Arrive Bilbao where you will be met at the Bilbao airport by PerryGolf staff who will assist you to your private transfer awaiting to take you to your hotel.
Check-in to Gran Hotel Domine, a 5-star property overlooking the famed Guggenheim Museum. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Welcome drink and dinner at Nerua, the Michelin starred restaurant at the Guggenheim Museum.
OVERNIGHT: Gran Hotel Domine – Guggenheim View Room
GOLF: Today play Pedreña Golf Club. Many people think of the Costa del Sol as the place to play golf in Spain, and it surely is, but the game on the northern coast predates most of the Mediterranean courses by fifty years. One of the gems here, designed by none other than Harry S. Colt, is Pedreña, which happened to be the home club of none other than Seve Ballesteros. Opened in 1928, the course enjoys a spectacular setting on a small peninsula jutting into the Bay of Santander. While only 6,340 yards, Mr. Colt cleverly presents risk/reward opportunities that the thinking golfer will be challenged to master.
After the round, golfers shall enjoy a light lunch in the clubhouse.
SIGHTSEEING: We begin with a brief stop at the Vizcaya Bridge which was built in 1893 as the world’s first transporter bridge. Fewer than two dozen were ever built, and only 12 still operate. The unusual design features a gondola suspended by cables about 30 feet above the Nervion River that can ferry six cars and several dozen people to the other side in 90 Seconds. We will then enjoy the magnificent views of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe from a viewpoint. In the middle of the Basque coast and far away from any urban area, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a protected habitat. This idyllic place is located between the coastal towns of Bakio and Bermeo joined to the coast by a stone bridge and a 241-step staircase. Continue to Gernika where we will visit the Assembly House’s gardens to learn more about the Basque history.
Non-Golfers will enjoy a light lunch en route to the hotel in Bilbao where they will return mid-afternoon with time to relax.
This evening as is the custom in Basque region, we shall enjoy a walking dinner degustation tour that visits selected restaurants to enjoy a drink and their speciality pintxos. With a local guide, this is an immersive experience!
OVERNIGHT: Gran Hotel Domine – Guggenheim View Room
Today we enjoy a guided walking city tour, with visits to San Mames Stadium, the Old Quarter of Bilbao including the Mercado de la Ribera, Gran Via of Bilbao, the Arriaga Theatre and the Abandoibarra area for a tour of the Guggenheim Museum. Our private guide leads us through one of the most admired masterpieces of contemporary architecture. Design by famed architect Frank Gehry, the titanium-clad structure opened in 1997 to a rare reception of unanimous approval. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a walking tour of the Old Quarter. Bilbao was awarded the 2018 European City of the Year, in part surely because of the culinary experience. There are over 40 Michelin-starred restaurants in town and the surrounding Basque country!
The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore Bilbao on your own.
Enjoy dinner this evening on your own.
OVERNIGHT: Gran Hotel Domine – Guggenheim View Room
Check out of the hotel.
Golfers shall enjoy a light lunch in the clubhouse prior to teeing off.
GOLF: Today play Neguri Golf Club, or as it is known here, the Real Sociedad de Golf de Neguri. The club was founded in 1911 and has been at its present site since 1961. Boasting wide fairways and few hazards, this layout measures 6,900 yards from its championship tees. The nines are decidedly different. The front nine works its way along open terrain to the Cantabrian Sea where two holes play along 200 foot cliffs. The back nine is routed through a forest of towering Atlantic pines. Good luck on the 14th, a 211 yard uphill par three guarded by a single, magnetic bunker!
SIGHTSEEING: Non Golfers will head to La Rioja in order to enjoy a leisurely tour in the Añana Salt Valley, a cultural and natural salt landscape over 7,000 years old. In the midst of a recovery process to restore its sustainability, you will learn about the history, architecture, archeology and biodiversity of the salt works. This visit offers the possibility of enjoying the outdoor Salt Spa where you can submerge your feet and hands in hypersaline waters from the springs that are said to offer beneficial effects of salt water.
Non-Golfers will enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant in Añana. After lunch, travel to our next hotel and relax or enjoy the spa until the golfers’ arrival.
Tonight, everyone shall enjoy a light, casual dinner together at our hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Hotel Marqués de Riscal - Deluxe Spa Room
This morning we visit Laguardia or a walking tour of this walled medieval fortress town that was founded in 1164 in a region with history documented to the twelfth century BC. One of the highlights is the Portico of Santa Maria Church which is made of stone and consists of a double Gothic arch that forms five archivolts, all of them elaborately decorated.
From Laguardia we travel to the Viña Real winery. It is a sixth-generation traditional family Rioja winery where we will enjoy a guided visit and hosted tasting of their wines followed by a traditional Rioja style lunch.
Later we will enjoy a private guided visit to the Marques de Riscal Winery with wine tasting included.
Enjoy dinner this evening on your own.
OVERNIGHT: Hotel Marqués de Riscal - Deluxe Spa Room
Check out of the hotel.
This morning our group will depart the hotel to Vitoria, the capital city of the Basque region. Here we will meet our local guide for a private, walking tour highlighted by the medieval quarter home to the Gothic-style Santa María Cathedral with its sculpted façade and towering columns. The Church of San Miguel has a large, baroque altarpiece and houses a statue of the White Virgin, the city’s patron saint.
Afterwards, journey to San Sebastian. En route to our next hotel enjoy a panoramic tour by bus including views of Igeldo Mountain.
This afternoon enjoy a brief walking tour through the Old Quarter (Parte Vieja) of the city where you’ll find vibrant pintxo bars pairing local wines with specialty tapas.
Tonight we enjoy dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant.
OVERNIGHT: Maria Cristina Hotel – Premium River View Room
Golfers shall enjoy a light lunch in the clubhouse prior to teeing off.
GOLF: Today play Real Nuevo Club Golf de San Sebastian – Basozabal. Located a few minutes from the heart of San Sebastián sits this beautiful course designed by José María Olazábal. Set in a stunning location featuring 360 degree panoramic views of the most famous mountains in the area, this scenic and top rated parkland Spanish course boasts length and requires sound course management.
SIGHTSEEING: Non Golfers will meet our guide and depart for Getaria, a charming fishing village famous for its beaches and Txakoli white wine which enjoys a protected designation of origin and pairs wonderfully with the grilled fish that this town is known for. Our walking tour includes a tasting when we visit the Anchovy Maisor workshop.
View Google’s “Model Your Town” Tour of Getaria
Lunch at a local restaurant that specializes in grilled fish.
After lunch, we return to San Sebastián.
The remainder of the day and evening is at leisure to relax or explore the city on your own.
OVERNIGHT: Maria Cristina Hotel – Premium River View Room
GOLF: Golfers will play their final round on this tour in France, at Biarritz Golf Club - Le Phare, just to the north of Biarritz. It was originally built in 1888 for British expatriates living in the region. It has seen many modifications over the years and interestingly was the original home of the Biarritz green design which was later used at a number of courses in the USA. Unfortunately, the original hole was lost during the Second World War.
SIGHTSEEING: Non-Golfers will enjoy a half-day tour of Saint-Jean de Luz and Biarritz. We will start with a walking tour in Saint-Jean de Luz and allow some free time for shopping. The town's fortune has long been linked to its fishing and port. Today the enclave has managed to preserve its heritage while at the same time integrating modern creations. "Karrika Handi", or The Great Street, leads you to the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste where King Louis XIV married Marie-Thérèse of Spain in 1660. Facing Saint-Jean-de-Luz is Ciboure, the birthplace of composer Maurice RAVEL, and its church Saint Vincent with its fortress-like appearance. Biarritz is an elegant seaside town overlooking the Bay of Biscay. Since the 1800’s, it has been a popular vacation destination with European royalty who have been followed by modern global jetsetters, even attracting the G7 summit held here in 2019. Biarritz is also a major surfing destination which has produced an interesting blend of swanky dinner jacket only restaurants with hip boutiques.
Golfers and Non-Golfers will enjoy lunch in the Clubhouse of Biarritz Golf Club.
After lunch, return to the hotel to rest and relax.
Our Farewell Dinner this evening shall be at Mimo which is ideally located in our hotel. We will enjoy a medley of a cooking demonstration and memorable private dining experience of the very best of Basque food.
OVERNIGHT: Maria Cristina Hotel – Premium River View Room
Check-out and private transfer to the Bilbao or San Sebastián airport.