Basque country, and more
October 20th-26th, 2026
I'm in love. A few friends (and spontaneous travelers) joined me here last November on a scouting mission and we all agreed. Let's go back!
This tour will alight in Bordeaux and then continue into the foothills of the Pyrenées. We'll eat at an affordable and sumptuous 1-star, stretch our legs in verdant foothills, and take the train nearly all the way to the Spanish border and back. Amidst it all we'll treat ourselves to things like Espelette peppers, Irouleguy wine, and Bayonne chocolate. And then...we'll go to Spain!
San Sebastien is calling, and so is Pamplona, Logroño, and La Rioja--a beautiful intersection of great food, wine, and yes--olive oil.
Total Estimated cost person: €5000 with all lunches, dinners, lodging, entry fees, and transportation included.
Where We’ll Go…
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Our trip will start in Bordeaux, where we’ll meet for lunch at a class Bouillon not far from the St. Jean station. From there we’ll walk acrosst the street and hope a train to Bayonne, which will be our home for 3 nights.
From Bayonne we have too many choices to count! We could visit an artisan cutlery producer, a walking stick maker, or a chocolate or ham producer. By train we’ll head into this beautiful countryside for visits and meals (including my favorite 1-star in France), a little time to move our legs, and back again.
You’ll have some time to grab a beer, wine or coffee on your own in Bayonne, and we’ll also be sure to get in a walk on the coast or along the Adour as it meanders through the city.
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Following three days in Basque country’s French side, we’ll then move south into Spain to get some further flavor in this amazing city. The flavor of the remainder of the tour will be decidely Spanish, more nibbling (PIntxos) than massive meals, more sipping of cider and Txakoli than big bottles of wine.
We’ll visit a winery, and a cheesemaker, eat some fresh seafood, and get a walk on the beach.
You’ll also have some free tim to explore the city on your own, and report back to the others what you you found, so that maybe we can all go back!
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Okay, okay. It’s not technically Basque country, but simply put, we MUST add it in. Why? Because you’re not coming all this way without tasting some Rioja wine, and sampling some of the best olive oil in Spain that nobody knows about.
Our final “meal” together will be on the famous Calle Laurel in Logroño, where we’ll spend a pocketful of cash over 5 hours and try pintxos and wine at a dozen bars. It’s sounds overwhelming, but it’s not. It’s amazing!
From Lorgroño, where we’ll spend one night, you can continue on by train, or back to the airport at San Sebastien or Bilbao. I’ll get you there.