The stunning architecture of the grand Donostia-San Sebastián City Hall overlooking the peaceful, sandy beach, with the vibrant greenery towering over it from behind, in the Basque Country, Spain.

The distant village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra overlooking the vast number of vibrant vineyards spread across the countryside of La Rioja, Spain.

Typical Basque bar with a set of carefully prepared pintxos, a variety of vibrant ingredients rolled on top of a slice of bread, on a display on a slate board, in Spain.

Three wooden buckets amongst a large vineyard in a dry countryside in La Rioja wine region, on a cloudy day in Spain.

An aerial view of the stunning landscape of San Sebastián, with the verdant hills, island and bustling city surrounding the vibrant bay of La Concha, on a beautiful day in the Basque Country, Spain.

Spanish Gourmet Collection: Rioja to San Sebastián

1 nights from $2,059pp

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San Sebastián itself is arguably Spain’s most famous region for food. It boasts more Michelin stars per square meter than anywhere else in Europe (only beaten by Kyoto in Japan), which makes it a food lovers Mecca. Combine this with the incredible Tempranillo grapes of Rioja and you’ll end up with the ultimate gourmet wine experience!

Highlights of our Rioja to San Sebastián Gourmet Tour

Accommodation in a luxury five-star hotel in the heart of San Sebastián
Visit and tasting at a selection of prestigious wine estates around Rioja
Wonderful winery lunch at a prestigious wine estate in Rioja with accompanying wines
Superb eight-course lunch with accompanying local wines in a three-star Michelin restaurant.
Private pintxos experience in San Sebastián

Day 1: Begin Your Gourmet Experience in Rioja

After arriving in Bilbao, clients will be welcomed at the airport by a SmoothRed travel representative. Travel into the heart of Rioja visiting one of the region’s most famous wine estates.

Enjoy a wonderful lunch with accompanying wines in the elegance of this prestigious wine estate where you will enjoy a typical Riojan lunch, served with carefully selected wines that complement the food. In the afternoon visit a boutique wine estate for an afternoon tasting paired with local delicacies before travelling to San Sebastián.

That evening stay in a luxury five-star belle-époque hotel superbly located in the historic city just moments from the main attractions and just meters from the sea.

Nothing is more Basque than a pintxos tour! Meet your guide in the hotel’s lobby for your culinary tapas experience. During this three-hour tour you will discover the best pintxos (Basque tapas) bars in town on a dinner crawl in San Sebastián’s famed Old Town.

Day 2: Explore the City Before a Three-Starred Michelin Lunch

This morning explore the city (option for a biking experience). Lying on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, being surrounded by hills, and offering a lively beach front, San Sebastián is a city that boasts a range of natural beauty with fabulous architecture, plazas and parks dotted throughout the city and is well-deservedly label as the “pearl” of the north of Spain.

Meet with your travel manager and enjoy a meal of a lifetime at the three-starred Michelin restaurant ‘Arzak’ for lunch – eight unforgettable courses with local wine by a highly talented chef Jean Mari Arzak and founder of the new Basque cuisine accompanied by local wines chosen by the Sommelier. This restaurant frequently tops the top 20 restaurants in the world!

Where You Could Stay in San Sebastián

Hotel Maria Cristina

Hotel Maria Cristina is a five star belle-epoque style hotel in San Sebastian which is (utterly gorgeous and) superbly located in the historic city.

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