This itinerary is a Genuine Spain proposal, we can tailor it to suit your needs!

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

• Explore Vitoria-Gasteiz, one of the greenest cities in Europe.

• Learn some cooking tricks whilst making your own food in a gastronomic society.

• Taste the traditional Riojan cuisine in a family-owned winery.

• Take an electric bike to explore the most emblematic areas of the ‘new’ Bilbao.

• Pick up your own produce for dinner in the ecological vegetable garden of the rural accommodation in Urdaibai.

• Amaze yourself with the hypnotic paintings of the Forest of Oma.

• Enjoy the vast array of delicious pintxos that you can taste in the historic center of San Sebastian.

 

ITINERARY

 

Day 1 

 

Vitoria-Gasteiz, European Green Capital 2012.

 

Arrival to your boutique hotel in Vitoria, the Capital of The Basque Country.

Guided city tour with tasting of traditional pintxos.

 

Day 2 

 

Eco-culture.

 

After breakfast, you will take a walking or cycling city tour in the medieval “Almendra”, el Ensanche and the most emblematic green areas of Vitoria. This tour will show you why Vitoria is the Spanish city with more green areas per habitant. You will visit the Abastos square and buy some local products if you wish. You will head also visit the workshop of different craftsman in the old town.

 

Take a rest for lunch in an organic and slow food restaurant.

 

Keep going on a guided tour of the Cathedral of SaintMary, a building structure example of restoration of religious and historical building and accredited by Galardon Europa Nostra.

 

Enjoy the rest of the day on your own.

 

Day 3 

 

Eco-gastronomy.

 

After breakfast, you will visit the “Green ring” of Vitoria-Gasteiz and Salburua Park. This is the green jewel of Vitoria-Gasteiz and one of the most important wetlands of Europe.

 

Lunch will be served in the “Gastronomic society”, a restaurant that uses products bought in the Abastos square. You will prepare typical Alavese food to taste afterwards.

 

Then, visit to an artisan pastry chef to learn how to make the famous truffles.

 

Day 4 

 

Rioja Alavesa.

 

After breakfast, you will head to Rioja Alavesa to check in your next boutique hotel.

 

To relax after the trip, you will enjoy the rest of the day on your own with some wine therapy.

 

Day 5 

 

Wine culture and history.

 

After breakfast, you will visit a traditional sustainable family winery where Gonzalo will show you around his vineyard and explain the elaboration process of his wine. You will enjoy some wine tasting with traditional lunch prepared with typical food from the area.

 

In the afternoon, you will take a guided tour in the medieval village of Laguardia.

 

Day 6 

 

Alternative Bilbao.

 

Depending on the weather, after breakfast, you will chose between the following activities: walking guided tour in the mining area of La Arboleda with a panoramic viewpoint of Bilbao and traditional “Alubiada” with sacraments for lunch. Or take a walking or bicycle tour in the Zorrozaurre, a popular area with plenty of restaurants and industrial heritage. You will do a recycling workshop where you will learn the process of Bilbao from a highly industrial city to a modern one.

 

Free time for lunch.

 

End your day with a boat ride over the river of Bilbao and some txikiteo and pintxos tasting.

 

Day 7 

 

Green Bilbao.

 

After breakfast, you will start a tour in the ABRA area, where you will do walking birdwatching activity to then join in a voluntary environmental project to help restore an area of native forest. Free time to visit the “Vasco Museum” if you wish.

 

Lunch in a local “sidreria” of the old town. Free afternoon.

 

Day 8 

 

Urdaibai.

 

After breakfast, departure to Urdaibai and check in at your rural boutique eco-hotel. Guided visit to the organic farm of EuskoLabel to learn about the rural life of farmers in this area. Taste their local products and enjoy the surroundings during a free afternoon.

 

Day 9 

 

Marshes and Coast of Urdaibai in Depth.

 

After breakfast, and depending on weather, you would do a guided trek through the marshes of the natural reserve with a expert local. Then, you will visit a local “txakolineria” to learn about the method of elaboration of Txakoli - white wine of the area - to taste together with other products of the area.

 

In the afternoon, take a boat trip from the mouth of the estuary in Mundaka to Izaro, Cabo Ogoño, to learn about the history and the biodiversity of the area. Free afternoon.

 

Day 10 

 

Green Urdaibai.

 

After breakfast, you will do a guided mild trek in the green spaces of Urdaibai to explore the forest of Oma and the Santimamiñe Caves. Lunch in a local slow-food restaurant. You will have free time during the rest of the afternoon to visit other interesting places such as Villa of Gernika, La Casa de Juntas or the Museo de la Paz (Peace Museum).

 

Day 11 

 

La Bella Easo.

 

After breakfast, you will join a walking or bicycle tour to the most beautiful area of San Sebastian. Lunch in a traditional restaurant and a free afternoon to enjoy on your own. In the evening, join a Pintxos tour with a local guide.

 

Day 12 

 

Beach Day and Departure.

 

After breakfast, you will have time to stroll or swim in the sea and enjoy the beaches of San Sebastian. Departure to the airport.