Luxury San Sebastian Wine Tours Weekend:
- VIP Wine Tastings in Txakoli and Rioja
- Michelin starred Basque Cuisine
- Luxurious Chauffeured Mercedes
San Sebastian is one of Spain´s loveliest cities and also quite the Gourmet Mecca, with its numerous Michelin starred restaurants and groundbreaking chefs. It´s also in easy distance to the wine country, with the vineyards of Txakoli less than half an hour away and the mythical wine region of Rioja less than a two hour drive. San Sebastian has one of the most glorious settings you could imagine- a small, pretty Belle Époque city nestled between the Bay of Biscay and the lush green hills of the Basque Country. The half moon bay of “La Concha” (meaning “the shell, as this beach looks like a scallop shell) is one of Spain´s nicest urban beaches and leads into the Casco Viejo (old town). The old quarter is jammed pack with quaint tapas and “pintxos” bars, Basque cider houses and traditional restaurants. Thoroughly charming! We have created this luxurious and romantic private tour of San Sebastian with a focus on wining, dining and sightseeing.
You will begin your tour with a visit to a tiny, family run Txakoli producer. You´ll taste their unique white wines while snacking on fresh Bonito tuna, Guindilla peppers and olives on an enormous terrace overlooking a beautiful vine covered valley reminiscent of Germany´s Mosel. On this weekend tour, you´ll also visit some top red wine estates in La Rioja such as Roda, located in Haro. You´ll have your own private driver for this tour, and so you can relax and enjoy your wine tasting! The Basque lands in Spain (there is also a large portion of the Basque Country in France) are full of wonderful surprises you will experience, from picturesque fishing villages like Getaria; fairy tale medieval villages like Hondarribia; fabulous cheeses such as Idiazabal; and ultra gourmet restaurants hidden in historic Basque farmhouses in the hills (Mugaritz, Etxebarri, and Zuberoa to name but a few). Your hotel is none other than the Maria Cristina, San Sebastian´s finest hotel located just across from the Kursaal opera house (where the annual Film Festival is held). Looking for a short wine tasting weekend in Northern Spain? Contact us for more info on this tour!
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San Sebastian Wine Tours Weekend Day By Day Itinerary |
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Day One - Txakoli Wine Tasting at Talai Berri & Fresh Sea Food Lunch |
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Port of Getaria
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This morning you will fly into Bilbao airport, and your elegant driver and luxurious Mercedes will be waiting for you. Drive east to the Guipúzkoa province of Basque Country (Pais Vasco) to the hills above Zarautz (a seaside resort town made famous by its resident TV celebrity chef Karlos Arguiñano). Arrive to the Txakoli wine estate of Talai Berri, one of our favorite wine families in Spain. Enjoy a short tour of this miniscule winery and a nice walk through the vineyards. Follow with a tasting of their wines paired with local Basque specialties like delicious fresh Bonito.
The colorful port of Getaria is next, just down the road from Zarautz along the rugged coastline. Before sitting down to one of the best seafood lunches of your life, spend half an hour to explore this cute fishing village with its exceptionally pretty church, medieval walkways and statues dedicated to the Basque navigator Juan Sebastián del Cano (who completed Magellan's expedition; they were the first crew to circumnavigate the world). Another famous son of this little hamlet was fashion designer Balenciaga. After some fresh air, settle into your lunch of fresh fish grilled to perfection. This is a major highlight!
After lunch, your driver will take you to your romantic hotel in San Sebastian. The rest of the night is yours to enjoy the local tapas bars or perhaps have dinner at one of the great Michelins like Arzak.
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Overnight: |
5* Luxury Hotel, San Sebastian |
Meals Included in Price: |
Seafood Lunch with Txakoli & Albariño wine, Bottle of wine in room |
Transfers: |
Bilbao- Getaria- San Sebastian |
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Day Two - VIP Wine Tasting at Ramon Bilbao & Dinner at Akelarre |
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Wine Barrels in Roda
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This morning your chauffeured Mercedes will pick you up at your hotel in San Sebastian or Bilbao and you´ll travel south through the green Basque Country into the wine region of La Rioja. This is a longish drive (approximately two hours each way) so relax and enjoy the scenery. La Rioja is probably the most well known wine region in Spain and is home to medieval hill topped villages and miles upon miles of vineyard covered valleys. The principal grape here is the noble Tempranillo grape. You´ll taste some fabulous examples of Tempranillo at its best today!
Your private tour will begin at a prestigious cellar such as Ramon Bilbao located in Haro. Receive a friendly welcome by your hosts followed by a private tour of the estate. You´ll have a tasting of the best wines the estate produces including a blockbuster wine that earned the coveted Trophy for Spanish red wine at The International Wine Challenge 2008 in London. Lunch is next at the best restaurant in Haro, in a converted monastery, excellent chef and service. Your last winery tour today then will be at the award winning Roda estate, famous for their Cirsión wine and olive oils. After a fantastic day in the wine country, return to San Sebastian. Relax and freshen up before dinner.
Tonight you have a gala dinner at Three Michelin starred Akelarre. The tasting menu paired with high-end wines will be waiting for you and your table will have views over the ocean, supremely romantic. You´ll have a special VIP chef´s welcome by gourmet guru chef Pedro Subijana, enjoy!
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Overnight: |
5* Luxury Hotel, San Sebastian |
Meals Included in Price: |
Full Breakfast, Gourmet Tasting Lunch with wine pairings, Michelin starred dinner with wine pairings |
Transfers: |
San Sebastian- Haro- San Sebastian |
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Day Three - Gastronomic Dining at Michelin Starred Mugaritz |
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Darling Hondarribia
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Today is a sighsteeing day, you are not in a rush and you can travel at your own pace. Sleep in if you like and at your preferred time your driver will pick you up and take you to Hondarribia, an enchanting village on the French border. Explore the town on your own or with your driver guide, taking in the cute squares, noble mansions and views over the port.
An outstanding gourmet lunch is up next at the Michelin starred Mugaritz, one of the best restaurants in Spain. Chef Andoni Luis is known as the “intellectual chef” and his creative culinary creations are mindboggling. You´ll have a tasting menu to try all of the chef´s flagship dishes, paired with wines from the Sierra Cantabria estate in Rioja. Unforgettable. The afternoon is yours with your driver on hand to explore San Sebastian, for example driving up Mount Igueldo to get those priceless views over San Sebastian and the Concha. Free evening.
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Overnight: |
5* Luxury Hotel, San Sebastian |
Meals Included in Price: |
Full Breakfast, Michelin starred Lunch with wine pairings |
Transfers: |
San Sebastian- Hondarribia- San Sebastian |
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Day Four - Depart San Sebastian |
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San Sebastian´s Rugged Coast
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This morning, depending on your flight time, your driver will take you to the Bilbao airport for your departure flight. We hope you have enjoyed yourself in beautiful San Sebastian this weekend and we look forward to seeing you again for another tour!
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Meals Included in Price: |
Full breakfast/ Early bird breakfast |
Transfers: |
San Sebastian- Bilbao airport |
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What's Included:
- Private chauffeured Mercedes for duration of day excursion
- Your own private wine guide
- 2 VIP winery visits to boutique cellars
- Vineyard Walks
- Spectacular Wine Tastings
- Gourmet Lunch with wine
- Excursion to Medieval Villages Samaniego, Laguardia and Briones
- Wine Gift
- All Local taxes
What's Not Included:
- Flights
- Meals and Drinks not Specified
- Personal Expenses such as Telephone, Minibar, etc
- Tips and Gratuities (Guides, Restaurants, etc)
- Travel Insurance (Strongly recommended)
- Cancellation Insurance
Prices:
This is a SAMPLE TOUR ITINERARY. Please note that our chauffeured luxury tours have the following starting prices:
| Pricing |
2 People |
4 People |
6 People |
8 People |
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500-1000 euros
per person per day |
450-850 euros
per person per day |
400-800 euros
per person per day |
375-750 euros
per person per day |
- Final price depends on chosen style of accommodation and dining. Please contact us with your group size (minimum 2 guests, no maximum group size), travel dates and preferences and we will send you custom pricing.
- Discounts available for larger groups
- Please note that our tours are available upon demand for PRIVATE GROUPS and are not scheduled tours for mixed groups.
More Information on this Luxury San Sebastian Wine Tours Weekend:
If you are interested in this package, contact us today for more information. This tour can also be adapted for bigger groups with a substantial discount. All of our tours are available year round upon request for your private group of minimum 2 people. If you would like us to customize a luxury gourmet tour for you, contact us with your requirements, and we can send you a free itinerary and quote with no obligations. We organize cooking packages and wine tours from 1 day, to weekends to longer food and wine discoveries throughout Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain.
Email us at: info@cellartours.com
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“I know that Ritz-Carlton knows a lot about luxury experience and exceeding expectations but you and Cellar Tours could teach us a few things.”
Peter J. Watzka, Executive VP, Ritz Carlton
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Customer Feedback:
“It was great to make the drive because you could better appreciate how the changing landscape influences the vines/wines. I think is a nice cross section of varietals and bodegas but the people/families behind the wines are what really make them stand out. I’m not sure if they treat everyone the way they treated us but we really felt special. We know there is no way in the world we would have known where to go, have found the bodegas or have been welcomed into the fold or have been given access to such special and fabulous wines. My regret: that I didn’t bring suitcases of the wines home to the states! ”
Holley Malia, California, USA