A Taste of Northern Spain - Catalonia and the Basque Country and Eclipse

Your journey commences in Bilbao, a city that seamlessly blends its industrial heritage with a vibrant cultural scene. Nestled amidst rolling green hills, Bilbao stands as the largest and most dynamic city in the Basque region. Upon arrival, you'll have the freedom to settle in at your leisure, with no planned activities until the evening. At 6 PM, our tour leader will host a welcome meeting in the hotel reception, providing an opportunity to meet fellow travellers and receive an overview of the tour. Should you arrive early, consider exploring the iconic Guggenheim Museum, an architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Gehry, showcasing modern and contemporary art. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Bilbao Airport (BIO), which is around a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Should you miss the meeting, our tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

This morning we'll embark on a walking tour through the Gothic Quarter, El Born, and La Barceloneta, with the chance to explore historical food markets. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure, with an options including Park Guell or the Sagrada Familia (pre-booking recommended, details can be found in the optional activity section of your trip notes). After a free afternoon we have a truly hands-on and delicious experience: a paella making class! We'll learn the secrets behind creating this iconic Spanish dish, from selecting the freshest ingredients to mastering the perfect socarrat - the crispy, slightly caramelized layer of rice that forms on the bottom of the pan as the paella cooks.

Our journey takes us to Monistrol, where we'll ascend via rack railway to the Benedictine monastery atop Montserrat. After exploring this spiritual sanctuary and its surroundings, we continue our journey to Valls, just outside Tarragona. The afternoon is free to relax by the pool before an introduction to the constellations and stargazing by a local astronomer, who will be with us for the eclipse tomorrow. This preview of the cosmos will enhance our appreciation for the extraordinary experience to come.

Today, our route takes us through the captivating Catalan countryside to the historic hilltop village of Siurana. Once the final Moorish bastion in Catalonia, it invites exploration of the ancient 9th-century castle and the charming network of narrow, cobbled streets, and the timeless beauty of its stone houses. As the day transitions into evening, we'll make our way to the Sierra de Prades, just outside the village of the same name, to witness the anticipated solar eclipse. Here, we take a short walk to a prime spot where we'll enjoy a specially prepared picnic dinner featuring local culinary delights, perfectly timed as the partial phase of the eclipse begins around 7:30 pm. We'll have our protective eclipse glasses ready as we await the main event: the totality, starting at approximately 8:25 pm and lasting for a remarkable two minutes. Following the conclusion of the partial eclipse around 8:46 pm, we will transfer back to our accommodation in Valls, near Tarragona. Given the popularity of today's event, a level of flexibility is required to allow us the best viewing experience. We may need to head on to our viewing location earlier than planned in order to secure our spot.

Heading west, we begin the long drive to Pamplona. En route we will stop for lunch. The historic city of Zaragoza is a good mid point, however at this time of year it can be extremely hot so your tour leader will assess the best options closer to the time. We'll arrive in Pamplona in the late afternoon where we are joined by a local guide for a food tour. We'll experience the authentic flavours of Navarre as we explore bustling markets and traditional tabernas, tasting regional specialties like hearty stews and strong local cheeses.

Our day begins with a visit to the historic Church of Santa Maria de Eunate. From here, we'll step onto the ancient Camino de Santiago, embarking on a 3km walk along this renowned pilgrimage route to the charming town of Puente la Reina. In Puente la Reina, we'll take time to stroll around the village, seeing the famous five-arched bridge, crossed by religious travellers since the 14th century. Continuing our journey, we arrive in the village of Laguardia around 1 pm, with time for lunch in the village centre. In the afternoon, we'll visit one of the other main wineries in the region, the Marques de Caceres, where a tour and tasting session will showcase three of their wines. Finally, we'll continue our drive to Bilbao, where we'll settle in for the evening.

This morning, we'll drive to the charming coastal town of Getaria, where we'll immerse ourselves in the local anchovy tradition with a tasting experience. From Getaria, we continue to San Sebastian, arriving just before midday. Upon arrival, our Tour Leader will take us on a walking tour of the old town. This will include a walk up Monte Urgull, where we'll see the remains of the castle and enjoy wonderful mirador viewpoints. We'll then descend into the old town itself, where we'll indulge in a delicious pinxos lunch, accompanied by the region's crisp txakoli wine. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. You might choose to explore the beautiful La Concha Bay, or perhaps take a trip up Monte Igueldo for panoramic views before we head back to Bilbao for our final evening.

Our tour concludes after breakfast at our hotel in Bilbao. As there are no planned activities today, you are welcome to depart at any time. For those requiring an airport transfer, please note that the most convenient airport is Bilbao Airport (BIO), located approximately 20 minutes from the hotel.