Basque Country Food and Wine Self-Driving Expedition in Spain

(Bilbao, San Sebastian with Rioja)

« »

Priced From

$3,589 USD *

* Plus taxes. Tours sold on an availability basis.

Check Pricing & Dates

Gift This Vacation

7 days | 6 nights

Tour the Basque Country and Rioja!

We feel a wonderful way to explore the Basque countryside and the bucolic Rioja wine lands is going on our self-driven tour. You have the opportunity travel around at your own pace, enjoying the slow paced beautiful countryside at leisure. Spending as much time at a chosen venue or beauty spot as you desire. A self-driven tour also permits plenty of spare time to make your own plans and add to the items on the itinerary. San Sebastian and Bilbao are serious foodie towns, establishing themselves as world-class gastro-paradises. The most renowned aspect of Basque Country is its cuisine: A plethora of innovative chefs have been creating innovative dishes with local ingredients for decades. The high quality of the many Michelin- starred restaurants of this region is one of the pillars of its current international prestige. Bilbao is the region's largest city, with centuries of blended architectural grandeur, boasting Michelin-starred as well as many pinxtos bars serving extraordinarily innovative finger food. In a superb natural setting surrounding a beautiful semicircular bay with a golden beach, San Sebastian is one of Spain's most alluring cities. Rioja, adjacent to Basque Country, is Spain's most famous wine region, noted for its centuries-old tradition of wine making. With the arrival of French merchants in the late 19th century, Riojas' reputation expanded, as the area gained expertise from Bordelaise winemakers, including their use of small oak barrels. This tour of the Basque Country and Rioja is intended to reveal to you highlights of what this extraordinary corner of Spain has to offer. This is a self-driving tour; all directions and maps will be provided. It is designed to be taken at a leisurely pace, allowing yourselves full enjoyment of the countryside. Additional optional experiences are available should you wish us to enhance the guided level of this tour.

Basque Country Food and Wine Self-Driving Expedition in Spain

Fill in the form below to send a link to this page to a friend.

Seperate multiple email addresses with commas.

Email Sent!

This vacation has been sent to {{model.recipientName}}.

Small Group Friendly

Itinerary Accommodations Map FAQ

VACATION HIGHLIGHTS

Please note: Tour inclusions can change depending upon seasonality and weather conditions.

•2 Nights at a 4-star Boutique Hotel in San Sebastian

•2 Nights at a Charming 5-star hotel in Bilbao

•2 Nights at a 4-star Hotel in Rioja

•Breakfast Daily in Hotel

•Pintxos Tour in San Sebastian

•Tasting & Lunch at Cider Producer

•Michelin-Star Dinner in Bilbao

•Hands-on Cooking Class of Traditional Basque Cuisine

•Tasting The Best of Rioja Food and Wine Dinner

•Private Pago Wine Estate Tour with Lunch in Vineyards

•Additional Optional Tours Available

While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs, and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is appropriate for your situation.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.

Click arrows (▶) to show details

Day 1

▶

Check In to San Sebastian Hotel

Take time to relax and unwind from your flight. Stretch your legs with a short ten-minute walk to the city centre from your old town hotel location, then freshen up for your evening out.

▶

Private Txikiteo Adventurous Dining Experience in old San Sebastian

In the evening, experience a private "txikiteo" tour – the activity of hopping from bar to bar in the pursuit of the signature pintxo (tapa/small portion) of each eating-house/restaurant. This adventurous dining experience will take part in the "Parte Vieja"- the old section of San Sebastian – with beautiful architecture and ambiance. During the tour you may try sheep cheese with mint, or ham croquettes in pistachio paste, or crab with avocado and fennel … every bar will have its own signature pintxo, always ingeniously paired with local wines or cider.

Day 2

▶

Breakfast with a View

Breakfast in the charming restaurant, with a lovely garden view. Choices will include plenty of locally-sourced fresh ingredients and delicacies. After all, you are in the gastronomic capital of Iberia!

▶

Free Day to Explore San Sebastian | Additional Options Available

With plenty to see and do, think food shopping like a local in the Gros area, in the vicinity of the barrio (district) where your hotel is located. This area offers a selection of fashionable modern stores, combined with quirky art galleries. The upmarket old town is just a stroll away. If you wish to explore cultural attractions, we suggest the Tabakalera. This former tobacco factory reopened in 2015 as a centre for contemporary culture, housing an ever-changing mix of exhibitions and events. If you decide to visit, don't miss the observation deck at the top floor. It has one of the best views of the city and its coastline. Looking for something sporty? We suggest swimming, or taking a surfing lesson at Zurriola Beach, also in the Gros district. This is where you find the casual side of San Sebastian. Compared to the other beaches in town, this one feels quite undiscovered, with mostly locals and a few tourists engaging in sunbathing, surfing, swimming, or lingering on the esplanade. For another memorable experience, we recommend a private boat tour around La Concha Bay and the Basque coast. After being greeted at the local dock by the captain, and welcomed onto your comfortable sailing boat, you will sail away on a 3-to-4-hour cruise. This might be your best opportunity to appreciate the beauty of San Sebastian and the dramatic coast of the Basque Country -- and no better way to learn about the history of fishing and whaling around the Basque coast, a heritage that is still vivid at present. Upon request, your captain can stop at one of the beautiful bays for a swim. Expect some refreshments and drinks, alongside delicious finger food. Please inquire for more details and pricing. Should you wish to explore the fine dining scene of Spain's gastronomic capital in the evening, we are happy to recommend some of our favorite restaurants.

Day 3

▶

Breakfast with a View | Check out of Hotel

Breakfast in the charming restaurant, with a lovely garden view. It will include plenty of locally-sourced fresh ingredients and delicacies. After all, you are in the gastronomic capital of Iberia!

▶

Sidreria Apple Orchard Visit and Lunch

Before departing to Bilbao, a stop at a traditional ''sidrería'' in the outskirts of San Sebastian. A sidrería, or "basserri" in Basque, is the name for traditional farmhouses that produce cider. Visiting and lunching at a "basserri" is to take part in one of the most cherished local traditions. In the past, after the journey to purchase cider, the city dwellers of the time would join the sidrería owner for a meal that would typically involve codfish, beef, and vegetables, paired of course with ubiquitous cider. Today, this ritual is still followed but updated to present day. Your visit will start at the apple tree orchard, followed by the pressing area, and a tour of the cellars. Then, to the eating house, where you will lunch on the local menu common to the "basserri". And, like good old times, you will have free access to the massive cider barrels to pour your own drink.

▶

Drive to Bilbao | Hotel Check-in | Free Time to Explore

From the Sidrería it should be about a one-hour drive to Bilbao. Check in at your hotel. Enjoy some free time to relax or to explore the city on your own.

▶

Michelin-starred Restaurant Dinner

Dinner will be at a small and atmospheric Michelin-starred restaurant. The ethos is on local ingredients. Expect plenty of succulent fish, seafood, vegetables, and bread, paired with Basque ingenuity. Dishes are beautifully presented and delightful. The wine list is equally surprising. This is one of our favorite restaurants in town.

Day 4

▶

Breakfast Like Ernest Hemingway

Breakfast will be generous and delicious – with a la carte and buffet options. It is served in the same dining room where Ernest Hemingway would dine with his entourage during their stay in Bilbao.

▶

Explore Bilbao on Your Own | Additional Options Available

Wandering through the city can lead to some wonderful surprises. Here one encounters striking contemporary, neo-classical, Beaux-Arts, and medieval architecture, agreeably blended. Bilbao is a former industrial city that over the last decades experienced a firm rebirth at the hand of some of the world's best architects. Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum set the pace. This stunning construction is home to some unusual collections of contemporary art. Other architectural nuggets in Bilboa include Norman Foster's Bilbao metro project; Philippe Starck's Alhóndiga Municipal de Bilbao, a former wine warehouse transformed into a cultural, knowledge, and pleasure centre; and Santiago Calatrava's architectural presence in the city, famous in the United States thanks to his Oculus at the World Trade Center in New York. Fortunately, these new additions have not changed the cities' old Basque spirit. Locals still sit down with friends to enjoy a delicious pintxo washed down with a glass of fizzy txakoli wine. If you wish to explore the city in-depth, we can organize a private tour of both the Guggenheim museum and of the historical city centre of Bilbao, led by a local art and food specialist. Please inquire for more details and price. If you fear you might miss something during your visit, we are happy to organize a private guide to accompany you during the day. Please contact us for pricing and details.

▶

Traditional Basque Hands on Cooking Class

At the end of the afternoon you are expected for a private hands-on cooking class of traditional Basque dishes. The class will be led by an experienced chef, in a relaxed and unpretentious manner. He will introduce you both to the Spanish/Basque food culture as well as to some of the most traditional pintxos in the region. The dishes you will be preparing can be sampled in the many bars of Bilbao and San Sebastian. All recipes are prepared with the intention that you should be able to replicate the dishes at home for your family and friends.

Day 5

▶

Breakfast like Ernest Hemingway | Hotel Check-out

Breakfast will be generous and delicious – with a la carte and buffet options. It is served in the same dining room where Ernest Hemingway would dine with his entourage during their stay in Bilbao. After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive to la Rioja.

▶

Leisurely Drive to Rioja | Hotel Check-in

A leisurely drive should be planned, with plenty of time to spare. Experience a short but beautiful trip across both easy-to-negotiate mountainous roads and green fields dotted by small hilltop castles. Check in to your hotel in Rioja. Take some time to relax, unwind, and enjoy the natural surroundings which contrast with the city experience.

▶

Tasting The Best of Rioja Food and Wine

A perfect addition to your coastal Basque experience, enjoy dinner at your hotel's restaurant. Shortly after the recent inauguration of the hotel, its restaurant emerged as a reference point in the local gastronomic scene. The tasting menu you will savor varies according to the availability of ingredients sourced from local producers, yet you can expect a simple but refined approach to the Riojan flavors. The menu may include chestnut purée, grilled artichokes, vegetable stews with regional pulses, or roasted lamb. Desserts are rich yet delectable. The wine list is one of the best in the area, which for a restaurant in a wine region is saying aplenty.

Day 6

▶

Breakfast overlooking River and Vineyard

▶

Private Pago Wine Estate tour | Lunch in the Vineyards

Late morning you are expected at one of the top wine estates of Rioja. This is a ''Pago'' winery, Pago being the highest denomination for a winery in Spain, similar to the French-wide Grand Crus system. A private tour of the vineyards, spectacularly located on a beautiful meander of the Ebro river, is followed by a visit to the winery and comparative wine tasting. A picnic-style lunch will be served among the vineyards, if weather allows, with soothing views over the landscape. Expect delicious local produce and, of course, the estate's wine.

▶

Free Time to Explore Rioja | Additional options available

After lunch you are free to enjoy and explore Rioja at your leisure, with plenty to see and do. Explore the many charming hilltop towns of Rioja, some which exude a Tuscany feeling. Or, if you are still hungry for more wine knowledge, a visit to the spectacular Vivanco museum, that rivals the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, fits the bill. Here the culture of wine is explored through a series of detailed and topical exhibitions spread throughout four floors of stories, historical artifacts, art works, and many curiosities apropos to the wine world.

Day 7

▶

Breakfast Overlooking Vineyard and River | Hotel Check-out

Breakfast will be served in the beautiful dining room of the Hotel. It is discreetly spectacular: The room not only overlooks the Ebro River, but also some of the mystical vineyards of La Rioja. The famous López de Heredia winery picks grapes for its wines from these vineyards. Today you will conclude your tour. Should you wish to expand your exploration of this area of Spain, we are happy to assist.

San Sebastian Hotel (2 nights)

You will stay at a charming 4-star boutique hotel. A unique venue, an imposing and elegant turn of the century building was carefully converted into a small and intimate hotel. The renovation successfully blends the traditional charm of old San Sebastian with modern Spanish design. Public areas are spacious and smart, as are the rooms, with all mod cons. There is a lovely garden in which to relax. The hotel is located in a quiet area of San Sebastian, within walking distance of the city centre, and a 10-minute walk from the old town. It is an excellent local base from which to explore the towns' lovely beaches, cultural and architectural heritage, not to mention the pintxos bar area.

Bilbao Hotel (2 nights)

The overnight stay in Bilbao will be in a 5-star hotel set in a handsome and atmospheric Beaux-Arts building, extensively restored. Centrally located, with the Guggenheim and the city's Fine Art Museum just a ten-minute walk away, plenty of very good restaurants and shops are waiting to be explored in the buzzing Ensanche district of the hotel. The hotel's interior is very much old-world elegance; it includes a gorgeous lobby and many other public areas with a spacious and discerning atmosphere. No need to mention the beautiful bar, where Ernest Hemingway and Albert Einstein reputedly used to "hang out". Guestrooms are contemporary and very comfortable, with air conditioning.

Rioja Hotel (2 nights)

You will spend two nights in a lovely renaissance palace located in a charming village in the heart of La Rioja, just a short drive from the wine district of Haro, where some of the best known wineries in Spain are located. This elegant 4-star hotel, set on the banks of the Ebro river, is the product of a very recent, no-expense-spared restoration of this historic building. The views over the vineyards and river are magnificent. If you wish to relax and enjoy the scenery you can do so at the large terrace above the Ebro, while enjoying a nice Rioja wine from the hotel's great wine selection. Rooms are modern and spacious, decorated in a chic and calm Spanish modern style, suggestive of clean lines. Each room has a different shape – an effect of preserving the building's historic features. Your lodgings include an excellent restaurant. In all, this hotel is a wonderful site, with top notch facilities focused on rest and relaxation.

Bilbao, Spain•San Sebastian, Spain•Rioja, Spain

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

▶

What Currency is being quoted?

The Currency Code is listed directly after the published amount. If it states USD, then the quoted price is in United States Dollars. If it states CAD, then the quoted price is in Canadian Dollars. If it states EUR, then the quoted price is in European Union Dollars…etc. However, please note that all charges are processed in USD, and Epitourean’s Merchant Bank automatically calculates the currency conversion on the day of the charge.

▶

What does Double Occupancy mean?

Two persons traveling together, and staying in the same room. Tour prices are normally quoted as “per person, double occupancy” in case two people are traveling together and staying in the same room, but paying separately. The cost of the lodging is also shared by two people, thereby reducing costs. This could be a married couple, two friends or relatives.

▶

What is a Single Supplement?

Whenever a person travels alone, the cost of their lodging cannot be shared by another person. When tour products are priced, they are normally stated as “per person, double occupancy.” Whenever a guest occupies a room as a solo, the whole cost of the lodging must be incurred by that one individual. Tour companies accommodate this by charging a Single Supplement. Epitourean does its best to keep the single supplement as low as possible, but it is a real cost that tour companies must absorb, and must pass along to the single traveler.

▶

If I am a Solo Traveler, will I be paired with another person?

Epitourean never pairs a solo traveler with another person without a special request. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself. However, should you wish to be paired with another solo traveler to save on the single supplement, you may make this request. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate such requests, since it would take another solo traveling on the same tour for the same dates. But if requested, we will certainly try.

▶

Are flights included in the tour price?

No. Flights are never included in the price of our land-only tours. Epitourean does not provide air, rail or sea travel, unless expressly noted in the itinerary.

▶

May I give a culinary tour as a gift?

Yes. Epitourean has a special program designed specifically for this purpose. Our Gift Packages come with features such as special messages to the recipient, gift box option, gift link (without pricing), and floating dates (should you not know when the gift recipient wants to travel). Contact a Culinary Travel Specialist at 800-390-3292 or customerservice@epitourean.com to receive additional information about this unique offering.

▶

May we request separate beds if sharing a room?

Yes. In most cases, Epitourean can accommodate a request for two beds to be placed in one room. Just make sure to make this request in the comments section of the reservation process.

▶

Does each guestroom have a private bathroom?

Yes. Epitourean partners with the best lodging options in each destination, and private (en suite) bathrooms are a requirement. However, you should inquire as to the configuration of bathrooms should you have a special need. For example, some tours include accommodations in medieval villages, where either a shower or bath(but maybe not both) are present.

▶

Can your tours accommodate my dietary restrictions?

In almost all cases, Epitourean can accommodate dietary choices and restrictions. But we do request that you ask a Culinary Travel Specialist prior to making your reservation so that we can assess your individual situation.

▶

If I am unable to use a portion of the tour, can I get a partial refund?

Unfortunately, due to vendor and supplier contracts, we are unable to provide partial refunds for unused portions of any tour or tour component.

▶

Are Transfers included in the Itinerary?

Round-trip transfers from the airport or train station are normally included in our international tours. Transfers to the destination (for both international and domestic tours) are not included in the tour price. Please see the Sample Itinerary. If it mentions that transfers are included, then yes, transfers are included at no additional cost.

▶

What meals and excursions are included in the tour?

The Sample Itinerary should be your reference. If the meal or excursion is described in the Sample Itinerary, then it is included at no additional charge. For those days where it expressly notes Free time, then any optional activities you elect to participate in might have an additional cost. In addition, if the itinerary states "evening on your own," it would imply that you have the opportunity to visit a restaurant of your own choosing, and at your own expense. If you have any question about inclusions, please submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button under the price section.

▶

Is it possible to book pre or post tours or stays through Edible Destinations?

Yes, we often do have optional 2 and 3 night excursions that are priced separately from the tour. We can also assist with pre and post night stays in a hotel if you choose to come in early before the tour starts, or stay on after a tour ends. The price of those hotel stays are not included in the price of the tour, but we would be happy to provide a quote. Simply ask your Culinary Travel Specialist, or submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button.

▶

Are Guide or Host Gratuities included in the price of the tour?

Since tipping guidelines and customs vary widely between countries, we do not include gratuities in the price of the tour. Your Culinary Travel Specialist can provide you with recommendations. But the general rule is to tip modestly when you are pleased with a guide’s services, either at the end of the tour, or at the conclusion of a specialty day excursion where you will only be with that guide (or chef) on that day.

▶

Should we plan on any personal expenses during the tour?

All lodging, meals, transfers, classes and excursions mentioned in the Sample Itinerary and Vacation Highlights are included in the price of the tour. However, we highly recommend taking local currency for purchasing personal items, souvenirs, tipping, etc. You can either get the local currency at an airport exchange service, ATM or from your local bank prior to travel. However, you should note that many hosted destinations do not accept credit cards for personal purchases.

▶

Do you recommend Travel Protection?

We recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans can include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more. For more information on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0248.

The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex CA Agency License #0D10209. All products listed are underwritten by, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Stonewall Insurance Company), 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102. 11.17 E7N

Winner
OUTSTANDING
CULINARY TRAVEL
Category Member of ASTA