Basque Country Tailor Made Self-Drive Tour

Day 1 – ARRIVAL BILBAO

Catch a flight to Bilbao Airport, pick up your rental car as you leave customs and check in at your hotel. Take the evening on your own to acclimatize.

Hotel Miró 4* or similar

Included: lodging in double room

Day 2 – BILBAO

Visit the Guggenheim Museum on your own a tour of this century’s art. Later walk through the 7 streets to see the Archaeological Museum and eat at a Michelin-star restaurant for dinner.

Included: breakfast, Guggenheim tickets, Michelin-star dinner, lodging

 Day 3 – BILBAO AND COAST

On your way to San Sebastian, stop at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (Game of Thrones film site) and Lekeitia (famous for its whalers and for being a summer spot for royalty).

Hotel Inglaterra y Londres 4*

Included: breakfast, lodging in sea view double room

 Day 4 – SAN SEBASTIAN

Spend the day on your own in San Sebastian. See the Romantic Quarters, San Telmo Museum, La Concha Bay, the Port, Kursaal Palace and the Cathedral.  Along the way, stop in at several famous pintxo bars to experience the city’s pintxo culture over lunch. We´ll include funicular tickets for you to head up Monte Igueldo in the afternoon. Don´t miss the interesting Peine del Viento sculptures on the beach.

Included: breakfast, funicular tickets, lodging

Day 5 – ST. JAMES WAY HIKE (8.5 Km)

Continue your Basque country tailor made tour. Meet your guide at the hotel for a hike of a portion of the mystic St. James Way. This hike is medium difficulty and not for people with knee or heart problems.  Head along coastal paths seeing beautiful scenery.  As you crest the Mt Ulia above San Sebastian, look back for views of the bay.  Pass the La Plata Lighthouse and descend to Pasaia San Pedro.  Cross the sea inlet on a small boat and rest as you soak up the sun in Santiago Square. Lunch on your own before returning by local bus to San Sebastian.

 Included: breakfast, guided hike, boat crossing, lodging

Day 6 – COOKING CLASS

Meet your guide at the hotel and walk to one of San Sebastián’s many fresh markets.  See how differently Spanish meats, fish and vegetables are displayed. Your guide will explain basic ingredients for classic Basque dishes. Purchase what you need for the meal and head to the Basque Cooking School.  Learn to make traditional dishes and enjoy your meal!

Included: breakfast, market tour and cooking class, lodging

Day 7 – HONDARRIBIA

Drive to nearby Pasai Donibane, a village with only one street. Later visit a completely walled-in medieval village Hondarribia. Walk through the old town to Plaza de Armas and visit the fishermen’s quarters. We could add a sailboat ride from Hondarribia to the nearby fjords if you like.

Included: breakfast, lodging

Day 7 – FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY

Take a drive north into French Basque Country. Steeped in folklore, the Basques are among the oldest people groups in the world. begin with a walk through medieval Bayonne, UNESCO heritage site, and part of the French St James’ Way. Continue to Biarritz, one of the most luxurious seaside resorts on the Basque Coast, known for its surfing. Finish the day in St. Jean de Luz, a lovely small village where you’ll see the home of Louis XIV and the St. Jean Baptiste Church. Return to San Sebastian in the evening.

Included: breakfast, lodging

Day 8 – LA RIOJA

As you finish the Basque Country tailor made tour, we will continue south. Drive to La Rioja and check in at your hotel. Your guide will be waiting in Laguardia for a visit to Bodegas Ostatu, a family-run winery in Samaniego. You’ll taste wines with an appetizer. Walk to Laguardia to discover the cozy and charming streets of this amazing town from the Middle Ages. Learn some of its ancient history. Along the way, join the locals on their pintxos and tapas crawl at the best bars in town.

Hotel Bodega Marqués de Riscal (Frank O. Gehry design)

Included: breakfast, wine tour with tastings and lunch, lodging in double room

Day 9 – PAMPLONA

Drive to Pamplona.  See Taconera Park, the Citadel and Yamaguchi Park before stopping in the historic Quarter of Pamplona. Listen to the tale of this city’s key importance as a stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. See the inside of San Fermin Chapel, the running of the bulls’ patron saint. Finish the day with a walk in the bulls’ footsteps, following their yearly run through Pamplona. Turn your rental car in at the station and catch the evening train to Madrid.

Only You Boutique Hotel 4*

Included: breakfast, train tickets, lodging in double room

Day 10 – MADRID

In the morning start a walking tour of the Madrid “Letters and Arts” District, including a visit to the Prado Museum and El Retiro Park. Continue to Plaza de Oriente, the center of 15th century Madrid. This walking tour will lead you through streets and squares belonging to the times of the Hapsburg royalty. Pass the Royal Palace, Royal Theater and Opera. Your guide will tell you the legends and history of the commoners and nobility during the Spanish Renaissance. A few other stops along the way are the Tower of Lujan, San Miguel Market, Plaza Mayor where bullfights were once held and Plaza de España. Along the way, we’ll stop for classic raciones and tapas.

Included: breakfast, guided tour, El Prado tickets, tapas lunch, lodging

Day 11 – TOLEDO

Catch the train from Atocha to Toledo. The ancient capital is well-preserved and full of cultural wonder. As you approach, notice how the entire city crowds onto a high, rocky perch protected by the Tajo River. Pick up your Toledo Cards and head in through the Bisagra Gates, the entrance to the Arabic city, to begin your route through the Old Town and Arabic Quarters. Visit Zocodover Square where the main market was once set up. Enter Santa María la Blanca Synagogue and the nearby Cristo de la Luz Mosque. You may want to visit an artisanal sword maker, Toledo’s famous trade that was set in motion by the Umeyyad Dynasty.  Return to Madrid in the late afternoon.

Included: breakfast, Toledo Cards, train tickets, lodging

Day 12 – MADRID FREE DAY

Included: breakfast, lodging

Day 13 – ÁVILA

Catch the train from Atocha to Avila. Use your Avila Cards to walk on the walls that surround the city.  Visit the birthplace of St. Theresa and her cathedral.  Enjoy the feel of a medieval town.  Return to Madrid by train in the afternoon.

Included: breakfast, Avila Cards, train tickets, lodging

Day 14 – MADRID FREE DAY

Included: breakfast, lodging

Day 15 – DEPARTURE

Meet your driver for the ride to Barajas Airport as you end your Basque country tailor made tour.

Included: breakfast, airport transfer