7 days / 6 nights
Casual
Private Group
The Basque Country
Kingdom of Navarra
This is a culinary walking adventure along hand-picked portions of the gorgeous Cantabrian Coast and Basque-Navarra, that combines our passion for great food and produce with some of the finest culinary arts in the world. From the farthest-reaching point of Biscaya through the Basque region to the border of Southern France, this route is studded with cultural gems and stunning seascapes and mountains. As we hike from one hotspot to another, we enjoy the fresh air and the picturesque fishing towns and mountain getaways, all while sampling the extraordinary cuisine this area is famous for.
April to November
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 November
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.
We pick you up in downtown Bilbao and set off to hike from the coast to the beautiful islet hermitage San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, dedicated to John the Baptist that connects to the mainland by a sprinkle of stone steps. This dramatic isle of Gaztelugatxe was used as the location for Daenerys Targaryen’s ancestral home of Dragonstone in the Game of Thrones. After a lunch with spectacular ocean views, we travel through coastal villages to Getaria.
Food: Lunch and dinner
Travel: The best portion of Bilbao to Mundaka
Sleep: Boutique Hotel
Estimated Walking Time: 2,5 hrs
How far: 1.7 miles /2.75 km, elevation gain: 241 steps
We walk a portion of the Basque coast to enjoy the breathtaking coast where we can see the unusual and beautiful Flysch and karst formations. The Geopark Flysch which was key to establishing the theory of the dinosaurs becoming extinct as the result of a meteorite impact. Afternoon pleasures include a visit of the town of Getaria, famous for its world explorer Elcano, where we visit an artisanal anchovy factory where you learn about how they are prepared and taste their outstanding quality product followed by a txakoli winery visit and wine tasting. (Txakoli is the regional Basque wine, which is light and fizzy and delicious). Your dinner will be on the port in an exquisite seafood restaurant.
Food: Breakfast, lunch in a Basque farmhouse restaurant and dinner on the fishing port of Getaria
Travel: The best portion of Bizcaya coastal on foot
Sleep: Boutique Hotel
Estimated Walking Time: 2 hrs
How far: 5 to 8 miles / 8 to 13 km, elevation gain: 300 meters
After a savoury homemade cooking breakfast, you will walk a portion of the coastal Saint James Way. We will transfer to San Sebastian. Afternoon pleasures include a guided visit to the Basque Culture Museum and a wine and pintxos tour dinner in San Sebastian’s historic quarter.
Food: Breakfast, locals lunch and dinner is a pintxo and wines San Sebastian tour
Travel: The best portion of Getaria to San Sebastian
Sleep: Four Star Hotel ****
Estimated Walking Time: 3 hrs
How far: 5 to 8 miles / 8 to 13 kms, elevation gain: 300 meters
We hike along the coast (one way) on the northern route of the Saint James Way to a beautiful fishing port. We have a picnic lunch accompanied by cava (the champagne of Spain) while we sail back to San Sebastian in style on an antique schooner. We later transfer to your hotel in Hondarribia, your hotel is nothing less than a converted 10th-century castle. Afternoon pleasures include a private cultural tour of Hondarribia. You will dine in the historic quarter in a Michelin-starred or one of our very local delicious seafood restaurants in the centre of the historic quarter for what we believe to be the best seafood in town.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel: The best portion of San Sebastián to Hondarribia
Sleep: Four Star Hotel ****
Estimated Walking Time:5 hrs
How far: 8.1 miles / 13 kms, elevation gain:450 metres
We take you on a drive through the French Basque Country to the heart of the Baztan Valley with its legends of witches, its castle ruins, Roman paths and mediaeval fortifications and walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago Baztanes, a jewel-in-the-raw
Pathway. Be prepared to enjoy this lush valley adorned with hamlets of white washed farm houses. Your accommodation is a Boutique hotel tucked away in a Basque Navarre paradise for escaping the city and relaxing. Afternoon pleasures is your signature cuisine dinner with a Michelin star chef who will prepare for you a miscellany between Basque cuisine and elegant French cuisine seasoned with the most traditional Mediterranean flavours.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and in-house dinner
Travel: The best portion of San Sebastián to the Baztan Valley in Navarra
Sleep: Boutique Hotel
Estimated Walking Time: 3 hrs
How far: 5,5 miles / 9 km, elevation gain: 100 meters
We set off on one last hike meander into the quaint Navarran countryside with its charm and rustic villages, followed by a mountain spa springs spa session and locals’ lunch. We will transfer to your hotel in Pamplona. Afternoon pleasures include a farewell dinner with us locals in the format of a Navarre cuisine show cooking.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and good bye dinner with the team
Travel: The best portion of the Baztan Valley to Pamplona
Sleep: Boutique Hotel
Estimated Walking Time: 3 hrs
How far: 8 miles / 13 kms, elevation gain: 133 meters
After a fine breakfast, we explore this fascinating historic city, the Cathedral and the plummeting 16th century fort walls. We trace the route of the famous bull run and have a look at the imposing bull ring. Thereafter, we’ll assist in arranging your transportation to the nearest airport or train station for your onward travels.
Food: Breakfast
Travel: Pamplona
* 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.
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.
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”.
