Bilbao Discovery

Itinerary

• Spain

  Spain is a country located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea, to the north by France, and to the west by Portugal. Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe after France. Because of its location, Spain has had an intriguing role in global history. Archaeological and genetic evidence suggests that the Iberian Peninsula acted as one of three major refugia from which northern Europe was repopulated following the end of the last ice age. Andalusia was the furthest reach of the great Moorish empire. And it was also the seat of a global empire that discovered the New World, and left a legacy of over 400 million Spanish speakers today. Through war and peace, under different religions, and with strong regional differences - Spain continues to be a remarkable destination with intriguing cities and natural beauty.

• Bilbao

  Bilbao is a city of contrasts and rapid regeneration. Little more than an industrial wasteland not so long ago, the city has emerged from the ashes with the construction of the Guggenheim and hasn't looked back since. Although 'the gleaming silver waves of Frank Gehry's creation' is the star attraction of Bilbao, it's in no way the only one. The old city shipyards have been developed as a centre for art and culture. In the historical centre, medieval streets wind their way around the pretty Plaza Nueva, the city's main square, where people congregate day and night to sample pintxos (Basque tapas) and watch the world go by.

• • Bilbao
  • Siete Calles
  • Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao Interior Detail

  Day 1: Bilbao

  Transfer to/from Bilbao Sondica Airport to/from your accommodation in Bilbao.

  A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

  Enjoy a private, 3hr guided tour of Bilbao. The tour will take you through the "Siete Calles" (seven roads), the name given to the historical centre of Bilbao. In this area the "Catedral de Santiago" (Santiago Cathedral) was built, replacing the old chapel dedicated to apostle Saint James. This Gothic temple is amongst the city's most emblematic buildings. Stroll around its cobbled streets and get to the New Square, San Antón Church and the busy Ribera Market. Discover Bilbao's architectonic and urban development from the 19th century to the present. The new landmarks include the new metro system by Sir Norman Foster, Santiago Calatrava- designed Zubizuri Bridge, the Euskalduna Palace, a conference and music center and, most of all, the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum by Frank Gehry”.

  Accommodation: Silken Gran Hotel Domine (5*)

  Facing Frank Gehry’s spectacular Guggenheim Museum, this stylish hotel is a half-km (a quarter-mile) from the Museo de Bellas Artes and one km (a half-mile) from Old Town. Designer touches in the 145 guestrooms include Philippe Starck soaking tubs, Arne Jacobsen bowl sinks, Javier Mariscal chairs, Alvar Aalto shower stools, and Domine reading lamps. Wit, spirit, and original art suffuse the hotel’s spaces, from the Bauhaus-style Café Metropol to the atrium’s towering Fossil Cypress; guests can even study design in a firelit library.

• • Guggenheim Museum

  Day 2: Bilbao

  Enjoy a 1.5 hour private visit of the Guggenheim museum with a guide. “The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao offers a comprehensive overview of the visual arts of the 20th century. Its collecting approach includes acquiring singular examples and signature works by leading postwar and contemporary artists; commissioning new, site-specific artworks that respond to the particular space in and around the Frank Gehry building; and representing work by modern and contemporary Basque and Spanish artists in order to preserve and bring global attention to their vital cultural heritage.

  The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Collection has its own unique identity, while also complementing the collections at the other Guggenheim institutions. The Museum’s collection currently features works by some of the most significant artists of the second half of the 20th century, such as Eduardo Chillida, Yves Klein, Willem de Kooning, Robert Motherwell, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Clyfford Still, Antoni Tàpies, and Andy Warhol, among others”.

  Accommodation: Silken Gran Hotel Domine (5*)
• • Basque Village in Bilbao

  Day 3: Bilbao

  Bilbao offers plenty of attractions for the visitor - both within the city itself as well as the surrounding cities and area. The obvious "must see" is the Guggenheim museum", but outside of this, the historical part of the city as well as the pathways alongside the river are worth checking out. If you feel like exploring outside of the city, consider a day trip to the beautiful city of San Sebastian. Located on the coast, this city boasts two beaches as well as a great historical area - alot of which is pedestrianised (and has a plethora of great tapas bars). Alternatively, consider a day trip taking in a number of basque villages and learning about this unique culture. The Rioja wine growing region is within a stone's throw of Bilbao. Consider a day trip visiting some great wineries of the area. Please speak to your Kensingotn Tours Sales Advisor if you are interested in any of these options (or doing anything else).

  Accommodation: Silken Gran Hotel Domine (5*)

• Day 4: Bilbao

  Transfer to/from Bilbao Sondica Airport to/from your accommodation in Bilbao.

  Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)

Accommodation

• Collectibles

  Pablo Picasso was almost certainly the most famous artist of the 20th century. During his artistic career, which lasted more than 75 years, he created thousands of works, not only paintings but also sculptures, prints, and ceramics, using all kinds of materials. First famous for his pioneering role in Cubism, Picasso continued to develop his art with a pace and vitality comparable to the accelerated technological and cultural changes of the century whose art he dominated. Each change embodied a radical new idea, and it might be said that Picasso lived several artistic lifetimes.

• Culinary Delights

  The tapa tradition is as important for the conversation and company as for the delicious food. Every Spaniard has his favourite tasca, as the tapas bars are often called, where he goes regularly to meet his friends or business acquaintances. Tapas can be found in even the smallest bar in a tiny village.

• Historic Moment

  The guitar was invented in Andalusia in the 1790s when a sixth string was added to the Moorish lute. It gained its modern shape in the 1870s. Spanish musicians have taken the humble guitar to dizzying heights of virtuosity and none more so than Andrés Segovia (1893-1997), who established classical guitar as a genre.

• • Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao Interior Detail

  Silken Gran Hotel Domine (5*)

  Facing Frank Gehry’s spectacular Guggenheim Museum, this stylish hotel is a half-km (a quarter-mile) from the Museo de Bellas Artes and one km (a half-mile) from Old Town. Designer touches in the 145 guestrooms include Philippe Starck soaking tubs, Arne Jacobsen bowl sinks, Javier Mariscal chairs, Alvar Aalto shower stools, and Domine reading lamps. Wit, spirit, and original art suffuse the hotel’s spaces, from the Bauhaus-style Café Metropol to the atrium’s towering Fossil Cypress; guests can even study design in a firelit library.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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