Spain at the Table: Barcelona, San Sebastián & Madrid

Barcelona

Private Airport Transfer, Meet & Greet , Spain Welcome Package, Self-Guided: A Taste of Barcelona

Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.. For your added comfort, an English-speaking assistant will meet you at your hotel lobby to walk you through your welcome package documents and assist with hotel check-in, if required.. A Welcome Package will be provided and will include any relevant documents or tickets required for your trip.. With hundreds of restaurant options, choosing where to dine in an unfamiliar city can prove to be a challenge. To assist, within your final trip documents, you’ll receive a supplemental composition which showcases our top restaurant suggestions for Barcelona, as selected by Memori Tours Destination Experts.

Accommodation: Neri (B) (Deluxe Room), Barcelona

Barcelona

City Highlights with Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, Sagrada Familia & Parc Guell (8 hrs) - Private

Meet your private guide and transportation, and embark on a full-day tour of Barcelona. Learn about famed modernist architect Antoni Gaudí and his extraordinary achievements throughout the city along the way.  Head along the elegant avenue Paseo de Gracia, one of Barcelona's most important shopping and business areas, where you'll find several of the city's most celebrated pieces of architecture, including two of Gaudi’s houses which you'll visit: Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà (known as La Pedrera). Casa Batlló is a surprising building with enigmatic forms, a colorful façade, and refined architectural details. La Pedrera is a sculptured residential building, and a fine example of how the wealthy lived at the beginning of the 20th century. From there, head to Gaudi's iconic Sagrada Familia, where you'll get to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and monumental masterpiece of architecture - still under construction over 100 years after building commenced. One of Barcelona's must-see sites, it's the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the entire world, and its unique style is not to be missed. You'll then admire the 4th century Roman Walls and 13th century Cathedral of Barcelona's old Gothic Quarter, before continuing to the world famous tree-lined pedestrian avenue Las Ramblas, where you can watch Barcelona's bustling local culture come to life. Round out your day with a visit to Parc Guell, in upper Barcelona, enjoying beautiful views out over the city. Built at the start of the 1900's, and though never fully completed before his death, it still remains one of Gaudi's most colorful and imaginative works, and one of the most impressive public parks in the world. Please note: Passports are required to visit the Sagrada Familia. Failure to present a valid passport may result in denied access. Sagrada Tickets are non-refundable & guaranteed only at time of purchase.

Accommodation: Neri (B) (Deluxe Room), Barcelona

Barcelona

Cooking Class & Market Visit (with Meal & Wine, 4 hrs) - Private

Discover the secrets of traditional cuisine as you learn how to cook some of Spain's authentic, typical dishes (paella, gazpacho, tapas) with the expert guidance of an English-speaking Chef. Make your way to the pre-defined meeting point where you'll begin with a walking tour around the famous La Boqueria market, where your chef will give you plenty of tips on picking local, seasonal products, and the freshest ingredients. From there, head back to the kitchen where you'll begin your cooking experience under the guidance of the chef, preparing elements of your very own meal. Finally, sit back and admire the scents and flavors of your creations as you dine on the dishes you've prepared, alongside delightful Spanish wine.

Accommodation: Neri (B) (Deluxe Room), Barcelona

Barcelona, San Sebastian

Private Train Station Transfer, Train - Barcelona - San Sebastian [5.5 hrs] - Premium , Private Train Station Transfer, Town Exploration - Self-Guided

Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.. Depart by train from Barcelona to San Sebastian. The train ride takes approximately 5.5 hours.. Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer. Please note, drivers may or may not speak English, as their sole responsibility is to transfer clients from one location to another. If you would like to add an English-speaking assistant or guide on your transfer, please speak with your Travel Consultant.. The town of San Sebastian is extremely pedestrian friendly, both along its beaches, and within the historic core. Spend some time at leisure, strolling the charming old quarter, perhaps opting to sample delicious tapas, or grabbing a drink and taking in the atmosphere like a local. For photo opportunities, a pair of old churches offer stunning architecture, while Basque culture is on display at the San Telmo Museum, housed in what was formerly an old 16th century convent. Mount Igueldo and Mount Urgull feature delightful views over the town and bay, while the park and gardens of the late 19th century royal Miramar Palace also has a peaceful vantage point out to La Concha Bay.

Accommodation: Lasala Plaza Hotel (B) (Premium Sea View Room), Barcelona

San Sebastian

1/2 Day Culinary Delight Walking Tour (4 hrs)

Enjoy a private culinary-themed walking tour in San Sebastian with the company of your local guide, a unique experience through the picturesque streets of this lively, coastal city. In every neighborhood you'll notice scores of establishments- some traditional, some offering original and innovative gastronomic jewels, some exhibiting tempting, delicious counters. That's why selecting a limited number of bars and planning a tasty route is as difficult as taking your place at a counter and picking out one single pintxo! To help alleviate things, your expert local guide will take you to the best spots in town, enjoying a selection of included drinks and pintxos, so you can experience what Basque cuisine is all about. During your half-day tour, you'll explore the old town between the sea and the River Urumea, as well as the marina and the fisherman's district. Looking at the sea, is the old Casino, nowadays the City Hall from where an elegant promenade with railings and streetlamps runs along beautiful La Concha Beach.

Accommodation: Lasala Plaza Hotel (B) (Premium Sea View Room), San Sebastian

San Sebastian

Txakoli & Cider: A Taste of the Basque Coast- Private

Set out on an authentic journey through the Basque Country, centered around two of its most iconic products: txakoli wine and traditional cider. Begin your day near Zumaia, either at a charming agrotourism farmhouse or along the dramatic Flysch cliffs. When the farmhouse is open, enjoy a light breakfast of local specialties. Otherwise, take in the coastal scenery with fresh Basque pastries and juice. Next, visit a txakoli winery, where you’ll explore the unique character of this crisp, coastal white wine and stroll through the surrounding vineyards. Your final stop is a traditional Basque cider house. After a short tour of the cellar, sit down to a generous and authentic lunch featuring a grilled ribeye steak, paired with cider poured straight from the barrel during the festive txotx ritual.

Accommodation: Lasala Plaza Hotel (B) (Premium Sea View Room), San Sebastian

San Sebastian, Bilbao

Transfer - Private - San Sebastian - Bilbao [1 hr] - Vehicle/Driver, 1/2 Day Bilbao Pintxos Walking Tour (with Drinks & Tapas, 3 hrs) - Private

Meet your private driver and vehicle for a transfer to Bilbao. Approximate travel time is just over 1 hour.. Today you'll set out on foot with a private guide for a half-day walking tour, experiencing the popular local custom of "txikiteo" and "pintxos" (tapas). Wander through the historic Old Quarter of Bilbao, popularly known as the “Seven Streets”, where more than 500 years of history have led to its current-day urban vitality. Strolling around the cobbled streets, charming corners and squares, which witnessed the intensive business and port growth of the city, you'll discover emblematic buildings such as Saint James's Gothic Cathedral, the Plaza Nueva (New Square), the San Anton Church and the Mercado de la Ribera (Seaside Market), which is the largest covered market in Europe. It's within the Old Quarter where you'll find the best places to try out local tapas. Your guide will take you on a gastronomic adventure, enjoying this Basque tradition - visiting three different restaurants and tasting the best pintxos on the narrow authentic streets in Bilbao's Old Quarter together with a glass of local wine txakolí. You'll be treated to a drink and pintxos at each of the three restaurants.

Accommodation: The Artist, Grand Hotel of Art (B) (Deluxe Room Guggenheim View), San Sebastian

Bilbao

Bilbao Walking Tour & Guggenheim Museum (4 hrs) - Private Tour, Bilbao at Leisure

Meet your private guide for a half-day walking tour of Bilbao and a visit to the Guggenheim Museum. Explore the cobbled streets and charming squares with your guide. Then wander over to the old quarter to admire the gothic cathedral of Santiago, Plaza Nueva, the San Anton's church, and the ancient ruins on which it is based, or head to the bustling Ribera market. Bilbao has over 500 years of history and walking through its historic streets with your private guide is an amazing way to discover it. Then head over to the Guggenheim Museum which holds the works by great artists such as David Salle, Chillida, Jeff Koons, Louis Bourgeois, and Robert Rauschenberg to name a few.  The building itself with its curved and twisted shapes, which are linked by glass curtain walls are worth taking a moment to stop and admire. At the end of your visit, return to your hotel on foot.. There are numerous things to see and do while in Bilbao. Aside from the world famous Guggenheim, why not seek out a fantastic view of the city by climbing the Mallona stairs from Plaza Unamuno to Parque Etxebarria. Perhaps you'd rather walk through Dona Casilda Iturrizar Park for its serene ponds and gardens. Kayaks are also available for rent on the bank of the Nervion River, and can offer a unique perspective on this intriguing city. You'd be surprised what you can find by looking around a bit.

Accommodation: The Artist, Grand Hotel of Art (B) (Deluxe Room Guggenheim View), Bilbao

Bilbao

La Rioja Wine Region Tour (with Wine Tasting & Lunch, 8 hrs) - Private

Enjoy a full day private tour exploring the famous La Rioja wine region, an absolute must for wine lovers. Depart from Bilbao with your private driver, continuing to La Rioja where you'll meet your private local guide, then explore this unique and privileged region with its monumental medieval villages and 12,000 hectares of vineyards, producing some of the world's best wines. You will observe the extensive wine culture, learn about the process of winemaking, and even taste La Rioja's specialties, as you enjoy two wine tours at different wineries with included wine tastings at each.  During the course of your day, an included lunch in a typical La Rioja restaurant will be provided for you, and please note, the winery stops may be altered to create a more enjoyable experience, away from larger crowds.

Accommodation: The Artist, Grand Hotel of Art (B) (Deluxe Room Guggenheim View), Bilbao

Bilbao, Madrid

Private Airport Transfer, Flight (Not Included) , Private Airport Transfer, Tapas Walking Tour (3 hrs) - Private, Self-Guided: A Taste of Madrid

Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer. Please note, drivers may or may not speak English, as their sole responsibility is to transfer clients from one location to another. If you would like to add an English-speaking assistant or guide on your transfer, please speak with your Travel Consultant.. A flight is required to take you to your next destination, and is currently not included on your itinerary. Please contact your Destination Expert if you would like us to book the flight for you.. Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.. Setting out on foot for three hours with a private guide, you'll visit the bars that are innovating and leaving a mark on Madrid’s tapas scene. Whether it be through using new techniques, incorporating new or forgotten ingredients, or by taking inspiration in cuisines from around the world, the gastronomic culture in Spain, and Madrid, is always evolving. You'll visit three restaurants, and within each you'll be treated to a drink and tapas. The restaurants included in this tour are aiming for the unexpected; they are looking to surprise their guest by presenting a classical dish and putting their own twist to it.. With so many options to choose from, deciding where to dine in an unfamiliar city can prove to be a challenge. To assist, within your final trip documents, you’ll receive a supplemental composition which showcases our top restaurant suggestions for Madrid, as selected by Memori Tours Destination Experts.

Accommodation: Hospes Puerta de Alcala (B) (Deluxe Room), Bilbao

Madrid

Walking Tour with Prado Museum & Royal Palace (6 hrs) - Private

Meet your private walking guide in the hotel lobby and set out on foot for a pleasant walking tour which reveals the secrets of the two must-see attractions of the Spanish capital: the Prado Museum, and the Royal Palace. Along the way, you'll get to discover the most important buildings and avenues of the vibrant Madrid, from the time of the Habsburgs and the Bourbons up until today. The Prado Museum is one of the most important art galleries in the world. Its main corpus is nourished by the royal collections treasured for centuries by different imperial dynasties. Together with Las Meninas de Velázquez and Goya’s May 3rd 1808 , the galleries are full of masterpieces from the Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools. After your visit of the Prado, you'll be treated to a coffee break to recharge your batteries and take in the local ambiance. From there, you'll follow your guide on a walk to Madrid's Royal Palace, the largest in all of Western Europe. Built during the 18th century by Felipe V, the first king of the Bourbon dynasty, it is used in modern times by the Spanish Crown. As you visit, admire the official reception rooms, the museum area, the Royal Chapel, the Throne Room and the private rooms of King Carlos III and Queen Isabel II. After your tour, you may continue your Palace visit at leisure before independent return to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hospes Puerta de Alcala (B) (Deluxe Room), Madrid

Madrid

Private Airport Transfer

Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.

Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport) ( ), Madrid