Payment of bespoke trip to Madrid, Burgos and the Basque Country | 9th – 19th of May | 2 pax
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Description and schedule of services
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9th of May: arrival to Madrid and introductory evening tapas and wines tour of the city
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8:45am: upon arrival of your flight from Dallas (Delta DL 0108) to Madrid airport, collect your luggage, walk to the arrivals hall and meet your personal driver there. He will be holding a sign saying “Marc and Aisha – Genuine Andalusia”.
10am (estimated): arrival to your hotel in Madrid and free time to check-in (we will request an early check-in given that you will arrive almost at check-out time (12pm) at the earliest), to rest a little and to have lunch before your evening tapas and wines tour of the city. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Madrid in your free time and also of places to eat. We will also book tables for you if you like.
7:30pm: meet your personal local host at your accommodation in Madrid to go on a tapas and wines tour of Madrid old town.
Understanding how Madrid works when it comes to celebrating food can be one of the most revealing experiences of the culture of the city. The Spanish love their excellent food and they like to make a celebration out of every meal, together with family and friends and Madrid is a melting pot of people from all over the country. Food, conversation, wine, laughter and a magical common feeling of thankfulness combine in perfect harmony in Madrid bars to make tapas evenings memorable.
Tapas play a key role in the wide variety of options that the city has to offer gastronomy-wise. They are small portions of food that people usually have as an appetizer before a meal. However, especially when eating out, a meal can consist of several different tapas and this is exactly what this tour is about.
Your local Spanish foodie host will meet you at your hotel to take you on a tapas journey through 2 – 3 selected tapas bars of the city, during which you’ll be able to taste a selection of 6 – 9 different local tapas dishes, combined with the corresponding wines. Along the tour, you’ll be explained about the hectic social life that Madrileños have and how most of it takes place around food in tapas bars.
The Spanish capital can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing a place to eat so this tour will allow you to relax and to enjoy the magnificent culinary and wine scene of the city, while you also learn about its particular character and identity, together with your local host.
10:30pm: end of your tapas and wines tour back at your accommodation.
Overnight in Madrid: preferential room with breakfast included at Gran Hotel Inglés (5*)
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10th of May: morning history, art and architecture tour of Madrid old town including the Prado Museum
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9:30am: meet your personal guide at your hotel to go on an discovery journey of Madrid history, art and architecture.
Your tour will take you through the oldest quarters of the Spanish capital in order for you to understand where Madrid has its roots and from where it has evolved until becoming the vibrant and cosmopolitan capital it is today.
A first highlight of your walk will be the iconic Plaza Mayor where you will be explained about the important historical events that have happened there over the past 400 years and their importance in the history of Madrid and of Spain. Another highlight will be learning about the history of the Spanish monarchy while you stroll along the grand façades of the Royal Palace, to later enjoy a panoramic view of its gardens and of the nearby opera house.
12pm: after this introduction to the Spanish capital, you will continue your discovery journey of the city and of Spain with a visit to the Prado Museum. There your guide will take you on a private tour that will allow you to travel through Spanish history of art while you enjoy the remarkable works of Spanish master painters such as Velazquez, Goya and El Greco amongst others. This will allow you to understand how different historical periods shaped the artistic creation at each time and how much of Spain’s culture and sentiment is expressed in the works of its main artists.
1:30pm: after your tour of Madrid, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Madrid: preferential room with breakfast included at Gran Hotel Inglés (5*)
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11th of May: day trip to Toledo from Madrid
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9am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation in Madrid and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Toledo old town.
10am: upon arrival to Toledo, meet your personal local host to start a panoramic tour of the city from your vehicle, aimed at setting the context for your exploration of the local history and architecture. This first part of the tour will take you to see some excellent panoramic views of Toledo allowing you to understand its geography and strategic location.
Then you will be driven to the old town quarters to start a private walking tour of the city with a special focus on its medieval history, from its origins and maximum splendor under the Hispanic-Muslim rule until the Christian conquest of the city.
Along your tour you will visit the synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, which is an extraordinary example of the Jewish-Sephardic heritage of the city.
Your tour will also allow you to learn about the presence of the Hispanic-Muslim culture in the city while you are shown some selected samples (civil, religious and defensive) of a particular crossover between Hispanic-Muslim and Christian architecture styles called Mudéjar and which you will remember from your trip through Andalusia.
Finally, to top up your tour you will visit the Cathedral of Toledo, which is one of the most important ones ever erected in Spain.
1:30pm: end of your private walking tour of Toledo and free time for lunch at leisure before your return to Madrid. We will give you recommendations of places to eat in Toledo and will book a table for you if you wish.
3:30pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver from Toledo back to your hotel in Madrid.
4:30pm: arrival to your accommodation in Madrid and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Madrid: preferential room with breakfast included at Gran Hotel Inglés (5*)
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12th of May: from Madrid to San Sebastian with a stopover in Burgos to tour the town and have lunch there
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9am: meet your personal driver at your hotel in Madrid and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Burgos old town.
11:40am: upon arrival to Burgos old town, meet your personal local host and start a private 2 walking tour of the old town including its impressive cathedral and its medieval quarters. Burgos is one of the most important cities in the Castilla León region, which separates Madrid from the Basque Country, and your tour will give you an excellent overview of this particular area of Spain.
Burgos Cathedral was given the World Heritage Site designation in 1984 and it is an exquisite example of Castilla and León’s religious architecture. Your tour will also take you to the medieval quarters of the city in order to see the most representative buildings as well as the iconic Plaza Mayor.
After visiting Madrid and with your previous experience in the South of Spain, you will understand the diversity that Spain has to offer and that you will keep discovering in the Basque country.
1:40pm: after your tour, enjoy some free time for lunch at leisure. Burgos is famous amongst Spanish natives for its gastronomy and wines (Ribera del Duero appellation) and we will give you recommendations for you to continue your immersion into this Spanish region this time through its food and wine.
3:15pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to your hotel in San Sebastian.
5:30pm: arrival to your hotel in San Sebastian and end of services for the day. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see and of places to eat in San Sebastian. We will also book tables for you if you wish.
Overnight in San Sebastian: la Concha Bay panoramic room with breakfast included at hotel Villa Favorita (4*)
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13th of May: San Sebastian discovery journey: history, architecture and food scenes
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10am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation in San Sebastian and start a private tour of the city that will take you first to Mount Igueldo (local transportation by taxi) for excellent panoramic views of the bay of La Concha.
It will be there where you will be given an overview of the origins, evolution and present character of the city, before exploring its most iconic sections. This will make the perfect starting point to set the context for your stay in San Sebastian and in the Basque Country. Near Mount Igueldo you will also see the most iconic work of Basque Sculptor Chillida.
Then, you will be (local transportation by taxi) to the old town quarters, where you will see the Cathedral and the museum of San Telmo, located in an old convent and today dedicated to the history and evolution of Basque culture. It will be there where your host will explain what makes the Basque Culture unique in Spain and how this connects to the particular geography and history of the Basque Country.
1pm: after your introduction to the geography, history and architecture of San Sebastian, enjoy a pintxos and wines lunch through San Sebastian old town and learn what makes the gastronomy and wines of the Basque Country different from the ones you will have already discovered in Southern and Central Spain. Pintxos are small and elaborate gourmet bites that concentrate the soul of the Basque country in their elegant and honest presentation.
3pm: end of your tour back at your hotel. Alternatively, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in San Sebastian old town.
Overnight in San Sebastian: la Concha Bay panoramic room with breakfast included at hotel Villa Favorita (4*)
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14th of May: day trip from San Sebastian to the smaller towns of Zumaia, Getaria and Mutriku with lunch in Mutriku.
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9:30am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan to the coastal town of Getaria.
10am: upon arrival to Getaria, you will be taken to visit its medieval streets and port. There you will learn about the first sailor to circumnavigate the world: Juan Sebastian Elkano, who was born in this very city.
Later you will be driven to the village of Zumaia famously known for its Flysch landscapes, where you will be able to “read” 50 million years of history and walk around its old town with its gothic church from the XIII century.
Finally you will be taken to the town of Mutriku where you will have lunch upon arrival.
Located on a steep hill on the coast, Mutriku was founded in the 13th century and it still keeps its medieval layout and remains of the old city walls. In the old town, you will be able to see beautiful palaces and towers from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.
A highlight of this day trip will also be the Basque coastal landscapes that will accompany you along the journey and the possibility to learn about life in this unique region of Spain, beyond its main capital cities.
5:30pm: arrival to San Sebastian and end of tour.
Overnight in San Sebastian: la Concha Bay panoramic room with breakfast included at hotel Villa Favorita (4*)
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15th of May: day trip from San Sebastian to the french Basque Country towns of Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz
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9:30am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the French Basque Country city of Biarritz. Along the way, you will be given some explanations about the geography, culture, customs and history of the French Basque Country in order to set the context for your stay in the region.
10:20am: upon arrival to Biarritz, enjoy a private walking tour of the old town and learn why, when the European Royal families searched for a holiday destination they chose this particular town. Iconic buildings such as the Hotel du Palais, the lighthouse and the bridge by Eiffel will give you a hint of why this was and is such a hot and refined spot. Also Biarritz boasts some of the best beaches for surfing and this also infuses the city with a vibrant outdoorsy atmosphere.
After your introduction to the city, you will be taken for lunch to a selected local restaurant specialized in French Basque Country recipes.
2:30pm: after lunch in Biarritz, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the nearby coastal town of Saint Jean de Luz.
3pm: upon arrival to Saint Jean de Luz, enjoy a private walking tour of the old town and learn why this small fishing village was loved by pirates and corsairs alike. Its cobbled streets are also filled with charming gourmet shops of cheese, foie, sausages and other French Basque Country delicacies, making it the perfect place to buy some foodie souvenirs.
5pm: end of your tour of Saint Jean de Luz and private transfer back to San Sebastian.
5:30pm: arrival to San Sebastian and end of services for the day.
Overnight in San Sebastian: la Concha Bay panoramic room with breakfast included at hotel Villa Favorita (4*)
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16th of May: from San Sebastian to Bilbao via the natural park of Azkorri – Aratz for a small hike in the natural park, to visit a cheese producer there and to have a regional lunch there.
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9am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the natural park of Azkorri – Aratz. Along the way you will be introduced to the geography, nature, customs and economy of the mountainous rural areas of the Basque Country.
10am: upon arrival to the natural park of Azkorri – Aratz, enjoy a light, picturesque and easy hike following a famous trail that was built by Romans and later used by the royalty to cross former borders. An iconic spot along the hike will be the tunnel of Saint Adrian where you will see and be explained about the remains of the ancient toll booths where one had to pay for the goods they brought with them from one side of the border to the other.
Today the trail is a part of the Saint James way: a most popular pilgrimage in Spain, finishing in the NorthWestern city of Santiago de Compostela. Your host will explain to you how this city became one of the most important religious destinations in the world along with Rome and Jerusalem. This will help you to understand how this helped to create a strong Christian identity in Northern Spain and an intense cultural connection with the rest of Europe during the times when an important part of what we know today as Spain was ruled by Muslims.
After your hike, Eneko, sixth generation of a family of Basque cheese makers, will open the doors of his farm and heart to you and your local host. There you will understand what for some people means to keep a family tradition and business alive. You will travel back in time while you visit his 17th century old farm and taste his award winning cheese.
To top up your day, enjoy a regional lunch based on local products from the surrounding farms. This will allow you to learn how much the Basque Country combines humility and finesse in a truly unique way.
3:30pm: After a day filled with fresh air, fresh produce, warmhearted people and stunning scenery, you will be transferred to your hotel in Bilbao.
5pm: arrival to your hotel in Bilbao and end of services for the day. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Bilbao and of places to eat too. We will also book tables for you if you wish.
Overnight in Bilbao: Tayko extra view double room with breakfast included at hotel Tayko (4*)
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17th of May: Bilbao discovery journey including the Guggenheim museum, the main sights in the old town and a pintxos and wines lunch Bilbao style.
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9:30am: meet your personal local host at your hotel to start a private tour of the city along which you will see its most representative and iconic sections such as the Guggenheim Museum, the tower of Iberdrola, the Gran Vía area, and the river sections (with the bridge of Calatrava, the Isozaki Towers, and the City Hall). You will also enjoy the old 7 streets district area with the cathedral of Santiago, the covered market of Rivera and the New Square.
Along your tour you will learn how Bilbao evolved from being an old industrial city to a modern and cosmopolitan European capital, which contrasts substantially with San Sebastian in spite of their proximity and shared latitude. You will see the grand buildings that the primitive bourgeoisie of the city erected to match those of other important European bourgeois cities and the contemporary ones that have shaped a new contemporary personality for the city.
Your introductory history and architecture tour of the city will continue with a pintxos and wines lunch with your personal local host in order for you to learn about this representative part of the culture and gastronomy of the city and how it contrasts with San Sebastian in this regard.
3pm: end of your tour and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Bilbao: Tayko extra view double room with breakfast included at hotel Tayko (4*)
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18th of May: Day trip from Bilbao to the Rioja wine region to visit two wineries and to enjoy lunch there
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8:45am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to La Rioja wine region. Along the way you will see how the landscape drastically changes as Spain’s most iconic wine country gradually unfolds.
10am: upon arrival to Rioja, you will visit two different wineries, with different stories, different sizes and different wines, doing of course the corresponding tastings in each of them.
This will give you a great overview of the ecosystem of wineries that Rioja has developed over the years and where there’s room for tradition, modernity, artisanal boutique wineries and also big ones. Your Rioja discovery journey will not only offer you a fantastic immersion into the local wines but also into the story of the people, the traditions of the region and its endless vineyard landscape.
1:30pm: after your introduction to Rioja wines it will be time to enjoy its gastronomy and also its medieval towns.
You will be taken for lunch to a selected local restaurant in the surroundings of La Guardia to later visit the town itself: a medieval hilltop settlement, which preserves its 13th century walls, ancient buildings and a key part of its ancient and present economy: underground cave wine cellars.
3:45pm: after your tour of La Guardia and with an understanding of a new region in Northern Spain acquired through its food, wine, architecture, people, agriculture and traditions, you will be driven back to your accommodation in Bilbao.
5:15pm: arrival to Bilbao and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Bilbao: Tayko extra view double room with breakfast included at hotel Tayko (4*)
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19th of May: departure from Bilbao
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5am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Bilbao airport.
5:15am: arrival to Bilbao airport on time to take your flight to Paris (Delta DL 8673) at 7:15am and end of trip.
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Pricing
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The cost of this bespoke trip for a private group of 2 people is 15950 Euros
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This price includes
– 10 nights’ accommodation with breakfast included as per mentioned above.
– All private transportation services mentioned above in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver.
– All private city tours, day trips and travel experiences mentioned above with your own personal local host (a knowledgeable, personable, kind, flexible and interactive fully licensed guide).
– All entrance tickets and admissions during these private tours.
– A tapas and wines dinner in Madrid including a selection of 6 – 9 local dishes to share and up to 4 drinks (or beer, water or refreshments) per person.
– A pintxos and wines lunch in San Sebastian including up to 5 pintxos and 4 wines (or beer, water or refreshments) per person.
Lunch in a selected local restaurant in Biarritz including a selection of 2 starters to share, one main course per person, one dessert per person and up to 3 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– A private visit to a cheese farm near the natural park of Azkorri – Aratz with the corresponding tastings there.
– Lunch in a selected local restaurant in the rural village of Segura, near the natural park of Azkorri – Arataz including a selection of 2 starters to share, 1 main course per person, 1 dessert per person and up to 3 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– A pintxos and wines lunch in Bilbao including up to 5 pintxos and 4 wines (or beer, water or refreshments) per person.
– Private visit to two selected wineries in Rioja with the corresponding wine tastings there.
– Lunch in a selected local restaurant near the town of Laguardia including a selection of 2 starters to share, 1 main course per person, 1 dessert per person and up to 3 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– Petrol, parkings and tolls.
– 24h guardian angel service throughout your trip.
– A list of recommended things to do and see and of places to eat during your free time in each city. We will also manage the corresponding restaurant reservations for you if you like.
– All taxes.
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This price excludes
– Your international flights.
– Any meals not mentioned right above.
– Anything else not mentioned right above.
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Confirmation and payments
In order to confirm this trip at this price, we require a 25% of the grand total via credit/debit card no later than the 24th of February 2023 at 11:59pm (Madrid time). The final 75% must be paid no later than 25 days prior to the start of the trip via the same method.
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Grand total of this bespoke trip: 15950 Euros
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25% deposit needed no later than the 24th of February at 11:59pm (Madrid time) to confirm the trip: 3987,5 Euros.
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Final 75% needed no later than 25 days prior to the start of the trip: 11962,5 Euros
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Cancellation policy
– If you cancel the tour program more than 25 days prior to scheduled start, we will charge the 25% deposit only.
– If you cancel the tour program between 25 and 7 days prior to scheduled start, we will charge 40% of the grand total of the tour program.
– If you cancel the tour program between 7 and 3 days prior to scheduled start, we will charge 70% of the grand total of the tour program.
– If you cancel the tour program 2 days or less prior to scheduled start, we will charge 100% of the full cost of the program.
(*) If the travel restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic don’t allow for this tour program to happen, we’ll give you a full refund. Please note that the travel restrictions that we will take as official will be the ones imposed by the corresponding government/s on the general fully vaccinated and boostered traveler coming to Spain from your country of origin and not your specific personal circumstances.
