This tour supports Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) through our Community Giving Initiative.
Welcome to an unforgettable journey through Northern Spain's wine country, where you'll be immersed in old-world elegance and rich wine-making traditions that span thousands of years. Get ready to indulge your senses as you taste the finest wines, explore picturesque vineyards, and learn about the fascinating history of wine production in this region.
But that's not all! This adventure is not just about sipping wine; it's also about getting physically active and embracing the great outdoors. Hike through breathtaking landscapes, cycle along the Camino de Santiago and engage in outdoor activities that will leave you exhilarated and rejuvenated. And if you prefer less physical activity, we also have options for you!
Our journey begins in the vibrant city of Bilbao and takes you on a breathtaking tour of the Rioja region, where you'll be engaged in the captivating world of Valdemar Family, a name that resonates with centuries of wine-making mastery. And if that's not enough, prepare to be amazed by the Basque Country on the sea-side town of San Sebastian, where the oldest culture in Europe meets modern design and innovation. Here, you'll witness the perfect fusion of tradition and creativity, and lose yourself in the natural beauty of the region.
Our exclusive travel experience offers you the chance to explore Northern Spain's hidden gems at a relaxed pace, as you indulge in the tantalizing culinary variety and sip on age-old wines that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you're seeking outdoor adventures or simply want to soak up the local culture and architecture, this tour has got you covered!
Join us on this gastronomic and experiential journey! This is your chance to discover the true character of Northern Spain, and gain insight into the local traditions and lifestyle, all while enjoying the freedom of an independent traveler.
To start confirm your participation, and due to the upfront commitments arranged for this tour, a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total tour cost is required to confirm this booking. Incremental payment installments for the remaining balance are as follows:
25% - Upon confirmation
50% - Due June 15, 2024
25% (remainder of balance) - Due July 15, 2024
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THE PURCHASE OF TRIP PROTECTION, medical and baggage insurance when making the initial deposit for your tour, in order to give yourself peace of mind and to provide for any unforeseen circumstances. We cannot make exceptions to our cancellation policy.
While we do not sell travel protection directly, we suggest recommend either Travel Safe or Faye. We also highly recommend MedJet Horizon. MedJet offers short-term and long-term medical and emergency coverage for when you are 150 miles away from your home. As with any policy, be sure to read the coverage carefully to ensure it aligns with your personal needs and risk tolerance.
Cancellations- refunds are based payments made. *
100+ days prior to the departure: date 60% of the payment made is refundable
61-99 days prior to the departure date: 40% of the payment made is refundable
60-31 days prior to the departure date: 25% of the payment made is refundable
Within 30 days of departure date: No refunds
This tour requires a minimum of 8 people to confirm before the tour will operate. Invite your friends! Do not purchase your airline tickets until you hear from InquisiTours.
If you need assistance with your flight, contact Alyssa Willard. 503-866-0729 or alyssa@travelcruisedesk.com
Alyssa is a dedicated travel advisor with Travel & Cruise Desk in Lake Oswego, OR. Partnering with InquisiTours, Alyssa is excited to provide specialized air booking services for clients embarking on their extraordinary wine tour experiences. As a Luxury Travel Advisor, Alyssa manages all aspects of air travel, including quotes, ticket bookings, and 24/7 emergency assistance during the journey. Clients can stay informed with timely updates on their itinerary, select preferred seats, and enjoy personalized services to enhance their travel experience. Alyssa's commitment is to ensure that the air portion of the adventure is as exceptional as the iconic wine tours curated by InquisiTours.
*Please note there is a nominal ticketing fee: $50 for domestic flights and $75 for international flights, per ticket.
- Visit Spain’s world-famous cities: Bilbao, Lagroño (La Rioja) and San Sebastian
- Wine growing and harvest at Bodegas Valdemar
- eBike the Camino de Santiago *
- Experience the world-famous architect Frank Gehry designed building Guggenheim Bilbao
- Meet traditional fishermen and savor the fresh catch of the day
- Climb the iconic 10th century hermitage Gaztelugutxe, backdrop to Game of Thrones *
- Tapas and pintxo bar crawls
- Savor delicious fresh food and multi-course meals at traditional, local restaurants
- Fully-escorted by an English speaking guide
- Free time for individual exploration
- Optional day trips including cultural and historical sites
* - alternatives offered in the itinerary for non-physical activities
Accommodations include a standard room and will be a mixture of well-selected authentic boutique hotels 4 star hotels. The hotels selected are luxuriously refurbished historic buildings and modern outside-the-box location hotels.
Please note, standard rooms in Europe are smaller than standard rooms in the US. If you would like an upgrade please reach out to InquisiTours for details and availability.
Oct 9 - Wednesday - Bilbao - Hotel Ercilla (or similar)
Oct 10 - Thursday - Bilbao - Hotel Ercilla (or similar)
Oct 11 - Friday - La Rioja - Hotel Sercotel Calle Mayor (or similar)
Oct 12 - Saturday - La Rioja - Hotel Sercotel Calle Mayor (or similar)
Oct 13 - Sunday- La Rioja- Hotel Sercotel Calle Mayor (or similar)
Oct 14 - Monday - San Sebastián - La Galeria (or similar)
Oct 15 - Tuesday - San Sebastián - La Galeria (or similar)
Oct 16 - Wednesday - San Sebastián - La Galeria (or similar)
Oct 17 - Thursday - Bilbao - Hotel Ercilla (or similar)
Oct 18 - Friday - Departure day
All accommodations include breakfast. In many cases, lunch is included as it is the main meal of the day and timing coincides well with daily activities.
Lunches in Spain start later than lunch in the US and typically last for 2-3 hours. As this tour is highlighting traditional culture, many of our lunches will be from 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm. Relax, do as the locals do, and appreciate the dining event!
Meals included:
Oct. 9 - Welcome reception with pintxos and wine
Oct. 10 - Breakfast at the hotel and lunch at Guggenheim Museum (1 bottle per 2 guests)
Oct. 11 - Breakfast at the hotel and lunch in La Vieja Bodega restaurant (1 bottle per 2 guests)
Oct. 12 - Breakfast at the hotel and a traditional lunch with lamb chops paired with Valdemar Family Wines.
Oct. 13 - Breakfast at the hotel and a light lunch in Arinzano Winery - Cheese, iberian hams + wine
Oct. 14 - Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch at Masarada + wine pairing.
Oct. 15 - Breakfast at the hotel, a fisherman's catch foodie experience in Getaria, dinner - Pintxos and wines San Sebastian (4 pintxos and wines). *Note - Pintxos are small, creative bites and are typically served while standing up. While this is not a full "sit-down" meal, the pintxos are filling and we will do our best to find a table for those who want to sit.
Oct. 16 - Breakfast at the hotel
Oct. 17 - Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at Eneperi Restaurant - Menu + Wine (1 bottle per 2 guests)
Oct. 18 - Breakfast at the hotel*
* - Depending on the time of your flight breakfast may not be available.
Please note, this tour has a physical rating of 3/5: Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
* You are not required to participate in the days that include hiking and biking. An alternative activity is presented in the daily itinerary. However, there are no refunds if you choose not to participate.
Per person, based on two people sharing a hotel room. Includes all taxes and fees.
Per person, one person per hotel room. Per person, based on two people sharing a hotel room. Includes all taxes and fees.
Based on 2 people sharing a room
Leave the US no later than October 8 for arrival in Bilbao on October 9. Most major European hubs have daily connecting flights to Bilbao.
Upon arrival, just outside of baggage claim, taxis are plentiful. It will cost around €30 for a 25 minute ride to the hotel.
18:00: This evening, join your host and fellow travelers for a welcome reception.