Northern Spain: Basque & Rioja

Our journey begins in Bilbao, gateway to Spain’s Basque Country. After arriving and settling into our hotel, there is time to rest and refresh before we gather with our Expedition Leader and fellow travelers. Over a welcome presentation and drink, we get oriented to the days ahead and the landscapes, food traditions and communities we’ll encounter across Basque Country and Rioja. This evening, we sit down together for a welcome dinner, beginning our exploration of northern Spain through one of the themes that will connect the entire journey—its extraordinary regional cuisine.

Leaving Bilbao, we make our way toward the Basque coast, where green hills meet the Atlantic and small communities are closely tied to the sea. A coastal walk gives us our first close look at this dramatic landscape before we continue to Zumaia for a private boat excursion and lunch.

Later, we continue toward the San Sebastián area and encounter another side of Basque life: the txoko, or private gastronomic society. These members-only gathering places are an important part of the region’s food culture and social traditions. This evening, we are welcomed inside one for a private dinner—an intimate introduction to a world most visitors never experience.

Today is devoted to San Sebastián and the cultural traditions that give the city its distinct identity. We begin with a txalaparta experience, offering a closer encounter with an element of Basque cultural expression before setting out to explore the city.

Food is central to life here, and we experience that firsthand on a pintxo crawl through San Sebastián, moving between local establishments and sampling the small dishes for which the city is renowned. Later, enjoy time on your own to wander, shop or simply absorb the atmosphere before returning to Hotel Ur Bare for dinner.

Our exploration moves into the countryside today as we meet people whose work remains closely connected to the land. During a cheese and shepherding experience, learn firsthand about local agricultural traditions, then continue with a farm visit and lunch.

This evening, another essential element of Basque food culture takes center stage as we gather for dinner at a traditional cider house. Together, the day offers a personal look at how farming, food and longstanding traditions remain part of everyday life in northern Spain.

We leave the coast behind today, but not before walking a section of the Camino de Santiago, experiencing part of the historic route on foot. We then stop at Ganeta for txakoli and lunch, connecting the day’s landscape with one of the wines closely associated with Basque Country.

Continuing inland, the scenery transitions toward the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa. Our destination is La Casa Cosme Palacio, a historic working wine estate that is reserved exclusively for our group. After an introduction to the property, explore its cellar and settle into this exceptional private setting before gathering for dinner.

Our immersion in Rioja continues with a closer look at the ingredients and landscapes behind the region’s cuisine. Begin with a garden walk alongside a chef and an olive oil experience before heading to Laguardia, whose streets sit above a network of historic wine cellars. Enjoy a guided walk through town followed by time to explore independently.

Later, return to the surrounding vineyards, choosing to explore by 4x4 or on foot. This evening, the day concludes underground with dinner in a cave cellar—an atmospheric setting that brings us even closer to Rioja’s centuries-old relationship with wine.

Enjoy an unhurried morning at our wine estate before gathering for lunch at Casa Cosme. We then leave Rioja behind and return toward the Basque coast, traveling to Nafarrola, our home for the next three nights.

More than simply a hotel stay, Nafarrola provides a personal base for our final days in Basque Country. After arriving, tour the property and settle in before spending time with our local host over txakoli. Dinner at Nafarrola begins an intimate stay rooted in the surrounding community and landscape.

Today we explore the region surrounding Nafarrola, beginning with an overview of Urdaibai, where coast, estuary, villages and countryside come together. We continue to Gaztelugatxe for a walk amid one of the area’s most dramatic coastal settings.

Later, visit the village of Mundaka and stop for lunch before turning inland toward Guernica. A historic tour introduces us to the town and its place in Basque history, adding another layer to our understanding of the people and identity of this distinctive region.

Early risers may begin the day with an optional sunrise walk before we delve into the maritime traditions of Bermeo. Meet fishermen’s wives and learn about the work connected to the town’s fishing life, then visit an anchovy-preserving factory for another perspective on how the local catch moves from sea to table.

We continue through Bermeo’s old quarter before gathering for a local storytelling experience. For our final evening, we return to one of the journey’s defining cultural traditions: a sociedad gastronómica, where we share dinner in the intimate setting of a Basque gastronomic society.

After breakfast, our journey through Basque Country and Rioja comes to a close. We leave Nafarrola and transfer back to Bilbao, continuing to the airport for departing flights.

From the fishing communities of the Atlantic coast to Rioja’s vineyards, private estates and local tables, we depart with a deeper understanding of a region where landscape, food and cultural identity remain closely intertwined.