8-Nights San Sebastian and Beyond - Small Group from $3,776

Trafalgar

OFFER ID 1706206

San Sebastian And Beyond - Small Group
From Bordeaux to Bilbao, this Small Group journey follows the wine regions, coastlines and historic towns of southwest France and northern Spain. You’ll walk part of the Camino, explore places like Saint-Émilion, Biarritz and San Sebastián, and make the most of free time with room to taste, wander and see more of each stop your way.

Dining Summary

8 Breakfast (B)
2 Dinner (D)
1 Lunch (L)
1 Farewell Dinner (FD)

Must-see Highlights

Explore Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, Arcachon, Biarritz, San Sebastián and Bilbao
Visit the Dune du Pilat, the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Gernika and Walk part of the Camino del Norte

Dive into Culture

Libourne: Spend the morning at Libourne’s Sunday market, where you’ll browse cheeses, charcuterie, seasonal produce and regional specialties in the heart of the bastide. This is where locals come to shop for the week, stop for coffee, socialize in the main square.

Iconic Experience

Saint-Émilion: Drive through the Dordogne to Saint-Émilion, a historic wine village surrounded by vineyards. Explore its narrow streets, stone buildings and small squares, browse wine shops, stop at a cafe and take in views over the surrounding vines.
Dune de Pilat: Visit the Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe, rising to around 101 m (331 ft). Climb to the top for views over the Bassin d’Arcachon, the Atlantic coastline and the pine forests of Les Landes, with the Banc d’Arguin and Cap Ferret out in the distance.
Arcachon: Spend time in Arcachon, a classic seaside town on the Bassin d’Arcachon known for its broad waterfront and oyster culture. Walk the promenade, head out along the jetty or settle in for a plate of local oysters while boats move across the bay and enjoy the town’s beachside atmosphere.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz: Taste the original macaron from Maison Adam, the bakery first established in 1660. Try the almond biscuit that has been part of the town’s story for centuries, still made to the same recipe that made it famous.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz: Visit the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, where Louis XIV married Maria Theresa of Spain in 1660. Inside, see the decorated interior, carved galleries and the setting for one of the town’s most important moments.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz: Follow the Basque coastline to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, with Atlantic views along the way as you make your way to this fishing town.
Bay of Biscay: Travel along the Bay of Biscay and follow the Basque coastline into Spain, passing coastal towns and Atlantic views along the route.
Hondarrabia: Visit Hondarribia, a colorful Basque town just across the Spanish border, known for its old quarter, lively streets and strong local character. Explore its historic center with its painted balconies and traditional houses, then use your free time to stop for Spanish coffee and pastries.
San Sebastián: Try pintxos in San Sebastián, with small bites served across the old town featuring seafood, cured meats and local produce. Move between bars and sample different specialties, from counter classics to regional favorites.
Camino: Walk part of the Camino del Norte, the coastal branch of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. On this stretch between Zumaia and Getaria, the path runs through a landscape of cliffs, sea views and vineyards, following a route that has drawn pilgrims across northern Spain for centuries.
Visit Guernica, one of the most important symbols of Basque identity. See the Assembly House and the Tree of Guernica, long associated with Basque freedoms and self-government, then explore the town known around the world through Picasso’s Guernica, painted after the bombing of 26 April 1937.
Bilbao: Head to La Ribera Market, set beside the estuary in Bilbao’s old town. Browse stalls selling fish, seafood, meat, fruit, vegetables and other Basque staples. Recognized by Guinness Book of Records in 1990 as the most complete municipal food market, it remains one of Bilbao’s best-known food spots.

Be My Guest

Getaria: Meet a local fishing family in Getaria and discover how generations of knowledge shape the town’s celebrated seafood traditions. Join them as they prepare and grill the day’s catch, then share local anchovies, tuna and txakoli while hearing stories of life on the Cantabrian coast.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Gernika: In Guernica, meet local elders who help preserve Basque heritage and share stories of the town’s devastating Spanish Civil War bombing, the event that inspired Picasso’s famous anti-war painting. With your Local Specialist translating, hear a perspective rooted in lived experience, cultural memory and resilience. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

8 nights from $3,776 per person

Itinerary

Click here for Full Itinerary Details

Itinerary Details

Trafalgar Tours: San Sebastian and Beyond - Small Group

Day 1 - Welcome to Bordeaux
Arrive in Bordeaux, a city shaped by its wine trade, broad boulevards and grand riverside setting. Join your Travel Director for an orientation through the city center, seeing the Opéra National, Place des Quinconces and the Monument aux Girondins before a stroll along the Garonne to Place de la Bourse. This evening, get to know your fellow Small Group travelers over dinner and your first taste of the region’s cuisine.
Accommodations: Indigo Bordeaux Center
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Markets and Vineyards
Dive into Culture as you visit Libourne’s Sunday market, where stalls are filled with fresh produce, cheeses and regional specialties. Then drive through the Dordogne to Saint-Émilion, part of the UNESCO-listed Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion. Explore the village’s narrow streets, browse wine shops and cafes. Back in Bordeaux, your evening is free for dinner around Saint-Pierre or to explore Cathédrale Saint-André.
Accommodations: Indigo Bordeaux Center
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - The Tallest Dune in Europe
Begin at the Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe, for wide views over the Bassin d’Arcachon. Then continue to Arcachon, where you could walk the seafront, try local oysters and take in views over the basin before traveling on through Les Landes to Biarritz. On arrival, join your Travel Director for an orientation of this elegant Basque resort, including the lighthouse and a first look at the coastline. This evening, stay local or join an Optional Experience with a ride on the Petit Train de Biarritz followed by dinner.
Accommodations: Novotel Anglet Biarritz.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz
Head into the Basque mountains and, if you choose, join an Optional Experience to La Rhune, where a historic rack railway climbs to the summit for wide views across the Basque Country. Later, continue to Saint-Jean-de-Luz for an orientation with your Travel Director through this handsome coastal town. See the market, taste a macaron from Maison Adam, whose name has been linked to the town since 1660, and visit the church where Louis XIV was married. Then return to Biarritz, where the evening is yours for dinner, drinks or a walk along the seafront.
Accommodations: Novotel Anglet Biarritz.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Across the French Border to San Sebastián
Cross into Spain and arrive in Hondarribia, where an orientation introduces the old town’s colorful houses, historic streets and strong Basque character. You may want to use your free time here for a Spanish coffee and pastries before continuing to San Sebastián. There, join a Local Specialist for a walking tour through the city, taking in its elegant center and famous bay.
Accommodations: NH Collection Aranzazu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 - Walk the Camino
Walk part of the Camino del Norte between Zumaia and Getaria, following one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. Continue along the Basque coast past cliffs, sea views and vineyard-covered slopes before arriving in Getaria, where fishing traditions and txakoli vineyards shape daily life. Spend time exploring the harbor and historic streets before your Be My Guest experience with a local fishing family, where the day’s catch, grilled seafood and the flavors of the Cantabrian coast take center stage.
Accommodations: NH Collection Aranzazu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 - Picasso’s Basque Heritage and Bilbao
Visit Guernica, one of the most important symbols of Basque identity, and join a Local Specialist to explore its powerful history. See the Tree of Guernica and the Assembly House, long linked to Basque self-government and freedoms. During your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meet local elders whose stories help preserve Basque heritage and cultural memory. Enjoy time to discover more of the town at your own pace before continuing to Bilbao. Get your bearings with an orientation of the city, then spend the evening as you like. Later, head into the old town for dinner and drinks, stroll along the river or make the most of Bilbao’s lively bar scene.
Accommodations: Hotel Abando
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Art and Culture in Bilbao
Continue to La Ribera Market, where stalls overflow with fresh produce, seafood and local specialties. Later, you’ll have free time to keep exploring Bilbao, whether that’s spending more time in the old town or admiring the views along the river, before coming together this evening for dinner with your fellow travelers.
Accommodations: Hotel Abando
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 9 - Adiós Bilbao
After your Small Group journey through southwest France and northern Spain, say goodbye to Bilbao this morning as you prepare for your onward travels.
Meals: Breakfast

Featured Destinations

San Sebastian (Spain)

Bilbao

Biarritz

Bordeaux

Surrounding Bordeaux are world-renowned vineyards and châteaux. Visitors from all over the globe come here to learn about the winemaking process - from growing grapes to harvesting, fermenting and bottling these top-quality wines. Here in the wine region the title of château can mean anything from a palatial residence to a basic winery. There are thousands of châteaux that rank from very modest family establishments to large famous properties where grapes are raised, fermented and then matured to produce the area’s famous wines. Visit Rue Ste. Cathérine - a half-mile-long pedestrian street leading through the Old Town’s major shopping area and marking the beginning of the elegant 18th-century city. - and Musée des Beaux Arts -- a museum with a large collection of 17th-century paintings by Flemish, Dutch and Italian masters as well as works by Delacroix.

Excursions

Bordeaux - Gourmet tour - 8 hours

Bordeaux - Cultural tour - 8 hours

“The historic centre of Bordeaux forms an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble, created in the Age of Enlightenment, whose values continued up to the first half of the 20th century, with more protected buildings than any other French city, except Paris. It is also recognized for its historic role as a place of exchange of cultural values over more than 2,000 years, particularly since the 12th century due to commercial links with Britain and the Low Countries.

From its medieval quarters to the Classical splendour of the Golden Age in the 18th Century, you will be able to discover a city emerging from a long face lift of over 5 years of work.

The futuristic tram network established in 2005 is evidence of the dynamism of today’s Bordeaux and the historic heart which has been given back to pedestrians, allow the visitors to discover the principal monuments illustrating the city’s History: the Palais Gallien amphitheatre (4th century), the Saint Seurin Basilica (11th century foundations), the Saint André Cathedral (13th century), the Porte Cailhau and the "Grosse Cloche" ("big bell", 15th century).

The 18th century gave the city its outstanding "Grand Theatre", a national opera house built in 1781, and the Allées de Tourny, as well as the remarkable waterfront buildings and the Place de la Bourse (formerly the Place Royale), a quarter over 4 kilometres in length which serves as the backdrop for the port’s trading activities.

Tour Duration:8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light

Package includes

Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
All entrance fees
All tax and Vat

Does not include

- Lunch

- Gratuities

- Travel insurance and personal expenses

Departure dates : all day , all year

Not available on May 1st, January 01st & December 25

Bordeaux -Saint Emilion Wine Tour - 8 hours

In the morning, departure with your English speaking driver guide to Saint Emilion.

Surrounded by its vineyards, the city offers ancient ramparts, monuments and narrow streets. The village and the vineyards have been classed as a World Heritage Site by the Unesco in 1999.

“Grape production was introduced into this fertile region of Aquitaine by the Romans and was intensified during the Middle Age. The area of Saint-Émilion benefited from its position on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostella and several churches, monasteries and hospices were built there from the XIth century onwards. It was granted its own jurisdictional status during the period of English rule in the XIIth century. This is an exceptional landscape entirely given over to grape-production and whose towns and villages are home to outstanding historic monuments.” (Unesco Cit.)

Centuries after the Latin poet Ausonius, the hermit Emilion found here peace and tranquility, which were necessary for his meditation. He discovered a grotto watered by a natural spring in the rocky centre of what is now the town bearing his name, where he lived until his death.

Private guided tour of the principal sights of the medieval town: the Emilion Hermitage, the Tour du Roy built in the 13th century by Richard the Lion heart, the collegiate church and its 14th century cloister and, above all, the exceptional monolithic church and its catacombs dug out of the limestone cliff between the 9th and the 11th centuries. Its 38 metre span makes it the largest such church in Europe.

Lunch will take place at a restaurant located in the city.

In the afternoon, visit with wine tasting at a Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion.

Tour Duration:8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light,

Package Includes

Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
All entrance fees & tasting
All tax and Vat

Does not include

- Lunch

- Gratuities

- Travel insurance and personal expenses

Departure dates : all day , all year

May 1st - due to French law, cost double and most of the Wine estate are close

Bordeaux - A Wine, a Vintage, a Tasting… - 8 hours

A Wine, a Vintage, a Tasting…

Taste and identify the differences between the great Bordeaux wines, according to the vintage…

Wine experts give a great importance to Vintages. Why is it so important? How to recognize the quality of the vintage? How to guess the vintage? Should we agree or is it a matter of taste? Let us taste 4 vintages from the same wine property and comment. The expert guides you and shares his knowledge while you comment and learn tricks of the trade.

Château Grand Vertical Tasting Workshop

The privilege of tasting 6 great vintages dating back as far as 20 years:

• Château de Ferrand 1988 & 1989

• Château de Ferrand 1998 & 1999

• Château de Ferrand 2008 & 2009

This workshop includes a private tour, an initiation into aromas, a tasting of 6 vintages, and a food/wine pairing with our “Assiette Gourmande”.

Schedule:

09:00am - Departure from the harbor of Bordeaux

10:00am - First winery tour such as Château Faugères

11:30am - Discover the enchanting medieval village of Saint-Emilion, classified by Unesco in 1999. A luminous, ochre-colored jewel built of limestone and Roman roof tiles, it is perched on a plateau and completely surrounded by a sea of vineyards.

The steep and narrow cobblestone streets are lined with remnants of monasteries and convents dating from the 11th to 18th centuries that tell the story of the village. A Unesco World Heritage-inspired scavenger hunt will bring you face to face with the art, wine and stunning landscapes of Saint-Emilion.

12:30pm to 02:00pm - Time to stroll and have lunch

02:30 pm - Wine tasting at Chateau La Dominique

05:00pm - End of the tour

Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light,

Package price includes

Transportation: Pick up/drop off at the Port
Day Tour: English speaking driver guide with sedan deluxe car
2 winery visits and vertical workshop

Bordeaux - About Grape Varietals… - 8 hours

Several possibilities based on the theme of grape varietals, be it wine tastings or, practical activities. The great Bordeaux wines will no longer hold any secrets for you.

It's possible to have this activity in any Bordeaux wine appellation!

Wine tasting: Merlot or Cabernet?

There are 2 major top grape varieties in Bordeaux: Cabernet Sauvignon produces Ch. Mouton Rothschild and Merlot Pétrus. Each grape variety taste very different. The terroir and the work carried out by Man can exalt each grape and create amazing Bordeaux wines. During the blind tasting find out which grape has been used in the wine before or after its oak ageing. Merlot or Cabernet?

Theory put in practice:
Blending is an art

Several grape varieties tasting different are available to the wine maker. He/she is an artist making rational or subjective choices in order to elaborate a great wine. Be the wine maker and create your own cuvée but explain your logic first. Does it match? Each group forms a team.

Wine taster & Expert

Learn how to taste wines like a professional with fun. You also learn about the tricks of the trade. Words like single variety, futures, blended wines, bottled wine and ageing wine will have no more secrets for you. While tasting several wines, you may recognize which wine and term match together.

09:00 am - Departure from the harbor of Bordeaux

10:00 am - First winery tour

12:30pm to 02:00 pm - Time to stroll and have lunch

02:30 pm - Wine tasting separate grapes varieties and then have a blending session

05:00pm - End of the tour

Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light,

Package price includes

Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
English speaking driver guide with sedan deluxe car
2 winery visits
Blending sessions

Bordeaux - Wine Architecture in Saint-Emilion - 8 hours

Modern Temples of Bacchus

To wine lovers everywhere, the grand vintages of the Bordeaux region of France have long been regarded as the true pinnacle of excellence.

The methods and philosophies used in their production have by and large remained true to the old traditions; modern technology however has undeniably played an ever-more important role in recent years.

To add even more significance to this glorious culture of the grape, if that was possible, the past decade has seen some of Europe’s most highly-acclaimed and imaginative architects taking time off from their ground-breaking and spectacular major urban projects to contribute their innovative designs to the cellars and vat rooms of some of the region’s top châteaux.

Discover Architectures / Understand Classification/Discover techniques of wine making and appreciate wine tastings!

09:00 am - Departure from the harbor of Bordeaux

10:00 am - First winery tour such as Château Faugères

11:30 am - Discover the enchanting medieval village of Saint-Emilion, classified by Unesco in 1999. A luminous, ochre-colored jewel built of limestone and Roman roof tiles, it’s perched on a plateau and completely surrounded by a sea of vineyards.

12:30pm to 02:00 pm - Time to stroll and have lunch

02:30 pm - Wine tasting Chateau La Dominique

05:00pm - End of the tour

Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: no
Physical Activity Level: Light,

Package price includes

Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
English speaking driver guide with sedan deluxe car
2 winery visits
Monument tour in Saint-Emilion

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

04/03/2027 - 04/11/2027

from $3,776 per person

04/17/2027 - 04/25/2027

from $4,195 per person

05/01/2027 - 05/09/2027

from $3,915 per person

05/15/2027 - 05/23/2027

from $4,350 per person

05/29/2027 - 06/06/2027

from $3,915 per person

06/12/2027 - 06/20/2027

from $4,350 per person

06/26/2027 - 07/04/2027

from $3,982 per person

07/10/2027 - 07/18/2027

from $4,525 per person

07/24/2027 - 08/01/2027

from $4,072 per person

08/07/2027 - 08/15/2027

from $4,525 per person

08/21/2027 - 08/29/2027

from $4,118 per person

09/04/2027 - 09/12/2027

from $4,575 per person

09/18/2027 - 09/26/2027

from $4,575 per person

10/02/2027 - 10/10/2027

from $4,350 per person

10/16/2027 - 10/24/2027

from $4,275 per person

10/30/2027 - 11/07/2027

from $4,195 per person

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $3,776 per person

Length

8 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Deluxe

Remarks

Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discounts. Trip prices and discounts are subject to change. Airfare is additional. Tour prices, dates and itineraries are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Other restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1706206

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