A Taste of Northern Spain Tour Overview
Begin in Bilbao and follow the Basque coast through San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Gernika, Getaria and San Sebastián, crossing into the French Basque Country for Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Bayonne and Biarritz. Continue inland to Pamplona, Rioja and Burgos before turning north through Asturias and Cantabria, with Atapuerca, the Picos de Europa, Oviedo, Gijón, Comillas, Santillana del Mar and Santander along the way. A Basque cooking class, txakoli and Rioja wineries, cider traditions, local cheese and an oyster tasting give the journey a strong regional food-and-wine thread.
Tour Price: €7,950
Tour price includes:
- Group airport transfers between Bilbao Airport (BIO) and the Bilbao hotel on arrival and departure days
- 12 nights in selected 4-star hotels: Bilbao (2), San Sebastián (3), Pamplona (1), Burgos (2), Beceña (2) and Santander (2)
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners and selected regional meals
- Professional English-speaking Tour Leader throughout the journey, accommodated at the same hotels as the group
- Private coach transportation from Day 1 through Day 13
- Professional English-speaking local guides in Bilbao, San Sebastián, Pamplona, Burgos, Oviedo and Santander, with audio headsets for the included visits
- Basque Coast touring including San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Gernika, a txakoli winery visit with tasting and lunch, and a guided visit to the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum in Getaria
- Hands-on Basque cooking class in San Sebastián followed by lunch, plus a guided city walk and funicular ride to Monte Igueldo
- Full-day exploration of the French Basque Country, including Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Bayonne, Biarritz and an oyster tasting with white wine
- Traditional cider-producer visit and tasting, guided visit of Pamplona with its cathedral, and a Rioja winery visit with tasting and lunch
- Guided visit to the Atapuerca archaeological sites, light pintxos lunch in Burgos and entrance to the Museum of Human Evolution
- Local cheese-producer visit and tasting, plus a guided excursion in Picos de Europa National Park with lunch
- Visit to the Cider Museum with tasting, guided exploration of Oviedo, and entrances to El Capricho de Gaudí and Palacio de Sobrellano in Comillas
- VAT, city taxes and gratuities for the included guides, tour managers, hotel staff, servers and local drivers
A Taste of Northern Spain Tour Itinerary
Bilbao, Spain | ENDS: Bilbao, Spain *
DAY 1-2, BILBAO, THE BASQUE COAST & SAN SEBASTIÁN: Arrive in Bilbao and begin with a guided walk through the city’s historic neighborhoods and contemporary architecture, followed by a welcome dinner. The next day follows the Biscay coast to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Gernika before a txakoli winery visit, tasting and lunch. Continue to Getaria for a guided visit to the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, then settle into San Sebastián.
DAYS 3-4, SAN SEBASTIÁN & THE FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY: Take part in a hands-on Basque cooking class and enjoy the dishes prepared for lunch, then explore San Sebastián’s historic center with a local guide and ride the funicular to Monte Igueldo for views over La Concha Bay. The following day crosses into France for Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Bayonne and Biarritz, with time along the Atlantic coast and an oyster tasting at the Port des Pêcheurs.
DAYS 5, CIDER COUNTRY & PAMPLONA: Leave San Sebastián and visit a traditional cider producer to learn about local production and tasting traditions. Continue to Pamplona for a guided introduction to its historic center, Camino de Santiago heritage and cathedral, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
DAYS 6-7, RIOJA, BURGOS & ATAPUERCA: Travel into Rioja for a winery visit, guided tasting and lunch before continuing to Burgos for a guided walk through its historic center. The next day reaches the Atapuerca archaeological sites for a guided visit, followed by a light pintxos lunch in Burgos and an afternoon at the Museum of Human Evolution.
DAYS 8-9, ASTURIAS & PICOS DE EUROPA: Head north toward Asturias, stopping at a local cheese producer for a visit and tasting before lunch and arrival in the Cangas de Onís area. The following day is devoted to a guided excursion in Picos de Europa National Park, discovering rugged limestone peaks, deep valleys and mountain villages, with lunch included during the excursion.
DAY 10-11, NAVA, OVIEDO, GIJÓN, COMILLAS & SANTILLANA DEL MAR: Visit the Cider Museum in Nava and taste this emblematic Asturian drink, then continue to Oviedo for a guided walk and visit to the Cathedral of San Salvador. After independent time in maritime Gijón, travel on to Santander. The next day explores Comillas, including El Capricho de Gaudí and Palacio de Sobrellano, before continuing to the medieval streets of Santillana del Mar.
DAYS 12-13, SANTANDER, BILBAO & DEPARTURE: Enjoy a guided tour of Santander’s historic center and seafront before returning to Bilbao for a farewell dinner and final overnight. The following morning, a group transfer takes you to Bilbao Airport for your flight home.
*Transfers to other airports can be arranged at an additional cost.
