Day 1 (Tuesday)
BILBAO |
Day 2 (Wednesday)
BILBAO – SANCTUARY OF LOYOLA – SAN SEBASTIAN |
Day 3 (Thursday)
SAN SEBASTIAN – LA RIOJA – VITORIA |
| Meet assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. Accommodation. |
Breakfast. We will drive through the green and mountainous typical Basque landscape once abandoned the urban fabric of Bilbao. After the village of Durango, we will reach the valleys of Biscay and later pass through Eibar, Elgoibar and Azkoitia to arrive to the Sanctuary of Loyola. Visit the shrine of harmonious proportions. Built between the XVII & XVIII centuries to the glory of St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Continue via Azpeitia to reach the coast at the coastal village of Zumaia. This is a beautiful village built during the medieval times, with its marina and located strategically at the mouth of the river Urola. Then, continue along the coastal road with its magnificent views over the Bay of Biscay to reach the charming fishing village and Getaria, the birthplace of Juan Sebastian Elcano. We will walk the medieval streets and the arc of Catrapona, the parish church of San Salvador (XV C.) which is a Gothic gem, the fishing port, the monument to Elcano and its typical bars and restaurants. Afterwards, we will pass by Zarautz, a traditional enclave and tourist reference since the XIX C. It has a beautiful beach, the biggest of Gipuzkoa province. We will continue the route to San Sebastian and enter the area of Ondarreta beach and the road that leads to the famous promenade of the shell and its magnificent beach and the fishing port, Mount Igeldo and Mount Urgull protect the bay of La Concha. A Panoramic Tour through its fine avenues of impeccable style, and all the highlights of San Sebastian. Panoramic view of the Kursaal Palace, outstanding work by the Architect Rafael Moneo, the Anoeta stadium, Victoria Eugenia theatre and the manor houses of limestone. From the upper part of Mount Igeldo we will dominate this magnificent city immortalized in so many occasions. Time free for independent lunch. After the free time, we will initiate a Walking Tour into the old part, a web of narrow streets, the old port, buildings, pubs and typical restaurants, “pintxos” Bars, the Dominican Convent (XVI C.), the Basilica of Santa Maria de Coro (XVIII C.) and the Constitution Square. Balance of the day at leisure. Accommodation. |
Breakfast. Departure taking the highway towards Vitoria. We will pass by Lasarte, Andoain and Villabona municipalities with historic-artistic values, archaeological and especially naturalistic. We will also pass by Tolosa, being one of the old Towns with the largest abundance of public buildings dating from the XVI and XVII C. Arrival to Ordizia. It is a typical village of Goierri area, with an ancient historical and monumental centre. We will continue the route through Beasain, Ormaiztegi, Zumarraga. Arrival to Oñati, the most elegant village of Gipuzkoa province, with a monumental, artistic greatness and truly valuable architectural buildings. After viewing some of these monuments, we will head on a road with magnificent views over cliffs to reach the most important Sanctuary of Gipuzkoa, the Shrine of Our Lady of Arantzazu. A compendium of the best contemporary Basque art, by the Franciscan order and surrounded by a unique geographical space. We continue the journey toward Aretxabaleta, Mondragon and Eskoriatza. We travel near Salinas de Leniz, a town with its ancient salt and Salt Museum which displays the various aspects of production of “White Gold” very important in the past. Finally we will arrive to the Rioja Alavesa area. Pass by Labastida, a typical village in this area and then arrive at Laguardia, famous town for its historic monuments and also its wineries. Free time to explore the town and independent lunch. Afterwards, we will head to Vitoria and start a Panoramic Tour of this beautiful city, capital of Basque Country; with its government buildings, headquarters of the Basque government, the residence of the Lehendakari (Basque President), Artium Museum (the entrance to this museum of Contemporary Art is included, with its permanent collections and temporary, it will be possible to visit it freely), the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the church of the White Virgin, the “Casco Viejo”, and its streets and avenues that complete Vitoria into a friendly, advanced and welcoming Capital. Balance of the day at leisure in order to explore on your own the centre and the old quarter this city. Accommodation. |
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Day 4 (Friday)
VITORIA – BILBAO |
Day 5 (Saturday)
BILBAO |
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| Breakfast. We will start the route heading towards the inner parts of Alava province. We will arrive to Gesaltza (Salinas de Añana), where we will appreciate its primitive system. We will continue the tour through the town of Orduña, located in a valley surrounded by the mountains of Sierra Salvada. Orduña is an island geographically located in Alava. We continue the trip through Amurrio, the most ndustrialized area and rich in ancestral house such as Urrutia Ugarte or Larra and the beautiful Cejudo Palace of the XVI C. During this stretch, we will be able to pass next to small villages and we will contemplate the magnificent natural life with its mountains and verdant landscapes. Following the tour we will arrive to the Ayala Land, one of the few places where Nature is so generous. Steep hills with strange shapes, green fields and vast forests of oaks, provide some of the most beautiful areas of the Basque Country. We will stop at Quejana and visit the Monumental Complex, which was during the XIV-XVI centuries the ancient site of the Ayala lineage closely linked to the town. The strategic location of Quejana made it an ideal place for the defence in medieval times. Subsequently, following the route will pass through the town of Artziniega and Balmaseda, capital of Encartaciones. We continue passing by Avellaneda, with its modern Encartaciones Museum and after Sopuerta reach the coast by Santurtzi. We will enter this town located on the left bank of the estuary of Bilbao, with its fishing port and seafaring tradition. Then we continue the journey along the edge of the sea to Portugalete, where we will able to see The Transporter Bridge of Biscay, famous for its hanging bridge, which dates from 1893, it is the oldest transport hanging bridge of the world which stills working. The current Bilbao was born in what is now known as “Bilbao la Vieja”. We will discover the most intimate corners through a tour into the Seven Streets, The Plaza of the Cathedral of Santiago with the same name, the church of San Anton, the Mercado de la Ribera, the tranquil Plaza Nueva and Guggenheim Museum (the entrance to the Guggenheim is included, with its permanent collections and temporary, it will not be guided). Balance of the day at leisure. Accommodation. |
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. END OF OUR SERVICES.
(*) During stay in Bilbao, there will not be service of Tour Escort.
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| Duration: |
5 days |
| Departure: |
Every Tuesday from 1 April to 16 December. |
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Guided visits in Bilbao, San Sebastian and Vitoria / Entrance fee for free visit (no guide included) to the Artium Museum and Guggenheim Museum / Tour Escort during the tour / Air conditioned deluxe motor-coach / Accommodation on board and class hotel selected / Arrival & Departure transfers from/to Bilbao airport. |
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(*) The Artium Museum will depend on availability, otherwise San Telmo Museum of San Sebastian will be visited instead. |
| Languages: |
Spanish and English. |
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PRICES IN $CAD
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FIRST CL. “A”
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| IN TWIN PER PERSON |
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$1008.00
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| IN SINGLE PER PERSON |
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$1321.00
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| SUPPLEMENT DEPARTURE: 15 April |
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$93.00
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| HIGH SEASON SUPPLEMENT (29.07.- 23.09) |
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$93.00
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Nights
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City
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Class
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Hotels |
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2
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Bilbao
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A
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Sercotel Coliseo / NH Villa de Bibao / Hesperia Bilbao
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1
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San Sebastian
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A
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NH Aranzazu / Barcelo Costa Vasca / Silken Amara Plaza
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1
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Vitoria
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A
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NH Canciller Ayala / Silken Ciudad Vitoria / Sercotel Boulevard
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