A Culinary Journey to Basque Country
Introduction
Welcome to the Basque Country
Ongi Etorri—welcome to the Basque Country!
From November 2–8, 2026, we’ll spend seven unforgettable days eating, drinking, and exploring our way through one of the world’s greatest culinary destinations. We’ll wander the pintxo bars of San Sebastián, experience a traditional Basque cider house and private gastronomic society, sip txakoli overlooking the coast, explore the vineyards of Rioja, dine at three-Michelin-starred Akelarre, discover Bilbao, and so much more.
I’ve designed this trip to feel different from a traditional group tour. We’ll have private transportation and local guides throughout, stay in beautiful boutique hotels, experience places you might never find on your own, and—most importantly—share some incredible meals around the table.
Nearly everything has been taken care of for you, from meals and drinks to transportation, experiences and gratuities. All you need to do is get yourself to Bilbao, settle in, and enjoy the adventure.
I can’t wait to share the Basque Country with you!
Basque Adventure Highlights
At a glance
Monday, November 2, 2026
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Friday, November 6, 2026
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Monday, November 2, 2026
Day 1 - Welcome to the Basque Country | San Sebastián
Arrival, San Sebastián Waterfront, Pintxo Tour
Arrival + Private Transfer to San Sebastián
Ongi Etorri—welcome to the Basque Country! Upon arrival at Bilbao Airport, your private driver will meet you for the scenic transfer to San Sebastián and Villa Favorita, our boutique hotel overlooking beautiful La Concha Bay. Settle into your room, relax after your travels, and enjoy some time to explore the waterfront before our first evening together.
Welcome Cocktails
DateMonday, Nov 2, 2026
We’ll gather for welcome cocktails and officially kick off our LadyBourdain adventure! Meet your fellow travelers, raise a glass to the week ahead, and then head out together for our first taste of San Sebastián.
Private San Sebastián Walking + Pintxo Tour
DateMonday, Nov 2, 2026
Our private local guide will lead us through San Sebastián’s elegant city center and historic Old Town, sharing the stories, history and culture that have shaped this incredible city. Along the way, we’ll visit some of our guide’s favorite pintxo bars, sampling a curated selection of traditional and modern pintxos paired with local wines and drinks.
Villa Favorita, San Sebastián
Check inMonday, Nov 2, 2026
Overnight at Villa Favorita, a boutique hotel overlooking beautiful La Concha Bay in San Sebastián.
Included: Airport transfer, welcome cocktails, private walking & pintxo tour, dinner & drinks
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Day 2 - Hondarribia, Basque Cider House, Gastronomic Society
Hondarribia, Cider House, and Gastronomic Society
Hondarribia Guided Tour
DateTuesday, Nov 3, 2026
After breakfast, we’ll head to Hondarribia, one of the Basque Country’s most beautiful coastal towns. Set along the Bidasoa River directly across from France, this colorful medieval fishing village is filled with stone-paved streets, historic walls, centuries-old buildings and brightly painted fishermen’s houses. We’ll explore both the historic old quarter and lively fishing district with our private guide.
Basque Cider House Experience & Lunch
DateTuesday, Nov 3, 2026
From Hondarribia, we’ll travel into the Basque foothills for an experience rooted in more than 500 years of family tradition. After touring the cider house and learning how traditional Basque cider is produced, we’ll sit down for a classic family-style lunch featuring local specialties such as cod, peppers, steak, cheese, nuts and fresh bread. And, of course, cider poured straight from the enormous oak barrels!
Lunch at Basque Cider House
DateTuesday, Nov 3, 2026
Enjoy a classic family-style lunch featuring local specialties such as cod, peppers, steak, cheese, nuts and fresh bread, with cider poured straight from the enormous oak barrels.
Dinner at Private Basque Gastronomic Society
DateTuesday, Nov 3, 2026
Tonight is one of the most special experiences of our journey. We’ve been invited inside a private Basque gastronomic society, or txoko—a members-only culinary club that is rarely accessible to visitors. Hosted by a local member and chef, we’ll experience an evening centered around food, conversation and genuine Basque hospitality. Those who would like can step into the kitchen, help set the table and learn about the traditions behind the meal. Then we’ll gather around the table for a seasonal dinner accompanied by local wines and Basque cider. This is less a restaurant dinner and more an opportunity to experience how locals have gathered, cooked and shared meals for generations.
Dinner at Private Gastronomic Society
DateTuesday, Nov 3, 2026
Gather around the table for a seasonal dinner accompanied by local wines and Basque cider inside a private Basque gastronomic society.
Villa Favorita, San Sebastián
Check inTuesday, Nov 3, 2026
Overnight at Villa Favorita, a boutique hotel overlooking beautiful La Concha Bay in San Sebastián.
Included: Breakfast, private transportation & guide, Hondarribia tour, cider house experience & lunch, private gastronomic society dinner & drinks
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Day 3 - The Basque Coast, Txakoli and Akelarre
Basque Coast, Winery, Getaria and Akelarre
Zumaia and the Basque Coast
DateWednesday, Nov 4, 2026
Today we’ll discover one of the most spectacular stretches of the Basque coastline. Our journey takes us to the UNESCO Basque Coast Geopark and the extraordinary Flysch cliffs of Zumaia, where layers of rock reveal more than 60 million years of Earth’s history.
Private Txakoli Winery Visit
DateWednesday, Nov 4, 2026
Next, we’ll visit a family-owned txakoli vineyard tucked into the green hills overlooking the Bay of Biscay. The winery has been in the same family for three generations and offers exactly the kind of intimate, off-the-beaten-path experience LadyBourdain is all about. We’ll tour the winery, learn about this distinctive Basque white wine and enjoy a tasting accompanied by local specialties.
Getaria Village and Grilled Seafood Lunch
DateWednesday, Nov 4, 2026
We’ll continue to the beautiful fishing village of Getaria, wandering its medieval streets and learning about two of its most famous residents: explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano and fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. Then it’s time for lunch overlooking the harbor. Getaria is famous for its charcoal-grilled fish and seafood, and we’ll experience it at one of our local guide’s favorite restaurants.
Lunch in Getaria
DateWednesday, Nov 4, 2026
Lunch overlooking the harbor in Getaria, famous for its charcoal-grilled fish and seafood, at one of our local guide’s favorite restaurants.
Dinner at Akelarre
DateWednesday, Nov 4, 2026
Tonight is one of the culinary highlights of the entire journey. Perched high above the Bay of Biscay on Mount Igueldo, Akelarre has been home to legendary chef Pedro Subijana for more than 50 years and remains one of the defining restaurants of modern Basque cuisine. We’ll settle in for an extraordinary tasting menu with wine pairings, surrounded by some of the most spectacular dining views in Europe.
Villa Favorita, San Sebastián
Check inWednesday, Nov 4, 2026
Overnight at Villa Favorita, a boutique hotel overlooking beautiful La Concha Bay in San Sebastián.
Included: Breakfast, private transportation & guide, Zumaia, winery tour & tasting, Getaria tour, lunch, Akelarre tasting menu & wine pairings
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Day 4 - Gernika, Wild Bizkaia Coast and Bilbao
Historic Gernika, Coastal Villages, and Bilbao Arrival
Depart San Sebastián and Visit Gernika
DateThursday, Nov 5, 2026
After breakfast and check-out, we’ll say goodbye to San Sebastián and begin our journey along the spectacular Bizkaia coast toward Bilbao. Our first stop is historic Gernika, a town deeply connected to Basque identity, democracy and history. With our guide, we’ll learn about the 1937 bombing that inspired Picasso’s famous Guernica and visit the Tree of Gernika, an enduring symbol of Basque political tradition.
Mundaka and Bermeo Coastal Villages
DateThursday, Nov 5, 2026
We’ll continue through the UNESCO-designated Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve to the coastal villages of Mundaka and Bermeo. Expect dramatic scenery, colorful fishing harbors and a glimpse into the maritime traditions that have shaped this region for centuries.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
DateThursday, Nov 5, 2026
Our coastal journey continues to one of the Basque Country’s most dramatic landmarks: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. The tiny 10th-century hermitage sits atop a rocky island connected to the mainland by a winding stone bridge. Fans of Game of Thrones may recognize the landscape as Dragonstone.
Lunch near San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
DateThursday, Nov 5, 2026
We’ll stop nearby for a relaxed local lunch before continuing to Bilbao.
Hotel Tayko Bilbao
Check inThursday, Nov 5, 2026
We’ll arrive in Bilbao and check into Hotel Tayko, a beautifully restored 1924 landmark located just steps from the Old Town and Nervión River. Enjoy some downtime to settle in, relax or take a walk before dinner.
Dinner in Bilbao
DateThursday, Nov 5, 2026
Tonight we’ll gather for dinner in Bilbao. Restaurant details coming soon.
Included: Breakfast, private transportation & guide, coastal touring, lunch, dinner & drinks
Friday, November 6, 2026
Day 5 - Rioja Wine Country and Medieval Villages
Rioja Wineries, Tastings, and Laguardia Exploration
Journey to La Rioja
DateFriday, Nov 6, 2026
After breakfast, we’ll leave Bilbao behind for the day and travel south into La Rioja, Spain’s legendary wine country. Vineyards, medieval villages and the Sierra de Cantabria mountains create the backdrop for a full day devoted to exceptional wine, food and scenery.
Private Winery Tours and Tastings
DateFriday, Nov 6, 2026
We’ll visit three distinctive wineries showcasing different sides of Rioja winemaking. Our experiences include a historic subterranean winery beneath a centuries-old village, intimate tastings of premium wines from old vines, and the architecturally spectacular Bodegas Ysios, designed by Santiago Calatrava. Along the way, we’ll taste both red and white wines and sample local olive oil, bread, cheese and chorizo.
Explore Laguardia
DateFriday, Nov 6, 2026
We’ll also explore the medieval walled village of Laguardia with our guide, wandering its historic streets surrounded by vineyards.
Multi-Course Winery Lunch
DateFriday, Nov 6, 2026
Our Rioja experience culminates with a multi-course lunch at a beautiful winery in the heart of wine country, paired with local wines.
Return to Bilbao
DateFriday, Nov 6, 2026
We’ll return to Bilbao following our day in Rioja and gather for dinner. Restaurant details coming soon.
Hotel Tayko Bilbao
Check inFriday, Nov 6, 2026
Overnight at Hotel Tayko Bilbao.
Included: Breakfast, private transportation & guide, three winery experiences & tastings, Laguardia, multi-course winery lunch with wine, dinner & drinks
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Day 6 - Guggenheim Bilbao and Final Pintxo Crawl
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao Walk, and Pintxo Crawl
Guided Visit to Guggenheim Museum
DateSaturday, Nov 7, 2026
Our morning includes a guided visit to the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, where Frank Gehry’s extraordinary architecture is every bit as impressive as the contemporary art inside.
Lunch in Bilbao
DateSaturday, Nov 7, 2026
Following the museum, we’ll sit down together for a memorable lunch celebrating the flavors of the Basque Country.
Afternoon Free Time in Bilbao
The afternoon is yours. Shop, explore Bilbao’s atmospheric Casco Viejo, stroll along the river, stop for a coffee or glass of wine, or simply relax back at the hotel before our final evening together.
Private Bilbao Pintxo Tour
DateSaturday, Nov 7, 2026
For our final night, we’re going out Basque-style! Our guide will take us bar hopping through Bilbao for a traditional pintxo-pote, introducing us to both classic institutions and modern favorites. We’ll taste traditional specialties alongside award-winning pintxos that you won’t simply find lined up on the bar, pairing them with local wines, cider and other Basque drinks.
Hotel Tayko Bilbao
Check inSaturday, Nov 7, 2026
Overnight at Hotel Tayko Bilbao.
Included: Breakfast, guided Bilbao walking tour, Guggenheim admission & guide, lunch, private pintxo tour, dinner & drinks
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Day 7 - Departure Day | Agur—for Now!
Farewell Breakfast and Private Airport Transfers
Breakfast at Hotel Tayko Bilbao
DateSunday, Nov 8, 2026
After one final breakfast together, it’s time to say agur to the Basque Country.
Private Transfer to Bilbao Airport
Private transfers will be arranged from Hotel Tayko to Bilbao Airport based on individual flight schedules, allowing everyone to depart comfortably for the journey home.
Included: Breakfast + private transfer to Bilbao Airport