Basque Country Food & Wine Tour
FROM RUSTIC FLAVORS TO THE MOST COVETED MICHELIN-STARRED HOUSES
DATES: 31 AUG - 07 SEP 2027
ONE UNIQUE EDITION!
Basque Country, a land the world over known for its gastronomy
The Valfers welcomes you in a meaningful expedition that embraces the essence of the Basque whose lives enshrine every aspect of its culinary repertoire and a feeling of connection to a singular collectiveness.
It is impossible to exaggerate to what extent gastronomy permeates almost every social activity and every social class. Time is valued over money. At the core of this adventure are the tenets of authenticity, exclusivity and personal enrichment brought all together by a team of passionate experts.
Make your taste buds dance with the best food and the best Basque pintxos, and your soul fly tasting some of the most exceptional reds and whites from Rioja, or the coastal and slightly fizzy white wine Txakoli.
Explore Northeast Spain in a dream trip across the Basque Country. Make your taste buds dance with the popular merluza en salsa verde – a yummy hake fish in “green” sauce -, the most incredible kokotxas de bacalao al pil-pil (cod fish cheeks in pil-pil sauce), not to mention the txuletón – beef steak – and Rioja wines.
Reveal all the secret gems in this spectacular 8-day unique and therapeutic escape limited to 20 participants.
At a Glance
Day 1
San Sebastian, arrival
Day 2
San Sebastian
Day 3
San Sebastian - Saint-Jean de Luz - Hondarribia - San Sebastian
Day 4
San Sebastian - Biarritz - Espelette - Ainhoa - San Sebastian
Day 5
San Sebastian - Getaria - Bilbao
Day 6
Bilbao - Rioja - Bilbao
Day 7
Bilbao
Day 8
Bilbao, end of journey
Itinerary
For Valeska, the Basque Country is more than a destination. Her mother’s family is Basque, and its landscapes, traditions and food culture have always formed part of her own story. Together with Fernando, she has created this eight-day journey to share the places, flavours and experiences that reveal the region’s true character.
From the markets and pintxo bars of San Sebastián to fishing villages, celebrated kitchens and distinctive wine landscapes, each day has been thoughtfully arranged around authenticity, craftsmanship and a genuine sense of place.
Travelling in a small group and at an unhurried pace, you will meet the people who keep these traditions alive and discover how the sea, the mountains and the seasons shape Basque cuisine. Private experiences and seamless hosting allow you to experience the region naturally—not as part of a conventional tour, but as a guest.
DAY 1 | San Sebastian
PINTXOS IN SAN SEBASTIAN, WHERE SMALL IS BIG
San Sebastián, this small but gorgeous seaside city boasts Belle Époque architecture, a profound cultural heritage and arguably the best cuisine in the Basque Region. It has the most Michelin-starred restaurants per capita in the world, but even the quality of the everyday food is sublime.
A walking pintxos tour reveals the best of the local gastronomic essence. Be ready for the most genuine experience . We will tell you stories and explain the singularities of this way of eating. We will recommend the best pintxo at each place and the best wine to pair among our preferred pintxos bars.
ASADOR EXPERIENCE
Asadores are traditional grill houses in the Basque Country, with coal being the greatest taste-enhancer. Cooking over an open fire is now experiencing a new wave and it is the most ancestral cooking method too. You shouldn’t miss trying some good grill! This will be the icing on the cake of a first memorable day.
- Lunch, dinner
- Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra 4*
DAY 2 | San Sebastian
SAN SEBASTIAN
Enjoy a lovely promenade across this fascinating small city. Shaped by the river Urumea and later up by the hills, the city expanded when the walls were demolished 1863. The first expansion of the old town stretched out to the river’s mouth, on the old quarter called Zurriola, which now shows a dynamic commercial activity, recently boosted by the presence of the Kursaal Congress Centre by the beach. The arcades of the Buen Pastor Square were fashioned after the ones of the Rue de Rivoli, with the Maria Cristina Bridge being inspired by the Pont Alexandre III that spans the Seine.
You will stroll across some of the most centrally located highlights and we’ll explore some of the historical food and wine shops.
MARTIN BERASATEGUI***
He is the only chef with two restaurants awarded with three Michelin stars: Restaurante Martin Berasategui in Lasarte-Oria, and Restaurante Lasarte in Barcelona. In total he holds now 8 Michelin stars. Martin Berasategui is a legend and he played a crucial role in the Basque cuisine’s revolution in the 1980’s and contributed to develop a Basque nouvelle cuisine capable to establish the Basque Country as one of the world’s leading gastronomic regions.
- Breakfast, lunch
- Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra 4*
DAY 3 | S. Sebastian - Socoa - St.-Jean-de Luz - S. Sebastian
OCEAN WINES & SAINT JEAN DE LUZ
Today, we cross the border to discover the landscapes, wines and flavors of the neighboring French Basque Country.
Our first stop will be in Socoa, on the coast of Ciboure, where we will visit a pioneering winery with a unique connection to the ocean. Part of the winemaking process takes place in specially designed tanks immersed beneath the waters of the Bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, where pressure, darkness, constant temperature and the movement of the tides influence fermentation and create distinctive aromatic profiles. We will learn about this remarkable method before tasting a selection of wines overlooking the bay.
We will then continue to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, one of the most charming towns on the French Basque coast. We will stroll through its lively streets and visit its colorful market, where fishmongers, cheesemakers, farmers and artisans showcase the region’s produce. We will also stop at the historic pastry shop associated with the original Saint-Jean-de-Luz macaron.
SOCIEDAD GASTRONÓMICA
Back to San Sebastian, access to one of the most persuasive experiences a gourmet could ever dream of: enjoying a meal at a Sociedad Gastronómica. These members-only clubs play an important role and serve as meeting places where people of all social classes, known as cuadrillas, go to cook, eat and socialize.
Enjoy the evening on your own pace.
- Breakfast, lunch
- Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra 4*
DAY 4 | S. Sebastian - Biarritz - Ainhoa - S. Sebastian
BIARRITZ & AINHOA
The French city of Biarritz, 20 kilometers from the Spanish border, is ideal for a cultural and gastronomic break. From its medieval past as a small fishing village, Biarritz preserves in its coat of arms an image of its original inhabitants, the reckless whale hunters. It was not until the middle of the 19th century that this town reached its greatest splendor by becoming a summer resort of Napoleon III and his wife, Empress Eugenia. Far from the luxury of that time, Biarritz is today a much more popular summer resort.
Stroll across the bustling Les Halles market, before continuing the serpentine roads towards the French countryside.
ITHURRIA*
Xavier Isabal leads Ithurria’s cuisine, keeping the Michelin star for over 40 years. Located in Ainhoa, one of the most beautiful villages in France dotted with red and white houses, Ithurria is settled in a sublime house steeped in history. Take this opportunity to relish French flavors.
- Breakfast, lunch
- Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra 4*
DAY 5 | S. Sebastian - Getaria - Bilbao
GETARIA
Home town of the prestigious couturier Balenciaga, this is the land of Txakolina, the bracing, refreshing, often fizzy white wine that is enjoyed throughout Basque Country. In restaurants and pintxos bars, on terraces overlooking the Cantabrian Sea or in dark, rustic wood-and-stone cellars, you can’t help but notice Txakolina everywhere. Wine production was a way of life for centuries in Basque country through the end of the 19th century but phylloxera wiped out the vines around the turn of the 20th century, and the industry was slow to recover. Now, with the food revolution in Basque Country, txakoli is living a survival process and quality prevails. Let’s visit a winery and enjoy it in full while overlooking the sea.
ELKANO*
Down, the legendary fishing town of Getaria is home of one of the best seafood cuisines. And undoubtedly the main attraction is the whole chargrilled fish – specially the turbot – which is grilled in special crafted metal fish baskets. This technique was conceived by Pedro Arregi from Elkano – who passed away in 2014 being the business now run by his son Aitor Arregi -. He pioneered the respect for the local produce and for his environment.
GUGGENHEIM BILBAO
Arrival to Bilbao and check-in before a private visit to the iconic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Afterwards, free evening to explore the city on your own.
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Hotel Carlton 5*
DAY 6 | Bilbao - Rioja - Bilbao
RIOJA
La Rioja turns out what most people have in mind when they think of Spanish wines. Enjoy a great day among vineyards around one of the best wineries in an exclusive private-guided tour. The region produces wine since ancient Roman times. Taste terrific wines and discover small charming villages from Middle Ages. It’s no accident that when phylloxera hit Bordeaux in the late 19th century, French winemakers chose Rioja as a location to make wines for the French market.
Not only will you have a chance to access one of the most remarkable wineries in exclusivity, but also you will try astonishing new style wines that express a sense of place. Winemakers are making wines that reveal the terroir of the region, village, estate, and, increasingly, the vineyard. A pairing lunch is foreseen at the winery.
BILBAO
Back to Bilbao, free evening.
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Hotel Carlton 5*
DAY 7 | Bilbao
LIVE COOKING
Visiting the Ribera Market is a must; it is a massive paradise of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, mushrooms, cheese, sausages, cured meats, and fresh meats and game in season. The space is located next to the river, in the Casco Viejo neighborhood, which is Bilbao’s oldest, medieval part of town. Enjoy strolling around before entering a private kitchen atelier to start preparing the freshest and yummiest home meal!
STARRED FAREWELL DINNER
Be ready to enjoy a seductive and cozy last dinner in Boroa* a 15th century farmhouse with scrupulous respect for its original architecture, where Jabier Gartzia – great defender of Bilbao’s cooking, awarded with a Michelin star since 1999 – follows the ancient lineage of a noble and bourgeois society from the 19th century that laid the foundation of the cocina vizcaína (Bilbao cuisine).
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Hotel Carlton 5*
DAY 8 | Bilbao
END OF JOURNEY
Following breakfast, private transfer to Bilbao airport or train station at your appointed time, or continue your journey if you decided to extend your trip.
- Breakfast
Dates & Prices
2026
DATES
PRICE
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
AVAILABLE SPOTS
2027
DATES
PRICE
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
AVAILABLE SPOTS
INCLUDED:
- 7-Night accommodation on bed and breakfast basis
- 7 lunches and 2 dinners (food and wines paired)
- Private deluxe transportation throughout
- Airport private transfers in and out from Bilbao / San Sebastian Airport
- Two tour leaders throughout
- Limited to 20 guests
NOT INCLUDED:
- International flight
- Travel insurance (see options when upon application)
- Personal purchases and expenses
- Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses
PRICE:
- Rates are in Euros per person, on double occupancy basis.
BOOKING DEPOSIT:
- At the time of reservation: 25% of journey cost per person
- 90 days before departure: Balance due
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
- Payment method: Bank transfer or major credit cards are accepted (Visa, American Express, Mastercard).
Optional Tours Suggested
The experts
VALESKA IDARRAGA
Valeska brings a rich gastronomic heritage, inherited from her French father’s love of culinary culture and her Basque grandmother, a well-regarded chef of her time. After studying Economics and Journalism in Barcelona, she moved to Switzerland to pursue hotel management, working at some of the most prestigious hotels in the industry. Fluent in five languages, Valeska is a Certified Sherry Wine Cellar Advanced Expert and holds a WSET Level 3 certification with merit. As co-founder of Paladar y Tomar in 2014, she serves as Marketing Manager, overseeing client relationships and operations at The Valfers. With her unique combination of cultural insight, business acumen, and wine expertise, Valeska crafts unforgettable experiences for every traveler.
FERNANDO PAREDES
Fernando is the CEO, financial director, and lead wine consultant at Paladar y Tomar and The Valfers. A Barcelona native with a background in economics and business management, he transitioned from a corporate career to the world of luxury travel, food, and wine. With extensive experience as General Manager of a bespoke travel company, Fernando excels in strategic planning, operations, and financial oversight. His expertise in wine is equally impressive—he is a Certified Sherry Wine Cellar Advanced Expert, holds a WSET Level 3 certification with merit, and advises on wine programs and cellar selections. His deep connections in the wine and hospitality industries allow The Valfers to offer unparalleled insider experiences.
What Makes This Journey Different
The Basque Country is extraordinary in its own right. What transforms this journey is how you experience it: personally hosted by Valeska and Fernando, thoughtfully paced and enriched by the relationships, knowledge and access that open doors beyond the usual itinerary.
PERSONALLY HOSTED BY THE VALFERS
PERSONALLY HOSTED BY THE VALFERS
Travel throughout the Basque Country with Valeska and Fernando, whose personal connection to the region, local knowledge and attentive hosting shape every day of the journey.
WINES WITH A SENSE OF PLACE
WINES WITH A SENSE OF PLACE
Taste the Basque Country through its wines—from vibrant coastal Txakoli and the storied vineyards of Rioja Alavesa to pioneering cuvées matured beneath the waters off Ciboure.
INSIDE A PRIVATE GASTRONOMIC SOCIETY
INSIDE A PRIVATE GASTRONOMIC SOCIETY
Enter one of the Basque Country’s most emblematic culinary institutions—an experience rarely accessible to visitors.
THE CRAFT OF COOKING OVER FIRE
THE CRAFT OF COOKING OVER FIRE
Discover how exceptional fish is selected, prepared and grilled over embers with extraordinary precision.
EXCEPTIONAL BASQUE TABLES
EXCEPTIONAL BASQUE TABLES
From internationally celebrated restaurants to more intimate kitchens rooted in tradition, each table has been chosen for its character, craftsmanship and distinctive expression of Basque cuisine.
BOTH SIDES OF THE BASQUE COUNTRY
BOTH SIDES OF THE BASQUE COUNTRY
Cross into the French Basque Country to experience a different rhythm, architecture and culinary identity.
ART, ARCHITECTURE AND IDENTITY
ART, ARCHITECTURE AND IDENTITY
From Eduardo Chillida’s Peine del Viento in San Sebastián to Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Bilbao, discover how art, architecture and landscape have shaped the Basque Country’s modern cultural identity.
COASTLINES, VILLAGES AND UNTAMED BEAUTY
COASTLINES, VILLAGES AND UNTAMED BEAUTY
Travel beyond the cities into fishing villages, dramatic cliffs and landscapes shaped by the Atlantic.
Hand-picked Accommodations
The Valfers benefit from the expertise of Paladar y Tomar curating every hotel in search of the most unique nature of each location. This allows us to cater for every different type of personality and taste and have selected for this occasion singular hotels with immense value that enhance every moment. Our stories start from the moment you arrive.
San Sebastian
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, 4* Sup
From its exceptional position, Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra faces La Concha, one of the most beautiful urban beaches. In 1866 it was opened as a premier seaside accommodation in San Sebastian, affording guests unparalleled views of the famous shoreline. Soon after its opening, Hotel de Londres became the property of choice for royalty and artists alike.
BILBAO
Hotel Carlton, 5*
Hotel Carlton was built between 1919 and 1926. It is a late example of the French Second Empire style, in keeping with the tradition of grandiose hotels of the time. The building is impressively beautiful, and its location in the main avenue makes every corner from the city accessible.
