Bordeaux to Bilbao: A 13-Day Culinary & Wine Journey Through France and Spain

On arrival in Bordeaux, you will be met by your private driver who will transfer you to your hotel where you can check-in and get your first glimpse of this elegant riverside town and start to get a feel of the local rhythm. Bordeaux is a city with immense historical and architectural interest, with broad stone avenues, beautiful buildings and lively squares to explore. The local food and drink scene is now as famous as the wines, with a wealth of coffee shops, creative restaurants, boutiques and wine bars, both modern and traditional. To begin your wine and gastronomy journey, you will start as the locals do with an aperitif. Enjoy a wine tasting of Bordeaux wines to accompany caneles and other local specialties to sample. In the evening, in a beautiful setting, you will experience artistic desserts that use color, texture and flavor to create amazing creations. This is just the beginning of your discovery of wine and gastronomy.

After breakfast, meet your guide for an insightful introduction to Bordeaux, tracing the city's story from its historic trading days to its present-day role as one of France's most stylish urban destinations. As you walk through its elegant streets, your local expert will bring its architecture, riverfront, squares and monuments to life. In the afternoon, the city reveals its gourmet side. Step into atmospheric stone cellars hidden beneath a former 15th-century convent, where carefully selected cheeses mature until they reach their perfect flavor. Continue with a visit dedicated to Bordeaux's beloved canele, the small caramelized pastry that has become one of the city's sweetest symbols. The day ends with a relaxed tasting in a boutique wine bar, the perfect place to discover local labels in an intimate and approachable way. Afterwards, the evening is yours to continue exploring Bordeaux's restaurants, bars and softly lit streets at leisure.

Today brings a refreshing change of scenery as you leave the city behind and travel toward Arcachon Bay, a beloved coastal escape known for oyster farms, fishing villages, sandy beaches and breezy Atlantic views. Spend time discovering the character of the bay, from Bird Island and its iconic stilted cabins to the Cap Ferret peninsula, where small villages and relaxed beaches create an easy seaside atmosphere. Depending on the flow of the day, you may climb the Dune du Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe, and take in sweeping views over the Banc d'Arguin, the pine forests and the waters below. Later, board a traditional pinasse, a local wooden boat once used by fishermen, for a private cruise across the bay. As you glide over the water, enjoy fresh oysters with white wine. This is a simple, beautiful and very local pleasure that captures the flavor of Arcachon at its best.

Today you are off to the beautiful St Emilion vineyard landscapes of rolling vines and stunning limestone buildings set in centuries of winemaking in the Bordeaux wine region of Bordeaux. Spend the morning walking around the historic village of St Emilion with its beautiful golden stone buildings housing many of the local shops and wine tasting cellars. There are many beautiful terraces and views of the surrounding vineyards in St Emilion. You will have lunch in a local restaurant in St Emilion or out in the country, providing the perfect opportunity to sample the local cuisine and relax in the atmosphere of this stunning region. In the afternoon you will visit a vineyard estate in St Emilion or the neighboring wine appellation of Pomerol. Hopefully, a visit to Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot, Troplong Mondot and Villemaurine and other top wine producers in the area can be made, depending on availability. At the estates you will be able to learn about various aspects of wine production including the terroir, cellaring and blending of the wines as well as sampling the impressive wines of this wine region that are sold in wine merchants around the world.

After breakfast, check out and set off with your English-speaking driver-guide toward the southwest. The road leads through the Graves area and into Gascony, a region associated with generous landscapes, hearty flavors and deep-rooted French traditions, before you continue toward the Basque Coast. Your destination is Biarritz, once one of Europe's most fashionable seaside resorts. In the 19th century, the town became a glamorous Atlantic retreat for royalty, artists, writers and international society and it still carries that elegant, slightly bohemian charm today. Spend the afternoon taking in its dramatic shoreline, from the famous Grande Plage to the old fishermen's port and the surf-washed beaches beyond. Biarritz blends faded grandeur, relaxed coastal life and Basque character in a way that feels effortlessly atmospheric. The evening is free for a seaside walk, a relaxed dinner or a first taste of the town's lively culinary scene.

Today is dedicated to the beauty of the French Basque coastline, explored by electric bicycle for a scenic and effortless adventure. Away from heavy traffic, follow coastal paths and quiet roads between Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, with the Atlantic Ocean unfolding beside you. This approximately eight-mile ride takes you through charming seaside villages and spectacular viewpoints. Pause in Bidart for wide-open ocean scenery, continue to Guethary with its beloved pelota court and traditional Basque feel and follow the shoreline in search of surf breaks, cliff views and hidden corners known to locals. Your coastal ride leads toward Saint-Jean-de-Luz, where a truly memorable wine experience awaits: a meeting with a producer who ages wine beneath the sea. It is a distinctive encounter that speaks to the region's creativity, maritime identity and deep connection between land and ocean. At the end of the day, return to Biarritz for a peaceful evening at your hotel.

This morning, follow your guide into Les Halles de Biarritz, the town's colorful covered market and one of the best places to understand local life through flavor. Here, producers, fishmongers, bakers, cheesemakers and regular shoppers create a lively atmosphere that feels both authentic and delicious. Taste your way through the market as your guide introduces you to the region's culinary traditions. Expect fresh oysters and seafood, cured meats, local cheeses, regional wines, coffee and the famous gateau Basque, a beloved pastry that perfectly represents the French Basque love of simple, generous flavors. After the tasting, return to your hotel or continue exploring Biarritz independently. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, giving you time for the beach, boutiques, a coastal walk or a quiet drink as the town settles into its evening rhythm.

Leave the coast behind today and journey inland through the postcard landscapes of the French Basque Country. Rolling green hills, whitewashed houses with beautiful mountain views and traditional villages give this area a strong sense of place. Visit some of the region's most beautiful villages, such as Espelette, Ainhoa, Sare and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Each has its own rhythm, architecture and local traditions, offering a quieter and more authentic contrast to the glamour of Biarritz. A highlight of the day is a meeting with a local farmer specializing in Espelette pepper, one of the defining ingredients of Basque cuisine. Learn how this prized chili is cultivated, dried and transformed from field to tasting room and discover why it is so closely tied to the identity of the region.

Today connects the French and Spanish sides of the Basque Country through food, history and beautiful scenery. Begin in Bayonne, a city celebrated for its gastronomy and traditions. Taste local ham with sheep cheese, meet passionate artisans and discover the savoir-faire behind some of the region's most iconic flavors. Continue through Saint-Jean-de-Luz before crossing into Spain, where San Sebastian introduces another expression of Basque culinary culture. Known for its beaches, old town and outstanding food scene, it offers a delicious bridge between the elegance of France and the energy of northern Spain. By the afternoon, you will arrive in Bilbao. Set among green hills and close to a striking coastline, Bilbao is a dynamic city of art, architecture, parks, plazas and exceptional dining. After checking in, enjoy the evening at leisure, whether you prefer a relaxed walk, pintxos in the old town or a first glimpse of the city by night.

The morning after breakfast you will meet your guide at the agreed time for a tour of the city of Bilbao focusing on art and architecture, an area in which the city is a European leader. Your tour begins at the Guggenheim Museum of modern and contemporary art, a stunning building of unusual shapes and surfaces which reflect the latest light. After viewing some of the artworks on show, you take a stroll around the rest of Abandoibarra, the former industrial area which has been transformed into a beautiful modern urban area of outstanding design. As well as featuring a broad river front, parks and walkways, the area is home to a variety of cultural attractions and venues. After visiting the Guggenheim, you will see how the latest works of art and architecture have been incorporated into the traditional spirit of the city and its unique Basque identity. After the Guggenheim you can see that there is more to art in Bilbao than just this one famous museum, and also experience the old town, the river and the many restaurants the city has to offer. The rest of the day is left free for you to explore the city as you wish.

Today is devoted to La Rioja, Spain's most celebrated wine region and a must for lovers of bold reds, historic cellars and vineyard scenery. Travel with your guide through landscapes shaped by vines, villages and mountains, discovering both famous names and quieter corners known by locals. Visit selected wineries to understand the character of Rioja wines, from traditional barrel aging to more contemporary approaches. Tastings take place in beautiful surroundings where the connection between climate, soil, grape and craftsmanship becomes clear. Beyond the cellars, enjoy time in historic towns and panoramic viewpoints that reveal the beauty of the region. This is not just a wine tasting day, but a sensory journey through one of Spain's great cultural landscapes before returning to Bilbao for the evening.

Your final full day brings you to Urdaibai, a biosphere reserve of oak forests, coastal landscapes, wetlands and deep cultural significance. Along the way, stop in Gernika, a town central to Basque history, where your guide will share context that makes the region feel even more layered and meaningful. Continue to a beautifully designed winery dedicated to Txakoli, the fresh, lightly sparkling Basque wine that pairs so naturally with seafood and Atlantic air. In the company of an award-winning sommelier and winemaker, enjoy a tasting that highlights the wine's brightness, minerality and sense of place. This experience beautifully connects culture, biodiversity and terroir. Between the landscape of Urdaibai, the story of Gernika and the distinctive flavor of Txakoli, the day offers a final, elegant expression of Basque identity. Return to Bilbao for one last evening at leisure.

After breakfast, enjoy a final moment in Bilbao before your departure. Depending on your flight time, you may have the chance for a last coffee, a short walk or a final look at the city that has brought together art, food, wine and Basque culture so memorably. When the time comes, check out of your hotel and transfer to Bilbao Airport for your onward journey. You leave with memories of Bordeaux cellars, Arcachon oysters, Basque markets, coastal rides, Rioja wines and the generous flavors of two remarkable regions.