This in-depth private tour features the very best wine, culinary and cultural highlights of Bordeaux and the Basque region. Discover the natural, cultural and architectural heritage of this beautiful region, visit the fabulous wine museums, meet iconic winemakers and discover prestigious properties. You will have the opportunity to enjoy exceptional wines, either aged in medieval wine cellars or in innovative and modern cellars designed by renowned architects.

  • Day 1 to Day 3

    Arrive Bordeaux, St. Emilion and Medoc, France

    Begin in Bordeaux, one of the most famous wine regions in the world. Enjoy a private walking tour of the city of Bordeaux, a historic port on the banks of the Garonne River. Tour highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site such as well-preserved 18th-century architecture, ancient churches, shopping streets, excellent museums and surprising contemporary additions to the cityscape.

    Sample local wines during private touring of Bordeaux vineyards, wineries and chateaux in St. Emilion and the Medoc. We can also arrange meetings with local winemakers, vertical flight wine tastings, meals in Michelin-star restaurants with wine pairings and more, upon request.

  • Day 4 to Day 6

    Basque region

    Continue to San Sebastian. En route, tour the Pays Basque. Perhaps tour the town of Bayonne to see half-timbered houses, peruse local markets, see the cathedral and city walls, learn about local culture at the Basque Museum, and sample the town’s famous chocolate and smoked ham. Also stroll seaside resort towns like elegant Biarritz or traditional St.-Jean-de-Luz, with its charming local shops selling linens, espadrilles and gourmet products.

    Spend the next three nights in San Sebastian, an elegant seaside resort near the border of France that is the gastronomic capital of the Basque Country. Tour the picturesque old town, and browse local produce and fish markets. Basque cuisine is generally considered to be Spain’s finest and on this tour you will have ample opportunity to sample the local specialties. Take a class at a private cooking club, and enjoy a private tasting of the region’s delicious pintxos—the Basque version of tapas—and Txakoli, a local, slightly sparkling white wine. If desired, visit the nearby fishing village of Getaria to wander its charming backstreets, tour the Balenciaga Museum and explore the surrounding Txakoli vineyards.

  • Day 7 to Day 8

    La Rioja wine country, cheese tasting en route

    The tour concludes in the southern Basque Country and La Rioja, one of the world’s most renowned winemaking regions. Spend two nights in the heart of the Rioja wine region at Hotel Marques de Riscal, a luxury hotel with distinctive architecture designed by Frank Gehry and a wine therapy spa offering treatments using vine and grape seed extracts. On a private day excursion, visit Laguardia, a beautiful medieval walled village with wine caves under its cobblestone streets and impressive views of the nearby hills. Tour surrounding vineyards and enjoy wine tastings at bodegas (wineries) designed by celebrated modern architects such as Santiago Calatrava and Zaha Hadid.

  • Day 9

    Depart La Rioja

    Private transfer to Bilbao airport. We can also arrange to extend your tour in Bilbao or elsewhere in Spain.

Details

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Hotels

  • Bordeaux: InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hotel
  • San Sebastian Hotel Maria Cristina
  • La Rioja: Hotel Marques de Riscal

The private tour is always included

  • Personalized private touring with expert guides and drivers
  • Preferred rooms at the very best hotels
  • Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Restaurant and spa reservations, performance and sporting event ticket arrangements
  • Admission fees
  • Internal transportation and private airport transfers
  • Around-the-clock support in each destination during the trip

Excluded

  • Items of a personal nature
  • All flights
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Excess baggage fees

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