Roots & Soul of the Basque Country

Ongi etorri! Your Basque Country Alumni Tour begins with a smooth arrival at Bilbao or San Sebastián airport—both refreshingly manageable in size and easy to navigate. Upon landing, your private transportation will be ready, so you can settle in, relax, and enjoy the journey through the Basque countryside.

The road to Bilbao offers your first glimpse of what makes this region so special: verdant hills, winding rivers, dramatic landscapes, and a fascinating blend of ancient traditions and modern creativity. As you make your way to your home base for the week, get ready to discover a place where culture isn’t preserved in museums—it’s alive in the language, food, art, landscapes, traditions, and everyday life of its people.

Your day in San Sebastián begins with a private transfer to Chillida Leku, the extraordinary open-air museum created around the work and former home of Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida. Set among gardens, meadows, and centuries-old trees, monumental sculptures seem to become part of the landscape itself. Rather than simply viewing art in a gallery, you’ll experience Chillida’s work in the very environment that inspired his lifelong fascination with nature, space, light, and the Basque landscape. It’s a peaceful and deeply Basque introduction to one of the region’s most important artists.

From there, continue to San Sebastian, where you’ll discover another essential part of Basque culture: pintxos. With your UnGuide, you’ll explore the city’s highlights before heading into the atmospheric Old Quarter for a curated pintxos food tour. In the Basque Country, these small, beautifully crafted bites are much more than food—they’re part of a social ritual, bringing people together around lively bars and shared tables. With more than a thousand bars across the city, you’ll experience some of the best examples while tasting local specialties and drinks, soaking up the atmosphere, and discovering why San Sebastian has become one of Europe’s great culinary destinations.

Experience Gernika on its famous First Monday, one of the Basque Country’s most important traditional gatherings and a unique opportunity to see local culture in action. On this special day, farmers, producers, artisans, and visitors from across the region come together in the heart of Gernika, continuing a centuries-old tradition where rural life, local commerce, food, and community meet. Accompanied by your UnGuide, you’ll explore the town and learn about its remarkable history and cultural importance, while experiencing the lively atmosphere of this very special market day. Rather than simply hearing about Basque traditions, you’ll see them being lived and celebrated all around you.

Your experience continues with a visit to a local Txakoli winery, where you’ll discover the story behind this distinctive Basque wine and enjoy a tasting surrounded by the landscapes where it is produced. Afterwards, gather around the table for a meal in a traditional local restaurant, bringing together some of the flavors and hospitality that make the Basque Country so memorable. From Gernika’s historic streets to its farmers’ stalls, from a glass of Txakoli to a shared local meal, this day offers an authentic glimpse into the traditions, people, and rhythms that continue to shape Basque life today.

The Guggenheim Museum is one of Bilbao’s defining landmarks and a powerful symbol of the city’s transformation. Designed by Frank Gehry, its sweeping titanium curves and innovative architecture helped put Bilbao on the international map and turned the city into a reference point for contemporary architecture and urban renewal. With a local guide specializing in art, you’ll discover both the story behind the building and the highlights of its impressive collection, gaining a deeper understanding of why this museum has become such an important part of Bilbao’s identity. Outside, don’t forget to meet Puppy, the museum’s beloved floral guardian. Standing more than 40 feet tall and covered with thousands of flowers, this playful sculpture adds a colorful and distinctly whimsical touch to the museum’s monumental architecture.

From there, your guided visit continues into Bilbao’s Old Town, known locally as the Casco Viejo. Wander through its historic seven streets, discover centuries of history hidden among its plazas and buildings, and see how the traditional heart of Bilbao continues to thrive alongside the modern city. Together, these two sides of Bilbao tell the story of a city that has managed to embrace the future without losing sight of its past.

Spend a full day immersed in the landscapes, history, and traditions of La Rioja, one of Spain’s most celebrated wine regions. From the comfort of a private vehicle, you’ll travel through rolling vineyards, charming medieval villages, and sweeping views across the Ebro Valley, discovering how wine has shaped the culture and landscape of this neighboring region for centuries.

The experience begins at a family-run winery where wine has been produced since the 16th century, hidden beneath the ground in extraordinary underground caves carved into the earth centuries ago. These historic cellars still preserve the atmosphere and traditions of generations of winemaking, offering a fascinating glimpse into Rioja’s past. After exploring the caves and vineyards, the day continues at a château-style winery, an unusual and memorable contrast that showcases a more modern side of Rioja. Here, a private tasting and tasting-menu style lunch provide the opportunity to experience the region through its wines and cuisine while enjoying views over the barrel room and surrounding vineyards. To finish, take a gentle stroll through Laguardia, one of Rioja’s most beautiful medieval hill towns, where narrow stone streets, ancient walls, and panoramic views offer a fitting conclusion to a day connecting wine, history, landscape, and local traditions.

Every journey has its end, and today marks the final chapter of your Basque Country adventure. Your final day is yours to soak up the region’s beauty and culture in its last moments. Your UnGuide will share tailored recommendations to help you make the most of your time—whether it’s revisiting a favorite spot, exploring somewhere new, finding a last pintxo, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of Bilbao.

In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a special farewell dinner at a thoughtfully chosen local venue. Raise a glass to the places you’ve discovered, the stories you’ve shared, and the experiences that have brought you closer to the Basque Country. It’s a fitting final celebration of a week spent discovering not just a destination, but a culture and a way of life.

It’s time to say agur to the Basque Country. Before you leave, take some time to enjoy one last coffee, wander through Bilbao’s streets, or simply pause and reflect on the places, people, and experiences that have made this journey so special. Your UnGuide will make sure everything is in place for a smooth departure, with private transportation taking you comfortably to the airport.

As you make your way home, take more than photographs with you. Carry the stories of a culture unlike any other, the landscapes stretching from mountains to sea, the sounds of Euskera, the flavors shared around the table, and the warmth of the people you’ve met along the way. The Basque Country has a way of staying with you—and we hope this journey leaves you already dreaming of your next visit.