Page 136 - 2022 & 2023 Adventures by Land & Sea

Itinerary lunch with the owner. We’ll meet people who make DAY • Explore Ubidea & Otxandio •
this true Basque favorite and sample it for ourselves. Overland to León
B,L — Hotel Abando or similar We set off to explore the undiscovered corners of the
DAY 1 • Depart U.S. Basque countryside today, including Ubidea—one of
Fly overnight from the U.S. to Bilbao, Spain. DAY 5 • Bilbao • San Sebastian excursion the smallest villages in the region—and Otxandio, the
with Basque lunch • Overland to Pamplona first town in Spain to be bombed during the Spanish
DAY 2 • Arrive in Bilbao, Spain This morning we travel overland to the seaside city of Civil War. Along the way, we’ll meet with local
Today, arrive in Bilbao, Spain. You are met by an Pamplona. En route, we’ll get to know San Sebastian, leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs to learn about
O.A.T. representative and transferred to your hotel Spain’s gourmet capital, during a walking tour, taking ancient and modern life here. We’ll also enjoy a light
where you’ll meet those who traveled on our optional in its grand 19th-century buildings, manicured lunch featuring local cheese. Late this afternoon, we
Carcassonne, Bayonne & French Basque Country and gardens, and the 1871 Bretxa Market. We depart to travel onward to León.
New! Valencia, Zaragoza & the Rioja Wine Region Pamplona this afternoon, arriving in time to settle B,L — Sercotel Alfonso V or similar
extensions. Later, you’ll enjoy an orientation walk into our hotel.
with your fellow travelers and Trip Experience Leader. B,L — Tres Reyes Hotel or similar DAY • A Day in the Life of Santa
Hotel Abando or similar Colomba de Somoza
DAY 6 • Controversial Topic: Spain’s This morning, we depart for Santa Colomba de
DAY 3 • Explore Bilbao running of the bulls tradition • Walk the Somoza to experience A Day in the Life of a traditional
After breakfast, we’ll get acquainted with Bilbao Camino de Santiago • Pamplona Maragato community. We’ll meet with a local leader
during an included walking tour. We’ll visit the We begin our day exploring the Camino de Santiago, who will share his knowledge about the small town.
medieval old town, also known as the “Seven Streets” one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage routes Then, we’ll venture to the Maragato Crafts Center, a
neighborhood, which is home to the Ribera Market— dating back to the Middle Ages. The meaning of the NEW Grand Circle Foundation site, where
Europe’s largest covered market. This evening, we’ll route will come to life when we talk to some pilgrims we’ll meet local artisans making traditional
gather for a Welcome Dinner. who are making the hike for spiritual reasons,
B,D — Hotel Abando or similar learning what the journey means to them. Then, we
absorb the culture of Pamplona, a city made famous
DAY 4 • Bilbao • Controversial Topic: The by the running of the bulls during the San Fermín
struggle for Basque independence • Explore festival, with a walking tour led by a local resident Watch this independent video to learn
Guernica • Txakoli wine tasting who will engage us in a Controversial Topic about more about this adventure
We set off to explore the Basque coast, beginning the running of the bulls from the perspective of a
in Guernica where the German Luftwaffe bombed long-time participant. We’ll conclude our tour at
nonstop for more than three hours in 1937. We’ll Café Iruna, Hemingway’s beloved haunt on Plaza del
discover the Assembly House and the oak tree Castillo.
that both survived the bombings. After, we’ll visit Please note: Our hikes on the pilgrimage route are
a community center café where we’ll engage in a physically demanding, ranging from 1 to 3.5 miles
Controversial Topic on the struggle for Basque in length on unpaved and uneven terrain with some
independence. Then, we’ll head to a small family- steep sections.
run wine cellar, where we’ll learn about txakoli wine,
a sparkling dry white wine, and enjoy a traditional B,L — Tres Reyes Hotel or similar
watch video

Meet the people who call Spain and Portugal home

Guernica Wine Producers : On Day 4, we’ll visit a family-owned winery in
Guernica, Spain, where we’ll meet people who work to produce txakoli wine.
Primarily homemade, and typically drunk as an apéritif, we’ll learn about
the history and revival of this sparkling Basque specialty while tasting it for
ourselves.
Camino de Santiago Pilgrims : As we walk a section of this famous pilgrimage
route on Day 6, we’ll learn about its history and encounter modern-day pilgrims,
illuminating its cultural significance. The route continues to be a sought-after
destination for the devout, as well as hikers and bikers.

The Small Municipality of Santa Colomba de Somozo, Spain : On Day 8, our A
Day in the Life discoveries take us to Santa Colomba de Somozo, a municipality
of León. There, we’ll meet residents of this small village and get a sense of daily
life through talking with local artisans, as well as enjoying lunch in the home of a
local family.
On Day 6, we’ll follow along the Camino de Santiago.

136 Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past www.oattravel.com/spg2022

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