Wine & Gastrono my
Passionate chefs. Vintage wines. Fresh, exotic, traditional foods. Share
“Europe’s great undiscovered culinary destination” in this tour of
Northern Spain. Discover a new cuisine!
|
| Itinerary
Highlights: |
Day 1
Board flight to Spain.
Days 2-3
Laquardia—La Rioja
We meet in Bilbao, then travel the short distance to the picturesque
town of Laquardia. From this scenic base, we:
• visit the Rioja Wine Museum in Haro.
• lunch in a wood-beamed 17th-century wine bodega.
• stroll (cars are banned) through the medieval town of Laguardia,
tunneled below with more than 250 wine cellars.
• walk in the footsteps of the Santiago-bound pilgrims.
• visit a private bodega where careful hand selections of the grapes
is one of the hallmarks of their complex and elegant wines.
• visit (beginning in 2004) the newly constructed Bodega of Marques
de Riscal, designed by Frank Gehry, known also for the Guggenheim Museum
in Bilbao.
Days 4-6
Navarre—San Sebastián
We enjoy a drive through Navarre — crossing the paths of pilgrims bound
for Santiago — while en route to enchanting San Sebastián, a famous
beach resort and world-renowned food capital. Highlights:
• 15th-century bodega of the famous Chivite
family — in its 11th generation of wine makers.
• La Brecha market, with stalls devoted to the bounty of the sea and
the land.
• dining at the world-famous Arzak, crowned by critics as Spain’s
best restaurant
• a private, by-invitation-only gastronomy society dining event. An
Ochote — an eight-voice male Basque choir, sings selected songs for each
course of the meal.
• a visit to the Chillida Leku, a beautifully restored 16th-century
farmhouse containing the works of the internationally famous sculptor,
Eduardo Chillida.
Days 7-8
Guernica—Bakio—Bilbao
Guernica. Famous for its “Tree of Guernica,” the Basque symbol for
heritage, law and freedom. The village, site of the first Nazi
saturation bombing, also inspired Picasso’s controversial masterpiece of
the same name.
We travel along the coast, stopping along the way:
• to view the sculptural monuments by Henry
Moore and Eduardo Chillida in Guernica.
• at Bakio, known for its delicious red peppers and fruity young
wine called Txakoli.
• to visit a Txakoli bodega.
• at the Riverside Market, which boasts large varieties of seafood,
and stall after stall filled with produce, cheeses and nuts.
• indulging in a fabulous and memorable farewell banquet at Zortziko,
an elegant, turn-of-the-century restaurant. Before our meal, Chef Daniel
Garcia, who is famous for combining classical dishes and innovative
touches, will host a private cooking demonstration as a grand culinary
finale.
We also explore the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. The physical structure
itself is an artistic wonder, not to mention the impressive collection
of modern art we find inside.
Day 9
Board your transatlantic flight for home.
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| 2006 Tour
Dates: |
18 - 25 June 2006
22 - 29 October 2006
|
| Land Cost: |
Guaranteed departure*
*With a minimum group of 4 people.
Cost: 3948 Euros
Single supplement: 470 Euros
Tour members must purchase round-trip air to and from Bilbao.
|
| This tour
includes: |
•
off-the-beaten-path places
• deluxe hotels
• gourmet dining
• fine local wines
• landmark sites
• knowledgeable, regional, English-speaking guides
• trip cancellation/medical insurance
|
| Hotels: |
2 nights:
Hotel Villa de Laquardia in the heart and
soul of La Rioja
3 nights:
Hotel Londres in San Sebastián, located
right on the beach, in the center of town
2 nights:
Hotel Carlton in Bilbao — Beaux arts
splendor within walking distance of the Guggenheim
|
|
|
