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Wine, Women & Spain
Itinerary Highlights
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Day 1
Board flight to Spain.
Days 2-3
Laquardia—La Rioja
We meet in Bilbao, then travel the short distance to the picturesque
town of Laquardia. From this scenic base, we:
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visit the Rioja Wine Museum in Haro. |
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lunch in a wood-beamed 17th-century wine bodega. |
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stroll (cars are banned) through the medieval
town of Laguardia, tunneled below with more than 250 wine cellars. |
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walk in the footsteps of the Santiago-bound pilgrims. |
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visit a private bodega where careful hand
selections of the grapes is one of the hallmarks of their complex
and elegant wines. |
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visit (beginning in 2004) the newly constructed
Bodega of Marques de Riscal, designed by Frank Gehry, known
also for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. |
Days 4-6
Navarre—San Sebastián
We enjoy a drive through Navarre — crossing the paths of pilgrims
bound for Santiago — while en route to enchanting San
Sebastián, a famous beach resort and world-renowned food
capital. Highlights:
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a 15th-century bodega of the famous Chivite
family — in its 11th generation of wine makers. |
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La Brecha market, with stalls devoted
to the bounty of the sea and the land. |
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dining at the world-famous Arzak, crowned by
critics as Spain’s best restaurant |
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a private, by-invitation-only gastronomy society
dining event. An Ochote — an eight-voice male Basque
choir, sings selected songs for each course of the meal. |
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a visit to the Chillida Leku, a beautifully
restored 16th-century farmhouse containing the works of the
internationally famous sculptor, Eduardo Chillida. |
Days 7-8
Guernica—Bakio—Bilbao
Guernica. Famous for its “Tree of Guernica,” the Basque
symbol for heritage, law and freedom. The village, site of the first
Nazi saturation bombing, also inspired Picasso’s controversial
masterpiece of the same name.
We travel along the coast, stopping along the way:
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to view the sculptural monuments by Henry Moore
and Eduardo Chillida in Guernica. |
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at Bakio, known for its delicious red peppers
and fruity young wine called Txakoli. |
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to visit a Txakoli bodega. |
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at the Riverside Market, which boasts large varieties
of seafood, and stall after stall filled with produce, cheeses
and nuts. |
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indulging in a fabulous and memorable farewell
banquet at Zortziko, an elegant, turn-of-the-century restaurant.
Before our meal, Chef Daniel Garcia, who is famous for combining
classical dishes and innovative touches, will host a private
cooking demonstration as a grand culinary finale. |
We also explore the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. The physical structure
itself is an artistic wonder, not to mention the impressive collection
of modern art we find inside.
Day 9
Flight back home.
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