao airport you will be met by your driver and taken to your hotel which is located across the road from the Guggenheim museum. We will provide tickets for you to visit the museum and admire both its art and its architecture. We will also provide a list of restaurant recommendations for the cities throughout your stay.
Day 3: San Sebastian and its old town
After breakfast, your driver will be waiting to take you to the city of San Sebastian which will take just over an hour. Upon arrival in San Sebastian you check into your hotel. You then meet up with a guide in nearby old town for a walking tour of its quaint streets and alleyways. During the tour you will enjoy a variety of Pintxos, the Basque equivalent of Tapas before returning to your hotel. There are more Michelin stars per capita in San Sebastian that any other city including Paris, Tokyo and Lyon. The competition is intense so no matter where you choose you will dine well. Again, we are happy to recommend.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Guetaria and the Txacoli Vineyards
The Basques are an ancient pre-Indo-European race with their own language and culture. Although primarily on this part of the coast, the culture crosses the border into France in cities like St-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz. You will be driving up the coast to the quaint fishing village of Guetaria. You can explore the town and the nearby vineyards from which Txacoli wine is made. This wine is unique to the area, has a natural sprizzle and is ideal as an accompaniment to Pintxos, the Basque equivalent of tapas. Enjoy a seafood lunch and then return to San Sebastian.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Secrets of the Basque Kitchen
There is something about the Basque way with food as the number of Michelin stars validates. Enjoy a day at leisure to spend time at the beach outside your hotel or rent a bike for a ride around the bay. In the late afternoon you will be transferred to the kitchen of a master chef where you help create a four course meal which you enjoy as dinner along with wine or the local hard cider which is a Basque favorite. You then return to the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Pamplona and the Rioja Wine Region
Today you leave San Sebastian and the coast as you head into the countryside. You will stop in the charming town of Pamplona famous for the running of the bulls. After a chance to wander around and have lunch you continue on to the town of LaGuardia in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa wine area. After you check in you might want to try out the spa before dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Marques De Riscal, Wine and Design
After breakfast your guide will take you Fuenmayor and the vineyards of Marques de Riscal. The estate is not only home to one of the largest wine producers in Rioja but the hotel was designed by Frank Gehry who also designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa. You will get a tour of the hotel and lunch followed by a tour of the vineyards, cellars and a tasting of some vintages. You will then return to your hotel .
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8: Laguardia and Selected Vineyards
Laguardia is a charming walled city with narrow cobblestone streets and quaint plazas. Your guide will help you explore the area and visit four local vineyards, each rated above 90 points by Parker and including sparkling wines. You will also have lunch accompanied by the appropriate wines. You have the option of selecting wine for shipment back home.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: Madrid and a Tapas Farewell
In the morning you will be transferred to the station for a train to Madrid. You will be met and taken to your chic boutique hotel in a great location for last minute shopping. In the evening, you will enjoy a tapas crawl through the old part of Madid escorted by a knowledgeable guide. It will give you the chance to compare Pintxos to Tapa.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: Return to USA
Today you will be transferred to Barajas Airport where you board your aircraft for the return flight to the USA.
Breakfast
