Tours and guides to the Basque Country and Northern Spain
Tours and guides to the Basque Country
and Northern Spain
|
Barcelona and Bilbao are an ideal combination if you like food, art and architecture. Both the Catalans and Basques are excellent chefs. Bilbao presents itself as a modern city revived from its industrial past by a firm commitment to cutting edge architecture. Opened in 1997, Frank O. Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum on the banks of the Nervion river is one of the most remarkable buildings of the 20th century . |
 |
Barcelona has a host of no less surprising constructions from the beginning of the century. Modernism is Spain’s contribution to Art Nouveau and Barcelona, home to Antonio Gaudi, is its heart. The cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia set on the French border, has always been a center for design and art. It was home to to artists such as Picasso, Miro, Dali and today continues to provide a vibrant home to young creative talents. |
| Sagrada Familia Cathedral - Barcelona |
Day One
We begin our trip in the lobby of Bilbao’s Carlton set on Moyua Square
which has two of the unique transparent entrances into Sir Norman Foster’s
new subways system. We will wander through the old
quarter and an English speaking guide will lead us through the Guggenheim
Museum.
Lunch is at the award winning museum restaurant run by well known local chef Martin Berasategi.
The afternoon is free to visit to visit the Bellas Artes Museum or do some shopping
on the Grand Via.
Day Two
Fanciful and ornate, El Capricho, one of Antonio Gaudi’s few works
outside of his native Catalonia, is in the small Cantabrian town of Comillas
overlooking the Cantabrian Sea which also boasts a palace designed by Domenech
i Montaner.
After lunch in the impeccably conserved village of Santillana del Mar
we can explore its Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque treasures. A fantastic
collection of historical buildings and cobbled streets which turn back the hands
of time.
Day Three
Morning flight to Barcelona. After settling into our hotel we visit Antonio
Gaudi’s Casa Mila where one of the residential apartments has recently
been opened which gives us a glimpse into the lifestyle of a well-heeled Catalan
family at the turn of the century. We will also compare three surprisingly distinct
examples of Catalan Modernist architecture on the "Block of Discord".
Lunch at a chic and beautiful restaurant near Casa Mila before seeing Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece the church of Sagrada Familia and Park Guell in the afternoon.
Free Evening.
Day Four
A trip out into the beautiful surrounding countryside and the famed caves where
Spain’s version of Champagne called Cava is produced. We will stop
into a vineyard, learn the traditional techniques and taste their wares.
After lunch in a rustic farmhouse we will visit the 12th century Cistercian Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet with its triple system of fortified walls .
Day Five
The Miro Museum in a light filled contemporary building and the fascinating
Picasso Museum housed in three 17th century stone mansions ingeniously
connected fill our morning.
Later a stop at one of Barcelona’s oldest and most charming
champagne bars for a bite to eat followed by a guided stroll through the
Gothic Quarter and along the Ramblas.
Evening will be spent by the water in the new Olympic port area before heading
off to a farewell dinner at a renown restaurant which specializes in
rice dishes and seafood.
Day Six
Morning transfers will be provided to the airport or
railway station.
 |
For those interested in staying on in the area we offer a two day extension which continues up the Costa Brava to Dali’s house in Cadaqués recently opened to the public and visits some of the beautiful coves and inlets along the Mediterranean coast as well as the Dali Museum in Figueres. |
 |
| Cadaqués | Dalí Museum |
|
For
reservations and information as well as
private tour bookings for families, small groups and individuals, |
||
|
please contact us at: |
||