 Bilbao
& Beyond
The Guggenheim Bilbao, a sculpted piece of art itself and acclaimed
museum in a city that’s risen to the top of must-see lists worldwide.
Basque culture. Historic and hospitable. Hemingway’s Pamplona. San
Sebastian's beaches and world-renowned chefs
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| Itinerary
Highlights: |
Day 1
Your flight takes off for Spain.
Days 2-4
Bera—Biarritz—Pamplona
We meet in Bilbao and travel a relatively short distance through
spectacular mountain scenery to the ancient walled seacoast village of
Fuenterrabía — close to the French border. We:
• walk through the old walled town, with
spectacular sea vistas at every turn, just beyond the balconies
overflowing with bright flowerboxes.
• do a little tapas tasting — pintxos, as the Basques call these
delicious appetizers. The seafood that Fuenterrabíans use for many of
their tapas was swimming out in that gorgeous blue-green water just this
morning. You can watch the boats bring it in.
• tour the Bonnat Art Gallery in Bayonne, France — home to the works
of El Greco, Goya, Murillo, Degas, Rubens, Ingres and others. The
gallery’s wonderful architecture harmonizes nicely with its world-famous
collection.
• stroll along the same beach that captured Empress Eugenie’s heart,
where her husband — Napoleon III — built a private sea-side palace for
her.
• explore Pamplona — Hemingway’s favorite city and home to the
annual “running of the bulls.” We tour the Jewish Quarter in the old
part of Pamplona, and we explore the ancient route of pilgrims bound for
Santiago.
Days 5-7
Aranzazu- Oñati -San Sebastian
An expansive view of San Sebastián’s perfect shell-shaped beach and
harbor is as close as our hotel room balconies. Sunset is not to be
missed! Among the happy culinary, artistic and cultural experiences that
await us in the heart of the Basque country:
• the Basilica of Arantzazu — an important
Basque shrine for artistic and religious reasons. The basilica showcases
the works of Basque artists who were finally allowed to exhibit during
the Franco years.
• an evening at a private Gastronomic Society, an all-male club
where men display both their well-developed cooking skills and their
vocal prowess for a small group of visitors. Between the many courses,
an Ochote, a chorus of 8-12 men – plumbers, bank presidents, set
designers and many other professions in real life – sings folk songs
from the Basque Country, Russia, even America.
• La Parte Vieja (the old city of San Sebastián) at the foot of
Monte Urgull. Sidewalk cafes, tapas bars with an enthusiastic San
Sebastian clientele, and family-owned shops line the pedestrian-only
streets.
• the new Chillida Leku, a restored 16th-century farmhouse and
grounds filled with the works of internationally famous sculptor Eduardo
Chillida.
You have a free day in San Sebastián, a beach resort and food capital
built around one of Europe’s most enchanting shell-shaped bays. Explore
this wonderful city on your own or with the help of your guides. We
suggest a ride up the funicular for spectacular views of Monte Igueldo.
Relax among the promenaders as you take in the harbor view from the
beachside benches, or reserve for lunch or dinner at Arzak. Many critics
say it’s the best restaurant in Spain.
Days 8-11
Guernica — Bilbao
On our way to our five-star hotel in Bilbao, we drive through more
lovely mountain scenery, with the occasional glimpse of the sea. We
visit:
• Guernica, with its oak tree that symbolizes
the ancient roots of the Basque people — and their heritage, law and
freedom. Guernica was the site of the first saturation bombing by the
Nazis, which inspired Picasso’s masterpiece of the same name. We see the
petrified trunk of the original oak, the young oak planted beside it,
and sculptural monuments to peace by Henry Moore and Eduardo Chillida.
Among the highlights of Bilbao, tagged by Atlantic Monthly Online as
“the kind of city that many travelers long for — a city where the
streets aren’t jammed with tourists, where ‘authentic culture’ hasn’t
been assigned to souvenir shops”:
• the Guggenheim Museum, architect Frank Gehry’s
titanium-clad masterpiece of “extravagant, eccentric and whimsical
design,” with 19 surprisingly intimate internal galleries and Jeff
Koon’s giant Puppy sculpture made of begonias, impatiens and marigolds
stands guard out front.
• the Riverside Market, a ship-shaped building with stained glass
windows where vendors sell huge varieties of seafood, flowers, and
olives under stained glass beauty. Bilbao housewives and restauranteurs
alike come each morning to acquire the freshest materials to build an
acclaimed cuisine.
• the Bilbao Museum of Fine Arts, a gallery displaying classical,
contemporary and Basque collections. After you browse, enjoy a coffee in
its tree-shaded patio and watch the Basque families promenade in the
adjacent park.
• The seven winding cobblestone streets in the old part of Bilbao,
revealing at every turn new architectural and cultural treats — not to
mention bargains for intrepid shoppers.
We take a short bus ride into the countryside to lunch in a fine caserio
(Basque farmhouse), where you receive the royal treatment with native
dance, music and costumes. We take a different scenic route back to
Bilbao, along the coastline. Our scenic return to Bilbao takes us along
the rugged Basque coastline.
Day 12
Flight home.
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| 2006 Tour
Dates: |
01 - 11 June 2006
05 - 15 October 2006
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| Land Cost: |
Guaranteed departure*
*With a minimum group of 4 people.
Cost: 4790 Euros
Single supplement: 666 Euros
Tour members must purchase round-trip air to and from Bilbao.
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| This tour
includes: |
•
off-the-beaten-path places
• deluxe hotels
• gourmet dining
• fine local wines
• landmark sites
• knowledgeable, regional, English-speaking guides
• trip cancellation/medical insurance
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| Hotels: |
3 nights:
 (Superior)
Hotel Churrut in Bera, on the border with
France and Spain
3 nights:
Hotel Londres in San Sebastián, located
right on the beach, in the center of town
4 nights:
Hotel Carlton in Bilbao — Beaux arts
splendor within walking distance of the Guggenheim
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