- May–Oct
- 10 Days
- Limited to 12 Travelers
From $14995
There are few places in the world where food, wine, land and culture meld as they do in northern Spain. Gastronomy is front and center on our journey through the vineyards of Rioja and the ancient homeland of the Basques, one of the world’s most distinctive cultures. Hugging the Pyrenees Mountains and the Bay of Biscay, Basque territory is home to a proud, free-spirited people known for their globally celebrated cuisine, fishing traditions, folk dancing and unique language unrelated to any other on Earth. The landscapes are as vibrant as the people, where lush rolling hills meet limestone cliffs and golden sand beaches. Follow in ancient pilgrim footsteps on the Camino de Santiago. Stay on a private wine estate surrounded by vineyards. Throughout our journey, meet the keepers of tradition—fishermen and farmers, winemakers and cheesemakers—and taste the fruits of their labors in pintxos bars, wine cellars and a private Basque gastronomic society.
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Trip Highlights
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Stay on a Historic Private Wine Estate in Rioja
An invitation-only wine estate in Rioja Alavesa is reserved exclusively for our group, with private access to its vineyards, cellar and culinary traditions
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Explore Hidden Villages on Spain's Rugged North Coast
Follow the Atlantic edge through fishing towns, rural hamlets, limestone cliffs and green hills, and walk a coastal section of the fabled Camino de Santiago
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Indulge in Basque Gastronomic Traditions
Dine inside an intimate, members-only cooking society at the heart of Basque social life, and sample pintxos on a crawl through San Sebastian's lively bars
Go Beyond the Sights to Experience Northern Spain from the Inside
Our Cultural Journeys are built around meaningful encounters with the people, traditions and places that define a destination. In Spain's Basque Country and Rioja, longstanding local relationships take us beyond the usual visitor experience—into a private gastronomic society, onto an invitation-only wine estate, and alongside fishermen, farmers, cheesemakers and winemakers who share their lives and practices with us. Through food, wine, landscape and personal connections, we experience northern Spain not simply as visitors, but as welcomed guests.
Personal Connections Open Doors
Many of this journey’s most memorable experiences are possible because of relationships built over time. Friends welcome us into private homes, galleries and gastronomic societies, creating encounters that travelers could rarely arrange on their own.An Invitation-Only Stay in the Rioja Wine Country
Spend two nights on a historic working wine estate in Rioja Alavesa that is accessible only by invitation. Reserved exclusively for our group, the estate offers a private opportunity to explore its vineyards, cellar and culinary traditions.Three Nights as Josu’s Guests at Nafarrola
Our stay at Nafarrola is much more than an ordinary hotel. Our friend Josu welcomes our group exclusively to his restored Basque farmhouse, introducing us to his community through local wine, fishing traditions and a special visit inside a private gastronomic society.Food Is Not Detached from the People Who Create It
Throughout our journey, the individuals who grow, catch, make and cook our food are part of our experience. Meet farmers, fishermen, cheesemakers, chefs and winemakers who share not only what they produce, but the stories and traditions behind it.Experience the Landscape That Feeds the Table
Northern Spain’s food and wine are inseparable from the land and sea. From Rioja’s vineyards and the green grazing hills of Basque Country to the farms, estuary and fishing ports of Urdaibai, we see firsthand how the land and sea influence what appears on our plates.An Inside Perspective on Basque Culture
Experience a centuries-old culture that remains deeply rooted in everyday customs and traditions, from txakoli wine and traditional dance to fishing communities, markets and members-only gastronomic societies. Local relationships give us a more personal window into the elements of daily life that define Basque identity.A Small Group Creates a More Personal Experience
Limited to just 12 travelers, the intimate scale of our group facilitates visits to small farms, private estates, failyu kitchens, small artisan businesses, and spaces that cannot accommodate large bus tours. The result is more time for conversation, connection and genuine interaction with the people we meet.