This tour supports Blue Mountain Action Council  (BMAC) through our Community Giving Initiative.

Welcome to an unforgettable journey through Northern Spain's wine country, where you'll be immersed in old-world elegance and rich wine-making traditions that span thousands of years. Get ready to indulge your senses as you taste the finest wines, explore picturesque vineyards, and learn about the fascinating history of wine production in this region.

But that's not all! This adventure is not just about sipping wine; it's also about getting physically active and embracing the great outdoors. Hike through breathtaking landscapes, cycle along the Camino de Santiago and engage in outdoor activities that will leave you exhilarated and rejuvenated.  And if you prefer less physical activity, we also have options for you!

Our journey begins in the vibrant city of Bilbao and takes you on a breathtaking tour of the Rioja region, where you'll be engaged in the captivating world of Valdemar Family, a name that resonates with centuries of wine-making mastery. And if that's not enough, prepare to be amazed by the Basque Country on the sea-side town of San Sebastian, where the oldest culture in Europe meets modern design and innovation. Here, you'll witness the perfect fusion of tradition and creativity, and lose yourself in the natural beauty of the region.

Our exclusive travel experience offers you the chance to explore Northern Spain's hidden gems at a relaxed pace, as you indulge in the tantalizing culinary variety and sip on age-old wines that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you're seeking outdoor adventures or simply want to soak up the local culture and architecture, this tour has got you covered!

Join us on this gastronomic and experiential journey! This is your chance to discover the true character of Northern Spain, and gain insight into the local traditions and lifestyle, all while enjoying the freedom of an independent traveler. 

To start confirm your participation, and due to the upfront commitments arranged for this tour, a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total tour cost is required to confirm this booking. Incremental payment installments for the remaining balance are as follows:    

25% - Upon confirmation

50% - Due August 1, 2024

25% (remainder of balance) - Due August 30, 2024

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THE PURCHASE OF TRIP PROTECTION, medical and baggage insurance when making the initial deposit for your tour, in order to give yourself peace of mind and to provide for any unforeseen circumstances. We cannot make exceptions to our cancellation policy. 

While we do not sell travel protection directly, we suggest recommend either Travel Safe or Faye.  We also highly recommend  MedJet Horizon. MedJet offers short-term and long-term medical and emergency coverage for when you are 150 miles away from your home. As with any policy, be sure to read the coverage carefully to ensure it aligns with your personal needs and risk tolerance.

Cancellations- refunds are based payments made. *

100+ days prior to the departure: date 60% of the payment made is refundable

61-99 days prior to the departure date: 40% of the payment  made is refundable

60-31 days prior to the departure date: 25% of the payment  made is refundable

Within 30 days of departure date: No refunds

This tour requires a minimum of 8 people to confirm before the tour will operate. Invite your friends!  Do not purchase your airline tickets until you hear from InquisiTours.  

If you need assistance with your flight, contact Alyssa Willard.  503-866-0729 or alyssa@travelcruisedesk.com

Alyssa is a dedicated travel advisor with Travel & Cruise Desk in Lake Oswego, OR. Partnering with InquisiTours, Alyssa is excited to provide specialized air booking services for clients embarking on their extraordinary wine tour experiences. As a Luxury Travel Advisor, Alyssa manages all aspects of air travel, including quotes, ticket bookings, and 24/7 emergency assistance during the journey. Clients can stay informed with timely updates on their itinerary, select preferred seats, and enjoy personalized services to enhance their travel experience. Alyssa's commitment is to ensure that the air portion of the adventure is as exceptional as the iconic wine tours curated by InquisiTours.

*Please note there is a nominal ticketing fee: $50 for domestic flights and $75 for international flights, per ticket.

- Visit Spain’s world-famous cities:  Bilbao, Lagroño (La Rioja) and San Sebastian

- Wine growing and harvest at Bodegas Valdemar

- Walk and eBike the Camino de Santiago *

- Experience the world-famous architect Frank Gehry designed building Guggenheim Bilbao

- Meet traditional fishermen and savor the fresh catch of the day

- Climb the iconic 10th century hermitage Gaztelugutxe, backdrop to Game of Thrones *

- Tapas and pintxo bar crawls

- Savor delicious fresh food and multi-course meals at traditional, local restaurants

- Fully-escorted by an English speaking guide

- Free time for individual exploration 

- Optional day trips including cultural and historical sites

* - alternatives offered in the itinerary for non-physical activities

Accommodations include a standard room and will be a mixture of well-selected authentic boutique hotels 4 star hotels. The hotels selected are luxuriously refurbished historic buildings and modern outside-the-box location hotels. 

Please note, standard rooms in Europe are smaller than standard rooms in the US.  If you would like an upgrade please reach out to InquisiTours for details and availability.

Oct 9 - Wednesday - Bilbao - Hotel Ercilla (or similar)

Oct 10 - Thursday - Bilbao - Hotel Ercilla (or similar)

Oct 11 - Friday - La Rioja - Hotel Sercotel Calle Mayor (or similar)

Oct 12 - Saturday - La Rioja - Hotel Sercotel Calle Mayor (or similar)

Oct 13 - Sunday- La Rioja- Hotel Sercotel Calle Mayor (or similar)

Oct 14 - Monday - San Sebastián - La Galeria (or similar)

Oct 15 - Tuesday - San Sebastián - La Galeria (or similar)

Oct 16 - Wednesday - San Sebastián - La Galeria (or similar)

Oct 17 - Thursday - Bilbao - Hotel Ercilla (or similar)

Oct 18 - Friday - Departure day 

All accommodations include breakfast. In many cases, lunch is included as it is the main meal of the day and timing coincides well with daily activities.

Lunches in Spain start later than lunch in the US and typically last for 2-3 hours.  As this tour is highlighting traditional culture, many of our lunches will be from 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm.   Relax, do as the locals do, and appreciate the dining event!

Meals included:

Oct. 9 - Welcome reception with pintxos and wine

Oct. 10 - Breakfast at the hotel and lunch at Guggenheim Museum (1 bottle per 2 guests)

Oct. 11 - Breakfast at the hotel and lunch in La Vieja Bodega restaurant (1 bottle per 2 guests)

Oct. 12 - Breakfast at the hotel and a traditional lunch with lamb chops paired with Valdemar Family Wines. 

Oct. 13 - Breakfast at the hotel and a light lunch in Arinzano Winery - Cheese, iberian hams + wine

Oct. 14 - Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch at Masarada + wine pairing.

Oct. 15 - Breakfast at the hotel, a fisherman's catch foodie experience in Getaria,  dinner - Pintxos and wines San Sebastian (4 pintxos and wines). *Note - Pintxos are small, creative bites and are typically served while standing up. While this is not a full "sit-down" meal, the pintxos are filling and we will do our best to find a table for those who want to sit.

Oct. 16 - Breakfast at the hotel

Oct. 17 - Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at Eneperi Restaurant - Menu + Wine (1 bottle per 2 guests)

Oct. 18 - Breakfast at the hotel*

* - Depending on the time of your flight breakfast may not be available.

Please note, this tour has a physical rating of 3/5: Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

* You are not required to participate in the days that include hiking and biking.  An alternative activity is presented in the daily itinerary. However, there are no refunds if you choose not to participate.

Leave the US no later than October 8 for arrival in Bilbao on October 9.  Most major European hubs have daily connecting flights to Bilbao.

Upon arrival, just outside of baggage claim, taxis are plentiful.  It will cost around €30 for a 25 minute ride to the hotel.

18:00: This evening, join your host and fellow travelers for a welcome reception.

After breakfast, meet your tour director and spend the day getting to know Bilbao. Bilbao, a port city, is surrounded by hills and located in the autonomous community of the Basque Country is also know as the "city of Guggenheim", after the museum was built in 1997. Today, Bilbao serves as an international reference point for modernity combining avant-garde with its traditional old town, charming streets and bars, and passionate gastronomy scene.

General schedule 

Breakfast at the hotel. 

9:30 Locals tour of Bilbao and walk to Museum Guggenheim

Private tour of the Guggenheim museum

13:30 Lunch at the Guggenheim cafe

15:30 Walk back to the hotel on your own or with guides

(Times are estimated and subject to change)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Lunch the Guggenheim cafe: 1 bottle of wine per 2 people is included

Join us as we embark on a journey through La Rioja - the region known for producing some of the world's finest wines! Our first stop is at the prestigious Bodegas Muga, where we'll have the opportunity to indulge in a private wine tasting experience. As we move on to explore the charming Haro, you'll have some time to wander the town on your own.  

We'll then venture to Casalarreina, a town that's home to La Vieja Bodega - a Michelin recommended restaurant that was once a 17th-century winery of the Marqués de Vargas. Here, we'll enjoy a delicious tasting menu paired with some of the region's finest wines.

Afterward, we'll take an exclusive visit to their private wine cellar before transferring back to our hotel for a night on your own.

This evening you can explore the vibrant city of Logroño on our own, with our knowledgeable guide offering insider tips and recommendations for the best pintxos and wine at the famous Calle Laurel.

General schedule 

08:45 Pick up at the hotel in Bilbao and transfer to La Rioja 

10:00 Visit and wine tasting at Bodegas Muga. (small group - may not be private).

12:00 Visit Haro, capital of the wine region. Enjoy walking this town on your own.

14:00 Lunch in La Vieja Bodega restaurant 

16:30 Transfer to the hotel

(Schedule subject to change)

Meals included:  Breakfast, Lunch

Since its origins in 1889, Bodegas Valdemar has been synonymous with innovation and quality in the world of wine. Over five generations, the Valdemar family has maintained an unwavering commitment to sustainable viticulture, internationalization and accessibility, setting new standards in the global wine industry.

What started as an underground stone cellar in the small town of Oyón has grown into one of the most prestigious international brands in Rioja. The flagship location, Bodegas Valdemar, has more than 300 hectares of stunning vineyards on the property, making it a truly unforgettable destination.

· Channel your inner winegrower and learn how to harvest, shell, and press grapes!

· Enjoy a picnic with a view at a selected spot, with exclusive wines hand-picked for your very own educational and sensory journey. 

· Feast your taste buds with a traditional Rioja lunch paired with unique family wines. 

General schedule:

8:30 (Optional inclusion) Walk the Camino de Santiago from Najera to Azofra (5 miles)

10:30 Valdemar Winery private experience becoming a wine grower.

11:30 Picnic in the vineyard with 2 wines and tapas.

12:30 Winery tour with paired tasting: 2 wines and 2 Spanish tapas.

13:30 Traditional lunch with lamb chops paired with Valdemar Family Wines.

16:00 Transfer to the hotel

Enjoy the rest of the day on your own

(Schedule subject to change)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! We'll hop on our ebikes and embark on an exciting journey along a 15 mile portion of the Camino de Santiago Frances. But the adventure doesn't stop there! We will convene at the enchanting Arinzano Winery for a captivating 4x4 tour of the lush vineyards, a guided exploration of the winery, and a delightful wine tasting experience featuring three exquisite Pago de Arinzano wines thoughtfully paired with the finest Iberian hams. 

Are you not up for a bike ride today? Instead, why not accompany us on a delightful excursion to an Olive Oil Elaboration museum and the serene Irache Monastery, where we'll rendezvous with the rest of the group at Arinzano.

General schedule:

08:30 Transfer to Navarra 

10:00 eBike along the Camino de Santiago - Approximately 15 miles elevation gain: 1650 feet

10:00 Touring day for non-cyclists

13:30 Visit by 4x4 the vineyards + wine tasting + Iberian hams

17:00 Transfer to the hotel 

(Subject to change)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After a delightful breakfast at our charming Logroño hotel, we embark on a scenic drive to Navarra. Our journey leads us through picturesque mountain paths adorned with ancient beech tree forests, where echoes of mythology and legends accompany each step, revealing the rich history of the region. Against the backdrop of the majestic Aralar mountain range, we reach the twelfth-century Romanesque sanctuary dedicated to Saint Michael de Aralar, steeped in mythical tales of dragon-slaying bravery.

At a local free-range farm nestled in the heart of the countryside, we uncover the secrets behind the revered Euskal-txerri, the famed Basque pigs known as one of Spain's best-kept culinary treasures. Here, amidst the rustic charm of the farm, we indulge in a gastronomic extravaganza of Basque Iberian delights, savoring a sumptuous multi-course sampling menu.  

Attention: The pigs you'll encounter at the farm are raised with care and respect. The farms practices have recovered the from extinction and is a part of a sustainable cycle, including providing nourishment. Our lunch will reflect this ethos, featuring dishes prepared with ingredients sourced directly from this farm, ensuring a connection to the land and a commitment to responsible dining. 

Following our culinary journey, we continue our travels to San Sebastian, where we settle into our accommodations and embark on a leisurely stroll through the enchanting streets of the city. This brief walking tour offers a glimpse into the vibrant tapestry of San Sebastian's culture and landmarks, setting the stage for an evening of exploration at your own pace.

General schedule:

08:30 Pick up from the hotel

09:30  Visit the Romanesque sanctuary Saint Michael de Aralar and the Euskal-txerri farm.  Walk/hike depending on fitness level.

14:30: Lunch at Masarada (drinks not included)

16:00 Transfer San Sebastian

(Schedule subject to change)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Start the morning with a delicious breakfast before we travel to our next destination, one of Spain's most charming villages - the medieval fishing settlement of Getaria. 

Wedged between two beautiful beaches, the village is surrounded by the rolling green hills of the Txakoli vineyards, where we will pay a visit to a local winery so that you can experience a tasting of txakoli wines. 

Back in picturesque Getaria port, we’ll visit with a fisherman after a morning full of fresh catch ready to grill up and share with us!  Afterward, we will have an unforgettable visit to Monte Igueldo, a vintage amusement park perched atop one of San Sebastián's three hills for a glass of cava on the terrace.

This evening we continue the culinary focus as we walk around the old town’s seemingly endless narrow streets. The slow food culture makes the local dishes so tasty, which you will experience during dinnertime during a pintxos bar crawl. 

General schedule:

9:00 Transfer to Getaria / winery / fisherman's catch

14:45 Transfer to San Sebasrian

15:15 Cava at the El Torreon in Monte Igueldo at and enjoy the magnificent views of San Sebastian

16:00 Transfer to the hotel

20:00 Regroup for dinner: pintxos and wines in the historic quarter of San Sebastian

(Schedule subject to change)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (pintxos)

Today the day is all yours!  

You have the day on your own to appreciate San Sebastian.  You may decide to walk around, indulge on a shopping excursion, or  take your time strolling Concha Bay.  Or you may have other things in mind.  No mater what you want to do, or not do, we have recommendations for you!  

OPTIONAL DAY TRIP:  Explore a Basque Port

Basque ports have a rich maritime history. Learning more about the culture and traditions of these fishing communities can be an enriching experience, and Pasajes and Hondarribia are no exception. Get up close and personal with the history while taking in the breathtaking views of the rugged landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and pristine beaches.

Schedule for the optional day trip:

10:00 Pick up to visit Pasajes 

11:00 Albaola Museum private visit
13:00 Mid-morning informal snack in an authentic fisherman’s tavern called Muguruza Ardoak to try their local specialties with Basque cider or txakoli wine.
15:30 Historic visit to Hondarribia, followed by a few pintxos and wines in Hondarribia’s gorgeous boulevard.
16:30 Transfer to San Sebastian. 

Cost for this activity is $650.00 (minimum of 6 people needed for this activity)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we explore some of the most iconic locations in the Basque Country!

We'll start off by transferring to the 10th century hermitage Gaztelugutxe, which you may recognize as the backdrop to some epic Game of Thrones scenes. It's a fun walk to the islet, where we'll get to ring the famous bell and feel the power of the crashing Atlantic waves all around us. Trust us, it's a thrill you won't forget!

If you prefer not to hike to the islet, we will visit two villages on the coast:  Bermeo and Mundaka, then return to Gaztelugatxe to retrieve the walkers.

Afterward, we'll head to Eneperi for our bittersweet farewell lunch, located in an 1816 country house.  

As our day draws to a close, we'll gather for a farewell happy hour. You'll get a chance to share your favorite moments from the trip with your fellow travelers, and maybe even start planning your next adventure together!

General schedule:

09:00 Pick up at the hotel

11:30 Arrival to the Islet Gaztelugatxe + hike the Islet Gaztelugatxe *

11:30 Roadtrip to Bermeo and Mundaka for non-hikers

13:30 /14:00 Lunch at Restaurant Almiketxu or Restaurant Kofradía San Pedro Erretegia, Bermeo

16:00 Transfer to Bilbao

(Schedule subject to change)

* The hike is only possible with good weather.  Alternatives are a cultural visit to Gernika to the Casa de Juntas and in walking distance, through the nearby “Parque de los Pueblos de Europa”  which contains huge sculptures of two well-known artists: Eduardo Chillida and Henry Moore.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch 

Although our Spain adventure must come to a close, the unforgettable experiences and moments we shared will forever be ingrained in our hearts and minds. Cherish the memories, until we meet again!

The hotel can help arrange taxi's to the airport. It will cost around €30 for a 25 minute ride to the hotel.

Meals included:  Breakfast (depending on the time of your flight breakfast may not be available)