Premier Tours & Travel will be exploring the diverse cultures of Northern Spain by way of our hand-selected local hosts, expert in the distinct wines of the region, as well as the unique cuisine, history, and traditions throughout. From the Pintxos, sidra, and Basque Txakoli, to tours of San Sebastián, Getaria, and Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, quickly see (and taste) what makes the Basque region so special. The flavourful adventure continues in the DOCa Rioja region amidst its medieval walled village of Laguardia bursting with bodegas; and the renowned village of Briones celebrated for its exceptional vineyards and views. Explore wineries known as much for their brilliant wines as for the brilliant architecture of their wineries, including the modern Marques de Riscal, Vivanco, and Bodegas Ysios (among others). Cosmopolitan Madrid and its world-class museums to complete this epic journey.

August 31-September 9, 2023 (departing August 30, 2023) with Chef Maria Jimenez Latorre
October 5-October 14, 2023 (departing October 4, 2023) with Master of Wine Sarah Jane Evans, Co-Chair, Decanter World Wine Awards
From $7999 Per Person (DBL); Single Supplement $1800; Max 20 passengers; $1000 Per-Person Deposit

May 24 - June 2, 2024 (departing May 23, 2024) with Chef Maria Jimenez Latorre
June 14-23, 2024 (departing June 13, 2024)
August 23-September 1, 2024 (departing August 22, 2024) with Chef Bob Waggoner
September 28-October 7, 2024 (departing September 27, 2024)
October 4-October 13, 2024 (departing October 3, 2024) with Master of Wine Sarah Jane Evans, Co-Chair, Decanter World Wine Awards
From $8299 Per Person (DBL); Single Supplement $1800; $1000 Per-Person Deposit

Optional Extensions to Barcelona (including a Cavas experience), Segovia (with a gourmet traditional lunch experience), and/or Toledo, Spain (with an exclusive truffle experience). Available Upon Request

Highlights of San Sebastián (3 Nights)

Depart on an overnight flight from the United States.

Day 1: SAN SEBASTIÁN OR BILBAO 

Arrive in San Sebastián or Bilbao — one of the most famous culinary destinations in the world. Our Premier Tours & Travel representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodations for the next three nights. En route, you will see that — although this coastal city is small — it is hugely cosmopolitan, and home of the annual San Sebastián International Film Festival. The artful combination of historic and modern … traditional and contemporary makes San Sebastián a seaside gem.  

Hotel Londres (or similar) with views of La Concha Beach in San Sebastian will be your accommodations. After checking in, enjoy some time at leisure before joining our exclusive experience with our highly accredited guide — and personal friend — to wander the old quarter of San Sebastián to enjoy the famous edible pieces of art — Pintxos — paired with specialty-of-the-house wines, such as Basque Txakoli, or the famous Basque cider (sidra). 

 Day 2:  SAN SEBASTIÁN 

Join the group for a guided, panoramic and walking tour following breakfast today. Drive along the Bay of Biscay past the glistening beaches of San Sebastián: La Concha, Ondarreta, and Zurriola. Pass the Town Hall, which is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Spain. It was originally designed as a casino in 1886 during the Belle Epoque and became the Town Hall in 1947. View San Sebastián’s fishing port and world-famous marina overflowing with luxury yachts. Stroll the narrow streets of La Parte Vieja — the Old Town — with the stunning Baroque Basílica de Santa María del Coro. Visit La Calle 31 de Agosto to learn about the historical significance of the street and the annual tradition honoring it. Enjoy a ride back in time on the 1912 funicular up Mount Igueldo with the most iconic, panoramic views of the city. 

 Lunch and the balance of your day will be at leisure to explore this beautiful city. Restaurant reservations are recommended for this bustling cosmopolitan city. Stroll the Paseo de la Concha and the tree-lined Alameda del Boulevard for fabulous shops or visit Museo de San Telmo, the museum of Basque culture and history. With its abundance of amazing restaurants and celebrated chefs, San Sebastián is widely considered one of the world’s premier culinary destinations. Reconnect with the group for a bespoke wine tasting in the hotel before enjoying dinner at one of San Sebastián’s quintessential restaurants.

 Day 3:  SAN SEBASTIÁN 

After a morning at leisure to recover from the evening’s epicurean delights, make the short drive along the coast to the charming village of Getaria. Set between the sea and the mountains, it is truly not to be missed. Enjoy an authentic lunch with the local Basque wine, txakoli, at a restaurant favorited by the locals (and little known to tourists). Take time after lunch to shop at leisure or visit the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa — a museum dedicated to the Getaria-born Spanish fashion designer, and the founder of the Balenciaga fashion house. After returning to the hotel, the balance of your day and dinner will be at leisure.  

Highlights of DOCa Rioja (4 Nights)

 DAY 4:  SAN SEBASTIÁN – BILBAO – BRIONES/ RIOJA 

Say farewell to San Sebastián today and depart to Bilbao, Spain. Pay a visit to the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, which is a museum of modern and contemporary art designed by renowned Canadian American architect Frank O. Gehry. Your tour will be guided by the “Keeper of the Keys” to the Guggenheim Museum (tickets included). Lunch will be at leisure at one of the local eateries suggested by our tour director. Continue on to La Rioja with a stop at the iconic Marques de Riscal to see another of Gehry’s works. 

Take the time to relax on the drive to La Rioja. Enter the medieval village of Briones and check into your accommodations for the next four nights at the brand-new Hotel Santa Maria Briones — recently named the #1 hotel in Rioja. Hotel Santa Maria Briones is a boutique especially designed for adults, housed in a large 16^th century property adjacent to the town Tower and the walls of las Cuarenta. Reconnect with the group for dinner to experience authentic Rioja gastronomy and wines.

DAY 5:  SUSO & YUSO MONASTERIES — EZCARAY 

Today, visit the San Millán Suso and Yuso Monasteries, an UNESCO World Heritage site. The monastic community, founded by St. Millán in the mid-6th century, became a place of pilgrimage. A fine Romanesque church built in honor of the holy man still stands at the site of Suso. It was here that the first literature was produced in Castilian, from which one of the most widely spoken languages in the world today is derived. In the early 16th century, the community was housed in the fine new monastery of Yuso, below the older complex; it is still a thriving community today. 

 Enjoy free time wandering in the beautiful town of Ezcaray, Spain. Sitting in the Sierra de la Demanda mountains, on the banks of the river Oja, the town of Ezcaray and its surrounding area are incredibly picturesque. Visit the church of Santa María la Mayor, built between the 12th and 14th centuries, and declared a Historic-Artistic Site; make your way to the buildings that form the Royal Cloth Factory of Santa Bárbara, from the 18th century, and the dyeing house popularly known as “El Fuerte,” or simply visit the quaint boutiques and purchase some of their renown Ezcaray scarves for yourself or gifts. 

Reconnect with the group for a traditional Sunday lunch at one of Rioja’s finest restaurants, Echaurren Tradition, with 2-Michelin Star Chef Francis Paniego and his brother ‘Chefe’, one of the best sommeliers in Spain. Echaurren Tradition is part of the history of traditional Rioja cuisine. That credit goes to their mother, Marisa Sanchez, who gathered and passed down the menu of this restaurant, a bunch of unforgettable recipes, which represent the best legacy that a mother can leave to her children. This experience will change how you view Sunday lunch with your family forever. Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

 DAY 6: LAGUARDIA — RIOJA 

Today, visit the gorgeous vineyards of Luis Cañas, owned by the same family for more than a century. Enjoy learning about their exceptional history during a guided tour and wine tasting to start your day. Next you will visit world-renowned Marqués de Murrieta — home of Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva 2010, the Wine Spectator’s Number 1 wine in the world. This exceptional experience starts with a guided tour of the vineyards, then the exceptional new technical facilities, the founding winery-museum of the 19th century, the Ygay Castle, and finishes with a high-gastronomy menu with wine pairings. 

 Your day will end with a visit to Laguardia — the capital of Rioja Alavesa and one of the most beautiful small towns in Spain. A private, guided city tour will unveil this medieval, walled, hilltop village as you stroll its narrow streets and winding alleys, passing mysterious doorways, lovely artisanal shops, historic churches, and happy discoveries. In addition, visit a small, 5^th-generation, family-owned winery personally known by Premier Tours & Travel and a favorite of the locals. Return to the hotel for the evening at leisure.  

 DAY 7: BRIONES — RIOJA 

Visit Haro, a town that has become the epicenter of wine, wineries, and gastronomy of the La Rioja region due to the concentration of world-class centenary wineries all within walking distance, including La Rioja Alta and Bodega Muga. 

La Rioja Alta is one of the foremost estates in the Rioja region, formed in 1890 by five Riojan and Basque families, and located in the historic Barrio de la Estación (Station Quarter) of Haro. It is particularly known for its classically styled, supple Gran Reserva reds that can age gracefully for many decades. La Rioja Alta, selected as one of the world’s most admired wine brands, offers the perfect way to introduce you to — or to deepen your knowledge of — Rioja wines through a tour of this century-old winery. Taste a selection of wines before enjoying an exceptional lunch cooked over an open fire. 

 A visit to Haro would be incomplete without a tasting at Bodega Muga. Bodegas Muga is a family business founded by Isaac Muga and Aurora Caño in 1932, and is located nearby La Rioja Alta. It is particularly known for its traditional style Reserva wines that are only produced in vintages of utmost quality. You will have the opportunity to taste from its portfolio of wines. 

The evening will be at leisure to relax at the hotel or further explore Briones. 

Highlights of Madrid (2 Nights)

DAY 8:  RIOJA – MADRID  

Depart for Madrid to enjoy the vibrant capital of Spain, this morning. Check in at the Pestana Plaza Mayor Hotel with excellent views overlooking the vibrant Plaza Mayor — located in the heart of the city, near the markets, shops, and museums in Madrid. After checking in, enjoy the balance of your day at leisure to experience the nearby shops, sights, and dining options, including the nearby tempting Mercado San Miquel or Plaza Mayor with myriad dining — and shopping — options. 

Join us for dinner and a Flamenco Show at the most traditional and emblematic Tablao in Madrid. With more than 60 years of history, Corral de la Moreria is the most prestigious flamenco Tablao and the world’s only with a Michelin star. To complete this magical evening in Madrid, join us for a nightcap in Plaza Mayor upon our return. 

DAY 9:  MADRID

This morning depart on a panoramic and guided walking tour of Madrid. Go deeper into Old Madrid through its narrow, cobblestone streets in the Hapsburg quarter. See the exceptional buildings and plazas of Renaissance and Baroque style, and discover the Royal Palace (including entrance tickets), one of the best-preserved palaces in Europe. Enjoy a final farewell lunch with our friend and Expert Host Chef Maria Jimenez Latorre, at one of the city’s hottest restaurants, La Posada del Nuncio for tapas and paella. 

DAY 10:  MADRID  

As you know, all good trips must come to an end. Transfer to the airport this morning based upon your departure time. ¡Adiós por ahora, Spain! 

Standard rooms are included for this tour (per hotel designation for same). Upgraded rooms are available upon request and based upon availability.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Itinerary subject to change. Premier Tours & Travel reserves the right to modify programs and itineraries (including arranged sightseeing, accommodations, dining experiences, aircraft, trains, vessels, and so forth) at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond Premier Tours & Travel’s control, including force majeures. In the instance our Expert host cancels due to unforeseen circumstances, Premier Tours & Travel has the right to substitute another Expert host, such as a chef, in such an emergency (timing allowed) and/or the tour will continue in its entirety. Every effort is made to operate our itineraries as planned but alterations may need to be made after the final itinerary has been issued. Airfare is not included. Deposits are utilized to secure services on your behalf and are nonrefundable. Deposits are transferrable to a future Expertly Done Culinary & Wine Travel tour. One glass of wine is included with applicable meals unless noted otherwise. All other alcoholic beverages are the responsibility of each adult guest. Guests are limited to one carry on and one checked baggage and will be responsible for any additional fees charged for additional luggage. Please see Key Items to Know Before You Leave Home attached.