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| Oct 12 to Oct 18 |
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| Oct 26 to Nov 01 |
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Walking Key
Light = Two to four miles of mostly level walking.
Moderate = Four to six miles and/or up and down hills and/or some stairs.
Strenuous = Six to ten miles, lots of stairs, uneven terrain.
Best of San Sebastián & Basque Countryside in 7 Days
$1,795 + air • 22-26 people • Begins and ends in San Sebastián
Straddling the modern-day borders of Spain and France is one of Europe's most ancient, independent-thinking regions — the Basque Country.
In this week-long getaway you'll get to know a corner of Europe that's long been ignored by history books, guidebooks — and governments — yet has much to offer travelers. From idyllic harbors to craggy peaks, from ancient footpaths to ultra-modern museums, and from near-tribal allegiances to EU-driven prosperity, our tour of the Basque Country will have you saying, "I never knew that!" more often than on any other trip we offer.
You'll comfortably settle in to one hotel for the entire week, in the elegant seaside town of San Sebastián. From there we'll take a mix of walking tours and day trips — from St. Jean-de-Luz in France to the Guggenheim in Bilbao and everything in between — that capture the rich culture, history and art of this region. And we'll stop to taste its fine wines and legendary tapas every chance we get.
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Your day-by-day itinerary
Day 0: Depart USA
Remember, you'll arrive in Europe the day after you depart the USA.
Day 1: Welcome to the País Vasco
We'll gather at our hotel in central San Sebastián around 5 p.m. for a "Welcome to the País Vasco (Basque Country)" greeting, followed by a neighborhood orientation walk and dinner together. No bus. Walking: light.
Day 2: San Sebastián
This morning we'll take a guided walk around elegant, prosperous San Sebastián (Donostia in the Basque language) to help you get acquainted with your home town for the week. You'll have the afternoon and evening free to explore more of San Sebastián's sights, to walk on the beach, take a harbor cruise to Santa Clara Island, or join the paseo of evening strollers and shoppers. No bus. Walking: moderate.
Day 3: Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum
We'll begin our day with a short pilgrimage to the town of Guernica. The civilian-targeting air raid here in 1937 was a prelude to the horrific bombing campaigns of World War II — and the subject of a Picasso masterpiece. Then we'll drive to nearby Bilbao to tour Frank Gehry's dazzling temple of modern art: The Guggenheim. We'll return home with a scenic drive along the Bay of Biscay, braking for panoramic views and salty fishing villages along the way. Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 4: France's Pays Basque
Today we'll take an all-day excursion across the border and into the southwest tip of France. We'll take the scenic route through small villages in the foothills of the Pyrénées, such as Aïnhoa, Sare, and Espelette. Our first stop is in Bayonne, the capital of the French Pays Basque, where we'll take in its lively old town and impressive Museum of Basque Culture. We'll then head for the pretty port town of St. Jean-de-Luz, where we'll spend our afternoon and evening. After tasting the French influence on Basque cuisine at dinner together, we'll make the quick dash back to San Sebastián. Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 5: Camino de Santiago
Today we'll get a taste of the historic route to Santiago de Compostela, the path trod by a thousand years' worth of pilgrims. Today the trail is also a popular recreational hiking route, surrounded by lush vineyards that produce some of Spain's finest wines. We'll walk a level section of the trail for two to three hours before taking a well-deserved time-out to sample the local Navarre vintages. We'll return to San Sebastián in time for a free evening. Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: strenuous.
Day 6: Free day to Basque in the Region
Your guide will propose a fun but optional activity this morning before setting you free to spend the rest of the day as you wish. Eager sightseers may choose to take a short ride to the enchanting village of Hondarribia; Francophiles can take the train across the border to check out the classy resort town of Biarritz. We'll regroup this evening for a last dinner celebration of our week together. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 7: Tour over after breakfast
San Sebastián's airport (EAS) is just outside of Hondarribia, a 12-mile bus or taxi ride away. You'll find easy connections to Madrid, Barcelona, and other European destinations. Agur!
Itinerary specifics subject to change.
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