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Day
1
Laguardia
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 2006) the newly
constructed Bodega of Marques de
Riscal, designed by Frank Gehry, known
also for the Guggenheim Museum in
Bilbao.
Days
2
Labastida
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 3
Laguardia
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.
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Wine & Gastronomy in the
Rioja - Special 3 & 5 night
packages