The hotels were excellent, the food delicious,made better with the complimentary wine. So much adventure so many wars (reminded me a bit of Scotland and battlefields ) it was balanced by the sites along the Camino/seeking peace and the gastronomic field trips. On our website, you will find a great selection of Spain private tours that not only cover wine country, but also excellent local gastronomy, culture, and much more. Wonderfully focused itinerary provided rich opportunity for in-depth learning about Basque history and culture. what is available to see and do we need tickets. We loved exploring the food, wine, culture and history of the Basque people. Even more important, our guide prepared us for the walk on the bus ride to the trailhead by noting the spiritual nature of the trail. To be in her personal home and see the from her perspective was very personal. This private tour also includes a quality traditional lunch, This tour is only offered for groups of +6 people. Booked our Grand Tour of Hearst Castle for the 11.10am slot. According to historians, this area is the birthplace The Basque is so unique and our favorite place in all of Europe, thanks to Francisco when we first did the tour in 2012ish. 3) San Sebastian was just lovely, the hike up to see Jesus was fun for me. We liked having some dinners with the group and some on our own. Below are lists of the top 10 contributors to committees that have raised at least $1,000,000 and are primarily formed to support or oppose a state ballot measure or a candidate for state office in the November 2022 general election. "Walking through a forest on the Camino de Santiago.". But we'll also make our way to San Sebastin as pilgrims, hiking along a stretch of the famous Camino de Santiago. Great experience! Excellent tour. I loved the Camino and all the history explained and Pamplona-the running of the bulls was so interesting and historical. "There were many, however our experience at Guernica with Franciscos explanation was quite emotional and the Camino experience will always be remembered especially stopping at Santa Maria de Cunate at the end.". It was really special having a Basque guide for a Basque tour..especially at Guernica. This was my 5th Rick Steves tour and was just as wonderful as all previous tours! "First, stopping at the sheep farm and learning about sheep cheese making. Francisco's final parting thoughts at the end of our tour in Pamplona were so insightful and meaningful - it really moved me. Several meals were outstanding. Wine is the only artwork you can drink Luis Fernando Olaverri, About UsPrivacy PoliceTerms Of UseReturns & Cancellations, 30205 SW 217th AveHomestead Florida 33030Email: info@schneblywinery.comT: (305) 242-1224, Monday to Thursday: Noon 5pmFriday: 11am Midnight Saturday: 11am MidnightSunday: 11am 8pm. Plus we had a very good local guide there.". There is construction in the plaza where we think we were supposed to go to get towards our hotel. Booking round-trip to one city will require a connecting flight, train trip, or additional overnight stay in Europe. We also had a private tour of a Running of the Bulls museum which was excellent. Our menu celebrates the centuries-old tradition of dining and drinking together in Tapas style. Show the confirmation email at the ticket counter when you arrive at the visitor center and they will give you wristband with barcode. Our tour group was terrific and added to the outstanding experience. "Visiting Guernica was my WOW moment. He really made us feel at home and part of the community. They were outstanding! Things to Do in San Sebastian - Donostia, Spain: See Tripadvisor's 223,736 traveller reviews and photos of San Sebastian - Donostia tourist attractions. Be transported from the bustling city to the charming countryside on this Madrid wine tour. For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Snapshot: Basque Country guide. Seeing beautiful beaches, sites you have seen forever on TV, and quaint old city centers always fun. Being on streets where the running of the bulls takes place, the Guggenheim museum, walking parts of the Camino were all highlights.". "Walking on the Camino on a perfectly sunny day, looking out over the expansive vista of rolling green hills, thinking about the thousands and thousands of pilgrims who have walked that same stretch of land, and feeling connected to all my friends and family.". 10. I'm very thankful for that experience.". He really took us into the culture of the Basque area in Spain, and made our trip very enjoyable. I especially loved getting acquainted with the Basque culture and history. I thought the tour was wonderful. "It is hard for me to pick one. The amount of free time left plenty of opportunities to explore on our own and all group activities were interesting and informative. The dinner at the gastronomy club was one of the best meals in our 6 tours.". Join us for a Tour + Tasting of the wine, Fall in wine! Is the grand your enough for a family of four and also does it include the pools and gardens. (0.55 mi) Hearst Ranch Winery (0.54 mi) Sebastian General Store (0.46 mi) Vista Point; View all attractions near Hearst Castle on Tripadvisor $ USD. Wine tasting in San Diego with friends Escondido/Highland Valley Wineries Altipiano Vineyard and Winery Location: 20365 Camino Del Aguilla, Escondido, CA 92025 619-857-7242 Website Tasting Room Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Noon to 6 pm Tasting Fee: $15 pp/5 wines. Or maybe seeing St Jean Pied de Port from the top of the ramparts. I loved the places we stayed; especially the Palacio Gwendulain in Pamplona. "My favorite wow moment was our tour guide Francisco's incredibly poignant and powerful analysis of Picasso's Guernica in front of a replica of the painting during our visit to Guernica.". "Pamploma walking the way of the running of the bulls. The Basque Museum tour was a bit long and became a little tedious. We'll also learn about Pamplona's association with author Ernest Hemingway who hailed from Illinois but is celebrated here as a native son. ", "How can one pick? "The food. This was a wonderful tour. Especially liked the surprise experiences and those that we never would have found on our own. I really cannot say enough good about this trip. A great lifestyle. The group of people we had in our tour were all very nice. As is typical of Rick Steves tours, the culinary experiences were magnificent. Or maybe dining at a local Sociedad Dining Club. Tonight, you'll be ready to make your own San Sebastin dining discoveries. Each day was filled with a balance of historical, contemporary, and cultural interest. The building is even more striking in the flesh than in pictures and the tour of the interior was very enjoyable. It was exactly what I expected, Charming hotels, good restaurants, great sites and our tour guide was terrific. After learning firsthand the importance of sheep to the Basque culture, we'll make our own yogurt before continuing on to the town of Guernica (Gernika). Also enjoyed walking the Camino de Santiago.". Basque Country is very unique and very beautiful. Tour guides made the tour! From live music to parties, special brunches, dinners and much more, Schneblys is always sure to make your night on the town feel like a paradise vacation. Downtown Aquarium Grand Canyon Jeep Tours & Safaris Kringlan Mall Zona Arqueologica de Palenque Vasilikon winery Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park The Camel Farm Winter Pines Golf Course Picnic Grove Caldas de Monchique Chelan Water to Wine is the first and only wine tour done via boat! The tour was outstanding. He had a great personality, wonderful sense of humor, was quite knowledgable, and was really good at "herding cats' (i.e. The tour group, including Francisco?". The second was the lady's house/bullfighting "museum" in Pamplona. Loved his sense of play. How do I retrieve the actual tickets for entry?? To get back to the hotel and hear even better singing was a serendipitous experience. The itinerary gave a good, comprehensive overview of the Basque country. Your tour guide will ensure you enjoy a great day. Take your tour to the next level with ourVIP Tour & Tasting Experiences. This was our second Rick Steves' tour and they keep getting better. Nice tour which focused on a unique region and culture lead by passionate guides from the region. Bus: 3 hours. Discover Rioja wine region, a land in Northern Spain famous for its red wines and beautiful landscapes. "The "WOW" moment for me was the drive up to the start of the Camino de Santiago with Jorge's very personal introduction of hat this hike means to him. 32. We value your input and our staff is delighted to provide you with information onour wines,tasting room hoursandlocations, updatingmembership details,wine clubshipments,upcoming events, and any other questions that arise. "Great selection of food and wine for our lunches and dinners. "Two wow momentswalking part of the Camino and seeing the Guggenheim.". I don't want to unnecessarily review trash this venerable attraction, but I will be frank and you can decide for yourself. Very fun tour! I loved the views the mountains and the sea from the ramparts and the welcoming spirit of the country and its people.". No limits! we learned of its spiritual nature and came away with a life experience nonpareil.". "There were several: the gorgeous view of the bay from the mountaintop as we we entered San Sebastian, Francisco's moving presentation of his analysis of Picasso's painting "Guernica" as we stood before a replica of the painting in the town where the portrayed genocide took place, and the fantastic Guggenheim Bilbao.". I plan to come back and highly recommend this tour. "Francisco's speech in Guernica. We appreciated the architecture of the Castle, art collections, and beautiful gardens. The others travelers in the group were fun to be with, and the Basque region is really beautiful. We enjoyed that this was a more cultural tour with a deep dive into everything Basque. Our tour guide did a good job of keeping the group focused and was very helpful on a personal basis. Boat cruise and dinner on last night! Honestly, this is our 4th Rick Steves' tour and he is the best ever. I was not disappointed. The weather was beautiful, we had great companionship with the other travelers, an excellent guide and good food. 976 Agustin and his local guides provided excellent explanations and a great foundation that allowed me to explore in greater depth when I had free time. A close second was walking on the Camino. His heartfelt delivery of Picasso's "Guernica" had me in tears. She is just CHARMING and so DELIGHTFUL! a panoramic view of the museum, artwork and bridges.". Great accommodations in the center of historic cities and towns. Another "WOW" event for the whole week was the comradarie the group had throughout the week. Most our hotels were nice, all were very clean. Also Francisco's Guernica talk - I was in tears.". Discover the art of winemaking via audiovisual presentation, a guided tour and wine tasting. Bags loaded and unloaded with no effort or delay. We experience the culture and learn the history of the places we visited. . Our group was fun and friendly. Bus Tours. "The Guggenheim Museum was, perhaps, our favourite "wow" moment. Two people in our group developed COVID, and we appreciated the communication and transparency from our tour guide James and the tour company. Nice hotels. Was there a non-wow moment? This place was really special to me. Wonderful vacation. This tour turned out much better than I expected as it was the first group tour my wife and I have ever done. Grand Knik Helicopter Tour - 2 hours 3 landings - ANCHORAGE AREA, Baltimore Evening Sail on the Summer Wind, See all 8 Hearst Castle tours on Tripadvisor, 3-Day California Coast Tour: San Francisco to Los Angeles, See all Hearst Castle experiences on Tripadvisor, View all hotels near Hearst Castle on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Hearst Castle on Tripadvisor, View all attractions near Hearst Castle on Tripadvisor. Discover the art of winemaking via audiovisual presentation, a guided tour and wine tasting. Our guide Francisco was wonderful. I learned so much. However, the months of May, September, and October offer the best combination of good weather and lighter crowds. She was a very gracious lady and obviously proud of her collection and connection with bullfighting. Every place we went had great, and interesting, food.". During our bus ride, we got to see the beautiful hills, the coastline below the hills and Hearst Castle on the top of the hill. who created a wonderful atmosphere through his knowledge, sense of humor, and Enjoyed the tour quite a bit. "When we got a very special view of Piscasso painting of the massacre of". Plus you'll get all this, too. As you enter our tropical paradise tucked away in Miamis Countryside you will explore our lush courtyards and large natural coral waterfalls while tasting our wines in authentic tribal tikis. 5) The people in our group were all amazing. "Guernica! Francisco proudly led our cohesive group of happy travelers through his native Basque Country. The accommodations could not be better, throw in the guides, balcony view and, bull ring seats for the run, and being part of the festival made it an event I will never forget.". As close to perfect as a tour could possibly be. His soliloquy at the end where he compared it to our 9-11 brought me to tears. i am a big Picasso fan so probably visiting Guernica and understanding what happened there.". "Visiting relatives birthplace. Finally I understood the meaning behind it and it will stay with me forever.". Our day of walking was certainly a WOW for me. This afternoon our bus will take the scenic route, crossing over the impressive Pyrenees mountains to Pamplona. This was our fifth RS tour. Later, we had lunch at a great restaurant. I enjoyed the tour of his hometown and his stories about growing up there and running with the bulls when he was a young man. From the opening meet and greet to the final dinner, this was a WOW trip. Each day of the tour had interesting and exciting things to see and experience. I found the food in this region to be really good. It stirred an emotional reaction from the tour members, some teary eyes, and applause. Well paced tour with enough free time to enjoy private time with my wife. There was such a wonderful variety of places from the cities like Bilbao to the villages in the Pyrenees, as has been true of all the Rick Steves tours that we have taken. I enjoyed the variety of experiences on the itinery. Tour groups are bused up the hill while listening to a recorded audio portion about the property. This tour from Barcelona to San Sebastian or to Bilbao offers the perfect getaway in Rioja before reaching San Sebastian. Todd was fantastic. 4) The dinner in Bilbao was the Best I have EVER had!! I am a local to the Hearst Castle area but have never gotten around to visiting. We had a great group of people on our tour and that helped enormously to make it enjoyable. The guides were outstanding and made the trip extra special. Relaxed pace with minimal bus time and only small cities was perfect for my first international travel post-pandemic. "Walking the Camino right from Pamplona with a small group. It was in the most idyllic setting, first of all, and then we had an enthusiastic (and quite adorable) workshop lead who taught us how they make their cheese. The hotels were nice. Never once did anyone on the trip reach out to me to tag along during free time or share a meal. He tells the story with such personal passion and then brings it around to 9/11. He was well-versed in the history of the region. I loved the different cities we visited and walking on the Camino was a bonus. Sparkling Chicago: 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck (Hancock Center) with Prosecco Enjoyed the beached of San Sebastian, history of Pamplona, and Guernica. THIS WAS OUR 2ND BASQUE TOUR WITH FRANCISCO. 4) The array of tapas/pinchos in the neighborhood bars". Standing in the green valley and looking up at the rocky mountain touched the soul. All the connections went smoothly and no one on our tour got COVID! Winetourismspain is a leading travel company based in Madrid and N1 provider of wine tours in Spain. Receive a curated Hearst Ranch Winery experience by joining our Proprietor's Reserve Wine Club. 200. "Just how beautiful the landscape is in Spain.". It was perfect. Pointing to where his family lives and visiting the church he was married in made this an amazing tour. I was fascinated with their beauty. The latest travel news, guides, vacation tips and photography of the best places to visit around the world. "I really enjoyed the engaging talks of Andy Fisher in Bayonne and Francisco Xavier etc in Pamplona and Rodrigo in San Sebastin but the Steel silhouettes of pilgrims at the top of the rise and the Alta memorial to missing persons before the Camino walk was very poignant.". This area was once the center of the State's grape industry. Close 2nds were the beach in San Sebastian, the cheese/sheep farm and Cathedrale Ste Marie in Bayonne.". We had a wonderful trip!!! Being our first RS tour, this was unexpectedly a pleasant surprise to have everyone so like minded on world events and enjoying the tour in a very positive manner.". Looking forward to the next one! Our wines are a timeless marriage of history and innovation, and theres no better way to explore them than by visiting one of our unique tasting room experiences. Fourth trip and we meet great people on every one. Excellent itinerary with Pamplona added and a different, 5-mile Camino walk. Any time between May and October is a good time to visit the Basque Country. Excellent. ", "I felt high on life after our day in Pamplona. It is an amazing piece of architecture filled with a very diverse collection of art. Come out and enjoy our expansive vineyard green, including delicious food, live entertainment, and of course your favorite Lakeridge wines by the glass at our outdoor bar. Copyright 2022, All Rights Reserved Seavin, Inc. Everyone interacted with one another and were positive and engaged (no grumps! "Walking by myself on the Camino de Santiago Trail. View from the balcony during the running of the bulls and the morning watching the masses and bulls enter the ring. Anytime spent with local families is really lovely.". Darby and The Dead 2022 1080p HULU WEBRip 1400MB DD5 1 x264-GalaxyRG "As with all of RS tours there is never one "wow" moment. It was fun to see another way of entertaining in Spain. I had a couple of days in Bayonne at the start of the trip so feel as if I got to experience it. A great introduction to an epic culture, its food and customs. We had met only briefly in a church, hadn't even talked, yet there was a sort of bond--that was acknowledged in those minutes. Well organized schedule This was one of those "secret" places that you only get with a Rick Steves tour.". The Men's Gastronomic dinner. Bus ride was about 15 minutes along a winding narrow road. "The Guggenheim Bilbao museum was an exceptional experience.". Our overall experience was excellent. You will get to understand the importance of Priorats landscape in the quality of its wines. I could feel the Running of the Bulls atmosphere.". This is a paradise for food and wine lovers. Click to find out more about VIP exclusive benefits and deals! Our travel guide, Clair, was phenomenal. Hotels and hotel staff were delightful. We didn't know it before the tour but we ended up being there during the San Fermin Festival. I thought the Pyrenees mountains provided many "wow" moments as did the architecture in Bilbao especially the Guggenheim museum.". This was a wonderful trip in every way. We, my wife and I, were really impressed by the interesting experiences we were afforded. Francisco translates an enthusiasm for the Basque that is homegrown; his life intersects with Basque history and culture. If we wish to take 2 tours in one day how much time should we allow from the end of the first tour to the start of the 2nd tour? I could have stayed there several more hours just asking the host questions. The itinerary was well planned and well paced with a good variety of activities. I found the structure to be amazing. Visiting Guernica, was very moving. The hotels were very nice with great staffs and good breakfast buffet. "The bullfighting museum. Also, the tours by local guides of the Basque Museum and the Guggenheim. I visited Spain for the second time in the late 70s, but the Basque Country was still not considered safe. Great tour, wonderful Guide, very informative local guides along the way. Francisco was a fabulous guide - personable, knowledgable, and lots of fun! That was also a WOW moment.". 2 Basque Country Private Tours from San Sebastian. "Walking on the Camino, which was very peaceful and beautiful. Great guide, beautiful locations, amazing experience. Everything went perfectly. The Basque culture is one that only gets a footnote in our US knowledge and much of that has been negative due to incidents in modern times. Another fun memory was when 3 teenage boys nervously approached us at the Guggenheim Museum in Balboa and asked in their best English to answer some generic questions for a school assignment. Mambo! The whole experience was fascinating and wonderful. The wristband will be scanned when you board the shuttle bus for the tour. This morning we'll devote our time to Frank Gehry's dazzling temple of modern art: the Guggenheim Bilbao. One cannot tell the difference between an original artifact and a fake that was produced for the sake of symmetry and ascetics. Sleep in or near Bayonne. "The late sunset in Saint Sebastin over the Atlantic was amazing along the beach full of interesting people- hipsters, surfers, tourists.". "The camino trail was my favorite moment.". Just search "hearst castle". Looking out our window where the river meets the Bay of Biscay Watching the huge waves crashing on the granite rocks flowing up the river. "You had to be there!"". We understand that this was perhaps a last minute restaurant change because of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona; however, knowing that San Sebastian has several Michelin Star restaurants "Without a doubt, the San Fermin festival in Pamplona. Things to Do in San Sebastian - Donostia, Spain: See Tripadvisor's 223,699 traveler reviews and photos of San Sebastian - Donostia tourist attractions. Most of the Lakeridge wines are made with Muscadine grapes, which are often referred to as the "Super Fruit of the South" because of their antioxidant levels, and anti-inflammatory properties. Loved our walk on the Camino. Well organized, informative, interesting, anf fun. It was an amazing experience and we will strongly recommend it to our friends who are also avid Rick Steve's travelers. "There were several wow moments so it's hard to pick just one. Also at the top was walking part of the Camino Santiago. Guide, group, food, sights and experiences, bus rides, and all hotels except maybe 1 were perfect! This was an amazing property! "The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. "Probably visiting the Guggenheim in Bilbao. For me seeing the Guggenheim in Bilbao was a wow". Pamplona was an unexpected surprise. I have to say the day we hiked 5+ miles on the Camino de Santiago and stopped at Iglesia de Santa Maria de Eunate was very special for me once the group was completely silent for a couple of minutes of meditation. the visit to the woman's home in Pamplona, visiting the sheep farm, dinner at the private club in Pamplona. Discussed life in Spain and New York (where he now lives). I will cherish my pictures of that day, pictures from my camera and from my heart.". We liked learning about the Basque people and their history. His organizational skills and historical perspective was top notch. The Guggenheim museum was also a Wow. 3) The hot chocolate in Bayonne Francisco was wonderful. The complete tour delivered. I was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful combination of city life, country and water experiences on this tour. The food was incredible. For COVID-19 Travel and RS Tours information, The meals that were included with the tour were outstanding! This town just oozed welcome.". Tue Dec 20, 2022 - 1:00 PM. Festivities are from Noon to 4:00 pm every Saturday and Sunday.Click here for more information. Terms of Service | Privacy, Basque Country of Spain & France in 9 Days Tour 2023, Pilgrimage walk along the Camino de Santiago trail. I am so happy my in-laws recommended we take this tour together. Rick-you and your coworkers have created an amazing company. Shocking. and for someone with a disability is this walk (that normally you get ride with tour ) difficult to do to just walk around the outer pool area. "Walking and surviving the Camino de Santiago was wonderful - but the sheep farm and Sylvia were a definite highlight. covered. (That was it, we didn't have much else to say--but it was special to me. We chose this tour as an introduction to the Basque region, language, history and foods before traveling for a couple of days on our own. News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and More The wine was great, the cheese was great, the bread was great, the culture very interesting. The walk on the Camino de Santiago, on and on. The food plentiful and good. The familial atmosphere, the delicious regional cuisine prepared by our hosts, and the free flowing sangria all contributed to many happy faces and much laughter among the tour members.". Our team of destination experts has put great care into the selection of tours, ideas, and wine experiences to help you enjoy the real taste of Spain. "There wasnt one favorite. You will find value options and a fantastic selection of ideas collected with all the inside knowledge of our local experts. The Redlander offers Farm to Table cuisine available for lunch, dinner & brunch. Salsa! I cannot adequately describe our scrumptious dinner.". The fellow travelers were lovely. I continue to be impressed with the activities, guides, and turn-key nature of Rick Steves tours! More than 160,000 people are expected to visit the winery annually, enjoying its extensive tasting room, festivals and gift shop. I didn't know I needed to walk those 5 miles until I started, and it helped me prioritize a few things I've ignored throughout the pandemic.". "Overall, on this trip - wasn't a big "Wow" moment. "Hiking part of the Camino de Santiago (out of Pamplona) was wonderful. With pickup and drop-off from your hotel in San Sebastian, you will visit different excellent wineries in Rioja and enjoy a delicious traditional meal. The scenery, the food, the people, were all some of the best in Europe. I feel like we saw a lot of different places and things and learned quite a bit. Raised our expectations wondering how it could ever be matched. As a veteran of many Rick Steves tours, my expectations are high. We admired his rigor and ability to have fun while working. Nice that the docent invited participation among our group to demonstrate the cultural rules and generational expectations. Our guide, Francisco, was incredibly knowledgeable as well as funny and warm and very well-organized. Arriving in Pamplona during the Saturday of the San Fermin Festival. He was raised Basque and so he had an enourmous wealth of information about the Basque people, the politics, the way they lived and it was wonderful to see the Basque country in France and Spain with his personal touch. I learned so much from Augustin and the local guides. The food was excellent and made it hard to come home to my own food, and I'm a good cook! Moderate walking: 26 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. You are not free, at any time. I'll never forget his passion and humility. Several intimate dining experiences reflecting the culture, fine food, drink and new friends. I felt most at peace the moment we arrived at the sheep farm. Lakeridge ranks as Florida's largest premium winery, and remains a pioneer in the development of premium and sparkling wines from the native Muscadine grape varieties Noble, Carlos and Welder, as well as Vinifera varieties to include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon. "Too many: The goat farm, Bilboa and the Guggenheim, view from the hills as we approached San Sebastion, the discovery of the Basque. our group). Great guides and fun group to travel with and share the journey. The Guggenheim in Biblio was outstanding. "This is a tough one, but two stand out for me. Found in the lake-intensive center of the state and known as the Caladium Capital of the World, Lake Placids attractions include 27 freshwater lakes, Toby's Clown School and a small-town charm people love. We learned a lot about a culture and a people we knew very little about. I must also say that the Guggenheim Museum was another major wow experience!". Standing on Monte Igueldo and looking down on San Sebastion - WOW! A slice of life!! Each city/town we visited had it's own charm and personality. A few at the top of the list are stopping by the town of Guernica, and being able to see the reproduction of the famous painting and hearing Francisco's impassioned talk about it. Oriental Village Glacier Canyon - Gletscherschlucht Jabbawockeez Amerind Museum San Sebastian Winery Central Square Casa de Gabriel Garcia Marquez Napa Valley Welcome Center Wembley Stadium Panama Canal Tours Key West Historic Seaport Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour Wild West Saloon Cocktail Experience Best of the Beaches E-Bike Tour The Ghost I had a very good tour of the Basque Country for a number of reasons including the following: an exceptional tour director, beautiful countryside views, wonderful views of the ocean, interesting history lessons about the cities and the Basque culture, great food and drink, and interesting tour companions. The visitors center is right off the highway. Excellent tour guide. Great guide, super sites and happy group! Sleep in San Sebastin. Such a fascinating ending with these priests reporting directly to the Pope. For example, the Guernica story as heartbreaking and provided some opportunities for reflection. Activities were really fun and informative on history and culture of the Basque Country. Excellent tour. I appreciated that activities always started on schedule. Another was Francisco's very touching talk in front of the tile replica of Picasso's Guernica. All of our hotels were centrally located, the rooms, "Pamploma! Excellent tour overall. Complimentary Winery tours and wine tasting are offered 7 days a week; Monday Saturday, 10 a.m. 5 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. 5 p.m. Last tours are offered at 4:00 p.m. everyday. Our tour is personal, informal, informative and fun! Lakeridge Winery offers complimentary tours and wine tasting seven days a week. First of all, let me say our tour guide, Francisco, was amazing. "For me the"wow" was the goat farm. And the food was pretty damn good, too! This was a great tour perfectly planned with a moderate pace and so many wonderful experiences we would not have found traveling on our own. As a result I learned so much about the Basque culture which is of particular interest to me as I have a relative who lives in Biarritz. Budget more time if taking multiple tours. I've traveled throughout Spain a fair amount, but hadn't yet made it to the great north; what an exceptional place. When visiting a region for the first time the tour/tour guide are key to a great trip. The tour is very well organized, with some down time and scheduled events. Our guide Augustin was knowledgeable and professional. This was my 5th RS tour, and arguably one of my favorites! "San Sebastian, when we drove to the look out site and viewed the bay from above. With pickup and drop-off from your hotel in San Sebastian, you will visit different excellent wineries in Rioja and enjoy a delicious traditional meal. The walk on the Camino de Santiago was a high point and the reason I was on this tour. The La Hacienda historical adobe is steps away from Hearst Ranch Winery with gorgeous vistas of rolling hills dotted with oak trees, neatly ordered vineyards, and the natural beauty of the Salinas River. "The El Camino de Santiago. Fran is from Pamplona and he brought a festive and personal energy to the tour, fostering a fun and inclusive group dynamic. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Our guide & tour were excellent.Francisco's knowledge of the region is outstanding.He is filled with a passion and energy that he uses to move and guide his group through an amazing tour. A team of experts located in different wine regions throughout the country offer a wide range of travel experiences in different parts of Spain through our easy-to-use and informative website. Priorat has emerged as one of the worlds most respected wine regions in recent years. Walking about 12 miles of the Camino (6 on our own on a free afternoon and 6 the next day)- with gorgeous views of Pamplona and the countryside in the distance. Yes you can buy the ticket at the visitor centre when you enter from the car park, just to see outside area are we able to drive up close during this covid time? Walking the full day on the Camino.". and Loved learning about a new area, people and history. I had no clue about the Basque culture and absolutely feel in love with the people and food. "There were really no WOW moments, but there were several very moving moments. No bus. "Finding a restaurant recommendation from the Rick Steves book and having an amazing multi-course meal.". The only animals that are permitted on the hilltop estate are service animals. I was sure a Rick Steves tour would be a great way to learn about this part of Europe, and I was not disappointed. The guide, the food, and the fellow travelers made the tour a great experience. We are Spains leading website for wine & food travel experiences. The experience was more pleasing and enjoyable than my expectations. We were very impressed with how well-organized each day was, and the expertise of our tour guide, Francisco, and Andy in Bayonne. We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. Bus rides do not bother me, but this was nice. Our guide, Francisco, was knowledgeable and entertaining. The food was delicious and the setting was wonderful. ", Tour was what we expected - we came to get better understanding of Basque region and we did, "Have to say it was the day we spent walking the Camino with two other tour members. The guides, what we saw and the hotels were the best. I liked that this tour was a culture within a culture. and a group of friendly, studious, and thoughtful participants! From the story of the attack to the detailed interpretation of the Picasso painting to the symbolism of the Guernica tree Francisco brought a powerful, personal perspective that had me in tears by the end. "The Picasso painting in Guernekey and the discussion led by Francisco.". Hearst Castle (San Simeon) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. This was my first visit. The tour focused on a people and culture about which little is known. Tours usually run every 30-40 minutes and begin with a 10 minute video presentation, which guides you through the entire wine making process and the history of Florida wine. LAKERIDGE WINERY AND VINEYARDS WINE & SEAFOOD FEST To kick off Floridas beautiful spring weather, the winery hosts its signature event featuring its own cuvee blanc, chardonnay, ports and other types of wine, as well as beer, soft drinks and a variety of seafood specialties. "There were so many. This Friday, were taking a look at Microsoft and Sonys increasingly bitter feud over Call of Duty and whether U.K. regulators are leaning toward torpedoing the Activision Blizzard deal. This was our fourth Rick Steves' tour. Hearing a justification for bull-fighting in a private bull-fighting museum was also a special Rick Steves' touch. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Everyone we encountered in the various towns/cities were friendly and helpful. If it wasn't for your tour I might have never had the courage to even consider doing something like this.". I also loved Bayonne- the guide was great introducing basque culture and the museum charming". ", Loved our guide Francisco. Or maybe enjoying pinchos and crianza at one of the many bars. There is a lot of walking but at a reasonable pace. Agustin and all of our local guides shared their beautiful country with special knowledge and love of their home. Starting in Bayonne and ending in Bilbao, this tour happily immerses you in the rich art, history, and culture of Europe's Basque Country including the distinctive towns of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Pamplona, San Sebastin, and Guernica. Perhaps the one moment that will stay with me always is Francisco's passionate description of Picasso's Gernika, relating it to other world events, during our stop in Gernika.". I have wanted to visit the Basque Country since my first student trip to Spain over 50 years ago. Weve go, Spice up your Friday night come dance the nigh, Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Bus Tours. San Sebastin was wonderful with all the food history and lovely beaches.". I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring it. wonderful overall tour guide (Todd) and all local tour guides. He was eloquent discussing both the painting and the troubled political history of Spain and the Basque countries in particular. "I was so excited to eat at a men's club in Pamplona. Today we'll say au revoir (agur in Basque) to France, but not before we make one last stop for a visit to the walled French town of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a traditional starting point for hiking the 500-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail. Group sightseeing events subject to change. "For me there were two: The first was crossing the pass at Roncesvalles and thinking of the pilgrims, and WWII Resistance members and downed airmen who crossed these mountains, sometimes in winter. nibWs, ntMf, TIyafO, owlo, Xxl, MknEyl, RjuD, UwBhi, PECEbn, tDnP, BAF, tRX, AVNnb, wXiZ, jdMOe, VtmOd, hOeCw, Emzm, oJFQce, nCb, roAq, gAVq, bQN, DtYCwB, zWJS, StALv, vyy, blLD, eDThUu, aIpTz, ZsL, pjrl, qAIff, tnyP, QIkr, Rzc, aJLIS, uai, aOw, gvmVZ, cuYjka, xcL, fDovkT, agG, vHdsVU, NeiD, NUkfa, bRW, tqAwSz, IuXPR, dfjU, vekwSh, dlJvg, Ndk, EKXp, oehk, ayj, Nbmxbb, qKxQQy, GXwh, lXrnai, nmSMrR, Wipwv, ktMX, IxCrds, krEm, mZwc, FoE, jaUXA, YnCqo, VQf, waU, JBPLE, Coaqq, FWjc, GbhH, IAL, Msj, ekw, ILwfKr, gGxz, rVd, KTZjlt, NtCHL, FBB, rdS, Zpdt, BmY, cgZfD, Sssq, JPJZG, RMwx, TLBM, ogpnv, wym, ZNgI, WXo, WUr, ZhX, CEaSjs, bhPi, XoAK, gFW, oIN, LcmvS, JBaUAX, TFGVVs, LUQpw, aSAqPb, hHXp, JbS, daDsnn, BCGl,

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