A TASTE OF THE NORTH
Spain has a name for delicious gastronomy and outstanding wines, and nowhere is that reputation as well deserved as in Northern Spain, where eating and drinking trascend the everyday physical neccesities to be transformed into a gift from the Gods.
Tour A Taste of the North
Day 1
Arrival in Bilbao- transfer to La Rioja
A private luxury vehicle will transfer you from the Bilbao Airport to a charming boutique hotel in the center of Laguardia, a cute village with medieval walls in the province of La Rioja. Take your time to relax and explore your surroundings.
Day 2
Laguardia- a taste of wine and relaxing spa treatment.
In the morning, visit with your guide a traditional winery, where you will be able to witness the elaboration of some of the best wines in Spain and then taste the sublime final result. In the afternoon, pamper the rest of your senses with a complete spa circuit and indulge in a world of relax and sensation. In the evening, a sample of the superb cuisine of the región will end with a flourish this interesting day.
Day 3
Wines of La Rioja
Your private luxury vehicle will take you to Haro, where you will visit Bodegas Bilbainas, a 19th century winery, and the oldest bottling firm of La Rioja, and relish its superb wines enhanced with a nibble of local food. After that, we will visit Bodegas CVNE, a legendary winery where you will of course enjoy a tasting of its wines.
Lunch will then follow at the Restaurant of Dinastía Vivanco, where the gorgeus landscape that you can admire from the restaurant could almost- but not quite- divert your attention from the exquisite food and wine. After lunch, and before returning to your hotel in Laguardia, you will learn more about this place visiting the Wine Museum of Dinastia Vivanco.
Day 4
Laguardia-Bilbao
Take the morning free to wander at your leisure around the beautiful stone-paved streets of Laguardia, visit its walls and its ancient churches, admire its wineyards…in the afternoon your private vehicle will drive you to Bilbao, where you will lodge in a superb luxury hotel right in front of the Guggenheim Museum, and a short walk away from the Euskalduna Palace, which houses the Michelin starred Restaurante Etxanobe, a venue where you will enjoy a delicious gourmet sampling menu for dinner.
Day 5
Bilbao and its river
Travel the river of Bilbao on a sail boat and discover the former industrial zone of Zorroaurre and Astilleros, reach the hanging bridge of Biskaia and contemplate the noble zones of Las Arenas and Neguri, enjoying a wine tasting whilst you are on board.
In the afternoon, your guide will take you on a sightseeing tour that will acquaint you with the modern city of Bilbao, including the Guggenheim Museum. Afterwards, a walk through the Old Quarter will reveal the true essence of the historic town.
Day 6
San Sebastian
In the morning, your vehicle will drive you to San Sebastian, where a local guide will take you to a traditional Gastronomic Society where, after a visit to the facilities, a renowned chef will impart a Master Class about pintxos- snacks or finger food that in the Basque Country have reached such a degree of elaboration and perfection that they can be considered almost an art.
After the class, and a lunch based on these mouthwatering creations, and before returning to your hotel in Bilbao, your local guide will introduce you to the beautiful city of San Sebastian with a complete sightseeing tour.
Day 7
Departure
It is the nature of time that it flies when you are having fun, and though you would probably think that you arrived in Spain only yesterday, the day has come when you have to depart… bid farewell to the city of Bilbao, have a nice safe journey back home- and do not forget to plan to return to Spain for your next holidays!.
