Itinerary
Cookery in San Sebastián.
Price $2,030 CAD* SMALL GROUP TRAVEL

6 days in Basque Country - a food lover’s paradise. Unpack and relax, you stay here for a week. And we have a wide range of cultural explorations; your experience will be a journey of tastes. We feature a ‘Sample Itinerary’ which offers a suggested culinary program. Modifications to the program are easy enough as we’re flexible. Each outing is of course subject to weather, availability and whether or not it compliments your interests. Rest assured that an exceptional week is planned to highlight the very best of the region. You will enjoy fabulous wine tastings, informative guided tours, markets and delicious gourmet food.

Day 1 July 20 (overnight)
Sunday
Arrival Sunday morning at Bilbao Airport where you’ll be met and whisked away to the comfortable Pension Aldamar B&B in the charming coastal city of San Sebastián. It's in a great location, only 5 minutes walking distance from the Cooking School and close to the beaches. You will have a choice of a street-side room or a room overlooking the patio. Check into your room and have the afternoon to yourself with free time to explore the bars, cafes, restaurants, shops in the area, or to unpack and have a siesta. Tonight savour your welcome dinner, a 3-course meal including wine and coffee in the historic old part of town.
(D)

Day 2 July 21 (overnight)
Monday
You will be served a continental breakfast at a nearby café consisting of orange juice, coffee & croissants.
Your morning is free to relax or to take a walk around the beautiful city of San Sebastián, spend some time at one of its three spectacular beaches or perhaps spend the morning visiting the local shops.
Your first cooking course is this afternoon from 4.30pm to 8.30pm. All afternoon cooking classes finish with a tasting of what you have created. You’ll savour a 3-course tasting menu with wine & bread served in small portions. The wine that accompanies your meal – is usually Rioja red or Rueda white. Local cider and typical 'txakoli' Basque white wine can also be tasted upon request. The cooking school doesn’t have a restaurant, so your creations will be ‘tasted’ standing around the heart of the kitchen –the main central working table - tastings usually end by 9.00pm. You will probably find the tastings satisfying enough, but if you find yourself still hungry for more you might want to check out one of the many typical tapas bars in the old part of town.
(B/Tasting)

Day 3 July 22(overnight)
Tuesday
Breakfast
This morning is free to put your feet up and watch the world go by at a nearby café or to explore your surroundings and find that amazing gem for lunch - there are several 2 and 3 Michelin star restaurants in and around town that feature set tasting menus.
Your second cooking course is this afternoon, once again from 4.30pm to 8.30pm and you’ll savour your creations with wine.
(B/Tasting)

Day 4 July 23(overnight)
Wednesday
Breakfast
Today’s excursion adventure is to a local food market in a typical Basque village in-land, approximately 3/4 hours away by train. An English-speaking guide will accompany you to the food market to take you through this gastronomic journey. You might even want to buy your lunch – fresh from the local market – what better way to enjoy the local Basque cuisine.

Your third course is this afternoon; once again enjoy the tastings of your creations, of course accompanied with a great selection of Basque Country wines. Evening free to enjoy the jazz festival, remember the jazz festival will be 'in full swing' with plenty of free concerts every day until midnight and later.

(B)

Day 5 July 24(overnight)
Thursday
Breakfast
This morning is yours to explore or experience whatever ‘catches your fancy’…now that you know the lay of the land you might want to do some shopping, sunbathing or even go out for a sail.

This afternoon’s excursion is to a typical Basque fishing village, approximately ½ hour away by coach. An English-speaking guide will accompany you to visit the Marina and Medieval town. Enjoy an aperitif or a coffee at the castle, now the Hotel-Parador Carlos V.

This afternoon is yours to explore, followed by a sumptuous farewell dinner in the evening (because tomorrow you’ll be ‘on the road’ all day learning all about the world of Basque wines).

(B/L)

Day 6 July 25 (overnight)
Friday
Breakfast
Today’s excursion will take the full day and will include a visit to La Rioja and a wine bodega. You’ll have your lunch and a tour of the beautiful medieval town of Laguardia. La Rioja is about 2 hours away by coach and an English-speaking guide will again accompany you during today’s excursion.

Free evening on your return to San Sebastian, why not take in your last night of live jazz!

(B/Tasting)

Day 7 July 26
Saturday
Breakfast +Check Out + Transfer to the Bilbao Airport
Adios, return flight.

(B)