Discover one of Europe's great mysteries, The Basque.
Their unusual mix of architecture, food, and language is hard to put your finger on. A mix of Swiss, Andalucian, or French, with a touch of Viking and Asian maybe? It's fun to try to figure it all out. The true roots of the people and language of the Basque country is not known but it is very unique and is packed with great food! Basque Country doesn't end in Spain though.
Criss-crossing the border of France and Spain and discover the cultural and culinary traditions still found in the historic tabernas, cuisine, and the art and architecture of this vast and beautiful land, where each region feels like you are visiting a different country.
Our home base in the Basque region is La Ferma Ostalapia, a guest house nestled in the countryside, just a short ride to the seaside. The Northern Spanish and French coasts also have cool weather even in summer with average days lingering in the high 70's.
Le Ferma Ostalapia, country house in French Basque countryside of Ahetze
Hotel Maisonnave in main piazza of the historic center of of Pamplona
Hotel 1898 in Las Ramblas
Private driver by van
We will pick you up and drop you off in Barcelona
Tour, tasting & lunch
Sailing & tour of the prehistoric Flysch Cliffs
Traditional Basque cider house
Visit 6 of the best pintxos bars in San Sebastian
Outdoor seafood grill where fish are cooked over coals in a historic style, using metal forms in coastal village of Getaria
Lunch in the vineyard at a Txakoli wine producer
Sare, Ascain, St Jean de Luz
Jurajuria farm with the shepherd
French chocolate tasting at the shop in countryside
French village known for their production of their mild chili peppers
We have spots on a private balcony on the main street of the bull run! Perfect and SAFE place to watch the run. The family will also prepare a Spanish breakfast for us with wine and beer too!
Red sash & neckerchief to wear while in Pamplona. Everyone (running or not) wear white pants and a white shirt with a red sash and neckerchief
We will pick you up in Barcelona at the airport or if you have arrived earlier, at your hotel. (Pick up is usually between 10 am and 12pm depending on what time everyone's flights arrive. We will finalize this individually with each guest.) We'll head to our base for The Basque region, Le Ferme Ostalapia, a characteric guest house located in the French Basque town of Ahetze. We'll stop for lunch along the way at a village in the Pyranees Mountains. Check in and dinner is together tonight at the property's restuarant.
Today we will venture just across the border into Spain. Start the day with a wine tasting and lunch in the vineyard at Rezbal Winery, which produces the most beloved wine of the region, "Txakoli". We'll take a scenic drive along the coast to Zumaia where we will board a boat for a 1 hour sailing trip around the prehistoric Flysch Cliffs. (Fun fact: Game of Thrones was filmed here) After our boat trip it's time to head to nearby Getaria for dinner at one of their famous "asadores" fish grills where they use traditional padillos to grill local fish over coals.
Rise early today to meet up with a shepherd at Jurajuria farm for a tour and cheese tasting. Today we will see the France's influence of the Basque culture. Visit Espelette, renown for their peppers, where you can see them strewn around the entire village cafes and shops. Lunch together and free time to explore, followed by a chocolate tasting at Antton Chocolatier. In the late afternoon we'll stop in Sare and Ascain to see their local products like Basque cheesecake and beautiful handmade linens. Back to the hotel to rest up and then dinner tonight is a fun pintxos crawl in San Sebastian, Spain!
We transfer to Pamplona today! After check out we will stop at a traditional Basque , sagardotegiak, (cider house) for lunch and their house made txotx cider. Arrive in Pamplona and check into Maisonnave Hotel. Everyone will receive their red sashes and neckerchiefs for tomorrow's San Fermin Festival. Whether you plan to run with the bulls ot just watch safely from our balcony spots above the street, it's the costume of the village! Everyone from babies to 99 year olds wear red and white. Dinner together in Pamplona tonight.
Early day today! People are required to be off the streets by 6:45 AM , so those running will go with Joe to the starting area for pre-run traditions, and those watching from the balcony will go with Angela to Via Estafeta for a very early Spanish breakfast at set up on the balcony where you can snap the best photos from above. Wait for the gunshot to signal the releasing of the bulls and the village erupts into a Spanish fiesta for the next 16 hours! The rest of the day is a party in streets kind of day. Our favorite spot, (also Hemingway's favorite spot in his day), is Cafe Iruna for drinks and dancing. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Leaving Pamplona's party behind, we'll head into Spanish wine country of La Rioja on our way to Barcelona. Discover Tempranillo, Garnacha, Rioja Blanco and more over lunch in Haro. Arriving in Barcelona in the late afternoon, check into our hotel and we'll meet for a traditional paella farewell dinner.
