9 days / 8 nights ● Bilboa & Basque Country to Barcelona
A journey from Bilbao, in the Green Spain of the northeast, along the Pyrenean corridor, through the high desert of Aragon, into the rolling green hills of Catalunya, and ending on the Mediterranean coast at Barcelona.
Day 1 MADRID • BILBAO
Meet your guide exiting arrivals at Bilbao airport. Transfer to your city center hotel. Free time. In the late afternoon, meet in the hotel lobby for a City Tour, with a focus on Bilbao’s 19th century architecture and its Barri Antic/Old Quarter. Visit the Bellas Artes Museum, with its fine collection of Spanish painting. Early Welcome Reception and light dinner at Bodega Zortizko
Overnight: Hotel Domine 4 star, central Dinner
Day 2 BILBAO • SAN SEBASTÍAN
After breakfast, visit Frank Gehry’s masterwork, the Guggenheim Museum. Leaving Bilbao, drive along the Basque Coast to Lekeitio for lunch. Continue along the coast, to the Zuloaga Studio/Laia Craft Museum run by the grandson of the great Basque painter. City Tour on arrival in San Sebastián. Evening Tapas Walk in San Sebastián’s old quarter.
Overnight: Hotel Londres, 4 star by the sea B L Tapas
Day 3 SAN SEBASTIÁN
After breakfast, visit the Chillida Leku Sculpture Park and a Basque farm. Cider house lunch before return to the city. Enjoy a free afternoon to visit le Boulevard’s shops and the heart of the city. This evening, private Wine Seminar at our local Wine School, accompanied by appetizers.
Overnight: Hotel Londres
Day 4 SAN SEBASTIÁN • XAVIER • LEYRE • SOS DEL REY
Today, traverse a stretch of the historic pilgrimage road, the Camino de Santiago, into the Pyrenean foothills. Tour St. Francis Xavier’s medieval castle with Black Death frescoes, and the ancient active monastery at Leyre. After a picnic lunch, continue to San Juan de la Peña, a monastery under a rock. Overnight at Sos del Rey, a medieval walled village, birthplace of King Ferdinand of Aragon. Drinks on the terrace and regional dinner at the parador this evening with glorious mountain views. Overnight: Parador Sos del Rey B L D
Day 5 SOS DEL REY • ZARAGOZA • POBLET
Depart the Pyrenees for the high plains of Aragon and its capital at Zaragoza. Visit the Cathedral to see Goya’s frescoed ceiling. Continue to Belchite, a monument to the 20th c Civil War, from where you follow the Ebro River out of southern Aragon and into Catalunya. Sandwiches/light lunch en route. Arrive early evening in Poblet, an idyllic village clustered around the monastery of the same name, amidst the vineyards. Champagne/cava tasting at the monastery before Special Catalan farmhouse dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Cadet, family inn B L D
Day 6 POBLET • BARCELONA
Morning visit to Poblet Monastery before continuing to Barcelona. Lunch on arrival at historic Set Portes is followed by a city tour including visits to Gaudí, Puig i Cadafalch, Montaner, and other Modernist buildings-- Palau de la Música, La Pedrera, Sagrada Familia. Early evening continue to the Gothic Quarter to see two great buildings in the city’s history, the Gothic Cathedral and the fisherman’s parish church at Santa Maria del Mar. Conclude the day in the newly gentrified Born district with its smart cafés and chic boutiques and galleries, the ideal spot to sample the city’s justifiably famous pintxos/appetizers and wines.
Overnight: Hotel Catedral, 4 star central B L Tapas
Day 7 BARCELONA • EMPURIES • PALS • FIGUERES • BARCELONA
Depart for the Costa Brava and the Salvador Dalí Museum at Figueres. Lunch on the beach at Llafranc. Continue to nearby Pals, a perfectly preserved medieval village and today crafts center. Time to explore. Return to Barcelona early evening. Free evening.
Overnight: Hotel Catedral B L
Day 8 BARCELONA
Begin the day with a stop at the famous Boquería Market, then continue tothe Picasso Museum to see the early works of the great Spanish painter. Conclude the morning at the Chocolate Museum, where you’ll see a replica of Gaudí’s famous Cathedral. Enjoy free time this afternoon before an evening transfer to the Old Port/Port Vell, and a signature restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean.
Overnight: Hotel Catedral B D
Day 9 BARCELONA
Transfer out to airport. B
INCLUDED:
• Hotels or similar, based on double occupancy, with buffet breakfast
• Meals per itinerary with excellent regional wines
• English-speaking guide
• Entrances
• All land transfers, including airport transfers
• Porters
• Pre-trip documents
PRICE:
• On request
• No Scheduled departures
• Custom groups only
• 4 pax minimum
Contact us for smaller or larger groups. All prices subject to currency fluctions adjustment.
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