Epic Wine & Culinary Trip Through Northern Spain - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona, Exclusive Tapas Tour 

Welcome to España! A private driver will pick you up from the airport and take you on the short drive to your Barcelona accommodation. Drop your luggage, relax at the hotel, and build up an appetite before exploring Catalonia's famous culinary delights on a tapas tour. 

Begin your foray into Barcelona's food scene at an old bodega-turned-tapas bar, where things have hardly changed since the 1930s. With a glass of the city's favorite aperitif—sweet vermouth—in hand, you'll enjoy a tasting of locally cured meats, cheeses, olives, and other Spanish delicacies. During this 3.5-hour off-the-beaten-path experience, you will sample mussels, chorizo, patatas bravas (fried potatoes with aioli), and gambas (prawns) while exploring the architecture, history, and culture of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. 

Day 2: Private Tour of Barcelona 

For those who want to breakfast like a local, try pan con tomate paired with a cafe con leche, which will set you up for your private guided walking excursion around the stunning, eclectic city of Barcelona. The highlight of your walk will likely be the city's greatest monument, La Sagrada Familia—a spectacular Roman Catholic church and UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. You will pass by other emblematic spots and hidden corners while learning about the visionary architect. Don't forget to ask the guide where to stop for lunch!

 

During your free afternoon, you could take a siesta while lounging on Barceloneta Beach, or opt instead for an intimate, two-hour sailing experience. As the sun goes down, you will discover a new Barcelona from the tranquility of a sailboat. Toast this special experience with a glass of cava alongside a light assortment of cheese, olives, bread, and other delicious snacks. If you fancy the tinkling of a Spanish guitar, let your operator know so that they can arrange a mini guitar concert on the boat. 

Day 3: Free Day in Barcelona

Today you can explore Barcelona on your own, or you can opt for one of several day trips. Outside the city's borders lie a wonderland of rugged mountains, golden beaches, and pretty, sleepy little towns, all just a short drive away. One option is to travel about an hour northeast of Barcelona to Girona. This historic city lies next to the Onyar River and is known for its cobbled streets, grand churches, and medieval Old Quarter hemmed in by stone walls.

Of course, there's so much to see in Barcelona that you might want to keep exploring the city to its fullest. Embark on a small-group guided bicycle tour of the city, a three-hour ride through the streets where you'll pass through historic and popular neighborhoods like the medieval Gothic Quarter and the trendy Raval and El Born barrios on either side. But the tour doesn't end there. You'll pedal from these central neighborhoods through Ciutadella Park, one of the largest green spaces in the city, all the way to Barceloneta Beach.

Day 4: Private Day Trip to Montserrat & Penedès Wine Region 

Wake up at a leisurely hour today, and get ready for a wonderful trip to the surrounding countryside and wine region. A private driver will pick you up and take you to the 16th-century Benedictine monastery of Santa María de Montserrat, Catalonia's holiest site. Then make your way to the cava wine hills, the Penedès wine region. Enjoy visiting a family-run vineyard and tasting three examples of Spanish wine, including cavas, reds, and whites. Your excursion ends with a traditional tapas lunch while enjoying views of the Penedès region. Spend the evening however you wish before a pleasant, wine-induced slumber. 

Day 5: Free Morning in Barcelona, Exclusive Wine Tour

Spend a relaxing morning going at your own pace before your exclusive wine tour begins. Jog along Barceloneta promenade, sip a café con leche, or go for a swim. In the late morning, you'll be picked up at your hotel and taken straight to a 14th-century vineyard estate, where your tour will begin. Look out over the Costa Brava as you learn about organic wines, and enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch beside the vineyards. After learning about the production of organic wines, the Penedès wine region, and sampling the different varietals, you'll be taken back to your hotel for your last night in Barcelona. 

Day 6: Train to San Sebastián, Private Culinary Experience

Wake up early this morning to get to Barcelona's train station from where you'll embark on a five-hour railway journey. The destination is the northern Atlantic coast and the city of San Sebastián, which sits on the Bay of Biscay near the border with France. It's located in the heart of Basque Country, one of Spain's most beautiful regions and a haven for foodies across the globe. 

 

After you've checked into your city center hotel, you'll meet your local guide who will take you on a three-hour private foodie tour. First, you'll wander around the famous Parte Vieja ("Old Quarter"), which is situated in the east of the city between the ocean and the River Urumea. The Basque region is known for a type of tapas called pintxos (pronounced "peenchos"). Most bars, cafés, and restaurants in the Parte Vieja serve some version of these bite-sized delicacies, and naturally, they're best paired with some delicious local Txakoli wines.

Day 7: Underwater Winery, Choice of Day Trips

There are plenty of ways to spend your free day in San Sebastián! You could head to Plentzia, where the world's first underwater winery is located. Eighty-two feet (15 m) below sea level, an oenological laboratory has been built, where wines, Txakolí, and ciders from the Basque Country are aged. You will taste the different wines and learn about the wine-making process on board the Crusoe Treasure boat.

If you're a cheese fan, then you could pair wine and cheese on a five-hour private tour, starting in a Basque cheese factory on a sheep farm. Learn how one of the famous local Basque cheeses is made and taste different ones after the shepherd's explanations. You will sample all sorts of different cheeses paired with local wines or cider. Continue to the Txakolí region and explore the vineyards of a family-owned winery. Pair them with some local tuna, chili peppers, and, of course, a pintxo or two.

Head a bit farther out of San Sebastián for a day excursion to two fishing communities, Hondarribia and Pasa Donibane, where you'll amble through 16th-century town centers, eat a delicious lunch, and visit a txakolí winery. Or opt for Getaria, another beautiful village rich in food culture, and history. The main port is one of the most popular entry points in the Basque Country for fresh tuna and shiny Cantabrian anchovies. Whatever you choose to do on your free day, you'll be sure to encounter first-rate food and wine. 

Day 8: Transfer to Bilbao via Coastal Tour

Leave San Sebastián today and head to Bilbao, a journey that will incorporate a coastal tour and wine tasting along the way. First, stop at the Gorka Izagirre winery, which boasts the largest Txakolí wine cellar in the Basque Country. This local white wine pairs perfectly with the delectable fish and shellfish of the region, and you'll discover its white fruit and floral notes on a tasting tour. Travel a couple of miles deeper into Urdaibai to the town of Mundaka, which sits on an estuary home to magnificent wetlands.

Continue a few minutes along the coast to the colorful fishing village of Bermeo. Not only is this the Basque region's most important fishing port, but it's also located at the edge of Urdaibai, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and protected area home to some of Spain's most gorgeous coastal landscapes. Your final stop before arriving in Bilbao is Gaztelugatxe, perched atop which is a hermitage dating back to the 11th century. 'Game of Thrones" fans will recognize it as the filming location for Dragonstone. Once you arrive in Bilbao, check into your hotel and wander around the city before calling it a day.

Day 9: Bike City Tour, Urban Winemaking

Discover Bilbao by bike today, as you join a guided tour with a local expert who will take you to the more colorful neighborhoods in the city, particularly along the waterfront. You can ask the guide to tailor the tour to your interests. Now that you've got your bearings on the city, take an urban winemaking tour where you will have the opportunity to create your own wine bottle. This city-center winery is set up by prestigious oenologists, and you'll sample varietal wines decanted straight from the vats, after which you'll get to blend your own wine and personalize the label.

 

In the evening, indulge in the finest pintxos Bilbao has to offer while traversing the vibrant quarters of the city with an expert guide. An explosion of wonderful colors and tastes awaits you on this gourmet tour strictly for foodies. Nibble your way through Bilbao as your guide dishes out some savory tales about Bilbao's culinary habits too. From the elegant classics to the highly creative newcomers, immerse yourself in the city's zesty food scene. As any local would expect, standards are high and subject to scrupulous scrutiny. Don't worry about leaving this tour hungry!

Day 10: Explore Bilbao 

Go as full-on or laidback as you like today. Explore the city, starting in the center of Bilbao, at Plaza Moyua which was established in 1876 and features a tranquil fountain and gardens. Here you can admire the architecture of the 19th-century Txabarri Palace. Walk toward the eastern side of the river and cross the Arenal Bridge, where you can view the 18th-century San Nikolas Cathedral and the Teatro Arriaga. If you have more time, stroll through one of the city's parks, such as the hilly Parque Etxebarria with views over the city or Casilda Iturrizar, which is filled with gardens and fountains. 

For dinner, do as the locals do and hop from bar to bar in search of traditional pintxos. If you'd rather have a sit-down meal, stroll through the city center or check out La Casita de Sabino and Restaurante Marisquería Serantes. Close to your hotel are some excellent choices, including Gorbea and Victor Montes. Kick back and relax at your hotel for your last evening in Spain.

Day 11: Depart Bilbao

In the morning, enjoy your last taste of Bilbao's wonderful gastronomy before your driver picks you up from your hotel and transfers you to Bilbao Airport. Hasta la vista and safe travels!