Bordeaux and Bordeaux and The Basque CountryThe Basque Country

One CountryTwo Nations

France & SpainOctober 17 – 27,

2015Average Temperature

Low: 50 °F

High: 70 °F

BordeauxBordeauxOur flight leaves from Detroit on October 17 at 9:35pm and we travel to Paris then to Bordeaux and arrive at 2:40pm.

As capital of the Aquitaine region in France, Bordeaux has a population of nearly a quarter million people.

After we arrive and check-in we will have a small walking tour of the city before we visit a Wine Café.

The city itself is flat and expansive; a lack of skyscrapers due to weak soil makes the city thrive with stone masonry as a city would in the 18th century.

Day 2 - Arrive

Overnight in Bordeaux

VineyardsVineyards

The vineyards of Bordeaux are a stunning sight to see. With a production of nearly 960 million bottles of wine every year, Bordeaux’s vineyards are above an industrious level.

On day 3 we will have a more extensive walking tour. We will visit a winery for a tour and tasting before we sit down for a regional cuisine dinner.

Day 3 - Bordeaux

Overnight in Bordeaux

BiarritzBiarritz

In the morning we will drive to a beautiful coastal town with luxurious beaches, hotels, and cafes. We will go on a small tour and have lunch in a local seaside cafe. After, you can decide to explore, shop, or sightsee.

Day 4 - Biarritz

Overnight in Biarritz

San SebastiánSan SebastiánIn the morning from Biarritz we will drive to the 2016 European Capital of Culture, San Sebastián. This city uses events like the San Sebastián International Film Festival to become one of the most visited places in Spain. We will have a walking city tour followed by a regional cuisine lunch. Ernest Hemingway's trips to San Sebastián encouraged him to write his novel, The Sun Also Rises. We will visit Loyola Court this day, it is near the birthplace of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits.

Day 5 – San Sebastian

Overnight in San Sebastian

BilbaoBilbaoWe will drive to Bilbao in the morning. Over the years it has become industrialized and urbanized just behind Barcelona. The Zubizuri foot bridge, Plaza Nueva, and the Bizkaia Bridge (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) bring an excellent mix of past and future to Bilbao. We will have a walking tour to see all these sights with time to explore and go shopping. We will visit the Basque Culture & History Museum after our tour. Together we will eat a regional dinner before the day ends.

Day 6 – Bilbao

Overnight in Bilbao

Guggenheim MuseumGuggenheim MuseumModern and contemporary art are highlighted inside the museum. The changing of exhibits and singular permanent exhibit, The Matter of Time, create a memorable experience unlike any other. During our second day in Bilbao, we will visit the Guggenheim Museum. After, you can organize whatever you want by picking between the Bilbao Art Museum or exploring and shopping.

Day 7 – Bilbao

Overnight in Bilbao

PamplonaPamplonaWe will drive in the morning to the city of Pamplona. Today the city is world famous for the San Fermín festival, the running of the bulls. We will have a regional lunch when we arrive and then go on a walking city tour. Marvelous gardens and the city center create an amazing environment to explore.

Day 8 – Bilbao

Saint Sernin & Saint Saint Sernin & Saint NicholasNicholas

The 13th century Saint Sernin and Saint Nicholas (right) gothic cathedrals are the most notable historic buildings to see in Pamplona. The Cathedral of Saint Mary the Royal (left) is a building that goes all the way back to the 1st century BC.

Day 8 – Bilbao

Overnight in Pamplona

LourdesLourdesThe Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is a pilgrimage destination for those seeking to be healed by the Lourdes cleansing waters.

With 22 separate places to worship encompassing the Lourdes grotto, the Roman Catholic Church administrates an area that has seen over 200 million visitors since 1860. We will be visiting the many Basilica Shrines that are here. We won’t be staying in Lourdes; instead we will be traveling to the Bordeaux Countryside later that night.

Day 9 –Lourdes

Overnight in Bordeaux Countryside.

Bordeaux CountrysideWe will stay in a small countryside town to get a taste of a hidden Aquitaine Country. We will be able to see vineyards, go hiking, and visit small village. By the end of the day, we will travel back to the city of Bordeaux.

Day 10 – Countryside

Overnight in Bordeaux

Final Day in BordeauxOur final day in Bordeaux ends with our flight at 11:00am, so there is unfortunately not enough time for us to explore even more of Bordeaux.

Day 11 – Flight Home