You deserve some indulgence in your life and what better place than in a collection of Spanish regions most notable for their wine and cuisine. Follow your taste buds on this custom-tailored food and wine journey through Spain that will have you sipping wine on a prestigious estate that overlooks the valley in Navarra, Rioja, and the Basque country. Follow the locals to dinner in a city overflowing with celebrated restaurants. Soak in the beauty of artistic masters and meander along the cobblestone...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Gates of the North
The Basque country is remarkably different than the rest of Spain. The locals hold onto their heritage, from language to cuisine, proudly. Bilbao is a modern face on the traditional region yet holds tightly to its historic streets as well. You and your private transfer join up at the airport as your romantic getaway to Spain begins, and you quickly settle into the city surrounded by green hills. The city hums with activity but maintains a relaxed pace that allows locals and visitors to enjoy. The Nervión River runs through the city. The calm current ripples against the risen banks. The mixed aroma of pintxos, smaller plates similar to tapas drifts through the brimming restaurants.
Casco Viejo is the old quarter, filled with atmosphere and boisterous cafes. Independent shops sell quirky and unusual items unique to the city. The heart of the city maintains the seven original streets that Bilbao was founded on dating back to the 15th century. The Gothic Catedral de Santiago was constructed in the 14th century and combines a gothic cloister with stone carvings along the buttresses. The beauty of the cathedral is soft spoken against the backdrop of the historic center. Visit the Guggenheim Museum and find a remarkable structure that breathed life into the once industrial city.
The angled metal façade and elegant windows capture the sun, which allows more natural light to enter the galleries. The museum was constructed in 1997 and does not just display artwork, but is known as a piece of artwork in and of itself. The interior provides a gallery of open space where you can view Jeff Koons’ almost 40-foot tall Highland terrier constructed with thousands of begonias. In the evening, you can find a table waiting for you at Zortziko, a Basque favorite that has more than earned its Michelin Star. The chef is known to bring delicate, modern touches to familiar local dishes. The menu continually changes, which means that your experience will be unique to your visit.
What's Included:
Day 2
City in the Countryside
Day 3
Finding the Right Wine
Day 4
The Fruit of the Vine
Day 5
Meandering Medieval
Day 6
Taking the Camino
Day 7
Tastes of the Sea
Day 8
Bringing the Flavors with You
Trip Highlights
- Explore San Sebastian, restaurants with a combined 16 Michelin Stars
- Journey through medieval towns and fishing villages, wine estates, and countryside manors
- View picturesque views of unparalleled landscapes
- Stroll through the largest wine museum in the world at Dinastia Vivanco
- Delight in a series of wine tastings that provide the full pamphlet of Basque styles and flavors
- Indulge in an endless world of pintxos, plates similar to small tapas
- Experience a portion of the Camino de Santiago
Detailed Description
The beauty of Spain is more than the beaches of Barcelona and the Royal Palace of Madrid. Step beyond the Alhambra in Andalusia and witness the coveted regions of Navarra, Rioja, and the Basque country for a food and wine journey through Spain. Sip celebrated wines in an underground winery and taste freshly grilled fish in a picture perfect seaside village. Your passion for flavors will thank you and every moment will offer something new to treasure. Bilbao is a modern city that holds tight to its historic streets.
The Guggenheim Museum decorates the revamped neighborhoods with an elegant display of artistry in architecture. Haro is a medieval city with an old charm. The River Ebro passes on the city’s fringes. The old quarter is lively and jovial, filled with wine mansions and coveted cellars. Visit Dinastia Vivanco, the largest wine museum in the world and revel in a winery tour around Labastida that offers an exploration of the grounds, the local Rioja varietal, and your taste buds.
Tour through the local vineyards of Rioja near the town of Logrono and discover the quaint and unique wine estates of the countryside. Logrono’s old quarter almost bursts with the small food bars and gastronomic streets. After a guided tour of a local winery, go on a private exploration of medieval towns that overlook the Cantabrian Mountains. Visit underground cellars in Laguardia and taste the exotic flavors that the earthy landscape inserts into the vines.
In Navarra, you will pass regal manors and lush vineyards that offer delightful samplings of Rioja and Bordeaux. Continue to Puente la Reina, a stunning town on the route of the Camino de Santiago. Arrive in San Sebastian. The beachside city is home to restaurants with a combined 16 Michelin Stars. Savor the city’s relaxed pace, wondrous museums, and extraordinary flavors. A private transfer will take you to the airport for your flight home as your Spain tour comes to an end, but the exceptional memories of the wine and cuisine of Spain will go with you.
Starting Price
$3,200 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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