Euroventure
France and Spain Wine Tour
8 daysfrom $2,264
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Beautiful Basque Country: San Sebastian & Bilbao
Visit the Spanish and French Basque country, enjoying cosmopolitan cities and medieval towns, whilst tasting speciality dishes, wines & ciders.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Hondarribia
From London to Hondarribia on the Basque Coast
Meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris in Plus class, with a light meal served at seats. Continue by First Class rail to Hendaye on the Spanish border, then transfer by coach to Hondarribia. Check in to the four-star Parador de Hondarribia, a restored 10th-century castle overlooking the Plaza de Armas and the Cantabrian Sea. Evening at leisure in La Marina neighbourhood.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal
- Day 2overnight: Hondarribia
Sampling pintxos & soaking up the culture of San Sebastián
Drive to San Sebastián, the culinary capital of Spain with one of the highest concentrations of Michelin stars in the world. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the city's sights, then immerse in the local txikiteo tradition by sampling pintxos over lunch. Afternoon free to explore independently – options include the beach, a boat trip to Santa Clara island, or the San Telmo Museum. Return to Hondarribia; evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 3railovernight: Hondarribia
Le Petit Train de la Rhune & dinner at a cider house
Transfer by coach across the border to the French fishing port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz for free time to explore. In the afternoon, board the Petit Train de La Rhune for a scenic vintage rack railway journey to the summit of La Rhune mountain (905m), with panoramic views across the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean. After descent, visit an artisanal cider house for a tour of traditional cider production followed by an authentic Basque four-course meal including chorizo, tortilla with cod and potatoes, chargrilled prime ribs, sheep's cheese, nuts, Basque cake and apple brandies.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: Hondarribia
A free day in Hondarribia
A full day at leisure to explore Hondarribia, one of the most beautiful settlements in the Basque Country. Walk through the well-preserved Old Town (Casco Antiguo) from the Santa Maria Gate to the San Nicolas Gate. Discover medieval streets, churches, traditional Basque-style houses and Baroque buildings. Evening free to visit pintxos bars or restaurants in the Old Town or La Marina neighbourhood.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5overnight: Hondarribia
Visiting the Guggenheim Museum and Bilbao
Drive to Bilbao and visit the avant-garde Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry with its iconic titanium-clad exterior. Admire works by Jeff Koons, Louise Bourgeois, Anish Kapoor and Mark Rothko. Afternoon free to explore Bilbao independently – options include the Old Town, Arenal Gardens, Baroque opera house, Bilbao Cathedral, La Ribera market, Mount Artxanda funicular, or a boat ride along the Ría de Bilbao. Return to Hondarribia for an evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6overnight: Hondarribia
A day in La Rioja winelands with lunch
Set out by coach to medieval Laguardia, a hilltop village and gateway to the winelands, with free time to explore its streets and mountain backdrop. Enjoy a guided wine tasting in a cellar beneath the Palace of the Samaniegos. Continue into the surrounding countryside for a paired lunch at a modern glass-fronted winery with views of the Rioja Valley and Cantabrian hills. Return to Hondarribia in the late afternoon; evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 7overnight: Hondarribia
A full day at leisure in Hondarribia
Another free day to explore as you choose. Options include walking the Butrón Boardwalk along the waterside, the Camino de la Bahia trail (approx. 8 miles), relaxing on Hondarribia's sandy beach, or taking the ferry or bus to Hendaye for direct trains to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz. In the evening, regroup for a farewell dinner at a charming restaurant in Hondarribia.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 8rail
Homeward bound
Bid farewell to the Basque Country after breakfast and transfer by coach to Hendaye for the First Class rail journey to Paris. Change trains to join the Eurostar in Plus class, with a light meal served at seats, arriving at London St Pancras in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation at Parador de Hondarribia
- Eurostar Plus class travel (London St Pancras to Paris and return)
- First Class rail travel throughout
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
- Breakfast each day
- 2 lunches (San Sebastián pintxos lunch; La Rioja winery lunch)
- 2 dinners (Basque cider house dinner; farewell dinner in Hondarribia)
- All guided tours and excursions
- Entry to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum
- Guided wine tasting in Laguardia cellar
- Le Petit Train de la Rhune mountain railway journey
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
