Picasso & Pintxos

Guggenheim
La Rioja Palace
Bodegas
Guernica Picasso
Guernica Market
Pintxos
Pintxos

Feel the spirit of the Basque Country, a place that demands exploration

Straddling two nations, the free-spirited country of the Basque is famous for its glorious architecture, delectable pintxos, and velvety wine. The combination of ancient settlements, green hills, cliffs, and beaches means that the scenery is always breathtaking. Head into Bilbao to admire the Picasso sculpture exhibition at the Guggenheim and taste your way through the depths of the Basque.

Price is per person sharing a double or twin room and is based on 25 passengers. Single supplement applies.

Itinerary/Excursions

Day 01

Take a private transfer in the UK, before flying to the Basque Country, and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Day 02

Visit the famed La Rioja wine region, focusing on the Basque 'Rioja Alavesa' wine district. Here you will have the chance to apprecaite the stunning scenery, towns, and villages as well as gaining an insight to the varied vineyards, cuisine and wines that are created here. Your first stop will take you to an atmospheric bodega that has been creating wine since the 19th century. After, you will visit a different wine maker - one that focuses on possibilites of the climate and terroir in creating superb wines. Sample five of these wines, with local snacks, to discover how the owners capture the variety that is possible in their vines. Laguardia is the perfect spot to grab lunch, with the medeival-walled village offering an excellent choice of bars and restaurants. Take some time at your leisure to sample traditional Basque cuisine and explore one of the most stunning places in the Basque Country.

Day 03

Today you will visit Bilbao, where you have ample opportunities to discover its many gems. Perhaps visit Ribera Market, Europe's largest covered food market, or take in the sights of the Old Town and the Ensantxe District, with their archaeological wonders and rich history. A private guided tour of the Guggenheim Museum will introduce you to this magnificent example of 20th century architecture, and the permanent and temporary exhibitions it holds. The 'Picasso: Sculptor, Matter and Body' exhibition will be on during your visit, showing the infinite plurality of styles used by Picasso to represent the human body. For lunch, a guided Pintxo tour will take you to four atmospheric bars around town where like a local, you will enjoy pintxo and a drink.

Day 04

San Sebastián, otherwise known as 'The Pearl of the North', is undoubtedly one of the most charming cities in the whole of Europe. Once a popular resort for nobility, today it is popular for those seeking culinary magic. Discover the Old Town, the market, the fishing port, and the Plaza Constitucional, as well as the selection of bars that have made the city the foodie heaven it is today. After sampling pintxos, you will travel east to the delightful town of Hondarribia. Situated on the French border, it is filled with beautiful Basque style houses with colourful shutters and balconies, and a wonderful medley of bars and restuarants.

Day 05

Enjoy a free day at your leisure to explore.

Day 06

Guernica is the first stop for today, and is the inspiration for Picasso's most famous work, 'Guernica'. On the Biscayan coast, Monday is market days, and this is one of the best markets to visit when in the Basque Country. Savour the colours, smells, and tastes of the traditional Basque market like a local. Further up the coast you will find the fishing village of Bermeo. Spend some time here discovering the medieval streets, seafront, and fishing village charm

Day 07

Today focuses on wine and cheese, two products that the Basque Country is known all over the world for. A visit to a family-run farm in Euskadi (The Basque Country) will show you the production of Idaizabal cheese, one of the Protected Origin foods. Learn about how the rare cheese is made from the farm's own flock of sheep. Tasting is an absolute must. Take a short drive to a Txakoli Wine producer, where a guided visit will teach you about the philosophy of the wine maker, the unique location, and why Txakoli is drank in the Basque Country. Visit the vineyard, the production area, and of course taste the wine! You will enjoy lunch in the beautiful dining room with magnificent and unique views.

Day 08

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and check-out, before taking a transfer back for your flight.

Your holiday includes

Return flights and transfers in UK and at destination
Meet & greet at the airport once at destination
7 nights at 4* Hotel Zenit, Bilbao
Bed & Breakfast
Private coach travel with complimentary bottled water
English speaking tour manager/guide on days 2, 3, 4, 6 & 7
Tastings and snacks at wineries
Tastings and snacks at cheesemaker
4 pintxos and drinks on Pinxtos Tour (wine, beer, cider, soft drinks)
Dinner on day 1
Lunch on days 3 & 7
Entry and guided tour of the Guggenheim

Hotel Details

Hotel Zenit, Bilbao

The Zenit Bilbao Hotel is located opposite Plaza la Casilla, right in the city centre, in the popular commercial and business district of Indautxu. This privileged location puts the Hotel close to Bilbao's Gran Via, the Euskalduna Palace, the Guggenheim Museum, the bus station and the San Mamés stadium, and allows you to enjoy an innovative hotel with all of the services that the Zenit Bilbao Hotel places at your disposal. The 65 rooms of the Zenit Bilbao Hotel are modern and have all of the commodities required for a perfect stay.