b'YOUR ITINERARY 8 DAY HOLIDAYFROM SPAINDay 1From London toDay 5A day in beautiful Bilbao1,895 PPHondarribia, on the Basque CoastToday we visit Bilbao, the creative From London St Pancras we journeyheart of the Basque Country. At the by rail to Spains charming coastalavant-garde Guggenheim Museum2024 Departures in: town of Hondarribia. Staying inwe see modern work by artists suchAPR, MAY, JUN, SEP, OCTa unique hotel in a former 10th- as Jeff Koons and Louise Bourgeois, century castle, the nearby vibrantand the museums curvy, titanium-clad 1 2 3 4neighbourhood has a laid-backexterior is an architectural showpiece. Everyday Traveller ratedatmosphere and excellent restaurants.In Bilbaos Old Town are many tempting restaurants or cafs forUPGRADE YOUR HOLIDAY:Day 2Sampling pintxos in thelunch. You could visit the pretty ArenalHotel Room upgrades available.foodie capital of San SebastinGardens, see the Baroque operaCall to book or for more information.Today we travel by coach to thehouse and Bilbaos cathedral. Tonight stunning San Sebastin. With its idyllicwe dine together at a family-run setting, overlooking the gorgeousrestaurant in a 16th-century building.YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES:La Concha Bay, the city has becomeExpertise of a UK Tour Manager renowned as the culinary capital ofTOUR MANAGERS HIGHLIGHT:from start to finishSpain. After a guided walking tour weA trip on Le Petit Train de la Rhune, sample pintxos, the Basque versionto the iconic Basque mountain First Class rail and all transfers, of tapas. With a free afternoon, youEurostar Standard Premiercould maybe take a dip in the sea, aDay 6A day in the heartboat trip to Santa Clara island, or visitof the La Rioja winelands7 nights 4-Star hotel San Telmo Museum of Basque culture.We set out to our first destination, theaccommodation in a restored medieval village of Laguardia, which10th-century castle, the Parador of TOUR MANAGERS HIGHLIGHT:has a dramatic mountain backdrop.Hondarribia, in one of the Basque The brilliant guided walking tour andThis hilltop village is the gateway toCountrys most beautiful towns pintxos experience in San Sebastin the winelands, and we have free timeBreakfast each day plus 2 lunches to explore before continuing for aand 2 dinners Day 3Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Le Petitguided wine tasting in a fascinating Train de La Rhune, cider house cellar, beneath the Palace of theAll tour excursions We travel to the French fishing portSamaniegos. Afterwards, we head into of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, treasured for itsthe countryside to a modern winery architecture, colourful houses andwhich has beautiful views of the Rioja beautiful bay. We then board the Petitvalley and Cantabrian hills, whereTrain de La Rhune for a journey to thewe enjoy a lunch creatively pairedsummit of La Rhune, the emblematicwith delicious local Rioja wines. SanFROM/TOBasque mountain. Travelling in vintagePARIScarriages, we enjoy panoramic viewsDay 7Exploring the Sebastin St Jean de la Luz Hendayeacross the Pyrenees. We then visit Basque Country at leisureBilbao 7 Col de St Ignacean artisanal cider house for anMaybe walk along the HondarribiaHondarribiaauthentic Basque meal of chorizo,seafront promenade, for wonderfulLa Rhune Mountain Railwaytortilla with cod and potatoes,views of the estuary across to chargrilled prime ribsending withHendaye. The Bay Path, or CaminoLaguardia SPAINsheeps cheese, nuts, Basque cake andde la Bahia, is a trail of around 14 apple brandiesall produced on site. kilometres that spans the waterfrontCoachbetween the eastern end of Hendayes Day 4Colourful Hondarribiabeach and Hondarribias lighthouse.Tour Code: SEG |per person based on 2 This historic fishing village has aHondarribias inviting sandy beach is asharing. Deposit from 350 per person. characterful blend of French andlovely place to swim and maybe relaxSupplement for solo travellers from 400 Spanish Basque influences in itson a sun bed with a book. architecture, cuisine and culture. Day 8Homeward boundTo book and for With a free day, you could walk through the well-preserved Old TownWe bid farewell to the Basqueinformation go toto discover its main medieval street, aCountry, transferring by coach togreatrail.com/SEG24 mix of churches, Basque-style housesHendaye for our First Class rail and centuries-old Baroque buildings.journey to Paris. In Paris we join theor call 01904 527168The town has an excellent reputationEurostar in spacious Standard Premier& speak to ourfor cuisine and attracts aspiring chefsClass to London St Pancras with awho gain valuable experience here.light meal served at our seats. expert team.103'