BASQUE COUNTRY CIRCUITS 2016

Regular & guaranteed from 2 pax

Program duration options: 5D/4N or 7D/6N Bed & Breakfast basis

Arrival dates to : § Options 5D/4N: Tuesdays § Options 7D/6N: Mondays

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abandoned the urban fabric of Bilbao. After the DAY 1: 5D/4N village of Durango, we will enter the interior valleys of and later pass through and DAY 1: 7D/6N , towns with along industrial tradition. We CITY OF ORIGIN - BILBAO will as well pass through Azkoitia, a town that Arrival at the airport of Bilbao. Assistance and retains the oldest tower houses in and transfer to Hotel. It will be provided a Full Dossier after that arrive to the Sanctuary of Loyola. with information about the Basque Country and the Program. Lodging at the hotel in Bilbao.

Sanctuary of Loyola

In Loyola will stop and visit the shrine of harmonious proportions. Built between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to the glory of St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, it Guggenheim Bilbao Museum is essential to visit the basilica and the Holy House, the medieval tower house where he was DAY 2: 5D/4N born. After that we will follow the route, pass by Azpeitia and finally reach the coast at the coastal DAY 2: 7D/6N village of Zumaia. This is a beautiful village built during the medieval times, with its marina and BILBAO - Route to SAN SEBASTIAN located strategically at the mouth of the river Breakfast. The route begins at 09:00 am from the Urola. We will continue the journey along the hotel in Bilbao and we will head towards San coastal road with its magnificent views over the Sebastian. We will be able to admire the green Bay of Biscay to reach the charming fishing village and mountainous typical Basque landscape once

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of Getaria, the birthplace of Juan Sebastian various possibilities of selected restaurants and Elcano. Located on the side of a very fertile hill menus. that allows the growing of crops such as vines for the production of Txakoli wine. We will walk the medieval streets and the arc of Catrapona, catwalk below the church with Chapel of sailors, the parish church of San Salvador (s. XV) which is a Gothic gem, the fishing port, the monument to Elcano and stroll through its narrow streets and its typical bars and restaurants. Afterwards, we will pass by Zarautz, a traditional enclave and tourist reference since the nineteenth century.

San Sebastian

After the free time for lunch, we will initiate a Walking Tour into the old part, a web of narrow streets, the old port, buildings, pubs and typical restaurants, “pintxos” Bars, the Dominican Convent (XVI century), the Basilica of Santa Maria de Coro (eighteenth century), and reach the Constitution Square, one of the most characteristic places of the Old Town, whose main building was for years the City Council.

Getaria

It has a beautiful beach, the biggest of Gipuzkoa province with 2500metres and a picturesque old town with its streets and cosmopolitan atmosphere. We will continue the route to San Sebastian and enter the area of Ondarreta beach and the road that leads to the famous promenade of the shell and its magnificent beach and the fishing port, Mount Igeldo and Mount Urgull protect the bay of La Concha.

We will start a Panoramic Tour to see from our seat on the bus; the walks, the fine avenues of Old Part of San Sebastian impeccable style, and all the highlights of San Later we will arrive to the hotel and have free Sebastian, beautiful, clean and attractive. Logically time at leisure for the rest of the day. we will be able to appreciate the panoramic view of the Kursaal Palace, outstanding work by the The entrance to the San Telmo Museum of Architect Rafael Moneo, the Anoeta stadium, Basque Society Evolution is included; it will be Victoria Eugenia theatre and the manor houses of possible to visit it freely. limestone. From the upper part of Mount Igeldo we will dominate this magnificent city Lodging at the selected hotel in San Sebastian. immortalized in so many occasions. Next, we will have free time for lunch. Our guide will inform of

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stroll through streets. We will continue the route DAY 3: 7D/6N through Beasain, Ormaiztegi, Zumarraga and then SAN SEBASTIAN we will arrive to Oñati, the most elegant village of Gipuzkoa province, with a monumental, artistic Breakfast. Day at leisure in San Sebastian. Our greatness and truly valuable architectural guide will have provided information about buildings. possibilities and activities taken place during the day. Lodging at Hotel in San Sebastian.

DAY 3: 5D/4N DAY 4: 7D/6N SAN SEBASTIAN – Route to Vitoria & Rioja

Breakfast. The route begins at 09:00 hours from Sancti Spiritus University, Oñati San Sebastian, leaving the city to take the N1 After viewing some of these monuments, we will highway towards Vitoria. We will pass by Lasarte, head on a road with magnificent views over cliffs Andoain and Villabona municipalities with to reach the most important Sanctuary of historic-artistic values, archaeological and Gipuzkoa, the Shrine of Our Lady of Arantzazu. A especially naturalistic. We will also pass by Tolosa, compendium of the best contemporary Basque being one of the old Towns with the largest art, by the Franciscan order and surrounded by a abundance of public buildings dating from the XVI unique geographical space. and XVII. Little by little, we will enter Gipuzkoa

and arrive at Ordizia.

Sanctuary of Arantzazu

Traditional Market in Ordizia Later, we continue the journey toward Aretxabaleta, Mondragon and subsequently It is a typical village of area, with an passing Eskoriatza, small villages of High Deba ancient historical and monumental centre. But the with the Deba River that gives name to the area. great attractive of Ordizia is the weekly market, We travel near Salinas de Leniz, a town with its the best country products and the origins dates ancient salt and Salt Museum which displays the from the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Its various aspects of production of "White Gold" celebration takes place every Wednesday of the very important in the past. Finally we will arrive to year and to this weekly market is added the series the area. Pass by Labastida, a typical of special markets such as those devoted to the village in this area and then arrive at Laguardia, excellent D.O. Idiazabal cheese, medieval festival, famous town for its historic monuments and also wine, Christmas, Basque Holidays…short stop to its wineries. Free time to explore the town and

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lunch at one of its typical restaurants. Our guide will offer details of restaurants and available DAY 4: 5D/4N menus. DAY 5: 7D/6N Vitoria - Route to Bilbao Breakfast. We will start the route heading towards the inner parts of Alava province, through rural and natural landscapes. We will arrive to Gesaltza (Salinas de Añana), where we will appreciate its primitive system, documented since the ninth century for obtaining salt by evaporation of water in a series of terraces which occupies 150 hectares.

Salinas de Añana

We will continue the tour through the town of Orduña, located in a valley surrounded by the mountains of Sierra Salvada. Orduña is an island geographically located in Alava. We continue the Laguardia trip through Amurrio, the most industrialised area and rich in ancestral house such as Urrutia Ugarte After lunch we will head to Vitoria and start a or Larra and the beautiful Cejudo Palace of the XVI Panoramic Tour of this beautiful city, capital of century. Basque Country; with its government buildings, headquarters of the Basque government, the residence of the Lehendakari (Basque President), Artium Museum, the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the church of the White Virgin, the “Casco Viejo”, and its streets and avenues that complete Vitoria into a friendly, advanced and welcoming Capital.

The rest of the day will be free in order to explore on your own the centre and the old quarter of Vitoria. Our guide will provide a list of existing activities and complete information during the stay in the city, including information of museums such as Artium, etc. Landscape in Orduña

Lodging at Hotel in Vitoria.

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During this stretch, we will be able to pass next to small villages and we will contemplate the magnificent natural life with its mountains and verdant landscapes. Following the tour we will arrive to the Ayala Land, one of the few places where Nature is so generous.

Steep hills with strange shapes, green fields and vast forests of oaks, provide some of the most beautiful areas of the Basque Country. The valley, which dominates the centre and north, is complemented by the impressive towering Sierra Salvada, proud and defiant to the south. Transporter Bridge of Biscay Once on the other side of the bank, in Getxo, we will go to the famous marina with its quiet walks by the sea from where one has a magnificent view of Abra de Bilbao and the whole industrial zone located on the other superport side of the shore. Later we will arrive to Bilbao.

Free time for lunch. Our guide will inform of various possibilities of selected restaurants and menus. After lunch we will start a Panoramic Tour with the Maritime Museum, the Euskalduna Palace, the Guggenheim Museum, the area of

Monumental Complex of Quejana Abando-Ibarra with its walks, gardens, monuments and shopping malls that have We will stop at Quejana and visit the Monumental become a benchmark for the new urban Bilbao. Complex, which was during the XIV-XVI centuries the ancient site of the Ayala lineage closely linked to the town.

The strategic location of Quejana made it an ideal place for the defence in medieval times. Subsequently, following the route will pass through the town of Artziniega and Balmaseda, capital of Encartaciones. We continue passing by Avellaneda, with its modern Encartaciones Arrupe Gangway, Bilbao Museum and after Sopuerta reach the coast by . We will enter this town located on the We will also pass in front of City Hall and the left bank of the , with its fishing artistic work of Oteiza located opposite, to climb port and seafaring tradition. Then we continue up to the mountain Artxanda and from this the journey along the edge of the sea to vantage point, master all Bilbao, being able to , where we will able to see The contemplate a splendid view. From here we head Transporter Bridge of Biscay, famous for its down to the centre of Bilbao and arrive to the old hanging bridge, which dates from 1893, it is the Town in order to start a Walking Tour. oldest transport hanging bridge of the world which stills working.

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DAY 5: 5D/4N DAY 7: 7D/6N BILBAO

Breakfast. There will be free time in the city until the agreed time for the transfer to the airport.

Old Part of Bilbao

The current Bilbao was born in what is now known as “Bilbao la Vieja”. We will discover the most intimate corners through a tour into the Seven Streets, The Plaza of the Cathedral of Santiago with the same name, the church of San Anton, the Mercado de la Ribera, the tranquil Plaza Nueva ... We have included as well the entrance to the Guggenheim Museum, with its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, Having some pintxos in a bar we will be able to visit freely. The rest of the day will be free at leisure. The guide will provide comprehensive information of all available activities, museums, culture, folklore and social or END OF THE TRIP sporting events taking place in Bilbao.

Lodging at the hotel in Bilbao.

DAY 6: 7D/6N BILBAO Breakfast. Day at leisure in Bilbao. Our guide will provide information about activities that will be hold during the day. Lodging at the hotel in Bilbao.

Panoramic View of Bilbao

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AADDDDIITTIIOONNAALL IINNFFOORRMMAATTIIOONN

THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES: üTips, porter and other services not included specifically. üArrival/Departure transfers from the airport of Bilbao at the beginning and the end of the circuit. CHILDREN POLICY: (for other options of arrival, please contact us) üUp to 2 years old they are FREE: The client will üTransport and guide during the tour included on pay to the hotel directly on the amount of the crib each route. or rollaway bed or other hotel services required. As well as the possible lunch expenses during the üAccommodation based on Bed & Breakfast - full day excursions. Double at the selected Hotel Category

üDossier with extensive documentation üFrom 2 to 11 years: 40% Discount on basis of üInformation / Maps / Fact Sheet daily activities double price. It will be always considered that the cities program, etc. child will have to be accompanied by 2 adults in üPanoramic tour and guided walking tour at the the same room, and this way will be able to enjoy Three Capitals the rest of the circuit services. üEntrances tickets to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and San Telmo Museum in San TRANSPORTATION: Sebastian. The type of transport can vary depending on the üVisit to the Sanctuary of Aranzazu + Visit to the number of clients for the selected dates and tour. Tower House and Basilica of San Ignacio de It could be a minivan with driver guide, or a Loyola. minibus or a regular bus.

üVisit to the Monumental Quejana (depending on availability, otherwise Ethnographic Museum LODGING: Artziniega). We guarantee the hotel category. The specific üPass at the Transporter Bridge of Biscay. selection of the hotel in each case will be informed at the time of confirmation. All the ü Guided Walking Tour in Getaria / Oñati / hotels are very well located in the city centres and Laguardia. they are all of very good quality. üService of information and telephone assistance prior to travel. LANGUAGE: üInsurance for the circuit and stay. The guaranteed spoken languages will be English üUse of Highways at all possible stages of the and Spanish. Consult other language options, Tour. depending on the number of clients in each case.

üInformation on shopping and typical products BOOKINGS: during the Tour. üConfirmation of reservations in less than 24h THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE:

üDinners or lunches during the trip and stays. üTickets to museums or monuments which are not included above. üExtra services not included in the program.

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CCOONNTTAACCTT FFOORR IINNFFOORRMMAATTIIOONN AANNDD RREESSEERRVVAATTIIOONNSS

(+34) 946 071 707

(+34) 946 071 701

[email protected]

www.stipaisvasco.com

Booking Department Timetable (local time GMT+1): Monday to Friday 9:00-14:00h & 16:00 – 19:00h Saturdays 9:00-13:00h 24h Assistance phone number: (+34) 946 071 707

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Mr. Gorka Marques – Marketing Manager

(+34) 946 071 707 [email protected]

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