Your Gourmet Adventure – Food & Wine Tour

Colored by the flavors of nearby Spain and the traditional tastes of the Pyrenees, the food and wine of the Basque Country boast a long and illustrious history. Highlights of our 7-day all-inclusive escorted tour to Basque Country include:

Tasting the famed Espelette chili pepper, the pride of the Basque Country. Red, lustrous, gently spiced, and full of fruity flavor, it forms the basis of many Basque recipes, including the famous piperade, an omelette of peppers and tomatoes.

Enjoying jambon de Bayonne, well-known as one of the best hams in the world! Our guide, Pierre, will show you how this beautiful meat is produced – from field to plate.

The local culinary scene is a blend of French and Spanish dishes, and you’ll get to enjoy both as part of our tour. Vibrant and brightly colored, sea fish is a hero ingredient in the cuisine of the Basque coast, along with marmitako – a stew of Atlantic tuna cooked with olive oil and vegetables – and chipirons, small local squid served in their ink or with onion and pepper marmalade.

As well as the pork used in ham and charcuterie, other meats also play an important role in Basque cuisine. Poulet Basquaise is a dish of chicken pieces sautéed with onions and peppers, then slowly cooked with a glass of white wine.

A trip to this region wouldn’t be complete without trying the famous gâteau basque – filled with custard or, more traditionally, black cherry jam.

We will also visit the markets in Bayonne, Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, filling our baskets with cheeses, fresh vegetables, and seafood.

At the end of each day, we’ll sample a few pintxos (Basque tapas) paired with a glass or two of Irouléguy, the only AOC-certified wine in Basque Country.

You will visit two of our favorite restaurants in France. The first, Chez Mattin, is in a small Ciboure village. On the menu: duck confit, their legendary ttoro (pronounced “tioro”), a spicy multi-fish ragout (conger, hake, monkfish, with mussels and langoustines) served in the pot it was cooked in. The second, in the Navarre mountains near the Spanish border, offers locally produced sheep’s milk cheeses from Iraty, golden croquettes (ham and salt cod), superb plancha-grilled cod with potatoes, sweet chilies, parsley, and onion, and finally, a homemade bukatzeko etxeko gozoak (dessert) – a rich chocolate tart.

Sweet or savory, everything in the Basque Country is an excuse for playing with flavors and having a party. Each evening, François will cook dinner for you using local recipes and seasonal produce.

YOUR BACKROAD ADVENTURE - Sightseeing & Exploring

With its own language, unique climate, and a very distinct cultural identity, the Basque Country is a special part of France, and our 7-day tour will cover the very best of this remarkable region.

A beacon of beauty, the Basque Region – or Euskadi, as it is known in its local language – is unlike any other region in France. The Basque people are incredibly proud of their heritage and captivate all who visit.

From dramatic cliffs to sandy beaches, there is nothing not to love about the landscape here. In just one hour, you can travel from the rugged Pyrenees Mountains to the Atlantic coastline.

Biarritz is an exceptional destination located in the heart of the Basque Country. Recently, the French Government chose the brand Biarritz-Basque Country as a jewel of international tourism, highlighting its advantages alongside 19 other destinations in France.

Bayonne owes its significant architectural heritage to its rich history. The city has strong policies on heritage and culture, earning France’s official "Town of Art & History" status in 2012 in recognition of its 2,000 years of history and rich cultural heritage. We’ll visit typical Basque villages and picturesque countryside landscapes.

San Sebastián is incredible, but if you really want to immerse yourself in Basque culture, a day trip to one of its quaint little villages is also a must. Espelette and Ainhoa are among the most well-known, mostly due to their famous peppers. The houses are built in the traditional Basque style, and the streets are lined with boutiques and artisanal markets selling homemade chocolates, among other delights.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz is another village worth visiting, especially for its beautiful beach. This golden beach lies right in the heart of the town and is perfect for lounging in the sun while listening to the waves lap against the shore.

Located about 40km (30 miles) east of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port holds significant historical importance as a strategic point on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route.

Buying a traditional product in the Basque Region allows you to take home a piece of this fascinating area, along with lasting memories from France. Popular gifts to bring back include authentic Basque espadrilles sandals, handcrafted household linen, or a traditional Basque beret. As part of our tour, you'll get to visit workshops where these beautiful items are made.

Your Basque Country Accommodation

MODERN CONVENIENCES, YET TRADITIONAL CHARM – THE PERFECT WAY TO DESCRIBE OUR ACCOMMODATION IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY!

Our home away from home is a traditional Basque house nestled in one of the most beautiful villages in the region, just 15 minutes from Bayonne, Anglet, and Biarritz.

The house perfectly blends charming countryside style with proximity to the beaches of the Basque Coast.

Set on a hectare of wooded grounds, it features a heated salt-water pool and stunning décor.

The home is a true ode to country life, with an interior design that evokes the rustic charm of old Basque farms, while providing all the modern comforts you need. Its atmosphere is warm, refined, and welcoming. The house spans two levels, with the upper floor dedicated to five spacious suites. Each suite exudes tremendous charm and offers its own en-suite bath or shower room. All suites boast views of the lush Basque mountains of the Pyrenees range.

The ground floor is designed for shared living, featuring a furnished veranda with a summer kitchen, a dining area, and a gorgeous living room that opens onto the terrace. A cozy fireplace and bar complete the inviting space.