Explore a remarkable diversity of attractions that best reflect Spain’s free-spirited Basque country. In the region’s largest city of Bilbao, you will browse the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum – a modern work of art itself – and for contrast tour Old Town. You will enjoy a tasting of wines and tapas-like pintxos in the acclaimed La Rioja wine region and discover how Guernica became a symbol of peace following its destruction in the Spanish Civil War. A river crossing on an unusual UNESCO World Heritage site bridge will add more intrigue.
DAY 1
Upon arriving at the Bilbao Airport, you will meet our local English-speaking driver outside the luggage pick-up area and transfer to the Artist Grand Hotel of Art to spend a relaxing evening.
At the hotel, you will receive a welcome letter with the timings of the visits and the hospitality desk hours.
Meals will be on your own.
DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, you will enjoy the morning in the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao on a guided visit. The museum is an astonishing example of 20th-century architecture as Frank Gehry used 33,000 ultra-thin titanium plates to create its peculiar curves. Inside, the museum shares a remarkable private collection of modern and contemporary art with New York and Venice.
Afterwards, you will be served a delightful lunch of pintxos, small snacks similar to tapas. They are especially popular in the Basque country.
Continuing on, you will follow your guide towards the Seven Streets, Bilbao’s Old Town. It is one of the most well-known corners of the city with over 700 years of history. The urban core of Bilbao with its many shops, restaurants and bars, expresses the dynamism of the town and mingles well with icons such as the Cathedral and the elegant theatre inspired by the Paris Opera House.
After a full day of touring Bilbao, you will return to the Artist Grand Hotel of Art and enjoy an evening at your leisure.
DAY 3
After breakfast, you will accompany the guide for a relaxing drive through beautiful Spanish countryside. You will enter La Rioja wine region and explore the town of Laguardia. This area is abundant in archaeological remains, with Paleolithic, Roman and medieval testimonies. It is worth taking a stroll through Laguardia since its entire center is of artistic and historical interest.
After a guided walk, you will take a short drive towards the hidden gem, Baigorri vineyard, where the harvest is grown in harmony with nature, using both traditional and modern methods. Grapes come from old vines, deeply rooted, are picked by hand and processed in the most delicate way possible, to transform the authentic flavor of nature itself into wine.
During the visit you will have a chance to taste the winery’s offerings along with regional pintxos.
Continuing on, you will be treated to a palatable lunch in the ideal setting to enjoy the finest cuisine along with the wine culture. It will be well deserved moment to rest and relax with views of the vineyards and the barrel cellar.
In the afternoon, you will drive back to the Artist Grand Hotel of Art. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
DAY 4
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will drive to Bermeo, a fishing town whose harbor has preserved its traditional maritime charm. Founded in 1239, Bermeo features a historic quarter, old fishermen’s houses, charming streets, squares and an old port, all well worth exploration.
Afterwards, you will drive towards Guernica along the valley of the river Oka, which flows into the Gernika estuary. Nearby is the Urdaibai Nature Reserve, which UNESCO has declared to be a Biosphere Reserve.
The town of Guernica has plenty to offer. You will pass Casa de las Juntas – the meeting hall of the gentlemen of Vizcaya – the Church of Santa María, the Museum of Euskalerria and the Park of Peace, a urban oasis with colossal sculptures by Eduardo Chillida and Henry Moore.
In 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, German aircraft destroyed the town, a horrific act that inspired Picasso’s famed anti-war painting “Guernica.” Today, the town has become a symbol of peace.
Following a lunch of regional specialties at a restaurant in town, you will drive to the nearby Puente de Vizcaya bridge. It is the world’s oldest transporter bridge, yet fully functional, a distinction that UNESCO has declared worthy of a World Heritage site designation. It spans the Nervión River between the towns of Portugalete and Getxo.
After crossing the bridge on a suspended gondola, you will drive on to the pier to embark the cruise ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at Bilbao Airport and transfer to your hotel for a 3:00 pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival, you may wish to book an extra night, so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight at The Artist Grand Hotel of Art or similar
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
09:00am Meet your guide in the lobby
10:00am Guggenheim Museum visit
1:30pm Pintxos lunch at a restaurant
3:00pm Guided walk of Old Town
4:30pm Drive to the hotel
5:00pm Arrive at the hotel and rest of the evening at your leisure
Overnight at The Artist Grand Hotel of Art
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Meet your guide in the lobby and drive to La Rioja region
10:00am Laguardia walking tour
11:30am Drive to Bodega Baigorri
11:45am Cellar visit and wine tasting
1:00pm Lunch
3:00pm Return to Bilbao
4:30pm Arrive at the hotel
Overnight at The Artist Grand Hotel of Art
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
09:00am Check out from the hotel
9:30am Drive to Bormeo
10:45am Walking tour of Bormeo
11:15am Drive to Guernica
11.45am Walking tour of Guernica
1:00pm Lunch at a restaurant in Guernica
2:15pm Drive to Getxo bridge
3:00pm Visit and cross Getxo bridge
4:00pm Arrive at the pier and embark the ship
Expected Weather
82°F / 60°F
28°C / 16°C
What to Bring
Comfortable clothes and shoes for walking, sunscreen and a foldable umbrella.
Currency
Euro and credit cards are accepted. USD not normally accepted.
Electricity
220 volt. Adaptor is needed, not available at the hotel. Normally can be purchased in shops or the airport.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required.
Hotel
The Artist Grand Hotel of Art
Alameda de Mazarredo 61, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
Phone: +34 944 253 300
Program includes:
•3 nights at the The Artist Grand Hotel of Art – Guggenheim View Room with breakfast daily
•English-speaking guide
•Local guides for the visits of Bilbao, Laguardia, Bormeo and Guernica
•Entrance fees
•3 lunches
•1 tasting in La Rioja
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program does not include:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Gratuities to drivers and guides or at restaurants
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
•Any touring not listed above
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
