 Wine
& Gastronomy
Passionate chefs. Vintage wines. Fresh, exotic, traditional
foods. Share “Europe’s great undiscovered
culinary destination” in this tour of Northern Spain.
Discover a new cuisine!
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| Itinerary Highlights: |
Day 1
Board flight to Spain.
Days 2-3
Laquardia—La Rioja
We meet in Bilbao, then travel the short distance to the
picturesque town of Laquardia. From this scenic base,
we:
• visit the Rioja
Wine Museum in Haro.
• lunch in a wood-beamed 17th-century
wine bodega.
• stroll (cars are banned) through
the medieval town of Laguardia, tunneled below with more
than 250 wine cellars.
• walk in the footsteps of the Santiago-bound
pilgrims.
• visit a private bodega where careful
hand selections of the grapes is one of the hallmarks
of their complex and elegant wines.
• visit (beginning in 2004) the newly
constructed Bodega of Marques de Riscal, designed by Frank
Gehry, known also for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
Days 4-6
Navarre—San Sebastián
We enjoy a drive through Navarre — crossing the
paths of pilgrims bound for Santiago — while en
route to enchanting San Sebastián, a famous beach
resort and world-renowned food capital. Highlights:
• 15th-century
bodega of the famous Chivite family — in its 11th
generation of wine makers.
• La Brecha market, with stalls devoted
to the bounty of the sea and the land.
• dining at the world-famous Arzak,
crowned by critics as Spain’s best restaurant
• a private, by-invitation-only gastronomy
society dining event. An Ochote — an eight-voice
male Basque choir, sings selected songs for each course
of the meal.
• a visit to the Chillida Leku, a
beautifully restored 16th-century farmhouse containing
the works of the internationally famous sculptor, Eduardo
Chillida.
Days 7-8
Guernica—Bakio—Bilbao
Guernica. Famous for its “Tree of Guernica,”
the Basque symbol for heritage, law and freedom. The village,
site of the first Nazi saturation bombing, also inspired
Picasso’s controversial masterpiece of the same
name.
We travel along the coast, stopping along the way:
• to
view the sculptural monuments by Henry Moore and Eduardo
Chillida in Guernica.
• at Bakio, known for its delicious
red peppers and fruity young wine called Txakoli.
• to visit a Txakoli bodega.
• at the Riverside Market, which boasts
large varieties of seafood, and stall after stall filled
with produce, cheeses and nuts.
• indulging in a fabulous and memorable
farewell banquet at Zortziko, an elegant, turn-of-the-century
restaurant. Before our meal, Chef Daniel Garcia, who is
famous for combining classical dishes and innovative touches,
will host a private cooking demonstration as a grand culinary
finale.
We also explore the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. The physical
structure itself is an artistic wonder, not to mention
the impressive collection of modern art we find inside.
Day 9
Board your transatlantic flight for home.
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| 2008 Tour Dates: |
14-21 june 2008
18-25 september 2008
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| Land Cost: |
Guaranteed departure*
*With
a minimum group of 4 people.
Cost: 3.495 Euros
Single supplement: 410 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
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| Hotels: |
2 nights:
Hotel Villa de Laquardia
in the heart and soul of La Rioja
3
nights:
Hotel Londres in San Sebastián,
located right on the beach, in the center of town
2 nights:
Hotel Carlton in Bilbao
— Beaux arts splendor within walking distance
of the Guggenheim
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