Fermín Calbetón Kalea, 27, 1º
20003 Donostia/San Sebastián
Fermín Calbetón Kalea, 27, 1º
20003 Donostia/San Sebastián
Tenedor Tours, founded by Gabriella in 1997, has been a friend to countless people, visitors and locals alike, since day one. Bit by bit, and through word-of-mouth, Tenedor grew to be a world-renowned travel company in the Basque Country, while still maintaining a small scale and sustainable business model.
Each of us wears many hats, and we are with you from start to finish of your trip, from the very first email, to greeting you at the airport, to introducing you to our favorite local spots. Over nearly a quarter-century, we’ve established and developed long term relationships with chefs, winemakers, artisans, hoteliers.
Gabriella Ranelli, the founder of Tenedor Tours, has called the Basque Country home for 30 years. She holds a Master’s degree in viticulture and oenology and has spent decades working closely with chefs and winemakers to convey the wonders of Spanish foods and wines to the English speaking world. She has been featured in many media outlets, including the late Anthony Bourdain’s episodes set in San Sebastian, and the Wall Street Journal named her one of the Top 10 culinary guides in the world. Most recently, she wrote the book Arzak + Arzak, the definitive tome on the Michelin 3* father-daughter duo of chefs who run one of the world’s most important restaurants.
Aitor Aguirre
Aitor is a native of San Sebastian who knows the ins and outs of his native land like no one else. Warm, friendly, and knowledgeable, he's the perfect guy to welcome visitors and show them the real Basque Country.
Katharine Giery
Katharine is a southeast Georgia native who settled in the Basque Country more than a decade ago as a newly-minted college graduate. A lifelong lover of cooking, she honed her skills at culinary school in San Sebastian, and has most recently completed the WSET Level 2 wine education certification. After time spent cooking professionally, she decided her talents were better put to use teaching others and sharing her love of the Basque Country with visitors from near and far, and she has been with Tenedor Tours since 2015.
Our ways of working have shifted and changed over the years, but always with the same objective in mind: to provide the highest quality of private travel; to give our guests the unique personal experience they crave; and to share our knowledge of the people, places, and cultures in our destinations.
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To begin, tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re looking for in an ideal trip. Whether you are an individual looking for a family getaway, a company leader planning a corporate retreat, or a travel agent seeking out that extraordinary experience for your top clients, we are able to take your wishes and transform them into a trip uniquely suited to your tastes, budget, and style.
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We’ll set up a time for a quick phone consultation and then send you an initial outline. Along with a trip description, we’ll provide you with a preliminary estimate. If your interest is piqued, we’ll ask for a commitment deposit and then go full-steam ahead with the planning and booking process.
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We’ll refine and personalize your itinerary so that it perfectly matches your needs, and quickly confirm and coordinate all reservations, plans, and services. Throughout the process, we’ll be in contact with you to answer any questions, make suggestions, resolve doubts, and make the planning as smooth as possible.
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Before you know it, it’ll be time to travel. While you’re on the ground, our team is always on hand to offer 24/7 support for whatever you may need. The only thing to do now is sit back and enjoy!
We know many of you are more independent travelers, and perhaps you like doing a lot of research and planning on your own, but are looking for a little extra guidance and expertise: we also offer a straightforward flat-fee trip-planning service to help you define and refine your plans. We can suggest accommodations, must-see sights, restaurants & shops, and the best way to get from one place to the next. Where recommended, we can also set up some great tours or activities with our wonderful network of expert guides throughout the country.
For our clients
You - our clients - are our our raison d’être, and our dedication to to you is unparalleled. Before you even think about traveling with us, we’ve already done vast amounts of research on the regions, cultures, and cuisines you’ll be encountering, and from the first email to the last farewell, we’ll guide you along to create unforgettable memories. Our attention to detail is evidenced by our many repeat clients, most of whom come to us through word-of-mouth. We are discrete, professional, and caring, so that you can have a fun, effortless, and one-of-a-kind experience.
For our community
Our community is our lifeblood and the backbone of what we do. We cherish our relationships and the surrounding environment, and these are what we hope to share with you. Our local culture and traditions are dear to us, and we promote a style of travel that respects customs and ways of life. We eschew “packaged” trips that hop from one place to the next in lieu of digging deeper into time and place. We value our local service providers, from hoteliers to drivers to chefs, and we respect their hard work that makes ours possible.
For us
While we love our work and love to work hard, we understand that work-life balance is important for our minds, our bodies, and our relationships. Our work is an extension of our lifestyles, and we practice what we preach: taking time to enjoy the small moments, delving into the regional food scenes, and reaching out to locals to gain deeper insight into the Basque Country and beyond. Just as we share what we love with those we love, we share it with visitors who decide to travel with us at Tenedor.
