From Bilbao

4 days


French & Spanish

Basque country to seaside

Grand Tour


Price: €1,200

French & Spanish Basque country to seaside Grand Tour


... Amazing views Gastelgache & World heritage Vizcaya Bridge


Departure Bilbao
Arrivals Biarritz / Bayonne / Toulouse

journey thema: Santiago Pilgrimage route, World Heritage, Spain , French Basque specialties
local scenery:  vineyards, the sea and the mountains, meadows, picturesque villages

price
per personn : 1,200 €
charter : 3,000 € (1 ~ 4 people) 4,200 € (5 ~ 7 people) 
※ 5 day Pyrenees Mountains-Toulouse Extra charge: 600 € per vehicle A

French driver will guide you in english.
*Customers' meals, lodging and entrance fees are not included.

Mileage  840 Km

Day 1

From Bilbao, the center of the Basque Country in Spain, visit the world heritage Vizcaya Bridge, the world's oldest transport bridge for people and vehicles, by a gondola suspended from it.
After taking the gondola to the opposite bank, take the elevator to the bridge, which is about 50 meters high.
It's high enough to scoop, but you can walk on the panoramic path. Visit Gastellgache, a scenic island that has been selected as one of the "natural tourist attractions" on a small island in the Bay of Biscay .
There are 237 stone steps connecting the land and the island on the steep rock cut by the rough seas.
It is said that you can make a wish by ringing the church bell at the top three times, so if you are confident in your physical strength, please go to the top of the island. Lunch will be served at Elantxobe, a small fishing port that flourished as a whaling port .

Overnight stay in San Sebastian famous for its attrative bar tapas called pintxos.
We will guide you to the igueldo observatory, which overlooks La Concha Bay, which means scallop in Spanish regarding to the pilgrim path who through the city.
There are many tapas bars in the old town. Known as a gastronomic place, gourmets from all over the world are gathering and bustling until late at night.
Enjoy the famous pinchos (thin sliced ​​bread with anchopi and cod side dishes), and a slightly sparkling white wine called Txacoli.

Day 2

Visit Getaria, the producing place of Txacoli, a sparkling white wine made from green grapes you will discover maybe the day before.
Also registered as a pilgrimage route to Santiago, this vineyard extends over the steep cliffs of the Bay of Biscay.
If you wish, you can also visit the winery.

In the small bay of Pasea, which once flourished as a shipyard, you can take a small boat from San Pedro to Donebane on the opposite shore.

In the small port town of Hondarribia, you can explore the old town. Take a stroll through the colorful Maison Basques and plazas from the Parador.
Enjoy it at the famous Pinchos (thin sliced ​​bread with anchopi and cod side dishes) or the famous restaurant (reservation required) for serving the world's most delicious fish soup made by remodeling a fisherman's house.

Drive along the scenic coast to Saint Jean de Luz located on the French Side. The coastal landscape and far-flung pasture landscapes are registered as protected areas.

Overnight in Saint-Jean-de-Luz , famous for the wedding of Louis XIV and Queen Mary Therese .
Visit the church built for the wedding ceremony, and enjoy shopping at shops cotton shoes called espadrilles, basque linen, and rustic almond flavors favored cookie such as Macaroon by Louis XIV.

Day 3

La Rhune, a symbol of Euskadi (meaning Basque country), is rocked by a wooden mountain train.
From the top, you can overlook the majestic mountains of French Basque, Spain, and the sea that extends to the back. *Operates from March 26 to early November . We head to Espelette, famous for a production center of savory peppers with little spiciness. Espelette peppers is collected in designated areas are certified under the French Quality Assurance Label AOC (Control of Origin).
There are specialty stores in the village colored with pepper, so please enjoy your shopping slowly.

Itxassou village is dotted with cherry and cheese farmers. You can shop at the farmer you requested. We will have a shopping break at Louhossoa, where you can find lovely Basque sweets.

Stay in the quiet Ainhoa village, registered as one of the most beautiful village french list.
This village is located 730 km to the final point of the pilgrimage route, Santiago de Compostela, and has flourished as a post town on the Spanish border since the 13th century.
You can see a traditional Basque traditional house built around the 17th century.
If you wish, we will hike for about an hour and half to the small chapel, hills and the scenic spots overlooking the sea.

Day 4

Visit the mountain village of Saint Jean Pied de Port, which flourished as an important post town for pilgrimage to Santiago . (Three of the four French pilgrimage routes pass nearby) From the castle located at the top of the village, take the hill like a pilgrim, and think through the Bridge over the Nive river.

Also producing area of a topic Basque ham visit Pierre Oteiza's shop in the village.
We can also have a picnic at the view spot on the farm hill enjoying hand made specialities.
You may be able to see sheep, eagles, small horses called pottok.

The old town of Bayonne, which was created at the confluence of two rivers, flourished as a trading port.
Take a tour of the Sainte-Marie cathedral and cloister, or have a walk through the famous ham and chocolate shop.

Arrival at Biarritz or Bayonne.

This tour can also start in Biarritz or Bayonne and end in Bilbao.

* Optional: After the 5th day
, we recommend visiting Lourdes, the Pyrenees hike in the Gavarnie Valley and taking the ropeway for a panoramic view of the Pick du Midi observatory.
For information on hiking in the Pyrenees, please visit the Pyrenees Tour on our website.
Any combination is possible, so please choose two of them.

プログラム

Day 1
09:00 departure from Bilbao
09:15-10 :15 Vizcaya Bridge
11:00-12:30 Gastelgache
13:15-15:00 Elantxobe
16:30 San Sebastian

Day 2
09:00 Depart San Sebastian
09:45-11:00 Getaria
13:00-15:30 Hondarribia
16:30 Arrival to Saint Jean de Luz (hotel)

Day 3
9:00 Saint Jean de Luz
9:30-11:30 La Rhune Mountain Railway
12:00-14:30 Espelette

14:45-15:30 Itxassou
16:30 Arrival to Ainhoa (hotel)

Day 4
9:00 Ainhoa departure
09:45~11:00 Saint-Jean Pied-de-port

11:45~13:30 Aldude
16:30~18:00 Bayonne
18:30 Arrival to Biarritz (hotel)