Payment of bespoke trip to the Basque Country | 16th – 24th of May 2025 | 4 pax
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Description and schedule of services
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16th of May: arrival to Bilbao airport and introductory pintxos and wines tour of Bilbao old town
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Time TBC: upon arrival of your flight from the US to Bilbao airport, collect your luggage, walk to the arrivals hall and meet your personal driver there. He will be holding a sign saying “Kelvin, Nancy, Hendra and Susanna – Genuine Andalusia”.
1h later: arrival to your hotel in Bilbao and free time to check-in, rest a little and freshen up before your evening culture and gastronomy tour of Bilbao old town. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Bilbao during your free time and also of places to eat. We will also book tables for you if you like.
7pm: meet your personal local host at your accommodation in Bilbao to go on an introductory culture and gastronomy tour of the old town.
You will start your tour with a brief introduction about the origins of Bilbao, while you explore the oldest sections of the city such as the 7 streets district with the cathedral of Santiago, the covered market of Rivera and the New Square. This will allow you to understand where Bilbao has its roots before learning later on during your trip about the evolution of the city. Then, after this short introduction, you will be taken on a pintxos and wines tour through the old town.
Understanding how the Basque Country works when it comes to celebrating food can be one of the most revealing experiences of the culture of the region. The Basque love their excellent food and they like to make a celebration out of every meal, together with family and friends. Food, conversation, wine, laughter and a magical common feeling of thankfulness combine in perfect harmony in Basque bars to make reunions memorable.
Pintxos play a key role in the wide variety of options that the region 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 pintxos and this is exactly what this tour is about.
Your local Basque foodie host will take you on a pintxos journey through 2 – 3 selected pintxos bars of the Bilbao old town, during which you’ll be able to taste a selection of 4 – 7 different local pintxos, combined with the corresponding wines. Along the tour, you’ll be explained about the hectic social life that Bilbainos have and how most of it takes place around food, often in pintxos bars.
The Basque 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 pintxos and wines tour back at your accommodation.
Overnight in Bilbao: 2 Tayko extra view double rooms with breakfast included at hotel Tayko (4*)
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17th of May: Bilbao beyond the old town, the Guggenheim museum, the quarter of Getxo and the old port of Algorta
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9:30am: meet your personal local host at your hotel to start a private walking tour of the city beyond the old town and along which you will see its most representative and iconic sections such as the tower of Iberdrola, the Gran Vía area, and the river sections (with the bridge of Calatrava, the Isozaki Towers, and the City Hall).
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 personality for the city.
11:30am: your walk through the modern sections of the city will finish at the Guggenheim museum, where you will be taken on a guided tour that will uncover not only the architecture and design of the building but also the most iconic pieces of its permanent collection.
1pm: after your tour of the museum, be picked up by a personal driver in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to explore the quarter of Getxo and the old port of Algorta.
1:15pm: upon arrival to Getxo, be taken to a selected local restaurant suited to your taste for lunch. Your guide will offer you recommendations or we can book it for you in advance giving you options.
3pm: after lunch, you will be taken, combining car rides and walks, to see the elegant mansions of the Basque bourgeoisie in Getxo to later discover the quarter’s unique UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Vizcaya Bridge. This is a unique work of engineering that helps pedestrians and car drivers cross on suspended gondola to the town of Portugalete. You will ride the passenger gondola to the Portugalete side and back to later be taken to the old fishing port of Algorta. This will be your first contact with traditional Basque architecture and the history of fishing in the Basque country.
4:30pm: after your tour of Getxo and Algorta, be driven back to your accommodation in Bibao.
5pm: arrival to your accommodation in Bilbao and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Bilbao: 2 Tayko extra view double rooms 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 host at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver 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 bigger 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: 2 Tayko extra view double rooms with breakfast included at hotel Tayko (4*)
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19th of May: from Bilbao to San Sebastian 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 with a dedicated driver 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.
10:30am: 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.
4pm: After a day filled with fresh air, fresh produce, warmhearted people and stunning scenery, you will be transferred to your hotel in San Sebastian.
4:50pm: 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 in San Sebastian and also of places to eat. We will also book tables for you if you wish.
Overnight in San Sebastian: 2 privileged sea view rooms with breakfast included at hotel Lasala Plaza (4*)
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20th 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 with a private driver in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan) 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 in depth its most iconic sections. This will make the perfect starting point to set the context for your stay in San Sebastian for the next few days. Near Mount Igueldo you will also see the most iconic work of Basque Sculptor Chillida.
Then, you will be driven to the old town quarters, where you will see the oldest buildings of the primitive fishing town that San Sebastian was before becoming a glamorous Summer destination for aristocrats and well to do families in the 19th and 20th centuries.
12:30pm: after your introduction to the geography, history and architecture of San Sebastian, say goodbye to your driver and enjoy a pintxos lunch through San Sebastian old town with your local host. Along the tour you will learn what makes the gastronomy from San Sebastian different from Bilbao’s. in San Sebastian pintxos are small and elaborate gourmet bites that concentrate the soul of the city 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: 2 privileged sea view rooms with breakfast included at hotel Lasala Plaza (4*)
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21st of May: Scenic hike from San Sebastian to the port of Passaia followed by a visit to an artisanal shipyard to learn about the history of whaling of the Basque country and finishing with lunch in the picturesque quarter of San Juan
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9am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation to start an urban first and later nature walk that will take you to the scenic port of Passaia.
Your journey will take you first through the quarter of Gros until reaching the city limits of San Sebastian. From there, you will leave the city behind to enter a coastal path that will cross a forest of Chestnut, Pine, Oak and Beech trees offering excellent panoramic views of the rugged Basque coast in some sections and even remains of an old aqueduct.
As you approach the port of Passaia, your guide will start setting the context for your stay in the area by sharing some insider’s information about the history of whaling in the Basque country. Passia was a thriving port and a ship building hub in the 16th century and the grandest and most iconic Basque whaling ships were built right there.
11:45am: your hike will finish at an artisanal shipyard where you will learn about the construction of these whaling ships in the 16th century. The Basque Country has always been rich in forests and iron mines and you will learn at the shipyard how these regional raw materials are transformed into essential parts of ships today. During your visit you will also learn about how Basque whalers based themselves in Canadian territory during their fishing expeditions and how they came back to the Basque country loaded with substantial loads of very precious whale-derived products.
12:45pm: after visiting the shipyard, cross on a motor boat to the other side of the bay of Passaia, known as the quarter of San Juan.
1pm: once at San Juan, enjoy a well deserved lunch in a selected local restaurant there and a stroll through this very iconic and picturesque quarter of Passaia.
3pm: then after lunch and a stroll make your way back to San Sebastian either by taxi or by bus. It is a very short and easy ride and your guide will choose the most convenient solution for the group.
3:30pm: arrival to your hotel and end of services for the day.
Overnight in San Sebastian: 2 privileged sea view rooms with breakfast included at hotel Lasala Plaza (4*)
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22nd of May: day trip from San Sebastian to the Basque coast and its towns including a visit to a Txakoli house and lunch in Getaria
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10:30am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver to a selected Txakoli house near the coastal town of Getaria.
11am: upon arrival to the Txakoli house, enjoy a private guided tour of both the vineyards and the aging facilities. Along the tour you will learn about the making process of Txakoli and about its history to later enjoy a tasting of Txakoli paired with some early afternoon bites.
12:30pm: after your tour of the Txakoli house, be driven to the iconic coastal town of Getaria.
12:45pm: 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.
1:30pm: after your introductory tour and surely hungry, you will be taken for lunch to a local bar / restaurant serving local specialties.
3pm: after lunch, you will be driven to the coastal village of Zumaia.
3:15pm: upon arrival to Zumaia, you will be taken to enjoy its Flysch landscapes, where you will be able to “read” 50 million years of history from a privileged perspective over the Basque Coast. Once at Zumaia you may want to walk off your food by taking a small walk along the unspoilt Basque Coast.
4:30pm: end of your tour of Zumaia and transfer back to your hotel in San Sebastian.
5pm: arrival to your hotel in San Sebastian and end of services for the day.
Overnight in San Sebastian: 2 privileged sea view rooms with breakfast included at hotel Lasala Plaza (4*)
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23rd of May: day trip from San Sebastian to the French Basque Country towns of Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz finishing with a stroll through the medieval quarters of the Spanish Basque Country town of Hondarribia
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9:30am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver 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.
Another highlight of Biarritz will be its food market where you will be able to understand the ingredients that shape the local gastronomy. During your visit to the market, you may want to take a stop to have an aperitif and maybe a quick seafood bite to open your appetite for lunch.
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 through its very picturesque old town while you learn why this small fishing village was loved by pirates and corsairs alike and how it became a center of economic power thanks to the fortunes made by local ship-owners mostly in the 17th century.
4:30pm: end of your tour of Saint Jean de Luz and private transfer back to San Sebastian, taking a quick stop at the picturesque town of Hondarribia, exactly on the border between Spain and France and which treasures a very well preserved medieval old town filled with quaint corners and houses of traditional Basque architecture.
6pm: arrival to San Sebastian and end of services for the day.
Overnight in San Sebastian: 2 privileged sea view rooms with breakfast included at hotel Lasala Plaza (4*)
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24th of May: departure from Bilbao
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Time TBC: meet your personal driver at your accommodation in San Sebastian and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Bilbao airport.
Time TBC: arrival to Bilbao airport and end of trip.
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Pricing
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Price of this bespoke trip for a private party of 4 pax: 20300 Euros (10150 Euros per couple)
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This price includes
– 8 nights accommodation with breakfast included as per mentioned above.
– All private transportation services mentioned above in a modern and comfortable Mercedes minivan with a dedicated personal driver.
– All private tours and experiences mentioned above led by a knowledgeable, personable, kind, flexible and interactive fully licensed guide with a great command of the English language.
– All entrance tickets and admissions for all your guided tours.
– A pintxos and wines lunch in Bilbao including a selection of 4 – 7 pintxos and up to 4 drinks per person (wine, beer, refreshments, water).
– A pintxos and wines lunch in San Sebastian including a selection of 4 – 7 pintxos and up to 4 drinks per person (wine, beer, refreshments, water).
– Your bus and boat rides during your hiking tour to the port of Passaia.
– Private visits to 2 selected wineries in Rioja with the corresponding wine tastings there.
– A private visit to a selected cheese producer in the natural park of Azkorri Aratz with the corresponding tastings there.
– Private visit to a selected Txakolí winery in Getaria with the corresponding Txakolí tastings there.
– Petrol, parkings and tolls.
– A list of recommended things to do and see and of places to eat in each of the places you will visit. We will also manage the corresponding reservations for you if you like (as long as credit/debit cards are not needed, in which case we will send you a link so you finalize the reservations online easily yourselves).
– 24h Guardian Angel service for any emergencies you may have.
– All taxes.
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This price excludes
– Your international flights.
– Any meals not mentioned right above.
– Anything else not mentioned in the section “this price includes”.
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Confirmation and payments
In order to confirm this trip at this price we require a 25% deposit of the grand total no later than the 10th of September 2024 via credit/debit card. The final 75% must be paid via the same method no later than 45 days prior to the start of the trip.
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Grand total of this bespoke trip: 20300 Euros
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25% needed no later than the 10th of September 2024 via credit/debit card to confirm the trip: 5075 Euros (2537,5 Euros per couple)
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Final 75% needed no later than 45 days prior to the start of the trip: 15225 Euros (7612,5 Euros per couple)
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Cancellation policy
– If you all cancel your trip more than 45 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge the 25% deposit only.
– If you all cancel your trip between 45 and 30 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 30% of the full cost of the trip and we will refund the remaining 70%.
– If you all cancel your trip between 30 and 16 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 40% of the full cost of the trip and we will refund the remaining 60%.
– If you all cancel your trip between 15 and 10 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 50% of the full cost of the trip and we will refund the remaining 50%.
– If you all cancel the trip between 9 and 5 days prior to its scheduled start we will charge 55% of the full cost of the trip and we will refund the remaining 45%.
– If you all cancel the trip 4 days or less prior to its scheduled start we will charge 100% of the full cost of the trip.
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Partial cancellations from just one couple
– If one couple cancels their spots in the trip more than 45 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge their 25% deposit only.
– If one couple cancels their spots in the trip between 45 and 30 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 30% of the full cost of their part of the trip and we will refund the remaining 70%.
– If one couple cancels their spots in the trip between 30 and 16 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 40% of the full cost of their part of the trip and we will refund the remaining 60%.
– If one couple cancels their spots in the trip between 15 and 10 days prior to its scheduled start, we will charge 50% of the full cost of their part of the trip and we will refund the remaining 50%.
– If one couple cancels their spots in the trip between 9 and 5 days prior to its scheduled start we will charge 55% of the full cost of their part of the trip and we will refund the remaining 45%.
– If one couple cancels their spots in the trip 4 days or less prior to its scheduled start we will charge 100% of the full cost of their part of the trip.
(*) Please note that individual cancellations (1 person from a couple) won’t result in partial refunds.
