This program was custom designed to combine hiking, biking, and kayaking with a look at Northern Spain’s culture, history, art, architecture, local food and drink, and more.
This itinerary is subject to change. Travel demands flexibility. We will strive to balance adaptability with remaining on schedule. Please trust that, when it is not possible to follow the plan laid out below, your program leaders will work to find substitutions that retain the quality of this Study Travel program. Various details may be added or changed due to information obtained while making reservations, or perhaps on site, especially because of the weather. BLD indicate included group meals. We have chosen to primarily have lunch together, so as not to be eating until midnight because of the Mediterranean schedule.
Friday, September 8 Depart U.S.
Individual departures from your hometown.
Saturday, September 9 Barcelona (D)
After you arrive in Barcelona, make your way to our hotel. We’ll meet up for an evening dinner reception at our hotel. Overnight at Hotel Roger de Lluria or similar.
Sunday, September 10 Barcelona (B, L)
Today we’ll begin to explore Barcelona, enjoying a Sunday morning traffic-free introductory bike ride around Barcelona. We’ll have a group lunch together followed by a guided visit to the iconic Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, still under construction. Even if you’ve seen it before, you’ll be amazed at the transformation now that the interior has been cleared of scaffolding and consecrated as a sacred space. Built using the forms of nature as a guide, this amazing building is due to be completed by the year 2026, in time for the 100-year anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudi’s death. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Hotel Roger de Lluria or similar.
Monday, September 11 Barcelona (B, L)
Today is a long day packed full of wonderful adventures. We start with a fantastic introduction to the “modernista” era on an introductory walking tour with our local guide Mariano. We’ll visit the Casa Milá, one of Gaudi´s apartment buildings on the Passeig de Gracia and enjoy the fantastic rooftop and audiovisual space in the attics. After a group lunch, we’ll visit Park Güell, Gaudi’s “garden city” turned public park. To better appreciate the phenomenal tile work known as “trencadis”, we’ll also do a hands-on workshop led by one of the art historians that has worked on the restoration of Park Güell. Those who wish might enjoy a trip in your free time this evening to see the Montjuic fountain with its lights and water that dances to music. Overnight at Hotel Roger de Lluria or similar.
Tuesday, September 12 Barcelona (B, L)
We explore the center of town today, visiting the Ramblas and the iconic Boqueria market where we will shop for ingredients to make our own lunch. Don’t worry, we’ll have the help of some local chefs to make sure we do a good job, and we’ll all leave with recipes to make at home. This afternoon there is free time for optional visits to the Picasso Museum, the Miró Foundation, or if you are a soccer fan, the Barca stadium. We’ll be keeping an eye on possible soccer games as well, to see if those who wish can attend a game while in town. If the concert schedule allows, we’ll attend a concert at the magnificent modernist venue of the Palau de la Musica Catalana. This stunning building is the work of Catalan architect Domenech i Muntaner, and delights the visitor both with its beauty and acoustics. Overnight at Hotel Roger de Lluria or similar.
Wednesday, September 13 Barcelona to Girona (B, L)
Today is another big day! This morning we head out of town to Montserrat. This visually amazing “serrated mountain” is the home to the Benedictine Monastery of Saint Mary, the image of the Virgin Mary that inspires local devotion called “La Moreneta,” and the Montserrat Boys’ Choir. We’ll have time to see the cultural sites, enjoy a beautiful mountain-y hike, and perhaps sample the digestive liqueur made by the monks that live here. After a group lunch together we’ll continue on to Girona, with free time and dinner on your own. Overnight in Girona, hotel TBA.
Thursday, September 14 Girona (B, L)
We’ll head north this morning to the beautiful Costa Brava to enjoy a half-day sea kayak adventure up along the rocky and cove-filled coast of Catalunya. Those who prefer to park it on the beach can lay down their towel and enjoy a peaceful morning. We’ll plan a traditional group lunch at the beach before heading back to Girona in the late afternoon. Evening free with dinner on your own. Overnight in Girona, hotel TBA.
Friday, September 15 Girona or Rural Hotel (BL)
Today we’ll enjoy a leisurely cycling adventure through vineyards and then visit and have a group lunch at a winery. It is the grape harvest season which brings the benefit of seeing how grapes are harvested and turned into wine. Overnight in Girona or a rural winery hotel.
Saturday, September 16 Girona to Hondarribia (B, L)
We’ll transfer to Barcelona and fly to San Sebastian, and continue on to the charming village of Hondarribia, located 20 miles east of San Sebastian. We’ll take a guided walking tour of this picturesque fishing village with its medieval wall. Our final schedule for this day will depend on flight times that are not available to us yet, but once we know the timing, we’ll confirm all the fun activities for the day. Overnight in Hondarribia, hotel TBA.
Sunday, September 17 Hondarribia (B, L)
This morning we’ll canoe down the Bidasoa River that separates France from Spain and empties into the Bay of Biscay right between Hondarribia in Spain and Hendaya in France. Group lunch at an appropriate point. After our lovely float down the river, we’ll explore some of the caves near the border of France before returning to the hotel for the evening. Anyone up for an adventure can take the water taxi across the river to France for dinner. Hondarribia has wonderful options for dinner as well. Overnight in Hondarribia, hotel TBA.
Monday, September 18 Hondarribia to San Sebastian (B, L)
Today we’ll move to our home for the next 3 nights in charming San Sebastian. Those who are up for a big hike can do part of this transfer on foot, hiking up and over Jaizkibel, the mountain separating Hondarribia from San Sebastian. The views of the Bay of Biscay on one side, and the mountains on the other. This evening we have an optional and very fun “pintxo” outing to learn how to eat from the delectable morsels atop all of the bar counters here. Overnight in San Sebastian, hotel TBA.
Tuesday, September 19 San Sebastian (B, L)
This morning we enjoy a locally guided tour of San Sebastian, including some of its modern architectural wonders and its historic old town. The funicular will take us up Mount Igueldo with its old-timey amusement park and fabulous view of San Sebastian. Our group lunch today is a special meal at a private gastronomic society. Local gastronomic clubs, closed to the public, are a mainstay of Basque culture. Though traditionally only for men, modern clubs include women as well. Friends and families get together to cook and eat on a regular basis, socializing all afternoon or into the wee hours of the morning. Evening free for an extended stroll along the waterfront or shopping in the historic center perhaps. Overnight in San Sebastian, hotel TBA.
Wednesday, September 20 San Sebastian (B, L)
Today we’ll visit some of the works of local sculptor Eduardo Chillida and are privileged to enjoy a private visit of the Chillida-Leku collection. After our visit, we’ll head to a nearby cider house where local fermented apple cider is caught in your glass as it streams from large barrels. We’ll have a short tour to learn about the cider tradition, and a leisurely ciderhouse meal of cod omelette, cod sautéed with onions and peppers, and local grass-fed beef on the grill, getting up periodically to fill our glasses in the cider room. As you can see, Basque culture revolves around good eating! After our group lunch we’ll embark on a beautiful mountain hike as the locals do to aid digestion before heading back to our hotel in San Sebastian. Overnight in San Sebastian, hotel TBA.
Thursday, September 21 San Sebastian to Bilbao (B, L)
We’ll explore a bit outside the city before continuing on to Bilbao for our last stay. Wear your comfy shoes for a visit first to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, recently made a bit more famous by Game of Thrones as “Dragonstone Island.” In Basque, Gaztelugatxe means “castle rock” and it is connected to the mainland by a man-made bridge. There are 241 steps for anyone who wants to make the entire hike. Group lunch at an appropriate point. From Gaztelugatxe we will head to Bilbao for the evening. Overnight in Bilbao, hotel TBA.
Friday, September 22 Bilbao (B, L)
We’ll start our day with a guided walking tour of the city, including a visit at the gem of Bilbao, the Guggenheim Museum. This titanium wonder delights both in content and as an architectural wonder in itself. We’ll have some free time for exploring and packing up in the afternoon. We’ll begin our evening with a boat ride down the estuary and enjoy a fabulous final celebratory dinner together! Overnight in Bilbao, hotel TBA.
Saturday, September 23 End of Program
After breakfast, make your way to the airport for your individual flights home. ¡Hasta luego!
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