celebrity chef eddie G's BAsque Country culinary adventure
Join Us on May 6-14, 2023
Chef Eddie Gallagher just launched his new cookbook, Cooking Local with Chef Eddie G and we are celebrating with a gastronomic immersion into the world-famous culinary region in Basque Country. He’s starred in TV shows, like the Great Food Truck Race, Locavore and regularly cooks for the Super Bowl and at many food and wine festivals. He’s known for his engaging, warm personality and will be the perfect host for our culinary adventure.
Set in the stunning Southernmost corner of France and the North Coast of Spain, Basque Country blends the best of both countries. You won’t find more scenic and varied beauty anywhere in the world from beaches to mountains to ancient sites to culture, and of course, the world-famous cuisine. We will see and taste the best of it on our journey
Day 1-San Sebastian
Welcome to San Sebastián! The jewel in Northern Spain, epicenter of food and wine, and considered one of the most important gastronomic capitals in the world. Here with just 200.000 inhabitants, there are six star rated restaurants, including two restaurants with 3 Michelin stars. Our hotel is located in the historical area, which is a perfect starting point to discover the city on foot.
Today after a brief welcome meeting, we will enjoy our first gastronomic experience. Let’s try some Pintxos. Learn how to order these local tapas and taste the best on offer in each pintxos bar. During the tour we will visit 3 to 4 different eateries.
Inclusions
- Welcome meet and greet
- Pintxos dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Lasala Plaza or similar
Day 2- San Sebastián
Take your time to enjoy breakfast before discovering the most interesting places in San Sebastian. Walk along the promenade of one of the most (if is not the most) beautiful beaches in the country, Playa de la Concha. Learn about the history of the city and about its gastronomy. Before lunch, visit La Bretxa Market to try some of the local products, such as seafood, fresh vegetables, local sausages, etc. and led by our own Chef Eddie G. Spend the rest of the day exploring on your own. San Sebastian is one of the best places to enjoy a Michelin star meal chosen by Chef Eddie G.
Inclusions
- San Sebastian food and wine tour
- Dinner at Michelin restaurant
Accommodations: Hotel Lasala Plaza or similar
Day 3 -St Jean de Luz-Hondarribia- San Sebastián
Today we will cross the French border to visit St Jean de Luz, a fishing-town where architecture and gastronomy are the banners of this beautiful place in the French part of the Basque Country. We will discover the local food market with Chef Eddie G and some of the most famous gastronomic shops such as a cheese ‘affineur’ where you will try some of the best local cheese and the first Macaron Patisserie that opened in France. You will of course get a chance to taste them!
Then we will return to the Spanish part of the Basque Country to discover the little jewel of Hondarribia where we will go for a walk. Cooking class with Chef Eddie G in the late afternoon with dinner.
Inclusions
- St Jean de Luz visit
- Cheese and macaron tasting
- Hondarribia visit
- Dinner/cooking class
Accommodations: Hotel Lasala Plaza or similar
Day 4- Biarritz – Ainhoa – San Sebastián
After breakfast, we will cross the border again to visit the city of Biarritz, which was a prime destination for royalty to relax, and nowadays famous for its gastronomy. Later we will head to the Pyrenees where the beautiful village of Ainhoa awaits. One of the smallest places in the world that can boast with a Michelin star restaurant. We’ll have lunch at Ithurria restaurant. After lunch, we visit a vineyard overlooking the ocean to taste their wine. Back to San Sebastian and dinner on your own with Chef Eddie’s suggestions.
Inclusions
- Biarritz and Ainhoa visit
- Lunch at Ithurria
- Wine tasting
Accommodations: Hotel Lasala Plaza or similar
Day 5-Getaria - Bilbao
Today we travel west to discover the local white wines of Txakoli, fresh, crisp wine which is produced in the Basque Country. We will visit a winery in Getaria, probably one of the most charming villages on the Northern Coast. No visit is complete without trying the grilled fish from Getaria at Elkano restaurant with a Michelin star. After lunch we will continue by road to Bilbao for a walk in the Ria and the old part of town after having checked-in at the hotel. We’ll have dinner at a traditional family restaurant chosen by Chef Eddie G.
Inclusions
- Txakoli winery visit with tastings
- Getaria visit
- Lunch at Elkano
- Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton or similar
Day 6-Rioja - Bilbao
It’s time to learn some more about the wines from Rioja today. We will visit this famous wine region where the Tempranillo grape has its own throne as the king of red wine. Here we will visit some of the amazing villages including Haro, Briones and Laguardia to discover the most important wineries in the area. We’ll experience tastings of some of the wines they produce. For lunch today we eat at a traditional winery. We return to Bilbao to spend time on our own. For dinner we have a cooking class with Chef Eddie G.
Inclusions
- Rioja tour
- Exclusive winery visit
- Wine tastings at the vineyards
- Lunch at a vineyard
- Dinner/cooking class
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton or similar
Day 7-Bilbao
After breakfast we will visit the Guggenheim Museum and the Mercado de la Ribera in the old town. Lunch at a special restaurant TBD, chosen by chef Eddie G. Wine tasting after lunch. Dinner on your own.
Inclusions
- Guggenheim Museum
- Tour of Mercado de la Ribera
- Lunch
- Wine tasting
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton or similar
Day 8-Bilbao
Your Basque Country adventure comes to an end today. Head to the airport or stay longer. We can help with any arrangements.
Highlights:
· 8 days in the heart of Basque Country with Chef Eddie G
· Gourmet meals throughout including breakfast daily
· Cooking classes with the Chef
· Wine tasting
· 4* accommodations
· Private transportation in Mercedes Sprinters
· Sumptuous breakfast daily
· Local market visits
· Entrance to the Guggenheim Museum
· Many local surprises
Cost: $5980 per person $1400 single supplement
Not included:
- Airfare
- Gratuities
- Personal travel insurance
- Expenses of personal nature such as telephone calls, cigarettes, gifts
- Anything not indicated in the itinerary
- Transfers to and from the airport as everyone will arrive at different times
Additional Terms:
- $1000 deposit due withing 3 days of reservation with final payment due 120 days before departure. Cancellations received more than120 days before departure will receive a full refund minus a service fee.
- This adventure will sell out quickly
- All dates and activities subject to change and notification of any change will be sent out as soon as received.
- All dietary restrictions must be conveyed to the local service provider on this culinary tour and we take no responsibility for any issues resulting from any dietary restrictions.
- We recommend that airline tickets and all other pre/post travel arrangements be made once all of the dates are confirmed.
- Travel insurance is required to participate