FLAVORS OF NORTHERN SPAIN: GASTRONOMIC ROUTE

FLAVORS OF NORTHERN SPAIN: GASTRONOMIC ROUTE

6 days / 5 nights – Departure from San Sebastián

The north of Spain is a land of stunning landscapes, culinary tradition and exceptional wines. Throughout this journey, we will explore the history and essence of three of the country’s most emblematic regions: the Basque Country, La Rioja and Ribera del Duero. This tour will not only take us to discover the country’s most renowned cuisine, but will also immerse us in the culture, architecture and identity of each place.

San Sebastián will welcome us with its pintxo culture, Bilbao will surprise us with its mix of avant-garde and tradition, La Rioja will take us through its legendary wineries and Ribera del Duero will offer us an unparalleled wine experience surrounded by medieval fortresses.

Day 1: San Sebastian

San Sebastian, a jewel of northern Spain, welcomes us with its aristocratic elegance, its golden beaches and a gastronomy that has conquered the world. This city, which in the 19th century became the refuge of European high society, continues to dazzle with its mix of history, dreamlike landscapes and excellent cuisine.

Our tour begins in the Old Town, the soul of San Sebastian, where the cobbled streets transport us back in time. As we advance, we discover its history marked by wars, fires and resurgences.

San Sebastian is synonymous with gastronomy, and there is no better way to discover its essence than through a route of pintxos, the small masterpieces of Basque cuisine. In some of the city’s most famous bars, we’ll sample a selection of local specialties:

After immersing ourselves in the city’s culinary tradition, we’ll take a stroll along the iconic La Concha Bay, a postcard setting where the sea draws a perfect curve framed by mountains and Belle Époque buildings. The sunset will give us the perfect image of San Sebastian, reflecting the golden tones on the waters of the Cantabrian Sea.

Overnight in San Sebastian

Day 2: From San Sebastian to Bilbao – Coastal route and stop in Getaria

The day begins with breakfast in San Sebastian, where we can taste a traditional Basque cake or a crispy puff pastry pantxineta with almond cream. After the first meal of the day, we say goodbye to the city and begin our journey by car to Bilbao, following one of the most spectacular coastal routes in northern Spain.

Stop in Getaria

Nestled between the sea and the mountains, Getaria is a fishing village with a fascinating history. Its cobbled streets lead us to the port, where the seafaring tradition is still alive, while its historical legacy reminds us that this is where Juan Sebastián Elcano, the first navigator to complete the circumnavigation of the world, was born.

Our stop in Getaria includes a visit to a Txakoli winery, the white wine that characterises this region. We will learn about the cultivation of vines on terraces, which grow facing the sea, and we will enjoy a tasting of Txakoli, paired with a small appetizer of local products.

After the visit, we continue our journey to Bilbao, where we will arrive at midday.

Arrival in Bilbao

Bilbao is the best example of how a city can transform itself without losing its essence. From being an industrial port, it has evolved to become a world reference for art and architecture, without forgetting its deep gastronomic and cultural tradition.

Upon arrival in the city, you will have time for lunch and our first stop will be the Guggenheim Museum, the undisputed icon of Bilbao’s renovation. This impressive titanium building, designed by Frank Gehry, seems to defy the rules of architecture with its undulating shapes that reflect the light and water of the estuary.

After the visit, we will head to the Old Town of Bilbao, the historic soul of the city. Known as “the Seven Streets”, this neighborhood preserves the essence of the most authentic Bilbao, with historic buildings, lively squares and taverns where the hustle and bustle of local life can be felt in every corner.

To close the day, we will enjoy free time for dinner, with the possibility of choosing between traditional taverns where we can taste pintxos or restaurants specialized in old cow steak and cod a la vizcaína, two of the gastronomic jewels of the region.

Night in Bilbao

Day 3: From Bilbao to La Rioja – Añana Salt Flats, Haro and arrival in the land of wine

The day begins with breakfast in Bilbao before setting off on our journey by private car to La Rioja, one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world. Along the way, we will stop at a unique place: the Añana Salt Flats, an ancient enclave where salt production has remained unchanged for more than 2,000 years.

Stop at Añana Salt Flats

Located in a valley of exceptional beauty, the Añana Salt Flats have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, not only for their historical value, but also for their importance in the culture and economy of the region.

During our visit, we will walk among the evaporation platforms where salt water flows from natural springs and, with the heat of the sun, is transformed into delicate salt crystals. We will learn how this process, used since Roman times, has survived to this day, preserving traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation.

To complete the experience, we will enjoy a salt tasting, where we will discover the differences in texture and flavour between the different varieties extracted in this unique enclave.

Stop in Haro

We leave the salt landscape behind and continue our journey towards Haro, a city that breathes wine in every corner. Its cobbled streets, its centuries-old wineries and its vibrant atmosphere have made it the epicentre of wine culture in Spain.

Upon arrival, we will stop at a traditional restaurant to enjoy a Riojan lunch where we will taste some of the most emblematic dishes of the region.

Arrival in La Rioja – A landscape of vineyards

After a break, we resume our journey and head to La Rioja, one of the most exclusive wine regions in Spain. We will stay in Laguardia, a medieval town surrounded by vineyards, where the ancient walls and cobbled streets will transport us to another era.

Night in Laguardia

Day 4: La Rioja – Tradition and great wines

The sunrise in Laguardia welcomes us with a landscape of vineyards that stretches to the horizon. After breakfast, we will enter the world of wine with a tour of some of the most emblematic wineries in La Rioja, where we will discover the secrets of viticulture and the process of making the most prestigious wines in the region.

During the visit, we will explore how young, crianza, reserva and gran reserva wines are produced, understanding the differences in their aging and the characteristics that make them unique. We will enjoy a guided tasting, where we will learn to identify the aromas and nuances of these wines, appreciating their balance, structure and ability to evolve over time.

To complete the experience, we will enjoy lunch at a winery, where the flavours of Rioja cuisine will be paired with the region’s wines, in an unbeatable setting surrounded by vineyards.

Night in Laguardia

Day 5: Ribera del Duero – History, great wines and a medieval castle

The day begins in Laguardia, where we enjoy the last sunrise among the Riojan vineyards before continuing our journey to another of Spain’s great wine regions: Ribera del Duero. During the approximately three-hour drive by private car, we will cross landscapes of vineyards and hills bathed by the Duero River, which give life to one of the most prestigious designations of origin in the country.

Unlike La Rioja, where family-run wineries have perfected ageing in oak barrels for centuries, in Ribera del Duero winemaking is characterised by the altitude of its vineyards, the extreme climate and the power of its reds. Here, Tinta del País, a variant of Tempranillo, is the protagonist of wines with a firm structure, marked tannins and a robust character that has won over winemakers and wine lovers around the world.

Our first stop in Ribera del Duero takes us to a historic winery, where we will discover the evolution of this wine region. We will walk through ancient underground galleries, where French and American oak barrels house long-aged wines, resting in optimal conditions to develop their complexity and elegance.

During the visit, we will enjoy a guided tasting, where we will explore the nuances and aromas of the Ribera del Duero Reserva and Gran Reserva. We will learn to distinguish their differences with respect to other Spanish wines, appreciating the intensity, structure and longevity that characterize the reds of this region.

After the experience at the winery, we continue our tour to the Peñafiel Castle, an imposing 10th-century fortress that stands above the valley. Strategically built to protect the region during the Reconquista, this castle offers us unparalleled panoramic views of the Ribera del Duero vineyards. Inside, we will visit the Wine Museum, where we will explore the history and evolution of winemaking in this land, understanding its importance throughout the centuries.

To close the day, we will enjoy a free dinner, where we will be able to taste the culinary specialty of Ribera del Duero: roast lamb in a wood oven, accompanied, of course, by an excellent wine from the region.

Overnight in Ribera del Duero

Day 6: Arrival in Madrid – End of the tour

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Ribera del Duero and begin our journey by private car to Madrid. During the journey, we will cross the extensive vineyards and landscapes of the Castilian plateau.

We will arrive in Madrid at midday, where our trip ends, bringing to a close an unforgettable experience full of history, culture and the most exquisite flavors of the north and center of the country.

What does the tour include?

• Transportation in a private vehicle with a driver throughout the tour.
• Accommodation in hotels.
• Pintxos route in San Sebastian with a gastronomic guide and pairing with Txakoli.
• Entrance and guided tour of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
• Visit to the Añana Salt Mines with salt tasting.
• Private tour of wineries in La Rioja and Ribera del Duero, with tastings of reserve and grand reserve wines.
• Lunches in wineries with a traditional Rioja menu and wine pairing.
• Entrance to the Peñafiel Castle and the Ribera del Duero Wine Museum.
• Expert guides in each destination.
• Basic travel insurance.

What is not included?

• Flights or trains to the tour starting point in San Sebastian
• Dinners and lunches not specified as included
• Additional drinks outside of the scheduled tastings
• Personal expenses and tips
• Optional activities outside the itinerary

Maximum capacity: 15 people.
Meeting point: Pick up at the hotel.
It is essential to have received confirmation of the reservation.

CANCELLATION CONDITIONS

One-day tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before.