The Beautiful Basque Country

From London St Pancras, we board the Eurostar to Paris, continuing our journey by rail to Hendaye. Here, we're met by a coach to take us over the border into Spain and on to our Parador hotel in Hondarribia.

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal

Today we visit San Sebastián. Set within the fashionable and famous La Concha Bay, the city is the culinary capital of Spain, celebrated for its pintxos - the Basque equivalent of tapas. This style of eating is so much a part of the local culture, it even has its own name - txikiteo - and after a guided tour of the historic sights we try it for ourselves at a traditional lunch. After lunch there's free time to continue exploring. With the beach easily accessible on foot, you may wish to take a dip in the warm sea, or take a boat trip out to the nearby island of Santa Clara.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Following a relaxed morning, we set out for St Jean de La Luz, a lively fishing port which you're free to look around. We join the Petit Train de La Rhune for a journey into the mountains to the summit of La Rhune. Travelling in vintage carriages, we admire panoramic views across the Pyrenees, the Atlantic Ocean and beyond. At certain times of the year, we may even see the small horses - or 'Pottok' - who graze this high up. After our descent, we transfer to an artisanal cider house and restaurant in Ascain, named Txopinondo. Here, we enjoy an authentic meal, served alongside the delicious cider that's brewed on-site.

Please Note: For departures 15/04/2023, 06/05/2023 and 27/05/2023 the La Rhune Mountain Railway is closed for maintenance work, so now you will travel by coach enjoying the wonderful scenery to St Jean Pied de Port.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Your day is free to get to know the coastal town of Hondarribia better. Considered to be one of the most beautiful Basque Country towns, this colourful fishing village has plenty to offer. You could take a walk through the well-preserved Old Town, fortified by the original town walls. Here, traditional Basque-style houses, with their painted wooden balconies, sit alongside Baroque buildings which have stood for centuries.

• Breakfast

We make our way by coach to Bilbao, a city set between towering green mountains and the Bay of Biscay. Our destination is the avant-garde Guggenheim Museum. Devoted to modern, contemporary artworks by artists such as Jeff Koons and Louise Bourgeois, it is the museum itself - with its curvy, titanium-clad exterior designed by Frank Gehry - which often gets the most attention. After time to view the different exhibitions, you're free in Bilbao to stroll the winding streets of the Old Town. You might choose to ride to the top of Mount Artxanda by funicular railway or take a boat ride along the Ría de Bilbao. This evening back in Hondarribia we enjoy a wonderful meal at a local restaurant, Zeria, owned and operated by the same family since 1965 and located in a 16th century building.

• Breakfast

With another free day, you might like to immerse yourself in Hondarribia's 'foodie' scene. Despite its small size, this is a destination known for its incredible cuisine. A mecca for up-coming chefs who have studied under Michelin-starred mentors, many come here to make a name for themselves, and there are plenty of pintxos restaurants to rival those of San Sebastián - you'll find these in the marina neighbourhood. There's an inviting sandy beach if you'd like a day relaxing in the sun, or maybe stroll beside the sea after indulging in the excellent food and drink.

• Breakfast

Our coach delivers us to Laguardia in the Rioja wine region. Here you have free time to explore this wonderful medieval village. This is the gateway to Rioja's winelands, and we continue to an historic underground cellar for a wine tasting. Next, we head into the surrounding countryside for lunch at a modern winery carved into the mountains. The winery's glass frontage offers beautiful views which we enjoy our food, expertly paired with more delicious local Rioja.

• Breakfast, Lunch

We bid farewell to the Basque country after breakfast today, returning to London St Pancras by coach and rail, where our holiday draws to a close.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal