Full Itinerary and Tour details for

Basque Country 8-day Tour

Prices starting from. Trip Duration. Max Passengers. 2700 € 8 days 8

Start and Finish. Biarritz / Biarritz

Experience. Tour Code. Food Tours Europe #B1/2693 Basque Country 8-day Gourmet Food Tour

Tour Details and Description

Coloured by the flavours of nearby and the traditional tastes of the Pyrenees, the food and of the Basque country boasts a long and illustrious history. Highlights of this 7-day-all-inclusive tour include:

Tasting the famed chilli pepper, pride of the Basque Country. Red, lustrous, gently spiced and full of fruity flavour, it forms the basis of many Basque recipes, including the famous , an of peppers and tomatoes.

Enjoying , well known to be one of the best hams in the world! Your guide, Pierre, will show you how this beautiful meat is produced – from field to the plate.

The local culinary scene is a combination of French and Spanish dishes and you will get to enjoy it as part of our tour. Vibrant and brightly coloured, sea fish is a hero ingredient in the of the Basque coast, as well as the dish of , a of Atlantic tuna fish cooked with and , and a plate of , small local squid served in their ink or with a serving of onion and pepper marmalade.

As well as the pork used for making ham and charcuterie, other meats also occupy an important place in Basque cuisine. is a dish of chicken pieces sautéed with onions and peppers, then cooked slowly with a glass of .

A trip to this region would not be complete, without trying the famous dessert of - filled with custard or, more traditionally blackberry jam.

We will also visit , Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz and St Jean Pied de Port markets and fill our baskets with cheeses, fresh vegetables and seafood.

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At the end of our days, we will sample a few • Five full day tours, visiting stunning little villages pintxos (or snacks, like our Spanish cousins) and gourmet experience in the Basque Country pairing with a glass or two of Irouléguy, the only • Entry fees to local attractions whenever they apply AOC-certified vineyard in the Basque Country. • Free transport to and from the local Biarritz airport on arrival and departure You will visit two of our favourite restaurants in • Free Wi-Fi in accommodation France. The first, Chez Mattin in a small Ciboure village. On the menu, duck confit, their • A pre-departure briefing to discuss travel legendary ttoro (pronounced “tioro”), an arrangements for the tour excellent, spicy multi-fish ragout (conger, hake, Not included in the tour: monkfish, with mussels and langoustines as well) • Travel to the tour/from the tour served in the pot it was cooked in. The second in • Travel insurance Navarre mountains, close to the Spanish border, • Any and drinks not mentioned as being where you will enjoy locally produced sheep’s included in the tour milk cheeses from Iraty, seated on the terrace around a pink sandstone table, perfect (ham and salt cod) superb plancha-grilled cod with potatoes, sweet chilies, parsley and onion, and finally a homemade bukatzeko etxeko gozoak (dessert) - a rich chocolate tart.

Sweet or savoury, everything in the Basque country is an excuse for playing with flavours and having a party. Each evening Francois will cook dinner for you (and with you, for those who want) using local recipes and seasonal produce. The menu will vary from night to night based on what you and the other 7 guests would like – we love your special requests!

Included in the Food Tour: • 7 nights’ accommodation in a fantastic villa surrounded between sea and mountain with twin share room and private bathroom • 5 and 7 dinners, as well as continental every day • Coffees/Teas daily Itinerary • Regional and French with all your meals • Michelin star Francois cooks each dinner for you and with you (for those who want) using local recipes and seasonal produce Day 1

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on the Camino de Santiago de Compostella YOUR BACKROAD ADVENTURE IN BASQUE pilgrimage route. Buying a traditional product in the COUNTRY Not a traditional itinerary, but these are Basque Region allows you to take a part of this the experiences you will enjoy! With its own fascinating region home with you, together with great language, unique climate and a very distinct cultural memories from France. A popular gift to take home is identity, Basque is a very special part of France and a pair of authentic Basque espadrilles sandals, our 7-day-tour will cover the very best of this region. “handicraft” household linen or a traditional Basque A beacon of beauty the Basque Region, or Euskadi Beret. As part of our tour, you will get to visit as it is known in its local language, is unlike the rest workshops where these beautiful items are made. of the French regions. The Basque people are very proud and they captivate all who visit. From the dramatic cliffs to the sandy beaches, there is nothing not to love about the landscape here. In just one hour you can go from the rugged Pyrenees Mountains to the Atlantic Coastline. Biarritz is an exceptional destination located in the heart of the Basque Country. Recently, the French Government has chosen the brand Biarritz-Basque Country, a jewel of international tourism, to underline the advantages of tourism in France, along with 19 other destinations. Bayonne owes its significant architectural heritage to its rich history. Bayonne has strong policies on heritage and culture and obtained France's official “Town of Art & History” status in 2012, in recognition of 2,000 years of history and rich heritage. We will visit typical Basque villages and country landscapes. San Sebastian is incredible, but if you really want to sink your teeth into Basque culture then a day trip to one of its quaint little villages is also a must. Espelette and Ainhoa are amongst the most well-known – mostly because of its famous peppers. The houses here are built in the traditional Basque manner and the streets are lined with boutiques and artisanal markets selling homemade chocolates among other delights. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is another village worth visiting, if only for its beautiful beach. This glimmering, gold beach is right in the centre of the town and is perfect for lying out in the sun, listening to the waves lap the shore. Around 40km – 30 miles to the east of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. This town is imbued with historical significance because it is a strategic point

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