Basque Country
Iron, witches and wine... these lands have been engendered by giants, come discover them with us.
Day 1
Let’s soak in!
Day 1 – Your today’s highlights
We’ll meet at your hotel in Bilbao, and take the van for a quick ride to Mundaka…A lovely fishing town in the heart of the Urdaibai biosphere reserve, where we’ll start our first walk. 9 amazing kilometers gently climbing the hills where we’ll overlook the whole estuary, which is one of Europe’s most diverse and complex ecosystems.
FEATURED THEME :
Inner travel
Our walk will lead us to the classic top restaurant “Portuondo”, where you can enjoy the freshest seafood and vegetables with the most incredible views.
FEATURED THEME : Into the wild
After lunch we’ll meet Ernesto, a local Txakoli (the new basque wine sensation) producer, he will walk us through his estate and show us the grapes cradled by the sea breeze, and there we will have our wine tasting!
FEATURED THEME : Wine is a bottled poem
It’s time to go to our hotel now, an amazing medieval castle overlooking the estuary transformed into a Relais & Chateaux 5 stars hotel. Tonight we have dinner in the hotel’s sumptuous restaurant
FEATURED THEME : Into the wild
Hotel
Arteaga 5 stars Relais & Chateaux.
Day 1
Archaic sophistication
Day 2 – Your today’s highlights
Today we go off the beaten track; the small Alps of the Urkiola natural reserve is one of the best-kept secrets of the Basque country. Once we arrive in the town of Elorrio, we will have a stroll and a quick visit to the basilica and its rococo altar, followed by a cafe con Leche on the main square. We will then get ready for some horseback riding into one of the most stunning landscapes these lands can offer.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
Our horses will bring us all the way to one of the most famous grills in the area, the Asador Etxebarri, a Michelin star restaurant where everything is cooked, roasted, or smoked with the fire oven of Víctor Arginzoniz, the most approachable of top chefs, hopefully, we can have a chat with him after dessert…
FEATURED THEME : Into the wild
In the afternoon we will visit the town of Guernica…yes, that Guernica which sadly became famous because of the bombing it suffered during the Spanish civil war, and which inspired Picasso’s most renowned painting. We’ll meet one of the coolest historians of the Basque Country here and he will show us around the town and bring some light on those terrible events.
FEATURED THEME :
Tonight we eat at Baserri Maitea, a traditional, and not-to-be-missed, a restaurant in the area.
FEATURED THEME :
Hotel
Arteaga 5 stars Relais & Chateaux.
Day 1
The last of the Mohicans
Day 3 – Your today’s highlights
Let’s go south today and head to one of the most remote parts of Spain. Borderlands between La Rioja, Navarra and Alava, the high plateaus of Urbasa enjoy a micro-climate auspicious for raising a special breed of goat.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
Today, after a walk in a fairytale-like forest we will meet some special people. Ricardo and Cristina are from an endangered species, they are shepherds and cheese producers. Their cheeses have been rewarded by all the best prices in Europe and provide all the big names of local gastronomy. They will give us a cheese masterclass
FEATURED THEME : Into the wild
For lunch, we will meet the famous chef Edorta Lamo, (yes, he who opened the A Fuego Negro Michelin star tapas bar in San Sebastian) who came back to his native village to elaborate indigenous cuisine
FEATURED THEME : Into the wild
A must! After an ice cream in Estella, a superb medieval town along the Camino de Santiago, we’ll bring you to your lodging for tonight:
FEATURED THEME :
Arenzano, a wine estate designed by Rafael Moneo. Where, aside from sleeping, you’ll visit the estate by 4wd and taste those beautiful blends.
FEATURED THEME : Wine is a bottled poem
Hotel
Arinzano wine estate.
Day 1
Ernst, bullfights, and witches
Day 4 – Your today’s highlights
From our wine estate hotel, we will go to Pamplona and visit this lovely town that became world-famous for its running of the bulls and also for American author Ernest Hemingway who spent so much time there. We will meet Edu, a local bull rider. He has run the bulls every year for more than 20 years now. He will explain for us the traditions and the stories behind this peculiar event.
FEATURED THEME :
We will meet our friends Jesús and Nerea who opened their restaurant some years ago after having worked in the best kitchens on the planet…They’ll introduce you to their award-winning “pintxos”.
FEATURED THEME : Into the wild
Next to the French border lies one of the lushest valleys of the Basque country, the Baztan valley, and the beautiful, traditional villages found there. We will explore this paradise riding Paxi ‘s 4WD, one of the park rangers …he knows every single corner of this forest, its legends and secrets ( there are still some witches apparently) and will explain to us the origins of the Basque culture.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
Tonight you sleep in San Sebastian, the most vibrant city of the Spanish northern coast… let’s dress up and enjoy the new sensations of the “Donostia” food scene.
FATURED THEME : Into the wild
Hotel
Hotel Lasala Plaza
Day 1
Fashion & fishing
Day 5 – Your today’s highlights
After a lazy morning at your hotel, we will head to the small harbor of Getaria, a fishing town that was also home to the great fashion designer Balenciaga. His museum is next on our list. Our host, Miki, an industrial graphic designer and expert in the history of the arts, will take us on a tour around this stunning fashion museum.
FEATURED THEME : Curating your stay
After lunch in the harbor in one of the restaurants where all the local fishermen enjoy the best dishes of the Basque coast (according to them), we will drive you to the airport in Bilbao.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
Hotels
Arteaga Castle - Bizkaia Arteaga
Castle is a Neo-gothic castle transformed into a “Relais & Chateaux” lodging, right in the heart of the natural reserve of Urdaibai. Its charm is overwhelming and it boasts a temple to gastronomy. History, gastronomy, and unspoiled nature come together to offer you the perfect stay.
Arinzano wine estate - Navarra Arinzano
Navarra Arinzano wine estate is a stunning wine estate situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees with origins going back to the 9th century. The new building designed by the great Rafael Moneo, features an impressive lodge. 4 double superior rooms allow you to enjoy a unique stay in a world-class winery. Its high standard in comfort and luxury will offer you one of the most special stays you could dream of.
Hotel Lasala Plaza - Donostia
In front of the centuries-old port of San Sebastian, this is where we find the Hotel Lasala Plaza. A space in which luxury goes beyond its rooms. A luxury that embraces local art and culture as something of its own to be shared with our guests. Lasala Plaza aspires to be a hotel that embraces and, at the same time, projects the best of Donostia: its culture, its love for gastronomy and the sea, the art of knowing how to live and, above all, its people.
