The Best of Basque Country
Bilbao and San Sebastian
September 14 – 21, 2026
Working Itinerary
Heads Up! This is our working itinerary. Along the way, we might slide in a surprise stop or swap out a visit if we find something too good to pass up. That means things could shuffle around a little—but you can count on this as your trusty outline of the trip. Don’t worry—you’ll get one more updated itinerary (plus a hard copy) when we hit the road!
Monday, 14 September / Day 1
San Sebastián
- 10:00 Hotel pick up in Bilbao at the Hotel Carlton
- 12:00 Winery Visit (Txakoli) on the way to San Sebastián
- 1:30 Lunch and Visit in a Sidreria Restaurant Lizeaga Sagardotegia
- 8:00 Dinner in our hotel Monte Igueldo restaurant with spectacular views of San Sebastián Overnight in San Sebastián
Tuesday, 15 September / Day 2
San Sebastián
- 9.30 Over to French Basque Country San Jean de Luz…Visit quaint market indoor and out and the Famous Macaron Bakery and a tasting in a Pate and Cured Meats Shop.
- 1:00 Back to Spain, Hondarribia, for walking Food Tour of their famous Pintxos (Tapas) streets, and lunch
- 8:00 Dinner in San Sebastián at the EL CONVENTO San Sebastian Overnight in San Sebastián
Wednesday, 16 September / Day 3
San Sebastián
- 10:00 San Sebastián…Market visit and cooking class in a famous “Basque Gastronomic Society”
- Free evening for shopping, beach time, pool time in hotel and
- Dinner on Your Own in San Sebastián Overnight in San Sebastián
Thursday, 17 September / Day 4
San Sebastián
- 10:00 Pick up to go to Zapiain Sidreria Visit. The story of making Basque Country’s famous Cider in Astigarraga.
- 1:00 Lunch in a Local Restaurant
- 3:00 Ondatra Idiazabal Cheesemaker – Update – Probably can’t make cheese due to time of year)
- 8:00 *Pintxos Tour in San Sebastián Overnight in San Sebastián
Friday, 18 September / Day 5
Bilbao
- 10:00 On the way to Bilbao – stopping in an a very special winery on the way, on the Basque coast
- 1:00 Lunch and a surprise boat ride at the winery
- 3:30 Free time for a Walk Visiting the city’s historic Casco Antiguo (Old Quarter) – right on the waterfront. This pedestrian area is filled old buildings, cafés, bars, markets, and boutiques.
- 8:00 Wine Tasting in the City and Dinner Overnight in Bilbao Carlton Hotel
Saturday, 19 September / Day 6
Bilbao
- 10:00 Walking Food Tour· in Bilbao Visit the Mercado de la Ribera (Seaside Market), the largest covered market in Spain and Cooking Class in the market
- 3:00 Afternoon Cultural Visit to the Guggenheim with a guide
- 8:00 Dinner on your own in Bilbao Overnight in Bilbao Carlton Hotel
Sunday, 20 September / Day 7
Bilbao
- 10:00 Private Visit to the Conserves (Tinned Seafood) Capital of Spain, Santoña, Santander, Cantabria Spain
- 2:00 Lunch Portside with views of the Cantabria Sea After lunch Winery visit near Santoña
- 8:00 Closing Celebration Toast and Pintxos Overnight in Bilbao Carlton Hotel
Monday, 21 September / Day 8
Bilbao
- Transfers to the Bilbao Airport
*Pintxos are what Tapas are called in the Basque Country
Lets Travel Together.