Bilbao

Enjoy a guided visit around the hugely popular Guggenheim Museum. The building is the work of architect Frank O Gehry and is an architectural masterpiece in its own right. This great titanium, stone and glass sculpture houses 19 galleries of modern and contemporary art collections, supplemented by works from the Solomon R Guggenheim.

The heart of this industrial port city is the Old Quarter, where the narrow streets are lined with Renaissance, Baroque and modernist buildings. As you stroll through this area, your guide will point out the main sights including: the Cathedral of Santiago, a Gothic church built at the end of the 14th century; the Bridge and Church of San Anton; and the Plaza Nueva, an arcaded square.

A stop at the Archanda Viewpoint, high above the city, gives an impression of the size of Bilbao. You’ll be able to pick out the landmarks – old and new, industrial and artistic – which are changing the face of the city.

Admire San Sebastian’s picture-postcard setting and its oyster-shaped bay of La Concha.

Made popular in 1886 by Queen Regent Maria Cristina, many visitors, including Spanish aristocracy, have been drawn to the relaxed resort of San Sebastian. As you tour the modern part of the city, you’ll have the opportunity to see several buildings of enormous architectural and historical interest, including the Cathedral of the Buen Pastor and the Town Hall.

The Old Quarter is full of character and is the perfect place for strolling amidst a series of shops, bars, restaurants and squares. Amazingly, the city has been burnt to the ground 12 times in its history. However, one street not destroyed by the fire of 1813 contains some of the oldest buildings in the city, including the Church of San Vicente.

Lunch has not been included in the fare to allow maximum flexibility. You may wish to try out one of the many ‘tapas’ bars for which San Sebastian is famous.

The delightful town of Hondarribia is divided into two parts – the upper town is the medieval district where small alleyways contain old houses with carved eaves and wonderful balconies. The lower section is a lively fishermen’s quarter. You will have a brief walking tour in the medieval town.

Bilbao, the industrial and financial capital of the Basque Country, is situated between 2 ranges of hills on both sides of the River Nervion. Today, the city has undergone a spectacular transformation, factories and port installations have been renovated into spectacular urban projects such as the ultra-modern Guggenheim Museum, The Iberdrola Tower, the bridge of Calatrava or the Isozaki towers.

High above the city is the Archanda Viewpoint. From here, you’ll gain an impression of the sheer size of Bilbao whilst you relax and enjoy a traditional drink.

Situated on the Nervion River is Getxo, an elegant residential town with large, rambling houses. Nearby is the Bizkaia Bridge – a Hanging Bridge.

Reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower due to its black iron structure, this 109-year-old masterpiece of engineering is now the oldest transporter bridge in the world. The bridge offers one of the best views over the Nervion River, thanks to 2 panoramic lifts on each of its extremes which rise to 141 feet above sea level.

On a clear day, you’ll have great views down to Getxo; which show an area that used to be totally industrial, but which today has been rejuvenated.

Bilbao is situated between the two ranges of hills either side of the River Nervion and is the industrial and financial capital of the Basque Country. The heart of the port city is the Old Quarter where narrow streets are lined with Renaissance, Baroque and Modernist Buildings. As you stroll through this area, your guide will point out the main sights including the Cathedral of Santiago, a Gothic church built at the end of the 14th century, the Bridge and Church of San Anton and the Plaza Nueva, an arcaded square.

On the other side of the city, you will witness Bilbao undergoing a spectacular transformation, with factories and port installations being renovated in modern urban projects. One of these such projects is the ultra-modern Guggenheim Museum, a jewel in the city’s crown.

The town centre of Castro Urdiales is filled with characteristic houses and rows of balconies, medieval in origin and earning the town recognition as an historic site in 1978. Wander the narrow streets and admire the varying styles and periods of monuments that can be found in this charming old fishing village.

Head for the coastline and experience the dramatic views of the Cantabrian corniche. Visit Bermeo, one of the area's most important fishing ports in the region. This colourful, working town has a large deep-sea fishing fleet that regularly operates off the coast of the Azores and southern Africa. See the popular Basque style architecture reflected in the fishermen's houses.

Head to Guernica, once the capital of the Basque Country. The local lords and kings met here in democratic assembly to promise to respect the special laws of Vizcaya. On 26th April 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, the town was razed to the ground by German aircraft, sent by Hitler to support Franco's troops.

During your visit, see the petrified trunk of an oak tree that miraculously survived the horrific bombing raid. In the Park of Europe are the famous sculptures, symbolising Gernika-Lumo as a city of peace. See the interior of the Casa de Juntas, where the Basque parliament has convened since 1979.