Day 2 (Saturday)
BILBAO (Excursion to the Basque Coast)
Day 3 (Sunday)
(Excursion to San Sebastian & Biarritz)
Meet assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. Accommodation.
Breakfast. Depart at 09:00 hrs. for a half day tour visiting Barakaldo, Sestao, Portugalete and Getxo, with its famous Bridge of Biscay. We continue to pass through the imposing Castle of Butron towards San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Mundaka to enjoy the beauty views of the Urdaibai Reserve of Biosphere. Afterwards, continue to the famous town of Guernika and visit the Assembly House, arriving to Bilbao about 14:00 hrs.
In the afternoon, Sightseeing tour of Bilbao with a panoramic tour and a walking tour into the old quarter with its typical streets, Plaza Nueva, Cathedral of Santiago, the famous Mercado de la Ribera, the Theatre Arriaga and the Arenal. Accommodation.
Breakfast. Depart at 09:00 hrs. to Biarritz. The Beach of Kings, it was a magnet for famous and royalty figures like Napoleon III, Gary Cooper or Frank Sinatra. We will visit the old port and the Virgin on the Rock. Following the rough coastal road we will continue to Saint Jean De Luz, a lovely small village on the French Basque coast. Our next stop will be Hondarribia, a village full of history that holds a medieval fortress and a fishermen typical. Afterwards, we will do a transfer on a boat from Hendaya to Hondarribia across the Txingudi (natural reserve) bay.
In the afternoon, we will arrive to San Sebastian, the most beautiful city in the Basque Country to start a panoramic city sightseeing with magnificent views up the mountain Igueldo and a walking tour into the historical quarter. Free time to enjoy the most attractive spots and return directly to arrive to Bilbao in the evening. Accommodation.
Day 4 (Monday)
BILBAO (Excursion to Vitoria & La Rioja)
Day 5 (Tuesday)
BILBAO (Excursion to Santuario de Loyola – Getaria – San Sebastian)
Day 6 (Wednesday)
BILBAO (Excursion to Elorrio, Oñati & Sanctuary of Arantzazu)
Breakfast. Depart at 09.00hrs for a full day excursion to the capital city of the Basque Country, Vitoria and to the Rioja wine area. The route start heading directly to Vitoria on the highway. We will start with a panoramic tour of the city and a short walking tour into the centre. Vitoria-Gasteiz is above all a city rich in heritage. In fact, its medieval Old Town, declared Monumental Complex, is the best preserved in the Basque Country with its gothic design and its narrow streets, as well as important medieval and Renaissance buildings.
Afterwards, continue towards the wine region and passing by Labastida, arrive finally to the medieval village of Laguardia. This charming village is monumental, full of history with ancient walls and magnificent wineries. Walking tour and visit a traditional Rioja winery with tasting of wines.
By mid-afternoon return back to Bilbao, and in our way we will pass through Elciego where we will be able to contemplate the magnificent architectural work of Frank Gehry at the Marques de Riscal Winery. Accommodation.
Breakfast. Depart at 09:00 h. to start a full day excursion to the province of Gipuzkoa. The tour starts passing by Eibar, Elgoibar, Azkoitia and reach the Sanctuary of Loyola. Visit the shrine of harmonious proportions, built between the XVII & XVIII centuries. We will travel through Azpeitia, going to the coast by Zumaia and reach Getaria, the birthplace of Juan Sebastian Elcano with its arch Catrapona, medieval passageway beneath the church with a chapel for sailors, the Parish Church of San Salvador (XV C.), a Gothic gem, the fishing port and its charming fishing village. Afterwards, the trip continues passing by Zarautz, more traditional enclave and tourist reference since the XIX C. Its magnificent beach, the longest of Gipuzkoa with 2.500 meters and the old town with its quaint streets of cosmopolitan ambiance. Later, we arrive to San Sebastian for a City Tour starting with a panoramic part.
Time free for independent lunch. Walking tour into the historic old city and return back to Bilbao in the midafternoon. Accommodation.
Breakfast. Departure at 09.00hrs for half day tour into the most traditional inner Basque Country. We will head towards the area of Durango, capital of the region with a historic medieval structure. This area is the start of the Gorbea Natural Park that still keeps flocks of sheep and traditional manufacture of cheese as one of its activities, the Urkiola natural park, with Wuthering heights, its splendid forests and legends of witches. Once past Durango, we enter the valley of Durango- Atxondo. We will stop in Elorrio, characterized by the abundance and slenderness of its palaces and manor houses of stone and carved stonework. It is the first Historic-Artistic site of Biscay, considered officially in 1964. Among others it has 69 coats of arms of stone embedded in the walls of their mansions, the Town Hall, the Portal of Don Tello, the Argiñeta Necropolis, Temple of San Agustin de Etxebarria, etc. Then we will arrive to Oñati, the most elegant and monumental village of the province of Gipuzkoa. After viewing some of these monuments like the oldest University of the Basque Country, we will head up a road between the cliffs to reach the most important sanctuary of Gipuzkoa, the Shrine of Our Lady of Arantzazu, a compendium of the best contemporary Basque art, by the Franciscan order. Stop to visit and contemplate the building and magnificent views. Return at 14.00 to Bilbao. Balance of the day at leisure. Accommodation.
Day 7 (Thursday)
BILBAO
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. END OF OUR SERVICES.
From :
$1442.00
Duration:
7 days
Departure:
Every Friday from 04 April to 12 December.
Arrival & Departure transfers from/to airport / Regular tours with transport and guide during tours shown in the itinerary / Accommodation on board and class hotel selected.
Languages:
Spanish and English.
PRICES IN $CAD
FIRST CL. “A”
IN TWIN PER PERSON (Bed & Breakfast)
$1442.00
IN SINGLE PER PERSON (Bed & Breakfast)
$1876.00
HALF BOARD SUPPLEMENT
$279.00
SUPPLEMENT DEPARTURES:18 April & 22 August
15 August
$86.00
$148.00
HALF BOARD = Breakfast & Dinner daily at hotel.
Nights
City
Class
Hotels
6
Bilbao
A
Sercotel Coliseo / NH Villa Bilbao / Hesperia Bilbao / Holiday Inn Bilbao
