ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Madrid
Welcome to Spain, a country filled with Moorish palaces, Gothic cathedrals, Roman Aqueducts, modern artwork, delicious food and wine, fertile planes, crystal clear seas, and soaring mountains. Upon arrival at the Madrid airport, a representative will be waiting to transfer you to your luxury hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, exploring the beauty of this monumental city. Ask your travel consultant for recommendations of their favorite restaurants, cafes, and bars.
DAY 2
Madrid – Madrid Old Quarter and Royal Palace Walking Tour
Marvel through the rich history of Madrid during your private walking tour of the city's historic center and the Royal Palace. Your licensed English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel, before setting off through the historic streets, discovering the old quarter, the Barrio de la Moreria, and learning about the city's Moorish roots. Continue to the Renaissance and Baroque buildings of the Habsburg era, in Calle Mayor, the Plaza Mayor, and the Plaza de la Villa. At the end of your walking tour through the old quarter, make sure to visit the impressive Royal Palace, the former residence of the Spanish Kings. The palace is adorned with the royal family's exquisite collection of tapestries, porcelain, antique clocks, armor, and artworks. Admire priceless paintings by Goya and Velazquez, as well as the official Reception Hall, the Royal Chapel, the Hall of the Throne, and the private room of King Carlos III and Queen Isabel II.
DAY 3
Ribera del Duero – La Rioja
La Rioja is one of the most famous wine regions in Europe, a must for wine lovers. Before arriving at your hotel, you will have the opportunity to visit Ribera del Duero, one of the top red wine-producing regions in Spain.
DAY 4
La Rioja – Winery visits and tasting
Enjoy a full-day private tour and explore the famous Rioja Wine area, a must for wine lovers, visiting three different wineries with tastings. You will start exploring this unique and privileged region with its monumental medieval villages and 12,000 hectares of vineyards offering some of the world´s best wines. Observe the extensive wine landscape; learn about the process of winemaking and, of course, taste La Rioja´s specialties. During this day you will enjoy three wine tours at different wineries: one in a renowned and historic winery, another one in a small, traditional family-run winery of the region, and the last one in a contemporary-designed winery with cutting-edge designs and the most innovative technologies. All the winery visits include tastings so you can try the local wines. You will also have a chance to try a gourmet lunch in a local restaurant where local wine is served.
DAY 5
La Rioja – Olite - Javier’s Castle - Pamplona
Today’s transfer will take you first to Olite, where you can opt to spend some time on your own, indulging in the rich history of the town, and visit the Royal Palace and the beautiful churches. You will continue to one of the most beautiful castles in Spain. Javier’s Castle dates back to the 10th century and was the birthplace of one of the two patron saints of the Navarre autonomous region in 1506. The fortress has been through many transformations over the centuries and today houses important artifacts and a vast collection of Spanish paintings from the 15th to the 20th century, as well as a great collection of 19th-century Japanese kakemonos. Finish the day at Pamplona.
DAY 6
Pamplona – Hondarribia
A morning tour of Pamplona, the historic center of Pamplona has a great monumental heritage and with the help of your licensed guide, you will immerse yourself into the stories and myths of the city. After the tour and hotel checkout, you will head to your Hondarribia hotel. Explore this beautiful fishing town at your own pace and ask your Travelive specialist for the best dining venues.
DAY 7
Hondarribia – San Sebastian
Today after breakfast you will enjoy a short drive from Hondarribia to San Sebastian. Upon arrival, you will check in to your hotel and then have the rest of the day to explore on your own.
DAY 8
San Sebastian – Half-day walking tour
After meeting your private guide, you will enjoy a half-day guided tour of San Sebastian exploring the old Casino, La Concha beach, and Victoria Eugenia Theatre among other highlights. San Sebastian lies along a white sandy bay between hills, surrounded by beautiful green scenery. The picturesque old town is located between the sea and the River Urumea, the marina, and the fishermen's district. The old Casino, nowadays the City Hall, is looking at the sea, from where an elegant promenade with railings and streetlamps runs along beautiful La Concha Beach. On one of the banks of the Urumea River, you find the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, the Maria Cristina Hotel, built in plateresque style, aristocratic houses from the beginning of the 20th century, and the “María Cristina Bridge”, a monumental bridge that crosses the river. Discover tradition and modernity going hand in hand in this coastal Leisure City with touches of the Belle Époque, its international film and jazz festivals, and a first-class cultural program.
DAY 9
San Sebastian – Bermeo – Bilbao
Today will be a fun day tour on your way to Bilbao! You will stop at an anchovy processing factory and have a private tour, accompanied by a staff member! Your guide will give you a tour of the facility and describe how the sardines arrive at the factory and are then salted and aged in barrels. Your guide will provide a complete explanation of the process and you will see how the fish are processed through observation windows before enjoying a proper tasting of anchovies paired with txakoli.
DAY 10
Bilbao – Culture and History Walking Tour
Your day will start with a short drive to Getxo, to visit the historic Bizkaia Bridge, popularly known as the Hanging Bridge, where you can enjoy a splendid view of the bay. You will continue your tour with a pleasant stroll along the Dock of Las Arenas promenade that boasts many fine examples of manor houses from the beginning of the 20th century, most of them influenced by English architecture. Stroll around the historic old quarter of Bilbao, popularly known as the Seven Streets, and discover emblematic buildings such as Saint James's Gothic Cathedral, the Plaza Nueva (New Square), the San Antón Church and the Mercado de la Ribera (Seaside Market) the biggest covered market in Europe. Your English-speaking private guide will gladly show you the best places to enjoy the local cuisine like nowhere else and you will understand why the Basques have taken gastronomy to a superior level.
DAY 11
Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Bilbao Airport, to catch your departure flight.
