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Basque Country
Deep in Basque Country, From the Mountains to the Sea
May 17 - 24, 2026
Where
Basque Country
Group Size
8 - 12 Travelers
Duration
8 Days, 7 Nights
Price
5,500 USD / person
Be it urban or rural, there’s something wild, exuberant and utterly delicious about Basque Country, a small but mighty region that straddles the northwest border of Spain and France. Besides the area’s unique language and culture, the Basque Country’s cooking stands apart, with recipes and dishes – both old and new – that are famous the world over (Basque cheesecake, anyone?).
In recent years, some of the region’s cities, such as San Sebastian and Bilbao, have become culinary pilgrimage sites, home to many of Europe’s most exciting kitchens. At the same time, young chefs and producers have been going back to the land, reviving some of the Basque Country’s almost lost rural traditions, creating yet another enticing layer to explore. On this 8-day trip through the Basque Country, exploring is exactly what we’ll do, going on an edible journey that takes us from city to countryside, mountains to sea and even from Spain into France.
As we make our way through the Basque Country’s stunning landscapes, we’ll get to meet the culinary artisans who are helping put this region on the map, from a young chef who moved back to his remote home village to open up one of Spain’s most unique restaurants to the pioneering winemaker working to safeguard the region’s ancient vines. In the bustling streets and taverns of Bilbao and San Sebastian, we’ll join the locals for pintxos, the region’s exquisite bar snacks, and crisp cider, while over the border in France we’ll see the Basque Country’s agricultural bounty on display in small town markets. As we experience firsthand the Basque Country’s revival, all aspects of local life – language, culture, history, music and folklore – will play out for us through the incredible region’s cooking and food.
MEET
HARVEST
LEARN
EXPLORE
FEAST
Your itinerary
Day 1
Arrival & Welcome
As travelers arrive, we’ll gather at our hotel for a welcome drink and begin getting to know our guides.
Our trip begins in Bilbao, the largest city in Spain’s Basque region and the area’s economic and cultural capital. After checking into our hotel, we’ll head out for an exclusive private dinner at one of the most iconic of Basque institutions, the txoko. Traditional clubs where members gather to cook and eat together, txokos trace their roots back to rural cider houses which served as convivial meeting spots – and that same spirit is today found in Basque cities. In Bilbao, we’ll be joined at our txoko by a local chef, who will prepare for our group a night of classic Basque dishes accompanied by local wine and lots of good cheer.
Day 2
Bilbao Reborn
Day 3
Back to the Land
Leaving the city behind, it’s now time to dive into Basque rural life and learn about how its traditions are being both preserved and reimagined by a new generation that’s going back to the land. We’ll do this by spending the day at a caserío, a traditional Basque farmhouse, that’s been restored by a botanist and culinary anthropologist named Gorka Menéndez. Giving us an introduction to Basque country life and traditions, Gorka will also walk us through his property and show us what he’s growing. Together with our trip leader Blanca, a chef and edible plants expert, we’ll forage for some seasonal wild crops unique to the region. The two will also give us an edible demonstration of a special project they are working on together – the creation of a “Basque miso,” which uses Japanese techniques and local ingredients such as acorns to create something completely original. We’ll end our visit to Gorka’s caserío with a rustic land-to-table lunch featuring what we’ve foraged and other farm fresh delights, such as roasted vegetables topped with fresh cheese and a hearty Basque bean stew.
In the late afternoon we’ll check into the Palacio de Luko, a stunning 18th-century rural manor house that will be our base for the next two nights.
Day 4
Into the Wild
Day 5
Txakoli Time
We’ll check out after breakfast and then hit the road in search of the secrets of one of the Basque Country’s most celebrated and iconic wines: txakoli. Heading north, we’ll make our way to the Gipuzkoa region, the wine’s main growing area. Here we’ll meet with Aitor Irazu, a passionate maker of natural wines who is part of a new movement of bottlers who are redefining what txakoli can be. On a walk through one of his vineyards, Aitor will explain to us how he works the land using organic and regenerative practices and will then give us an al fresco tasting of some of his superb wines.
After our tasting among the vines, we’ll head back to Aitor’s winery – also his home – to get a sneak sip of his upcoming vintages with a tasting of some young wines that have just been barrelled. We’ll finish our day here with a family-style lunch that we’ll all cook together under Aitor’s direction. There will be locally-made cheeses, grilled meats, a traditional Basque cod stew and, of course, more of his wine.
In the late afternoon we’ll make the short trip to San Sebastian and check into our next hotel. The evening will be free for exploring the seaside town.
Day 6
Down By the Sea
Day 7
The French Connection
Day 8
Farewell & Departure
Meet the Crew
We are firm believers in the power of local knowledge. Our guides and the culinary masters and other artisans who are part of our trips all deeply reflect that. Meet some of our local heroes:
Paula
Gonzalo
Blanca
Gorka
Bixente
Edorta
Aitor
Where you'll stay
Carlton Hotel
This trip’s focus on deeply local experiences and places is also well reflected in our choice of accommodation. We always select boutique and independent places, ones inspired by international standards while staying loyal to the area’s local heritage – that’s the balance we seek for more than a good night’s rest. In Bilbao, we’ll be staying in the historic Carlton Hotel, first opened in 1926. The Beaux Art style hotel was designed by the local architect Manuel Maria Smith Ibarra and still has many of its charming original details while also having been brought up-to-date with modern touches. Centrally located, the landmark hotel makes a perfect launching pad for exploring Bilbao and its bustling streets.
Palacio de Luko
While visiting the Basque countryside, our group will stay at the Palacio de Luko, a restored 18th-century manor house that exudes country charm. Located in the rural and picturesque Álava region, the building housing the hotel once belonged to a local nobleman and still maintains a strong sense of history while having been renovated with comfort and style in mind.
Catalonia Donosti
Overlooking La Concha Beach, the Catalonia Donosti will be our home during our stay in San Sebastian. Like the other hotels we will be staying in, the Catalonia Donosti – set inside a former convent – has historical touches with modern flourishes and is an ideal location for exploring the town or taking in the view over the beach and sea.
Hear what travelers are saying
We would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to take their time getting to know more about the fantastic food, wine and cultural traditions of the Basque country in Spain.
Gerry H.
What a wonderful exploration of tastes and especially of lesser known locales, frequented more by locals than tourists. Our guide gave us the kind of colorful commentary that brings a place and food scene to life.
Vivian G.
Our guide was amazing and so full of invaluable information! We gained so much knowledge of the area and cuisine that we could not imagine not having done it.
Julie C.
Know before you go
Pricing and Accommodation
The total cost of this trip is $5,500. For travelers wishing to have single accommodations during the trip, an additional $1500 will be due at the time of the final payment. A $500 non-refundable deposit per traveler is required to secure space on the trip. The balance is due 90 days prior to the start of the trip.
Activity Level
Travelers should be reasonably fit and feel comfortable walking 3 to 5 miles each day and remaining on their feet for long periods of time
Arrival and Departure
For flights into Bilbao Airport, we suggest you arrive by 3 p.m. on Day 1. The trip ends in San Sebastian and departure can be at anytime on Day 8. If you are flying out of Bilbao, please note that you are responsible for your own journey back there (the two cities are about an hour’s drive apart and there are frequent buses from the city center to the airport). We are happy to book you extra nights at the group hotels if you arrive early or stay on for some extra time and provide suggestions for things to do and see in the city on your own.
Inclusions
<ul class="rich-bullet-list"><li><p>All accommodation throughout the trip in stylish, boutique hotels.</p></li><li><p>Professional guides throughout the entire experience.</p></li><li><p>A belt-popping experience, with all meals and drinks included in planned activities.</p></li><li><p>All activities and events as mentioned in the itinerary.</p></li><li><p>A hungry group of Culinary Backstreets travelers, excited to explore all that the Basque Country has to offer!</p></li></ul>
Exclusions
<ul class="rich-bullet-list"><li><p>Transportation and flights (Bilbao or San Sebastian airports) including airport transfers.</p></li><li><p>Additional meals and drinks outside of Culinary Backstreets offerings.</p></li><li><p>If applicable, applying for visa (not required for U.S. citizens).</p></li><li><p>Travel insurance (recommended).</p></li></ul>
Dietary Restrictions
We encourage an adventurous palate! We try our best to accommodate dietary restrictions, though in most cases ingredients can’t be substituted or omitted from particular dishes. If you have a particular food allergy or intolerance, please contact us to find out if this is the right trip for you.
Cancellation Policy
<p>You may cancel 90 days before the start of the trip and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. If you cancel on or after 60 days before the start of the trip there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after 30 days there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or cases of the trip being canceled (see our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-[#781e2a] underline" href="https://foxlabs-development.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/foxlabs-development/images_imported/For+CB+Trips_+Terms+%26+Conditions_updated2022.pdf">Terms and Conditions</a> for full details).</p>
Notes on Itinerary
Itineraries and daily schedules are subject to change. We expect to do everything listed in the itinerary, though the order may be rearranged based on weather or other local conditions.
Safety and Sustainability
<p>We have reinforced our commitment to sustainability and safety with new guidelines to assure maximum safety of our guests on our trips while maintaining the quality of the experience. All of our experiences are designed to have minimal impact on the community and environment. For more details on our precautions, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-[#781e2a] underline" href="https://cb-server.fly.dev/safety-and-sustainability"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-[#781e2a] underline" href="/safety-and-sustainability">read here</a>.</p></a>. Our cancellation policy is extremely flexible to deal with changes in travel plans.</p>
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