Bienvenidos to Bilbao!

Arrival to Bilbao. 

Gaztelugatxe and the Bizcaya coast (3 hrs walking)

We take the local bus and drive to Bakio for a walk to Gaztelugatxe the Basque Country’s most famous cliffs. Later we travel back to Bilbao and there is time for checking out the world renowned Guggenheim Museum. This evening we join our local guide for a pintxos (local style tapas) tour in the old town – learning more about the superb Basque cuisine.  

La Rioja and the Camino Santiago (2 ½ hrs walking)

Turning south this morning we drive pass Haro right into the heart of La Rioja and visit the Vivanco wine museum and bodega. Then, we continue towards Azofra and walk a section of the famous pilgrimage route of the Camino Santiago before completing the journey to the town of Logroño. 

Logroño

Logroño is located at the centre of the Rioja wine trade and this morning we take a walk to the fascinating Ontañón Wine Museum. As well as its historic antecedents, Logroño enjoys a reputation as one of Spain’s most distinguished culinary hotspots.

To Montblanc

Today we travel to Zaragoza by bus, a city that was heavily influenced by the Moors. From here we move on to the charming medieval town of Montblanc, which is located close to some of the finest wine regions in Catalonia. We have dinner at a local ‘Fonda’ to enjoy a traditional Catalan dinner with a local family. 

Poblet and wine tasting in Milmanda (3 ½ hrs walking)

This morning we head out through the local vineyards to the Cistercian monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet, continuing by foot to the Milmanda bodega, where we have a chance to enjoy lunch and some fine wines while we learn the history of this charming old castle and its place in the viticulture of the region. Later we drive back to Montblanc. 

Priorat (2 ½ hrs walking)

We begin the day with a drive out to Priorat, one of the most renowned wine growing regions in Spain. Here we can get an impression of a very traditional bodega and enjoy some of their famed wines and learn a little about the sophisticated art of wine and olive oil production. We then continue in the direction of Siurana by bus, where we have a chance to explore this lovely hilltop village, a medieval treasure that was one of the last strongholds of the Moors in the early 17th century, before we return to Montblanc by bus.

Cava and Montserrat (3 hrs walking)

Driving into the Penedes region this morning, we enter the heart of the Catalan Cava production and home of some of the finest Champagne style wines in the world. A visit to the Codorníu vineyard introduces us to one of its most famous estates. Next stop is the monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat, where we take a walk along the mountain ridge to enjoy the stunning views before completing our journey to Barcelona. 

In Barcelona

This morning we take an orientation tour around the old city of Barcelona, which boasts a rich cultural heritage, the spectacular architectural creations of Antoni Gaudi and one of the best food markets anywhere in Spain – ‘La Boqueria’. Later this evening we have the opportunity to enjoy a final meal at one of the city’s popular restaurants.  

¡Adiós Barcelona!