ACTIVITY LEVEL: Low
Join The Continental DRIFTER® Founder and veteran tour organizer Ralph Velasco for the culinary adventure of a lifetime in Northern Spain.
This experience will focus on the Basque cities of San Sebastián and Getaria, as well as Laguardia & Logroño in the Rioja region, plus we’re offering an optional pre-trip extension to Barcelona.
During this once-in-a-lifetime trip, you'll enjoy several locally-guided tapa tours, a visit to a private gastronomic society with lunch, a number of wine tastings, as well as learn about olive oil production concluding with a private tasting held in the middle of a centuries-old olive grove.
Click here to watch a video overview of this experience.
If you choose to participate in the optional pre-trip extension to Barcelona you’ll spend three nights in a wonderful boutique hotel that is well-located for all you’ll do during your stay.
Next, start the base trip by staying 4 nights in San Sebastián at an amazing former convent that's been expertly converted into a great boutique hotel located meters from La Concha Beach and within walking distance of just about everything this beautiful seaside town has to offer.
Finally, your last 4 nights will be at a converted family villa perfectly situated right on the Plaza Mayor of the hill town of Laguardia, which is lovely to explore and just a short distance from all our planned activities in this region.
It goes without saying that spending time in these beautiful places will be truly unforgettable, even for the most seasoned traveler. There may even be an opportunity for an optional hot air balloon ride (see this video for an example of this experience).
"Northern Spain, come for the experience of travel, stay because it’s with Ralph…..and there’s wine. And this is why I travel!!! Traveling with Ralph is like getting an insider's look into the life and culture of all of these different places on Earth." - Laurie K.
"Continental DRIFTER’s Northern Spain trip was the trip of a lifetime, but I will definitely travel with Ralph again, so there’s going to be competition for that “trip of a lifetime” title!
With a small group of delightful companions, we saw spectacular views and architecture, ate amazing local food, drank delicious local wine, visited interesting locations with fun and knowledgeable local guides, and had so many laughs.
Highlights included the sheer cliff faces overlooking Zumaia Beach, the lush terraced vineyards over the impossibly blue Bay of Biscay, the charming beachfront of San Sebastian, the ridiculously delicious tapas crawl on Calle Laurel in Logroño, and spending part of the trip in a little 13th-century walled town in Rioja.
Ralph takes care of every detail, so all that’s left to do is marvel, learn, and enjoy. And eat. And eat. I loved spending enough time in each location to really get a feel for it instead of rushing from place to place checking items off a list, and Ralph curates the coolest experiences, like olive oil farm tours and cooking classes. 47 thumbs up from me! - Karen G.
“It's great to see the famous locations like museums and cathedrals, but getting further out and seeing and meeting people that are the heart and soul of a country really makes the difference for me. Meeting Francisco, the chef at the Gastronomic Society was truly a memorable experience. It's a treasure to have someone cook for you while talking and answering questions as to what it's like living in Spain. I like having both you and the local tour guide, Ramon, being with us because both of you are friendly and knowledgeable, and you work well together. I like the small group because we could easily go through crowds, and alleys and stay together. I like how you take us to restaurants that you have really checked out. It takes the guesswork and saves a lot of wandering when there is so much to see.” - Amy & Robert M.
"I have recently returned from this trip to Northern Spain and I highly recommend it! We toured
wineries, had an olive oil tasting in an olive grove, attended a cooking class, took tours of churches and architecture, and so much else!
At each stop, Ralph had hired guides with extensive knowledge of their area, who were interesting, helpful, and punctual. (In Ramon's case, hilarious as well!). After daily excursions, we had the late afternoon and evening free to wander on our own and explore the three different cities we stayed in.
The food was fantastic and fresh. We never had a bad meal. The hotels were beautiful.
My favorite memory will always be sitting on the outdoor patio of a beautiful winery in the sun, eating pintxos (Basque tapas), drinking incredible wine, and chatting with the really nice group of people on the trip; all with a beautiful view of the Bay of Biscay.
It was definitely one of the highlights for me!
I would recommend Ralph and Continental Drifter to anyone looking for an amazing travel experience!" - Diana S.
"My husband and I traveled with Ralph to the Basque region of Spain recently. It was our first experience with All Campagna and it will definitely not be our last. First of all, Ralph researches all his trips so thoroughly that you get to enjoy all the wonderful activities, events and accommodations that he chooses for his trips. I can not rave enough about our trip to Spain. Oh my gosh, the food was unbelievable, and let's not forget the wine! His trips are such a nice small size that everyone becomes like family by the end of the trip! I can not wait to try our next adventure with Ralph." - Ann W.
"I just returned from the September trip to Spain. The trip was a true experience. I had waited for for 18 months to for this vacation and it was well worth the wait. Ralph's planning and preparations are excellent and I waded through the international travel bureaucracy with ease.
Accommodations were amazing. We stayed in terrific rooms in 14th century properties after a three day add-on trip to Barcelona.
The food is amazing! Each included multiple courses of traditional Spanish food and included a full meal prepared by a local gastronomic society. If you have never done a pub crawl enjoying wine and tapas, you haven't lived. Spanish wine is terrific and we visited several wineries and learned about the cultivation and creation of the local vintages...even a winery in caves below the city.
Each segment of the trip includes a very experienced local guide who knows both the sites and history of the area. The small group size quickly becomes a trip with friends just having a great time. Will I do it again? You better believe it!" - Brad C.
According to Google, “Basque Country (Euskadi) is an autonomous community in northern Spain with strong cultural traditions, a celebrated cuisine and a distinct language that pre-dates the Romance languages.
The vibrant riverside city of Bilbao is a hub of architecture and design, where gritty factories and shipyards give way to cutting-edge landmarks such as the titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum [by Frank Gehry] along a revitalized waterfront.”
ALL ACTIVITIES, LOCATIONS, DAYS, AND TIMING ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Most meals are included and B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, and D = Dinner
8-nights’ accommodations, including 4 nights in San Sebastián in a boutique hotel and 4 nights in Laguardia at a converted mansion in the old town center on this gorgeous hill town's Plaza Mayor.
Private airport transfer from Hondarribia/San Sebastián airport (EAS) to your hotel upon arrival and group transfer to Bilbao (BIO) at end of trip.
Services of an English-speaking guide for orientation tours and various included experiences.
Breakfast (B) daily, 5 Lunches (L) and 2 Dinners (D).
Transportation between locations and for included group activities, when necessary, in a private, air-conditioned vehicle.
Entry fees for all included sites and experiences.
Group tips for local guide(s), drivers and included meals.
Your flights or other transportation to and from our starting and ending points in Spain. Fly into San Sebastián (EAS) and out of Bilbao (BIO).
If participating in the pre-trip extension to Barcelona, your flight from BCN > EAS is not included.
Items of a personal nature.
Alcoholic beverages and other items not specifically mentioned as included.
Additional tips for driver, guides and/or hotel and other services.
Meals: D
Arrival at Hondarribia/San Sebastián Airport (EAS) followed by PRIVATE TRANSFER to your ACCOMMODATIONS in San Sebastián.
Check-in with time to relax, you'll have a Meet & Greet with your Trip Leader and fellow tour participants and then walk to WELCOME DINNER at a local restaurant.
OVERNIGHT in San Sebastián
Meals: B, L
TRANSFER to Zumaia Cliffs where you’ll have a chance to hike to a point offering truly incredible views of the rocky cliffs, landscapes and beach below (if you're a Game of Thrones fan surely you'll recognize this place).
Next enjoy TXAKOLI WINE TASTING at a local winery with GUIDED VISIT followed by a chance to walk a short section of the St. James Coastal Way (a.k.a. Camino del Norte) with stunning views over the sea.
Walk through Getaria, a small fishing village followed by a very tasty LUNCH of local grilled fish and other local delicacies.
TRANSFER back to San Sebastián with free evening to explore at your leisure.
OVERNIGHT in San Sebastián
Meals: B, L
Today you’ll have an opportunity to explore San Sebastián more closely, including HALF-DAY GUIDED TOUR and visit to Mount Igeldo which offers the highest viewpoint in the area of La Concha Beach’s horseshoe bay and the beautiful city of San Sebastián below.
Next TRANSFER for a leisurely walk along the La Concha promenade to people-watch and make great photos.
Then you’ll partake in an unforgettable GUIDED PINTXO TOUR for LUNCH, after which you’ll have free time this afternoon to shop in San Sebastián’s many shops, relax with a glass of wine or coffee, ride the Ferris Wheel, or explore more of this beautiful city at your leisure.
Next, you’ll have a free evening and can enjoy dinner on your own.
OVERNIGHT in San Sebastián
Meals: B
Today will be a mostly free day, but one suggestion we can make is to spend an optional day in Hondarribia which is located right across the river from France.
Then you can also choose to visit St. Jean de Luz, considered by some to be one of the prettiest towns in France and where you can simply walk around and enjoy the town, followed by lunch, if you wish.
Another option is to visit Sidreria Sáizar to tour the facility and learn about how cider has been made in this area for centuries and have lunch.
Then you can spend your last free evening in this area with dinner on your own.
OVERNIGHT in San Sebastián
Meals: B, LL
PRIVATE TRANSFER from San Sebastián to La Rioja (approximately 2 hours).
Check in at your HOTEL in Laguardia, Hospederia Los Parajes (or similar), a former mansion located directly on the town’s Plaza Mayor.
Next, enjoy WELCOME TAPAS WITH WINE (Light Lunch) in the hotel’s incredibly beautiful cava, or underground cave cellar, after which you’ll partake in a GUIDED WALKING TOUR of Laguardia, one of the best-preserved hill towns in all of Spain.
This will be followed by a GUIDED VISIT with WINE TASTING at a unique winery called El Fabulista (or similar) located within the medieval walls of Laguardia (you’ll learn of its many secrets on this tour).
Next, have time to relax, explore this area on your own, or do whatever it is you like with dinner on your own.
OVERNIGHT in Laguardia
Meals: B, L
This morning we’ll have a later start, so if you’re interested, and weather permits, you can choose to participate in an optional hot-air balloon ride over La Rioja. More details will be provided as the trip approaches and the day and timing may change. Check out this video of a previous hot air balloon experience in this same area that Ralph created for his YouTube channel.
Next, there’ll be a GUIDED TOUR around the valley of vineyards stopping to take pictures of some of the local architectural wonders including the one and only Marques de Riscal (designed by Frank Gehry), Ysios (by Santiago Calatrava) and/or Viña Real (by Philippe Mazières). These incredibly modern buildings were actually created to blend surprisingly well with the local landscape.
After this, LUNCH will be held in a traditional winery called Eguren Ugarte and based on local dishes paired with three of the bodega’s wines, including delicious lamb chops expertly grilled over dry grapevine branches.
TRANSFER back to Laguardia for the remainder of the evening and dinner on your own (after the ample lunch from today you can choose to have a light dinner at your hotel or any of several other restaurants within the city walls, or simply skip a meal).
Overnight in Laguardia
Meals: B, L
PRIVATE TRANSFER to nearby Moreda de Álava for an olive oil experience including
GUIDED WALK through a family-owned olive grove which will culminate in an unforgettable OLIVE OIL TASTING among centuries-old olive and fig trees.
Then there’ll be a PRIVATE TRANSFER back to Logroño with WALKING TOUR and free time to visit the local food market.
Next, you won’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a COOKING DEMONSTRATION including FULL LUNCH and WINE at a private, members-only Gastronomic Society with TOUR which will be personally conducted by one of its members.
Finally, PRIVATE TRANSFER back to Laguardia with free evening on your own (you probably won’t even need dinner after this lunch!)
Overnight in Laguardia
Meals: B, L, D
PRIVATE TRANSFER along the mountains to several hilltop medieval villages offering incredible views of the valley passing through St. Vicente de la Sonsierra.
After there'll be a walking tour of Briones, a medieval hill town.
VISIT the world’s largest wine museum, Vivanco, followed by free time in the old quarter of nearby Haro where you can enjoy LUNCH at a local restaurant.
PRIVATE TRANSFER back to your hotel in Laguardia.
Finally, this evening you’ll TRANSFER to Logroño’s Calle Laurel, often touted as the best food street in Spain, for an unforgettable FAREWELL GUIDED TAPAS TOUR with a local expert.
OVERNIGHT in Laguardia
Meals: B
PRIVATE GROUP TRANSFER from your hotel in Laguardia to Bilbao (approximately 2 hours) with free time for an optional visit to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and/or to have lunch on your own.
Depending on flights you may choose to stay overnight in Bilbao and we can help to arrange any extra nights.
PLEASE NOTE: Transfer is only included with the group on Day 9. Special arrangements can be made for private transfers to BIO at an additional cost.
