General Information

Duration:

7 Days

Location Start:

Madrid

Location Finish:

Madrid

Payment Types:

Cash, Paypal, Cheque, Travellers Cheque, Payment Transfer

We Speak:

Finnish, English

Itinerary

Day 1

Ábalos, a village in the heart of one of the world’s most famous wine regions, La Rioja. Home to a number of vineyards and bodegas, this beautiful village is surrounded by grape vines, its star produce being hard to avoid. Other neighbouring villages also known for their traditional wine production are: Samaniego, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Haro, and above all Laguardia, a village whose entire subsoil is occupied by wine cellars... To speak of La Rioja is to speak of the wine itself: the colour of the landscape, the region’s history, the lives of the local people – everything here is intrinsically linked to this famous wine. Find out for yourself by visiting the area.

Day 2

First stop is a visit to a nearby bodega. Learn about the cultivation process, how the grapes are processed, how the wine is aged using the crianza process, and how it’s bottled. At the end, make the most of a personalized wine tasting course. Don’t miss the opportunity to become the proud owners of your very own cask! To continue your initiation process, pay a visit to the Wine Museum located in another bodega in nearby village of Briones. The museum will introduce you to the surprising and diverse culture generated by wine production: archaeology, sculpture, paintings...
Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, receives you with its historic centre, pedestrianized streets and its people’s hospitality. Take the opportunity to walk part of the famous Camino de Santiago, First European Cultural Itinerary, picking up the part that passes through the historic centre of Logroño

Day 3

It’s time to travel up north via a road that passes through spectacular landscapes. Less than 50 kilometres away lies Vitoria. The charming medieval city centre offers much to see. Walk through the pedestrianized streets, soak up the atmosphere and admire the beautiful buildings. The numerous lively plazas and shops selling typical local products will keep you entertained well into the afternoon. In addition to a wide variety of tapas bars, you will also find the oldest and most renowned restaurants all located within the medieval part of the city.
Continue on your way to Bilbao. Bilbao has a welcoming atmosphere and offers much both culturally and by way of cuisine. Prestigious and internationally acclaimed museums, numerous examples of the best contemporary architecture, a delightful historic centre and infinite opportunities for those who like to shop until they drop...

YOUR HOTEL: High quality hotel next to all the important points of the city.

Day 4

First stop is the renowned Guggenheim Museum. This brilliant design by the North American architect Frank Gehry, consists of a sophisticated steel structure clad in gleaming titanium panels, inside a high calibre contemporary art museum. If craving for a further dose of culture, pay a visit to the Fine Arts Museum or the fascinating Maritime Museum, which reflects the city’s shipbuilding legacy.
In the afternoon, visit the stately Getxo area located on the coast a few minutes from the centre of Bilbao by the modern metro. Enjoy the panoramic view from the Puente de Bizkaia, commonly know as the Puente Colgante (Hanging Bridge), the only such construction in the world. Admire the architectural beauty of the mansions and palaces on the way to the picturesque streets of this old fishing port. A great place to dine in one of the fine local restaurants.

YOUR HOTEL: Same as the previous night.

Day 5

First stop is the renowned Guggenheim Museum. This brilliant design by the North American architect Frank Gehry, consists of a sophisticated steel structure clad in gleaming titanium panels, inside a high calibre contemporary art museum. If craving for a further dose of culture, pay a visit to the Fine Arts Museum or the fascinating Maritime Museum, which reflects the city’s shipbuilding legacy.
In the afternoon, visit the stately Getxo area located on the coast a few minutes from the centre of Bilbao by the modern metro. Enjoy the panoramic view from the Puente de Bizkaia, commonly know as the Puente Colgante (Hanging Bridge), the only such construction in the world. Admire the architectural beauty of the mansions and palaces on the way to the picturesque streets of this old fishing port. A great place to dine in one of the fine local restaurants.

YOUR HOTEL: Same as the previous night.

Day 6

Continue your journey east along the Basque coast. On the way, you’ll find innumerable picturesque fishing villages and stunning beaches: Lekeitio, Zumaia, Getaria nad finally Zarautz, a favourite summer haunt amongst Basques for its extensive and elegant beach. Its tranquil seafront with avant-garde sculptures, the interesting town centre and its palatial houses are complemented by the pintxos (delicious Basque tapas) and typical local dishes.
Continue on your journey until the Museo Chillida-Leku, dedicated to the remarkable work of the Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida. In an open green area, lies a large part of the artist’s work. Amidst the forest of sculptures, you’ll come across a traditional 16th century country house, refurbished by the artist himself. Inside is a collection of drawings, sketches and smaller works.
The last stop of the day is the famous city of San Sebastián. A walk along the seafront around the Playa de la Concha is a good way to gain first contact with San Sebastián. The historic centre is an ideal place to enjoy some delicious pintxos, indisputably one of the city’s specialities. And don’t miss the modern Kursaal congress hall when the lights come on at night.

YOUR HOTEL: Hotel of character and charm in the best part of the city.

Day 7

Continue exploring de San Sebastián. Climb to the top of Monte Urgull and greet the Sagrado Corazón statue, then walk round the hill and observe the breakwater that on windy days becomes a sea wall in itself! At the foot of the rock, the lively streets of the Casco Viejo lead towards the Plaza de la Constitución, where the numbered balconies refer to the plaza’s origin as a bull ring. Discover beautiful churches and interesting museums, sit on a terrace and simply watch the people pass by…
But as is always the case, all good things must come to an end. Undoubtedly there are still more things you would like to do, see or try... But don’t worry if you couldn’t do everything in these seven days: it’s best to leave some things to do so you have an excuse to come back again in the future.

Extra Information

Extras -

► 6 nights in double room in hotels with charm ► Full breakfasts ► Visit to bodega in La Rioja, wine tasting and introductory course ► Entrance for Museo de la Cultura del Vino at Bodegas Dinastía Vivanco (Briones) ► Entrance for Museo Guggenheim (Bilbao) ► Entrance for Museo Chillida-Leku (Hernani) ► Travel documentation to make the most of the trip ► VAT