Page 174 - Discoveries Await in 2022 & 2023

Itinerary Topic on the struggle for Basque independence. DAY 7 • Ubidea & Otxandio • León
Then, head to a family-run wine cellar to learn Explore the undiscovered corners of the Basque
about and taste txakoli wine and enjoy a traditional countryside, including Ubidea—one of the smallest
DAY 1 • Depart U.S. lunch with the owner. villages in the region—and Otxandio. Meet with
Fly overnight from the U.S. to Bilbao, Spain. B,L — Hotel Abando or similar local leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs to learn
about ancient and modern life here. Later, travel
DAY 2 • Bilbao DAY 5 • Bilbao • San Sebastian excursion onward to León.
Arrive in Bilbao, Spain, and be met by an O.A.T. • Pamplona B,L — Sercotel Alfonso V or similar
representative to transfer to your hotel. Here, meet Travel overland to the seaside city of Pamplona. En
those who traveled on our optional Carcassonne, route, get to know San Sebastian, Spain’s gourmet DAY 8 • A Day in the Life of Santa Colomba
Bayonne & French Basque Country and New! Valencia, capital, during a walking tour, taking in its grand de Somoza • GCF visit: Maragato
Zaragoza & the Rioja Wine Region extensions. 19th-century buildings, manicured gardens, and the Crafts Center
Hotel Abando or similar 1871 Bretxa Market. Depart to Pamplona later. Depart for Santa Colomba de Somoza to experience
B,L — Tres Reyes Hotel or similar A Day in the Life of a traditional Maragato
DAY 3 • Bilbao community. Meet with a local leader who will share
Get acquainted with Bilbao during an included DAY 6 • Controversial Topic: Running of his knowledge about the small town. Then, venture
walking tour. Visit the medieval Old Town, also the bulls • Walk the Camino de Santiago to the Maragato Crafts Center, a NEW Grand
known as the “Seven Streets” neighborhood, which • Pamplona Circle Foundation site, and meet local
is home to the Ribera Market—Europe’s largest Explore the Camino de Santiago, one of Europe’s artisans making handicrafts. Enjoy lunch with a
covered market. most important pilgrimage routes dating back local family.
B,D — Hotel Abando or similar to the Middle Ages. Then, absorb the culture of B,L — Sercotel Alfonso V or similar
Pamplona, a city made famous by the running
DAY 4 • Bilbao • Controversial Topic: of the bulls during the San Fermín festival, with DAY 9 • Santiago de Compostela
Basque independence • Guernica • a walking tour led by a local resident who will Set off for Santiago de Compostela, the culmination
Txakoli wine tasting discuss the Controversial Topic about the running of the camino. Stop in the city of Ponferrada, the last
Set off to explore the Basque coast, beginning in of the bulls from the perspective of a long-time station on the pilgrimage, which is home to a host of
Guernica where the German Luftwaffe bombed participant. We’ll conclude our tour at Café Iruna, medieval structures.
in 1937. Discover the Assembly House and the oak Hemingway’s beloved haunt on Plaza del Castillo. B,L,D — Hotel Palacio del Carmen or similar
tree that survived the bombings. After, visit a B,L — Tres Reyes Hotel or similar
community center to hear about the Controversial

Meet the people
who call Spain and
Portugal home

Guernica Wine Producers : On Day
4, visit a family-owned winery in
Guernica, Spain, and meet people
who work to produce txakoli wine.
Primarily homemade, and
typically drunk as an apéritif, we’ll learn
about the history of this sparkling specialty while tasting it.

Camino de Santiago Pilgrims : Walk a section of this famous pilgrimage route
on Day 6 to learn about its history and meet modern-day pilgrims. The route
continues to be a sought-after destination for the devout.

The Small Municipality of Santa Colomba de Somozo, Spain : On Day 8,
experience A Day in the Life of Santa Colomba de Somozo. Meet residents to
get a sense of daily life and enjoy a lunch in the home of a local family.

Family in Portugal’s Duoro Valley : Day 12 finds us in the home of a local
Portuguese family for a Home-Hosted Lunch. Here, we’ll get to know the family,
help prepare a homemade meal, and enjoy lunch as conversations unfold.

On Day 6, we’ll follow along the Camino de Santiago.

174 Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past www.oattravel.com/ spg

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