Gourmet Basque Country

Known for its fantastic culinary scene, the Basque Country offers the perfect escape for food lovers. Taste your way around the region, enjoying mouth-watering pintxos and Michelin-starred meals in San Sebastian, followed by delicious wines in La Rioja.

Bilbao, San Sebastian & La Rioja
6 nights private tour from $7,700 per person
Gourmet Basque Country
Journey highlights
  • Discover the flavors of Spain in this region celebrated for its cuisine

  • Sample some of Spain's best wines in La Rioja

  • Explore the quaint fishing villages dotted along the Basque Country's beautiful coastline

  • Visit Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum and admire Frank Gehry's incredible architecture

  • Culinary itinerary:A gastronomic delight, our Culinary Journeys take you on a cultural voyage, sampling everything from traditional bites to fine dining delicacies
Our tailor made journeys include:
  • Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
  • Private international airport transfers in destination
  • Your own private, English-speaking local guides
  • Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
  • Entrance to must-see local sites
  • Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
  • Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support

When to visit

  • J
  • F
  • M
  • A
  • M
  • J
  • J
  • A
  • S
  • O
  • N
  • D
Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit

The Basque Country is lovely in the summer sun, however July and August can be quite busy. It can be colder in the winter months, although the city streets will be less crowded and there's plenty to see and do in town all year round.

Itinerary

Fly to Bilbao
Day 1-2

Bilbao, Spain

Begin your journey around the Basque Country in Bilbao, the region's epicenter for art and culture. Once an industrial city, Bilbao has been transformed in recent years to showcase a fantastic array of contemporary architecture. A highlight of the city, and playing a huge role in its revitalisation, is the Guggenheim Museum. Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the spellbinding design of the museum dominates Bilbao's river front, while inside the museum boasts a huge collection of modern artwork.

Accommodation: The Artist Grand Hotel of Art ( 1 night )
Day 2-5

San Sebastian, Spain

Spend a night at the Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao before continuing east to San Sebastian, the more elegant of the Basque cities, full of old-world charm and glamour. A real haven for foodies, this is where traditional pintxo bars sit alongside Michelin-starred restaurants, tucked away behind the sophisticated Belle Époque façades of the San Sebastian's Old Quarter. Stay for three nights at Hotel Maria Cristina, a true San Sebastian landmark and the city's most iconic hotel.

Using this historic hotel as your base, discover the very best that San Sebastian has to offer. Spend evenings meeting the locals in the city's favorite pintxo bars, or you could even get an invitation to lunch at one of San Sebastian's mysterious members-only Gastronomic Societies. For a hands-on experience of the city's renowned culinary scene, try a masterclass at Hotel Maria Cristina's cooking school, where you could learn the techniques behind Michelin-worthy dishes, or how to cook like a true local.

Venturing out of the city, the Basque Country is home to picturesque fishing villages and hilltop towns. Spend a day exploring the cobbled streets of charming Getaria and tasting local ciders in a traditional, authentic cider house.

Accommodation: Hotel Maria Cristina ( 3 nights )
Day 5-7

Elciego, Spain

After exploring the coast, it's time to head inland to the vineyards of La Rioja. One of the most celebrated wine regions in the world, here medieval villages are tucked away beneath towering mountains and hidden among lush forests, and there is a new winery to be found around every corner. Spend two nights at the dramatic Hotel Marques de Riscal, Frank Gehry's contemporary Rioja masterpiece. The fascinating color-changing exterior pays homage to the surrounding vineyards, and while the architecture is a modernist sensation, Marques de Riscal also boasts the title of La Rioja's oldest winery. The perfect setting to learn about the winemaking process, guests can spend days exploring the hotel's cellar or venturing out to other wineries in the region.

Accommodation: Hotel Marques de Riscal ( 2 nights )
Fly home from Bilbao
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you.
Call us on 212 660 0228 to start planning your holiday.

Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and excludes international flights)

Departing Price from*
  • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
  • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
  • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
Deposit from * Enquire
November 2024 $7,700 $1,900 plan your trip
December 2024 $7,700 $1,900 plan your trip
April 2025 $7,700 $1,900 plan your trip
May 2025 $8,200 $2,000 plan your trip
June 2025 $8,200 $2,000 plan your trip
July 2025 $8,600 $2,200 plan your trip
August 2025 $8,600 $2,200 plan your trip
September 2025 $8,600 $2,200 plan your trip
October 2025 $8,200 $2,000 plan your trip
  • November 2024
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $7,700
    Deposit from*
    $1,900
  • December 2024
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $7,700
    Deposit from*
    $1,900
  • April 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $7,700
    Deposit from*
    $1,900
  • May 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $8,200
    Deposit from*
    $2,000
  • June 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $8,200
    Deposit from*
    $2,000
  • July 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $8,600
    Deposit from*
    $2,200
  • August 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $8,600
    Deposit from*
    $2,200
  • September 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $8,600
    Deposit from*
    $2,200
  • October 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $8,200
    Deposit from*
    $2,000
  • plan your trip

Why Scott Dunn?

Why SD and In the Know Icons_Unique
Unique to You
Unique to you

  • We listen to your travel goals and craft unique trips that are personalized to you.
  • We’re with you every step of your life’s travel journey, from honeymoons to family trips and beyond.

Why SD and In the Know Icons_Service
Seamless Service
Seamless Service

  • Global offices in the UK, US, and Singapore for 24/7 seamless service.
  • We offer flexibility if your plans change so you can book with confidence and peace of mind.
     

Why SD and In the Know Icons_Collection
Carefully Curated Collection
Curated Collection

  • We’ve curated an elevated collection of accommodation, experiences, and guides.
  • Committed to fostering close global relationships to continue bringing you unique experiences.

Why SD and In the Know Icons_Luxury
Luxury in Every Sense
Luxury in every sense

  • We deliver a sense of luxury that matters most to you.
  • Awarded Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialists in the World 12 years in a row.