La Rioja and the Basque Country

LA RIOJA AND THE BASQUE COUNTRY
Madrid – Laguardia – San Sebastian – Bilbao

self-drive tour

– 10 days/ 9 nights –

Price on request.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Madrid
Arrival and pick-up the car from Madrid airport. Overnight in Madrid.

Day 2: Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day to explore Madrid on your own: the Puerta del Sol, one of the most historic and expansive plazas in the city; the famous Fountain of Cibeles; Plaza Mayor; the Royal Palace, the Sabatini Gardens and Campo del Moro, The church of San Francisco El Grande, the Toledo Bridge, the Prado Museum, etc . Visit the Austrias neighborhood, the most historic atmosphere of Madrid where you can stroll through the narrow streets and local shops, etc.
Overnight in Madrid.

Day 3: Madrid – Laguardia (La Rioja)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive towards Laguardia, the capital of Rioja Alavesa. This romantic town stands guard on a hill surrounded by vineyard , was founded in the 10th century as a defensive outpost of the Kingdom of Navarre. The streets of Laguardia are full of splendid medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical buildings. A walled town and an important vantage point in the past, today Laguardia welcomes visitors with open arms and fine food and drink. The winding mediaeval street plan of Laguardia, the old gates into the town and the surviving remains of its walls will carry you back in time, just like the neolithic and bronze age remains found nearby, the oldest agricultural communities discovered in the Basque Country.
Overnight in Laguardia.

Day 4: Laguardia (La Rioja)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day at leisure to explore on your own the regions of Rioja Alta & Rioja Alavesa.
Overnight in Laguardia.

Day 5: Laguardia (La Rioja) – San Sebastian
After breakfast, driver north towards San Sebastian. En-route stop in Vittoria – the capital of the Basque
Country. Explore its streets, its historical center or have a coffee in one of its many bars. Vitoria-Gasteiz is a multicultural city with strengths in the arts, commerce, and architecture. There’s a lot to discover!
Continue to San Sebastian – upon arrival, check-in and installation at your hotel.
Overnight in San Sebastian.

Day 6: San Sebastian
Breakfast at the hotel.
Days at leisure to continue exploring San Sebastian on your own. Take a walk along La Concha Beach and Promenade, or visit the old town, filled with Baroque and Gothic churches. We suggest also hiking up “Monte Urgull’ which offer panoramic views over La Concha Bay and the center of San Sebastian.
Optional ($), full-day excursion to “French Basque Coast (Biarritz – Bayonne – Saint Jean de Luz)”.
Overnight in San Sebastian.

Day 7: San Sebastian
Breakfast at the hotel.
Experience the magic of Basque-French coast! Scroll the most stunning old streets of Bayonne, Biarritz, San Juan de Luz!
Saint-Jean-de-Luz -this city owns a different atmosphere, somehow more relaxed. It is busy but not overcrowded, beautiful but not overly luxurious.
Bayonne – the capital of the French Basque Country! Bayonne boasts an exceptional cultural heritage which includes the cloister, the ramparts, Gothic vaults, the Château-Vieux, and the old town restoration project.
Biarritz – this 19th century imperial summer city, where its casino and palace still maintain the spirit of the time is well known for its beautiful beaches and surf scene. Walk along the shore enjoying brilliant views of the sea.
Overnight in San Sebastian

Day 8: San Sebastian – Bilbao
Breakfast at the hotel.
The drive from San Sebastian to the city of Bilbao is a stunner. On this road trip through the Basque Coast, you will see amazing beaches, incredible lookouts, cute villages, stunning cliffs, great hikes, unbelievable islets, and a unique bridge.
Gaztelugatxe is the perfect stop on your road trip as one of the fascinating sites on Spain’s northern coast. Fall in love with the charming 10th century hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and climb its 241 stairs to get to the top and enjoy its magnificent views. Game of Thrones’ 7th season was shot here, so find yourself at Dragonstone!
Before arriving at Bilbao, stop at the Vizcaya Bridge – This is a bridge unlike any other you have ever seen. It crosses the Nervión River between the towns of Portugalete and Getxo. It was a revolutionary work of engineering and was the world’s first transporter bridge, allowing boats to cross underneath at the same time, thanks to the hanging gondola that moves from one side to the other.
Overnight in Bilbao.

Day 9: Bilbao
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day at leisure to discover Bilbao on your own – see the Old Town and Downtown through the serpentine Old Town streets, going through the seven genuine streets and the churches of San Anton and Santiago, without missing the market of La Ribera. See the White Bridge (Zubizuri) and, of course, don’t forget to visit the most famous building in Bilbao: the Guggenheim Museum!
Overnight in Bilbao.

Day 10: Bilbao airport
Return the car at Bilbao airport. End of services.

INCLUDED:

• 9 nights accommodation in double occupancy – standard rooms  (Madrid – 2 nights, Laguardia – 2 nights, San Sebastian – 3 nights, Bilbao – 2 night)
• 9 days car rental, pick-up at Madrid airport and drop-off at Bilbao airport (unlimited mileage, Value Added Tax (VAT); Liability Insurance; Collision Damage Waiver (CDW); Theft Protection (TP) deductible “ZERO”)
• Daily breakfast

EXCLUDED:

• International flight from/to Canada
• entrance fees to the various sites
• personal expenses
• beverages and other meals not mentioned
• fuel, tolls, parkings, ferry
• city tours and excursions
• hotel taxes (payable locally: between Eur1.00-Eur6.00 per person, per night