Take a journey to Spain’s most renowned wine and gastronomic regions! Exiting trip through the most renowned wineries, medieval cities and gourmet capitals!
Day 1 Bilbao
Arrival in Bilbao. Overnight.
Day 2 Bilbao- Getaria (80 km/1,30h)-San Sebastian (30 km/40 min)
In the morning enjoy a short panoramic tour of Bilbao, the metropolis of the Basque country, and visit the magnificent Museum Guggenheim – a spectacular structure by Frank Gehry, made of titanium, glass and limestone. Later proceed the journey through the coastal districts of the Cantabrian Sea-Zumaia, Getaria, Zarautz famous with the production of the txakoli sparkling wine. In Getaria visit and experience tasting the famous wine in one of the txakoli wineries. Proceed to San Sebastian, a city located in the beautiful bay of La Concha. Explore the Old Town and don’t miss to try pintxos in one of the many bars and restaurants in the city.
Day 3 San Sebastian-Vitoria (110 km/1,30h)
In the morning proceed to Vitoria and enjoy a day in this green city. Visit the highlights, starting from the Santa María Cathedral, continue to the Casco Antiguo (Old Quarter) and Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, the heart of the city. On the same plaza visit the church of San Miguel, housing the image of the White Virgin, the city’s patron saint. Next to the church is Plaza de España, another popular and lively square where you can relax and have a drink and tapas on the many terraces. Free time in the afternoon to explore the city. Overnight in Vitoria.
Day 4 Vitoria-Laguardia (50 km/1h)-Elciego (10 km/10 min)-Logroño (30 km/30 min)
Drive south to the region Rioja Alavesa, an area with twelve thousand hectares of vineyard. First stop is Laguardia, an ancient, walled city with narrow stone streets. Here you should visit one of the many underground wine cellars. Next to Laguardia is located one of Rioja’s treasures – Ysios winery, designed by Santiago Calatrava with its outstanding undulating roof against the landscape of the Cantabria Mountain Range. Proceed to Elciego where you will see the Gehry-designed titanium facility at the Marques de Riscal winery. Choose to have a guided visit of Ysios or Marques de Riscal winery and pass through the 19th century underground cellars. Drive to Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, a beautiful city, located on the river Ebro. Overnight in Logroño.
Day 5 Logroño-San Millan (40 km/1h)-Briones (30 km/1h)-Haro (10 km/15 min)-Logroño (50 km/1h)
Drive south and get to San Millán de la Cogolla, where a Riojan monk wrote the first words in spanish, considered the first trace of the spanish language. Here you can visit the famous Yuso and Suso Monasteries of San Millán, dating from 6th century and World Heritage Sites.
Afterwards, proceed to Briones, a medieval town where the wine lovers can visit the Dinastía Vivanco Museum of the Culture of Wine. The museum is a great and unique place, discovering all the processes involved in changing grapes into star product and showing the influence of the wine on the culture throughout the world from ancient times. Enjoy free time in Briones for a lunch and experience the excellent food here. In the afternoon proceed to Haro, historic-artistic town in Rioja, well-known with its best wines and the ‘Wine Batlle’ festival. Visit the most valuable monument-the Church of Santo Tomás, and why not one of the famous Haro’s wineries. Return to Logroño.
Day 6 Logroño-Zaragoza (180 km/3h)-Vilafranca del Penedès (250 km/3,30h)
Departure to Barcelona, on the way a short stop for a lunchtime and sightseeing of Zaragoza, another city located on the banks of Ebro river. Here visit the 17th century baroque basilica of the Virgin del Pilar. Afterwards, proceed to Penedès – the capital of the Catalan most famous wine region. Enjoy a wine tasting and tour of a local biodynamic and ecological winery and learn more about their authentic way of producing wine. Overnight near Vilafranca del Penedès, the capital city of the wine region.
Day 7 Vilafranca del Penedès – Sant Sadurní d’Anoia – Montserrat (60km/1h) – Barcelona (55km/1h)
In the morning proceed to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, a small town full with wineries, specialised in the production of the famous cava champagne. Here you will have a guided visit of the first cava producer Codorníu and its vast underground cellars. Learn about the history of the “spanish champagne” and taste one of the best cava! Later, you will have a gourmet lunch in a local restaurant while enjoying the panoramic view of the Penedès region. In the afternoon continue with a visit of Montserrat – a monastery complex, located at an extraordinary mountain area with breathtaking views. Visit the famous Black Virgin, Barcelona’s patron saint, kept in the basilica. Proceed to Barcelona for an overnight.
Day 8 Barcelona
Have a full-day tour of Barcelona highlights, starting from Barcelona’s most famous avenue, Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter, where the 13th century Gothic Cathedral is situated. Reach the old harbour, today’s modern yacht port with the Columbus monument. Proceed to the hill of Montjuic where you will see the National Palace, home of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, the Magic Fountains and the Olympic ring.
Continue the visit of Barcelona’s highlights on the Modernisme route. Pass through the majestic boulevard Passeig de Gracia, where can be seen the Gaudí’s most impressive works – Casa Milá and Casa Batlló. Afterwards visit Sagrada Familia, the most prestigious and complex project of the genius Gaudí. In the evening try the famous catalan cuisine, accompanied with some of the excellent wines of this Mediterranean region. Overnight in Barcelona.
Day 9 Barcelona
Departure to Barcelona airport.
