5 days / 4 nights
Active
Fully Guided
Semi Guided
Self Guided
Kingdom of Navarra
The Basque Country
Explore the Basque Country and Navarra and San Fermin
The perfect combination of walking, breathing in the fresh Cantabria air, and enjoying outstanding gastronomy in this corner of Northern Spain. This is a culinary walking adventure along a portion of the gorgeous Cantabria Coast and the Navarre countryside, combining our passion for great produce with some of the finest culinary arts in the world. From the farthest point of Biscaya Bay through the Basque region to the border of Southern France, this route is studded with cultural gems, stunning seascapes and coastal mountains. As we hike from one hotspot to another, we enjoy the beauty and the adorable fishing towns, all while sampling the cuisine this area is famous for.
May, June, July, August, September
This enchanting territory and our immersive tours are well worth the discovery, and we can make your vacations unique and memorable, so come and join us on one when it’s optimal for you.
May through September
We customize to fit with fabulous experiences, the comfort of great accommodation, out-of-this-world gastronomy and a chance to discover this spectacular region.
Our journey together starts in Bilbao’s downtown where your Northern Spain Travel guides will welcome you. A day in Bilbao begins with a walking tour of the historic quarter and the internationally acclaimed Guggenheim Museum. Lunch is a classic Basque meal in an asador where they specialize in grilling T-bone steaks over wood fires, giving you mouth-watering plates of red peppers, lamb chops and massive T-bone steaks. In the afternoon, we transfer to Hondarribia, a beautiful and unusual little fishing town. Your hotel is nothing less than a converted 10th-century castle. Afternoon pleasures include a private cultural tour of Hondarribia. Dinner we venture over into the heart of this coastal town to an authentic and delicious seafood restaurant in town (…and it is not a Michelin star!)
Food: Lunch and dinner
Travel: Bilbao
Sleep: Parador Hondarribia ****
Our hike along the Basque Coast begins in Hondarribia. We hike along a gorgeous path with views over the Atlantic, through coast pine woods and past old stone churches. Descend from the hills, where we stop for a top-end seafood lunch right on the water. We board the private antique sailboat and sail away to San Sebastian. Docking in the famed La Concha Harbor, we have time for a swim or sunbathing on the deck. In the evening we head into town to sample the world-renowned gastronomy of the area. If sailing is not something you particulary enjoy then we visit the interesting and evocative Albaola Whaling Museum there and transfer to your hotel in San Sebastian. We regroup for dinner to sample the world- renowned Basque pintxos paired with spectacular wines and to revel in the lively and exciting atmosphere. We stay at the iconic seaside hotel.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel: Pasajes to Hondarribia to San Sebastián
Sleep: Four Star Hotel in San Sebastian ****
Enjoy a private visit to the Basque traditions museum. Then we will take a leisurely walk along the Concha seawall to the majestic Chillida sculptures, followed by a cable car ride to Hotel Igueldo to have lunch with birds eye views of San Sebastian. We will then travel inland to a Navarre mountain spa. We will check in and enjoy the salt spring mountain spa and dip into the warm waters for a salt-bath experience. After blissing out on spa treatments, we enjoy a Navarre dinner in a cozy Michelin star recommended countryside restaurant.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel: Pasajes / Elgorriaga
Sleep: Countryside Hotel & Spa ***
We spend the morning hiking in the province of 5 Villas, the Tuscany of Spain. Our route consists of a walk through the picturesque villages in the 5 Villas Province, stopping for a bite to eat along the way, admiring grazing potoka horses, and woolly Navarre sheep called Latxas. On our way towards Pamplona, we stop for lunch in a breathtaking Navarre village and to learn about the 18th Century Estelas. We pass by charming and rustic villages, with that traditional feel of the area. In Pamplona, we check into the hotel and regroup for dinner to enjoy the festive, unique Pamplonican atmosphere. Join us to explore this fascinating historic city, the Cathedral, and Pamplona’s plummeting fort walls. We may spot hidden Roman ruins. We trace the route of the infamous bull run and have a look at the imposing bull ring. Dinner is in a Michelin star restaurant in the heart of the city.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel: Pamplona
Sleep: Heart of Pamplona Apartments
After a fine breakfast, we’ll assist in arranging your transportation to the nearest airport or
train station for your onward travels.
Food: Breakfast
Travel: Pamplona to Pamplona Airport
* NST itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.
The Hotel de Londres is a pretty boutique hotel in San Sebastián with a La Belle Epoque feel. It has views to the Concha Bay and the city center. Luxury, modern facilities and a high level service make this historic building one of the best hotels in San Sebastián.
This hotel is located in the cinco villas region, surrounded by valleys and mountains, it is nestled in one of Navarra’s prettiest landscapes. Their mantra is Water, Nature and Silence, making this hotel the perfect reward after a morning of exercise. Its natural springs contain with the highest salinity in Europe and the thermal circuit and massage hit the spot.
With views to the Bay of Biscay coast, this hotel is a 10th century castle fortress. Also known as the Castle of Charles V, you will feel as if you are in an authentic medieval fortress. The imposing entrance and its thick damages stone walls by cannon fire set the tone. The inner patio crowned by adorned arches, wrought iron and coffered ceilings make this hotel unique.
Hotel Miró is located in the center of Bilbao about 170 meters from the Museum of Fine Arts and 900 meters from the Zubizuri Bridge. The historic quarter, where you will find the Arriaga Theater and the Plaza Nueva among other points of interest, is in walking distance.
Located in the center of the capital of the province of Navarra, Heart of Pamplona Apartments are ideal for visitors to Pamplona, Navarra or the Basque Country. HOP apartments are located right by all the necessary services for a pleasant stay. They are silent corners in the middle of lively streets, in the most popular areas of restaurants and bars.
Stephanie, the dynamo of our organization, is a Canadian who has fallen in love with this region of Spain. She is enterprising, innovative and has an endless amount of energy to design unique outstanding travel plans, making her passion her profession. She has the firm conviction that until the product standards are exceptional, they should not be offered.
“Our goals are two: one is to dazzle our visitors and another is to share with them what we find so extremely enchanting about this region of Spain”.
Oliver is our greatest ambassador of Pamplona. Oliver has it all: charm, conversation and deep knowledge of his Basque culture. You will feel like you’ve made a new friend during one of his energetic tours. Oliver is always on the beat searching for the perfect pintxo and exciting, outside-the-box experiences. He is dedicated to designing the most exclusive events for our guests, such as the Hemingway to the Basque Coast tour, or a walking tour of the Running of the Bulls course with an international bull runner. He knows the all the best destinations and activities on the off-the-beaten cultural track.
“This is our essential hallmark that sets us apart from any other events agency”.
