(11 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis) San Sebastian, La Rioja, Bilbao, Barcelona, Costa Brava
This tour focuses on three of the most beautiful and distinctive regions in Spain: the Basque Country, La Rioja and Catalonia.
Begin in San Sebastian (Donostia), an elegant seaside resort near the border of France that is the gastronomic capital of the Basque Country. Tour the picturesque old town, and browse local produce and fish markets. Basque cuisine is generally considered to be Spain’s finest and on this tour you will have ample opportunity to sample the local specialties. Take a class at a private cooking club, and enjoy a private tasting of the region’s delicious pintxos—the Basque version of tapas—and Txakoli, a local, slightly sparkling white wine.
Transfer to La Rioja wine country, one of the world’s most renowned winemaking regions. En route, visit various bodegas (wineries) for wine tasting. Spend two nights at Hotel Marques de Riscal, in the heart of La Rioja. This architecturally stunning luxury hotel was designed by Frank Gehry and features a wavy metal roof and Spain’s only Caudalie Vinothérapie (“wine therapy”) spa, offering treatments using vine and grape seed extracts. On a private day excursion, visit Laguardia, a beautiful medieval walled village possessing wine caves under its cobblestone streets and impressive views of the nearby hills. Tour surrounding vineyards and enjoy wine tastings at bodegas (wineries) designed by celebrated modern architects such as Santiago Calatrava or Zaha Hadid.
Next, transfer to Bilbao, one of the most architecturally progressive towns in Spain. Visit the Guggenheim Museum, a stunning building of swooping titanium curves designed by Frank Gehry. After a private tour of the museum’s art collection, perhaps enjoy dining in its Michelin-starred restaurant.
From there, fly to Barcelona, one of Europe's most dynamic centers of modern art and contemporary culture. With your private guide, tour the city’s famous boulevards, the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter, the central food market, and neighborhoods that are centers of Barcelona's design movement. Discover Gaudi's fantastical buildings, such as Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and the hillside Parc Guell. Also visit several of the city’s many excellent museums and architectural landmarks. During leisure time, enjoy Catalan cuisine, which is at the cutting edge of Spanish cooking.
Conclude on the Costa Brava, the heartland of Catalonia, where the region’s unique culture is apparent in its cuisine, architecture and language. One day, enjoy a private excursion to Figueres, birthplace of Salvador Dali and home to the fascinating Dali Theatre-Museum, and Port Lligat, the tiny port near windswept Cadaques that served as both inspiration and home to Dali. Also visit Girona, with its beautifully preserved cathedral, Arab baths and old Jewish quarter. On an optional excursion, perhaps tour some of the many charming medieval villages that dot the countryside.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1
Arrive
San Sebastian
Arrival private transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Introductory private tour of old town
Day 2
San Sebastian
Private market tour, followed by cooking class. Private pintxos and Txakoli tasting
Day 3
San Sebastian – La Rioja wine country
Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights, with wine touring en route
Day 4
La Rioja wine country
Full-day private excursion to Laguardia and nearby wineries
Day 5
La Rioja – Bilbao – Barcelona
Private transfer to Bilbao airport for your flight to Barcelona, with private tour of Guggenheim Bilbao en route. Upon arrival in Barcelona, private transfer to hotel for 3 nights
Day 6
Barcelona
Half-day private city tour
Day 7
Barcelona
Half-day private city tour
Day 8
Barcelona – Costa Brava
Private transfer to the Costa Brava for 3 nights
Day 9
Costa Brava
Full-day excursion to Girona, Figueres and Port Lligat
Day 10
Costa Brava
At leisure at resort hotel. Optional excursion to medieval villages
Day 11
Depart Costa Brava
Private transfer to Barcelona airport
Hotels
San Sebastian:
Hotel Maria Cristina
La Rioja:
Hotel Marques de Riscal
Barcelona:
Hotel Arts Barcelona or Hotel Omm
Costa Brava:
Mas de Torrent
Cost
$13,955
Per person (double occupancy)
All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.
Call us at (800) 214-8144 for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.
