Detailed itinerary:
SPAIN!
Featuring: Basque Country, Rioja and Navarra
September 13- 20, 2023 (8 days/7 nights)
WITH RICHARD HEWITT, author, translator and wine educator
September 13:
Departure from majestic Madrid headed toward the vast vine-laden lands of Rioja. We’ll stop briefly in Burgos to visit the Unesco listed cathedral, finished in gothic style in 1221!
After our visit we enjoy lunch at at Huerta Del Roco then continue north to the amazing village of Laguardia, sitting proudly on its rocky hilltop. We check in to Hospederia de las Parajes, our amazing digs for the next three nights. Parajes even has a subterranean bodega! For dinner you can choose from several local bars for tapas or restaurants for more substantial raciones.
September 14th:
After breakfast we’re off to visit famous Dinastia Vivanco where we will learn about the history and culture of wine roving through various digital displays and artwork created for worship of the vine. Vivanco has the world’s largest collection of cork screws! We taste wine at Vivanco then lunch at a local bodega.
After lunch we’ll head to Bodegas Ysios, an amazing architectural feat created by world famous architect Santiago Calatrava. They make good wine too!
We return to picture prefect La Guardia in the late afternoon.
September 15th:
Today we visit the ancient monasteries of San Millan de Congolla. Yuso and Suso monasteries are among the oldest in Spain (12th century!) and it was here that the Spanish language originated.
We enjoy a great lunch at a local bodega then after lunch join Rioja Trek, where we visit a vineyard and bodega and actually participate in making wine yourself!
Back in Laguardia we relax and explore your options for dinner.
September 16th:
As we head toward San Sebastian this morning we stop to tour the Frank Gehry designed, over-the-top Marquez de Riscal winery. This is an amazing undulating structure that cost $89 million to build!
Back on the road we cross into Basque Country and enjoy lunch in intriguing Vitoria.
Then off to one of the most spectacular cities in the world, San Sebastian. San Sebastian has arguably the finest food in the world. Home to over 27 Michelin star chefs, the Basque region excels in inventive tapas (called pintxos locally).
We check in at One Shot Tabacaria, an old tobacco factory for the next three nights.
September 17th:
After breakfast we take a walking tour of old San Sebastian. Lunch and afternoon on your on at leisure but we all meet for dinner at one of San Sebastians most famous tapas bars!
September 18:
Off to Bilbao to visit iconic Museo Guggenheim Bilbao.
Possibly the most famous art museum in the world, this shimmering, titanium conglomeration of flying fins, towers and ship shapes is another great masterwork of Frank Gehry. After being suitably impressed you’re on your own to visit other museums, cathedrals, galleries or parks or simply linger at a pintxos bar of your choice. In the evening we head out to do a tapas hop of some of San Sebastian’s most famous restaurants.
September 19th:
After breakfast we start back to hip Madrid, stopping in Basque capital Vitoria to either visit El Atrio, probably the best contemporary museum in Spain or enjoy a walking tour of old Vitoria—your choice! After our lunch we continue to Madrid to our hotel, Room Mate Alicia and a gourmet farewell dinner at a nearby restaurant.
September 20:
In the morning over breakfast we say our ‘adios’. Hopefully many of you will stay after (or before) our journey in Madrid, Europe’s coolest capital!!!
COST: $3,395 per person. 7 nights lodging in 4-5 star hotels plus meals mentioned in itinerary. Local transportation, guide service, entry fees included.
See you in Portugal on one of our intimate cultural/wine/food tours!
