General Information

Duration:

7 Days

Location Start:

Bilbao

Location Finish:

Bilbao

Phone:

US Tollfree 1-866-6987563

Fax:

+34 94 415 1001

Payment Types:

Paypal, Cheque, Travellers Cheque, Payment Transfer

We Speak:

Spanish, English

Last updated: 01/23/2009

Itinerary

Day 1

Eduardo Chillida & Hondarribia

At 12 noon, the group meets in Bilbao, the onetime industrial powerhouse which is currently undergoing its own Renaissance. After introductions, we hop in the van and head for the French border. Our first stop is the beautiful sculpture garden of Eduardo Chillida, a famous Basque sculptor, whose massive iron and granite sculptures are delicately incorporated into the peaceful lush landscape of beech, oak and magnolia trees. Afterwards, we continue to the pleasant fishing village of Hondarribia for a light stroll around the port, where pilgrims arrived by boat and began their pilgrimage to Santiago over 1,000 years ago!
Sleep: Hondarribia / Walking: 2 miles

Day 2

The Northern Camino & Hondarribia

Starting from our hotel, we begin our Northern Camino de Santiago with a good climb to the Sanctuary of Guadalupe where we enjoy views of the beaches and sea below. After passing the remains of an old fortress that kept watch of potential invading ships, we continue through small hamlets and work our way to the coast and the light house that currently helps guide sailors along their way. We finish the evening with a fine meal of Basque Cuisine.
Sleep: Hondarribia / Walking: 6 miles

Day 3

Guadalupe to San Sebastian

Starting from Guadalupe, the yellow arrows take us a bit higher where we cross along the Mountain of Jaizkibel and work our way down to the tiny port of Pasajes de San Juan. Here we cross over to the other bank of San Pedro just like the pilgrims did a thousand years ago – via boat! We then work our way past large “caserios”, old stone Basque farm houses, and are soon greeted by the stylish resort town of San Sebastian, a place that has long been popular with the Spanish bourgeois. Here the beauty of the Concha beach makes it a wonderful place for an evening stroll.
Sleep: San Sebastian / Walk: 11 miles

Day 4

San Sebastian to Orio

With boots on, we leave from our hotel and pass by the famous Wind Combs of Eduardo Chillida. We leave San Sebastian with a steady climb up to the Monte Igeldo and stop to enjoy the views of bay below. The rocky coast of the Basque Country has us going up and down hills, but today it seems mostly up! However, the beautiful views of the sea to our right keep us company and we quickly make our way to the busy fishing port of Orio. Here we regroup and return to San Sebastian for some R&R or even shopping! Those of you who would like a day off from the boots, are more than welcome to spend the day wandering the posh streets of San Sebastian!
Sleep: San Sebastian / Walk: 10 miles

Day 5

Orio to Zumaia

Continuing west, we make our way into Zarautz, one of the nicer beaches along the Basque Country and the place people from San Sebastian go to get out of the city. We continue along a wonderful walkway that borders the sea and enter Getaria, whose famous sailing son, Juan Sebastian Elcano, was the first to sail around the world. We continue along the Northern Camino de Santiago and reach the village of Zumaia, a Basque port famous for its whaling villagers and now their ship building. Our day ends with a visit to a txakoli winery, the light sparkling white wine of the region!
Sleep: Zumaia / Walk: 9 miles

Day 6

Zumaia to Deba

Our walk quickly takes us to the coast where we alternate between cliffside paths, rolling green farmland, and views of the blue sea. We also will see along the hillside the flocks of sheep to remind us that the Basques are not just men of the sea, but also pretty good sheppards! Our day on the trail ends in Deba, where we hop in the vans, and return back to Bilbao to rest up and prepare ourselves for our Farewell Dinner Feast.
Sleep: Bilbao / Walk: 8 miles

Day 7

Bilbao and the Guggenheim

After our delicious breakfast, our local guide takes us on a visit of the internationally acclaimed Guggenheim Museum. Frank Gehry's titanium masterpiece evokes images of a flower and a ship – you decide what comes to mind! After the tour, we say “Agur”- goodbye in Basque as we hope that you have enjoyed your visit of our backyard!

Extra Information

Inclusions -

All meals - minus 1 lunch and dinner.

Exclusions -

Airfare to and from Spain, airport taxes / departure fees, visas, or items of personal nature - laundry, phone, luggage surplus charges, medical expenses, bar, tips, etc.) Prior to / After your Fresco Tour: Should your vacation to Spain be for more than a few days prior to or after your Fresco Tour, perhaps you would be interested in a Spain-taineous Custom Tour and personalized private itinerary. Let us know and we'll create an itinerary especially in tune with your needs and desires.

Extras -

What's Included

Guides: At least 2 multi-lingual guides will accompany the group for the duration of the tour. When specified, local art historians will join us to provide further insights of the specific monument / museum that we visit.

Limited Group Sizes: Fresco Tours are in small groups to ensure that you receive the individual attention that you deserve. We want to be able to treat each of our clients with a personal touch and we limit the groups to a maximum of 14 participants.

Accommodations: Fresco Tours selects a combination of 3-4 star hotels, restored country manors and B&B's that offer the best in hospitality, comfort and location. All rooms have their own bathrooms. Tour prices are based on double occupancy.

Meals: Food speaks volumes about a culture and we love to eat! During our walk days, when possible, we prepare gourmet picnics, using the freshest of local ingredients and selecting the tastiest recipes of the region. Dinners are celebrated in restaurants chosen not only for their menu, but also their atmosphere and service. All breakfast, lunches and dinners (minus one lunch and dinner, where we encourage you to sample the local cuisine on your own) are included.

Support Vehicle: Your walks will be accompanied by a support vehicle that will be there to provide you assistance when the route permits. The possibility of shorter routes and pick-up options will be explained on a daily basis.

Ground transportation: All ground transportation between the designated starting and finishing point of your Fresco Tour is provided. We will help facilitate information for your travel arrangements prior to and after the tour start and finish.

Luggage transfer: Your luggage will be transported between hotels. Due to space restrictions, each participant is limited to one medium-sized piece and a small carry-on bag.

Special Event Tickets: Wine tastings, garden tours, concerts, etc. as outlined in the itinerary.


Basque in the Glory Tour Dates:
May 2 – 8, 2009
May 30 – June 5, 2009
September 12 – 18, 2009