INDULGING IN SPAIN
Immerse yourself in the incredible history and rich culture of Spain, and relish in the traditional culinary delights of this extraordinary country. Commencing in Bilbao, Spain…13 Days On a date to suit you Food, wine, rest, relaxation and the running of the bulls. Starting in Bilbao -­‐ a most impressive city and home to the Guggenheim Museum – over the next 13 days, you can indulge all your senses and experience the true flavour of Spain at a relaxed pace. Designed to offer a first class experience, your local guides will share their knowledge and passion, giving you an insider’s view of their history and culture. Highlighted by tasting menus, fine dining and scrumptious, delectable foods, this culinary extravaganza will surpass all expectations. Bodegas, fincas and highly sought after local restaurants are featured. Not forgetting some of the worlds’ best wines! The well-­‐appointed accommodation has been carefully selected to include boutique, premium hotels for you to feel at home, all with a strong sense of place and individualism. A mix of character and tranquillity…and with a touch of luxury in Barcelona to complete your journey. Day 1 | Arrive Bilbao On arrival, your guide, Aitor, will meet you at the airport and accompany you to your very comfortable, centrally located hotel. From here, head out to discover this fantastic city in the company of one of its most enthusiastic sons! Aitor will lead you through the streets, markets and hidden corners of the city. A light lunch is included with him, as you try out some of the local specialities in the heart of the old town. Then enjoy an evening at leisure. There is many a good Gin Bar in Bilbao, however do be aware of the free pour, the gin servings are very generous! Accommodation: A 4-­‐star property near the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art (Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro), offering a superb combination of original architecture and modern facilities. A healthy buffet breakfast is served every morning. The panoramic restaurant serves Japanese meals in a warm atmosphere. The bar's menu includes sushi and tapas and complimentary drinks. The on-­‐site SPA facilities include hydro massage, shiatsu massage and a sauna. Day 2 | Bilbao Free day to wander…. The Azkuna Cultural Centre is well worth a visit with art exhibitions, bars and designer boutiques. Unnervingly, there is also a glass bottomed swimming pool on the 5th floor, high above the atrium! You might like to save the Guggenheim for the quieter period in the mid-­‐afternoon as it stays open all day. Hailed as the most important structure of its time when it opened in 1997, Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao has changed the way people think about museums and continues to challenge assumptions about the connections between art, architecture, and collecting. If you want a real treat, the Michelin Star Nerua restaurant at the Guggenheim has a fantastic tasting menu with matching wines. We can book on your behalf, and you can pay directly. Day 3 | San Sebastian Leaving Bilbao by private transfer, your guide will collect you this morning to lead you on the journey east into the heart of the Basque region and the beautiful seaside town of San Sebastian. Xabi (your guide for today) is a Basque native of Pamplona, and long standing guide throughout his home region. What better way to introduce you to the beautiful landscape and ancient culture of the Basques? First stop is in the hills above the town of Durango. Here you meet the irrepressible Patxi, artisan producer of the famous Idiazabal sheep’s cheese. He shares his love of his work with you as he leads you through his beautiful pastures, milks the sheep and the traditional production process. Having worked up an appetite, it’s a short drive to the great asador (grill) Akebaso where you enjoy lunch, before taking the one-­‐hour drive to San Sebastian. Xabi leaves you now to enjoy this most elegant of Spanish seaside towns as you stay in a 19th century villa, now a delightful small hotel. Your accommodation will be a highlight in itself. Accommodation: 5 nights in San Sebastian, surrounded by trees and stately homes, your accommodation is conveniently located. Occupying two classical buildings, one of which was built in 1898 and is a Historical Heritage Building of San Sebastian. Day 4 | San Sebastian Get to know the city and its history in the company of the ever charming Amaya. She’s an enthusiastic guide to both the history and gastronomy of San Sebastian. Your tour includes a ride on the funicular to the top of Monte Igueldo from where you have a splendid view of the bay of San Sebastian – La Concha as it is known. San Sebastian is the European city of Culture in 2016, so Amaya will also be able to point you in the direction of the different events going on during your stay here. Stay with Amaya as she leads you on a pintxos walking tour of the old town. With more bars per head of population than anywhere in Spain, perhaps the world, it is invaluable to have a guide to sort the wheat from the chaff of the culinary scene here. This afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy at your own pace. There is an excellent Thalassotherapy Spa on the seafront if you want to treat your tired legs. As well as more bars per person than anywhere else, San Sebastian also has more Michelin star restaurants per person. Amongst the very finest in town is Arzak. We can make a reservation at your request. Day 5 | San Sebastian Lazy day….Museo de San Telmo – (free admission on Tuesdays) The Museo de San Telmo is an exceptional museum devoted to the cultural heritage of the Basque country. The museum occupies the Renaissance-­‐era buildings of a 16th-­‐century convent in the Old Town. Offering visitors an overview of Basque culture, the diverse collection is presented in different departments such as fine arts, history, archaeology, and ethnology. The fine arts collection exhibits a wide array of paintings, drawings, engravings, and sculptures. Among the highlights are paintings by El Greco, Alonso Cano, Rubens, Depièce, Morán, Ribera, and Coello. The Basque artists represented include Ugarte, Zubiaurre, Echagüe, Salaberría, Arteta, and Zuloaga. The archaeology department displays an extensive collection of coins, ceramics, and pre-­‐
Columbian artefacts, while the history department presents a unique exhibit on the history of weapons from the 15th century to the present day. The museum is open Tuesday-­‐Sunday. Day 6 | San Sebastian Enjoy doing nothing!! Except marvelling at the food displays in streets and alleyways of one the world’s most impressive culinary cities. San Sebastian also has many fine boutiques as well as interesting shops to browse, if so inclined. Day 7 | San Sebastian A day at your leisure…you might like to explore along the coast a little. There is a branch of the northern (coastal) Camino de Santiago which passes right through town so you can follow it up and out along the coast. Alternatively, there is a lovely stretch of the Camino near the fishing village of Zumaia, from where you have views of the famous coastal flysch rock formations. Nearby is the fishing village of Getaria, complete with its own fantastic restaurant – Elkano. Another Michelin star restaurant can be arranged at your request. Day 8 | Pamplona -­‐ La Rioja Every July the city of Pamplona bursts into life during its patronal festival, the San Fermínes. The encierro -­‐ or running of the bulls -­‐ was first thought to have originated as a method to transport the bulls from the corral to the bullfighting ring. The tradition is believed to have been started in the 13th century and has continued as a regular event since 1542. Each morning during the July festival, at precisely 8am, bulls are released from the corral at the foot of town to make their way to the bull ring and the top of the old town. Over the years, the tradition of running with the bulls has emerged. Nowadays, thousands join in this week-­‐long ritual, dressed in traditional Navarran costume of white trousers and shirt with a red neckerchief. The serious runners will have a rolled up newspaper in hand with which to bash the bull on the nose. Very early this morning you will travel by road to Pamplona where you meet up with Xabi again. Here, in the company of just two other guests, you will be on the first floor balcony with a grandstand view of the bull run. For many years your guide, Xabi ran the encierro, so there is nobody better placed to explain the spectacle and emotion of the event. And afterwards you can soak up the festival atmosphere with Xabi as you wander through the streets (of course, when the bulls have finished), before setting off with him towards La Rioja, the next stage of your journey. A brief visit to a bodega en-­‐route before an evening of an impressive tasting menu with matching wines at your hotel’s renowned restaurant. Accommodation: A design hotel combining luxury with boutique in the heart of the Rioja region, the Villabuena de Alava. An unbeatable position in the pretty village, its neighbour is an 18th-­‐
century church. The grand opening was 2010, most of the thirty-­‐three rooms have panoramic views of the village and the surrounding Sierra de Cantabria mountains. Day 9 | Bodegas in La Rioja Today you have Xabi with you all day to introduce you to the wines of La Rioja, from famous producers to family plots. Walk through fields and vineyards to the walled town of Laguardia this morning. The landscape is beautiful with the Cantabrian mountain range just to the north, sheltering the vines of some of La Rioja’s finest producers. You will see the dramatic roof line of Santiago Calatrava’s design for the Ysios winery. Laguardia itself is fascinating to visit, with tales of the peninsular wars dominating the town’s history, it also has much older gems to share. The church of Santa Maria has a striking polychromatic entrance dating as far back as the XII century. Meanwhile, under your feet are countless cellars. Indeed, the town is entirely pedestrianised, since cars would make the streets collapse into the hundreds of wine cellars below. This afternoon enjoy a spot of local, family-­‐run winemaking -­‐ very different from the major Rioja players -­‐ but great fun. It's certainly somewhere you'll receive a very warm welcome, especially if you'd like to lend a hand to some of the processes! An impressive line-­‐up for dinner this evening, a short drive south to the wonderful Moncalvillo restaurant, run by the Echapresto brothers. Ingredients come from the hills around and about, but the food is remarkably sophisticated and delicious. This dinner is known as a maridage, whereby each course is paired with a different wine. The sommelier is on hand to explain each choice of a particular wine to go with particular foods. Day 10 | Barcelona Reluctant to leave this fascinating part of Spain, transfer this morning to the train station for your very comfortable four hour ride along the Pyrenees to the most cosmopolitan of Spanish cities, Barcelona. On arrival you are collected for the transfer to your luxurious hotel in the beautiful Eixample area of the city – home to its finest boutiques and also to some of Gaudí’s most famous architectural works. An evening stroll to acquaint yourself with this vibrant city. Your accommodation for the next three nights is set in an attractive building just off Barcelona’s Passeig de Gracia. The hotel boasts a spa and stylish restaurant with a terrace, prefect for warm evenings. With a convenient location, the hotel is just one block from Gaudí’s La Pedrera and a five-­‐minute walk from Casa Batllo. You can walk to Diagonal Metro Station in five minutes, while Plaza de Catalunya is just over 1km away. The area of Eixample is a great choice for travellers interested in architecture, food and shopping, and has been voted the favourite part of town in Barcelona. Day 11 | Barcelona Your guide Nancy comes to find you this morning at your hotel. Though originally from the US, she has lived in Barcelona for twenty years. She combines the insights of a local with the understanding of what it means to introduce visitors to places they would never otherwise discover. It is possible to have Nancy lead you around the city several times and without ever hearing her repeat herself, or even her say anything you already know. In a city which is so popular with tourists, her ability to tailor an off the beaten track experience makes a huge difference. From your hotel, walk along the Passeig de Gracia, passing some of Gaudís most emblematic buildings. Discover the densely packed history of the Gothic Quarter where Roman walls blend with medieval houses and Renaissance palaces. Barcelona’s Olympic transformation from a rough port city to the darling of Europe is nowhere more apparent than in these streets. Of course you will see the world’s most lively street – the Ramblas – with its street performers, cafes, market stalls and artists. The medieval cathedral contrasts dramatically with the Sagrada Familia. It was here that Columbus returned after his first voyage, the font was used to baptize the poor ‘Indians’ he brought back with him. History permeates every turn. This afternoon (complete with a casual lunch) is dedicated to the Born area of the medieval centre. Artisan food shops, designer boutiques and beautiful old buildings dominate this part of the city. It is also here that the Picasso Museum is located. Day 12 | Barcelona A day at your leisure to do all the last minute sightseeing and shopping. Explore and visit some of the best known monuments such as the Picasso Museum, Sagrada Familia or Parc Guell. For a last night treat, we can make a booking for you to dine (pay locally) at Passadis del Pep. It’s an institution in the city. Day 13 | Farewell Spain Your final breakfast will be followed by your private transfer to the airport. Wandering the World is proud to present this indulgent offering, we trust you have an amazing journey. PRICING & INCLUSIONS FOR THIS EXCEPTIONAL INDULGENCE IN SPAIN
FEATURES
A gastronomic journey with an emphasis on traditional foods and fine wines from some of the oldest regions in Spain and Portugal. Bodegas, fincas and highly sought after local restaurants and unique hotels are all keys features. ACCOMMODATION The well-­‐appointed accommodation has been carefully selected to include boutique style posadas, casas and distinctive hotels, with a touch of class and individualism. 12 Nights accommodation including breakfast in premium hotels, superior room categories. 2 nights Bilbao, Suite 5 nights San Sebastian. Suite 2 nights Rioja. Suite. 3 nights Barcelona. Executive Suite. MEALS A combination of degustation, tapas and tasting menus…a culinary extravaganza. Fine local wines are included with all lunches and dinners as per itinerary. Lunches Bilbao pintxo lunch. Asador set menu lunch with drinks. San Sebastian pintxo lunch. Rioja lunch in Laguardia. Barcelona lunch, informal. Dinners Viura Hotel, tasting menu with wines. Moncalvillo, tasting menu with wines. LEADER & SPECIALIST GUIDES This journey is partially escorted. Our leaders/guides are local experienced, well versed and knowledgeable. There will be specialists on hand as per itinerary -­‐ local guides, farmers, and wine makers are all part of this experience. Guided tours Half day Bilbao Full day journey Bilbao to San Sebastian. Including stops & visits as per itinerary. Half day tour to introduce San Sebastian. Early transfer (driver only) to Pamplona to meet Running of the Bulls Guide Xabi (pronounced Habi). Running of the bulls, La Rioja. Luis Canas bodega visit. Full Day wineries. Muga, Laguardia, family winery experience. Full day Barcelona. TRANSPORT Private comfortable vehicles included in line with the itinerary. Preferente class train from La Rioja to Barcelona. Taxi transfer (guide accompanies) Bilbao airport to hotel. Private guided transport Bilbao to San Sebastian. Private unguided transport San Sebastian to Pamplona. Private transport to Moncalvillo restaurant. Private guided transport Pamplona to La Rioja. Private guided transport to local train station in La Rioja. Private transfers Barcelona train station to hotel. PRICES: Please note the prices are a ‘from price’. Prices vary according to season, availability and booking lead in time. Please refer to our full booking conditions. Per person price for Indulging in Spain – 13 Days: From Euro 7,150 Single supplement upon request: Deposit: AUD 3,000 per person Please note we have priced this trip in Euro and taking the deposit in Australian Dollars. The balance due 60 days prior to the trip departing will calculate the Euro amount at the Westpac Telegraphic transfer rate of the day and deduct the deposit from the balance due.