Incentive trip to the Basque Country

The Basque Country, or País Vasco, dominated by its largest city, Bilbao, is still one of the least explored regions of Spain, even though it has so much to offer. The culture of this region is famous for its avant-garde architecture, art collections, Rioja wine growing, renowned restaurants and the film festival at the seaside resort of San Sebastian. The region is popular with nature lovers for its many nature parks and biosphere reserves, making it the so-called 'green Spain'.

Category:

Hotel

Type od meals:

Halfboard

1st DAY

Upon arrival in Bilbao, you will meet a Czech-speaking GUIDE who has been living in Spain for several years and has knowledge of architecture and art. He is a professional in his field, who has extensive experience in guiding individuals and groups around Spanish capitals such as Barcelona and Madrid. After checking into your hotel, you will have a guided tour of the world-famous GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, which houses collections of modern art. The museum building itself is architecturally extremely interesting. It is the work of architect Frank Gehry and completes the extraordinary atmosphere of an industrial town and fishing docks. In the building from the end of the 20th century, you will be able to admire, among other things, the works of perhaps the most famous representative of pop art Andy Warhol, or the original gigantic sculptures in front of the museum, especially the famous spider sculpture called Mamá, or the flower dog Puppy. Finish the day with dinner in a typical Basque restaurant

2nd DAY

After breakfast, visit the historic centre of Bilbao. You will see, for example, the 14th century CATEDRAL DE SANTIAGO, the neoclassical PLAZA NUEVA, the monumental THÉATRE ARRIAGA theatre and the early 20th century BILBAO-CONCORDIA station building. Your guide will give you a closer look at the history of this extraordinary Spanish region. Afterwards, you will take a sightseeing boat trip to the Biscay Bridge PUENTE DE VIZCAYA, the oldest gondola bridge in the world. It was built in iron in 1893 and its design correctly suggests that one of Gustave Eiffel's pupils, Alberto Palacio, was responsible for the project. This technical monument is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch in a typical Basque restaurant, you will drive to the picturesque coastal village of BERMEO. This village offers the typical harbour atmosphere of northern Spain. The life of the inhabitants is mainly focused on fishing and canned fish processing. On the way back to Bilbao, you will stop for a view of the hermitage of SAN JUAN DE GAZTELUGATXE. The history of this pilgrimage site dates back to the 10th century. The island on which the chapel is located is connected to the mainland by stone bridges and is a protected habitat. After dinner in a nice typical restaurant you will be transferred to the hotel

3rd DAY

On the third day, after breakfast, you will take a bus to the historic town of EL CIEGO, famous for its many wineries offering wines from the region of la Rioja. Wine has been grown in the area around El Ciego since the 16th century. The picturesque town, full of winding streets, is also surrounded by mountains and offers an unusual local atmosphere. Afterwards, enjoy a tasting of local wines during a tour of the MARQUÉZ DE RISCAL winery, whose tradition dates back to 1860. The modern building designed by Frank Gehry, which houses the restaurant and hotel, will certainly impress you, giving the local landscape an extraordinary character. After lunch in the pleasant restaurant, you can enjoy a trip to the nearby town of LAGUARDIA. This place is rightly described as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Set on a hill amongst snow-capped hills, surrounded by historic walls, it still retains its medieval spirit. After a stroll through the streets of this extraordinary place, you will have dinner in a cosy restaurant in Bilbao and be driven back to your hotel.

4th DAY

After breakfast you will take a bus to the seaside resort of SAN SEBASTIAN. In the Middle Ages, this place served as a royal port, in modern history it has served as a strategic military base and in the 20th century the town was definitely transformed into a centre of culture and recreation. Today, the town hosts an annual film or jazz festival and the famous local casinos. The local beaches encourage sunbathing and swimming in the ocean waves. La Concha is even the most famous urban beach in Spain. You'll stroll through the historic centre of the town, and take a cable car ride up the IGUELDO hill for a spectacular view of the entire bay. At lunchtime, you will take the bus to a restaurant typical of the fishing village of HONDARRIBIA, which is especially famous for its gastronomy. In the historic centre you will be able to admire the well-preserved typical Basque houses with their colourful wooden balconies and soak up the atmosphere of the local colour. In the evening you will be transferred by bus back to Bilbao where you will be treated to dinner in a luxury restaurant.

5th DAY

FREE PROGRAMME and transfer to the airport

Price includes

• flights
• hotel accommodation
• itinerary
• transfer throughout the program
• halfboard
• "local" guide

Price does not include

• travel insurance
• personal expenses
• voluntary entrance fees mentioned in the programme