8-Nights Basque Country and Bordeaux: A Food and Wine Journey - Tailormade Journeys — CALL

1 Arrive Bilbao, Spain



Meals:

2 San Sebastián | Basque Country Big-Hitter

From the forested hills right down to the golden, half-moon beaches, San Sebastián is Basque’s big-hitter. Museums, parks and a funicular railway keep visitors entertained, but it’s the irresistible world-class cuisine that draws a discerning crowd: innovative chefs push the boundaries of gastronomy in chic, minimalist kitchens, while in the Old Town, historical bars dole out plates of pintxos (the region’s answer to tapas) and glasses of txakoli wine long after the sun has set over the Bay of La Concha.

Visit the historic town of Gernika, which was all but destroyed in the Spanish Civil War (as immortalized in Picasso’s iconic Guernica). Take the 241 steps to the top of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a tiny island made famous in HBO’s Game of Thrones, before returning to your hotel via rolling vineyards, where you can taste a glass of dry, slightly sparkling txakoli wine.

Explore the Rioja wine region today, famed for its hilltop medieval towns and fantastic scenery. Don’t miss one of the last remaining wineries inside the walled hilltop town of Laguardia, which has changed little in hundreds of years. Wander through the cobbled streets and stop for lunch before visiting this winery where the grapes are still trodden by foot.

There’s a raffish beauty to old Biarritz, an elegant city on France’s southwest coast. The town — a favorite among monarchs like Napoleon III — is all grand, Belle-Epoque villas, art deco casinos and long, languid lunches by the sea. The golden beaches are seductive, but the town is also the gateway to the French Basque Country. Join your local guide for a scenic bike ride from Biarritz and explore the must-see sites of the city of Biarritz and the Basque coast towards the Grande Plage with its famous beachfront promenade.

To really appreciate Basque France, best to start with a visit to the capital of the region, Bayonne, where the beautifully restored half-timbered houses are a superb example of how to bring an old town back to life. Explore its underground medieval caves and fortress walls, and then visit Espelette, a charming village by the foothills of the Pyrenees that has become famous for its red Espelette peppers. Take a stroll to discover the unique fairytale-like Basque architecture, finishing with a visit to an Espelette farm to see the peppers’ growing cycle, including a tasting with local produce.

Feel the sand between your toes in Arcachon, a charming resort town an hour from Bordeaux. Scale the Dune de Pilat, Europe's largest sand dune, to soak up the stunning views of the Bassin d’Arcachon below. The bay is famous for its oysters; stop off at a charming seaside village and sample them fresh.

Spend the morning perusing the city’s largest market, Capucin. Known as “the belly of Bordeaux,” the market hall is a fabulous larder of traditional French foods, from cheese and charcuteries to Bordeaux’s famous olives and wine. Sample some of the oysters from the seafood stand before moving on to the array of different stalls to learn about the region’s local products and recipes. Walk off some of the market’s tasty treats by exploring the Saint Michel district that surrounds the basilica of the same name.