Food & Wine Tour of the Basque Country & Portugal

(14 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Biarritz & Bilbao, San Sebastian, Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Douro Valley, Porto, Lisbon

This private luxury tour offers an in-depth exploration of the unique culture, cutting-edge architecture, and acclaimed wine and gourmet cuisine of the French Basque Country, northern Spain and Portugal.

Begin in Bilbao, Spain, a city renowned for contemporary architecture. Enjoy a private tour of the Guggenheim Museum—a stunning building designed by Frank Gehry—and its art collection. Perhaps have lunch in its Michelin-starred restaurant. Then, see highlights of the Old Town, as well as additional architectural landmarks around the city by Calatrava, Foster and others. Continue to Biarritz, an elegant seaside resort town in southern France. During private touring, see the highlights of the Pays Basque. In Bayonne, the cultural capital of the region, see half-timber houses and the city walls, visit the cathedral, peruse markets, learn about local culture at the Basque Museum, and sample Bayonne's famous chocolate and smoked ham. Also stop in the traditional town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, which has charming shops selling local linens, espadrilles and gourmet food products. Also enjoy free time to relax at the beautiful resort and explore the town's upscale boutiques, excellent restaurants and markets, and scenic coastal paths.

Continue to San Sebastian, an elegant seaside resort that's the gastronomic capital of the Basque Country and home of some of the finest cuisine in the world. With your private guide, tour the picturesque historic center and walk along beautiful seaside promenades. Enjoy a private tasting tour that features the city's best pintxos—the Basque version of tapas—and Txakoli, an effervescent white wine from the region. Also enjoy a private tour of a local market followed by a cooking lesson at a private gastronomic society.

Next, transfer by private vehicle to La Rioja, one of the world's most renowned wine regions. Drive through vineyards, enjoy wine tastings at some of Spain's top bodegas (wineries), and see outstanding winery buildings designed by celebrated contemporary architects such as Santiago Calatrava and Zaha Hadid. Also visit Laguardia, a beautiful medieval walled village with wine caves under its cobblestone streets and impressive views of the nearby hills.

Continue by private vehicle to the Ribera del Duero wine region for a stay at a luxurious and historic wine estate. During a private tour, explore the estate's beautiful grounds and excellent winery. Also, visit other wineries and villages in the area, and enjoy the hotel's beautiful interiors, renowned restaurants and extensive leisure facilities.

Next, explore the beautiful Douro Valley, a hilly wine region along the Douro River in Portugal. Stay at a luxurious resort among terraced vineyards. During private touring, enjoy wine tasting at the best local wine estates, reservations at renowned local restaurants, and take an exclusive private river cruise.

Continue to Porto, the capital of Port wine and a city with a fascinating mix of architectural styles, including Roman, medieval, Baroque and contemporary. Stay in a luxurious hotel on a hillside overlooking wine cellars and the Douro River. During private touring, explore the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See highlights such as the Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange), the Se do Porto (Porto Cathedral) and the Livraria Lello, a historic bookstore with ornate woodwork. Browse specialty shops selling porcelain and Portuguese design products, and perhaps opt to visit additional places such as the Serralves Museum, the Casa da Musica, attractions with beautiful Portuguese tiles, or the riverside neighborhood of Ribeira. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a private tour and Port tasting at one of the city's most renowned cellars.

Next, you will be privately transferred to Lisbon. En route, stop at favorite locations, such as picturesque villages with buildings covered in colorful tiles, important religious sites, historic towns or fascinating UNESCO World Heritage sites. Experience Lisbon as an insider during private touring with an expert local guide. Tour the historic Alfama district, the sophisticated Bairro Alto and Lapa districts and the riverside Belem district. See St. George's Castle, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos monastery, Belem Tower and other impressive monuments of Moorish and Manueline architecture. Browse select shops offering Portuguese specialties such as azulejo tiles, embroidered linens, Indo-Portuguese furniture, gold jewelry, Portuguese design products and antiques. Sample local food specialties such as pasteis de nata custard tarts. Also tour museums according to your interests, including options such as the National Tile Museum or the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. Other touring options include vibrant food markets, a tour of a historic tile factory, visits to beautiful gardens, stops at scenic viewpoints overlooking the city, and a private appointment to visit the Ricardo do Espirito Santo Silva Foundation, which is dedicated to the preservation and reproduction of traditional Portuguese design and decorative art. One evening, enjoy a memorable fado music performance at a local club.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to Sintra, an aristocratic town of fairy-tale palaces and gardens among forested hills. During private touring in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit highlights including the romantic National Palace of Pena, the spectacular National Palace of Sintra and the narrow streets in the historic center of the town, including the former Jewish quarter. If desired, also visit the upscale seaside town of Cascais.

This tour can easily be extended to include other parts of France, Spain or Portugal, such as Bordeaux, Madrid, Barcelona, or the Alentejo region.