Bordeaux and Basque Country

Day 1 - Arrive London

On arrival in London, be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of today is yours at leisure before dinner this evening.

Accommodation: London, Ambassadors Bloomsbury Hotel

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - London, Bordeaux

Meet your Tour Escort and fellow guests this morning at London’s St Pancras railway station. Board the Eurostar and travel in Standard Premier class to the Paris-Nord terminus in the French capital. From here, a coach will whisk you to Paris-Montparnasse station, where you’ll board another train for a journey south to the city of Bordeaux, gateway to the famous wine region of the same name.

Accommodation: Two Nights, Bordeaux, Mercure Bordeaux Château Chartrons

Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 3 - Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion

After a city tour, venture into the countryside for your Insider Experience. This afternoon, travel to Saint-Émilion and enjoy a guided walk through this medieval village before free time.

Accommodation:

Meals: Breakfast Lunch

Day 4 - Bordeaux, San Sebastián, Bilbao

Departing Bordeaux, travel by train to Hendaye. From here, a coach will take you across the border into Spain and on to the resort town of San Sebastián, set on the Bay of Biscay in Spain’s Basque Country. During time at leisure, perhaps go for a stroll along the waterfront or head to a pintxo bar to sample the Basque Country version of tapas. Then continue to Bilbao and settle in to your hotel before dinner.

Accommodation: Three Nights, Bilbao, selected premium four-star hotel

Meals: Breakfast Dinner

Day 5 - Bilbao

Today commences with a visit to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Housing a range of contemporary and modern art, this is not only an incredible museum, it’s also an architectural wonder in its own right, designed as it was by famous North American architect Frank Gehry. After ample time to explore, ride the city tram to the Ribera Market, set next to Casco Viejo – the city’s atmospheric old quarter. Enjoy a guided walk around this beautiful riverside district before the afternoon is yours to further explore at leisure.

Accommodation:

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Bilbao, Laguardia, Haro

You’ll spend most of today exploring the Basque countryside and visiting vineyards in La Rioja wine region. Enjoy free time to wander the streets of Laguardia, a typical Rioja wine village. After lunch, continue on to the town of Haro, home to many of the great bodegas in La Rioja. Enjoy time at leisure to explore the intriguing alleyways of the compact old quarter, before returning to Bilbao.

Accommodation:

Meals: Breakfast Lunch

Day 7 - León

A wonderful rail journey takes you today from Bilbao to León, a city set along the famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago - The Way of St James. During a tour, you’ll see the brass scallop shells that mark the route of the Camino through the city, as well as a number of historic sites including the Gothic 13th-century Catedral de Léon. After, check in to your hotel before dinner.

Accommodation: León, selected premium four-star hotel

Meals: Breakfast Dinner

Day 8 - León, Santiago de Compostela

Following a free morning, you’ll depart León by train, passing through Ponferrada and Ourense, among other cities, on the way to Santiago de Compostela. On arrival, settle in to your hotel and enjoy dinner.

Accommodation: Three Nights, NH Collection Santiago de Compostela

Meals: Breakfast Dinner

Day 9 - Santiago de Compostela

During a guided tour today, you’ll start to become familiar with Santiago de Compostela, the walled medieval cathedral town that marks the end of the Camino de Santiago. Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to further explore the city’s grand plazas and back alleys.

Accommodation:

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 - Santiago de Compostela, Pontevedra, Combarro, O Grove, Cambados

Explore the towns and villages of the Galician coast during a full day excursion today. Call in at Pontevedra, with its well-preserved old town, and visit the fishing village of Combarro. Then it’s on to the peninsula town of O Grove for your Insider Experience. After enjoying free time in Cambados, indulge in a special dinner at one of the restaurants at Parador de Santiago de Compostela.

Accommodation:

Meals: Breakfast Dinner

Day 11 - Madrid

Rise early this morning and set off on your last rail journey, this time taking you to the bustling Spanish capital of Madrid. Heading south-east, farewell the lush green landscapes of the north and pass through the dry rocky landscapes of central Spain. On arrival in Madrid, check in to your hotel freshen up before an afternoon at leisure.

Accommodation: Two Nights, Hotel NH Madrid Príncipe de Vergara

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 - Madrid

This morning brings with it a guided sightseeing tour of Madrid, taking in the city’s elegant boulevards and vast parks by coach and on foot, visiting a selection of the city’s most intriguing attractions. Look out for the Palacio Real and Retiro Park as well as two of the city’s most famous squares – Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Cibeles. This evening, farewell your travelling companions during a Farewell Dinner at a local Spanish restaurant.

Accommodation:

Meals: Breakfast Dinner

Day 13 - Depart Madrid

This morning after breakfast, be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Accommodation:

Meals: Breakfast