Even before you’ve properly landed, the salty sea breeze greets you. From Brussels, you can fly to Bilbao in just over two hours with Brussels Airlines. This city is the beating heart of the Basque Country, a region where gastronomy, culture and character are seamlessly interwoven. This journey? One you quite literally have to taste.
Bilbao is a city of contrasts: raw industrial heritage side by side with modern elegance. The highlight is the stunning Guggenheim Museum, an architectural icon admired around the world. But the museum truly comes to life in the evening, when we enjoy exclusive access with our group. In complete serenity, we explore the works of greats like Jeff Koons, Richard Serra, Anselm Kiefer, Jenny Holzer and Mark Rothko. After that, we make our way to the museum’s gastronomic heart: Nerua, a Michelin-starred restaurant. Here, refined modern Basque cuisine is served in a sleek yet warm setting, with views over the river. Everything aligns: the flavours, the ambiance, the setting. An evening that fuses art and gastronomy in perfect harmony.
The next day, we drive about an hour to San Sebastián, a city that radiates elegance. The waves of La Concha Bay gently roll towards the beach while locals stroll along the promenade. This is a city that lives and breathes food. With its impressive number of Michelin stars, it’s a world-class culinary hotspot. But the true soul of San Sebastián reveals itself in the narrow alleys of the old town, where steaming pintxos await on every bar counter. You hop from one bar to the next, sampling specialties one by one, each time accompanied by a crisp txakoli, a local beer or a glass of cider. It’s about more than just eating, it’s an experience. A delicious tradition that immerses you in the Basque way of life.
To truly understand the region’s culinary heritage, a visit to the Basque Culinary Center is essential. This international culinary university is the epicentre of Basque innovation. It’s where chefs are trained, ideas are refined and the future of cuisine takes shape. For professionals in the food & beverage industry, this is a fertile ground for fresh inspiration.
Beyond the cities, you’ll find charming fishing villages like Getaria, where life seems to move at a slower pace. Reached by boat, the village welcomes you with the scent of charcoal grill and freshly caught fish. The parilla is in full swing, and the catch of the day is served simply and honestly. Overlooking the small harbour, you taste the sea in its most authentic form.
Wine lovers will find paradise in the Rioja region. We take our guests on a self-drive through a landscape that, in September, glows in gold, ruby red and warm orange. Amid the hills, an avant-garde winery rises, where modern architecture and tradition meet. Inside: regional delicacies and bold glasses of Rioja. Everything feels right. The atmosphere, the flavours, the stories behind every grape. Then we hop on bikes for a ride through the vineyards, the sun at our backs and the scent of earth and ripe grapes all around. You can feel it: life moves at a different rhythm here.
In Laguardia, a medieval gem nestled among the hills, you wander along cobbled streets, enjoy an ice cream, maybe pick up a bottle of wine or a handmade souvenir. Time feels like it’s standing still.
This is not your typical holiday. It’s an immersive experience: four days of flavour, atmosphere and wonder. For anyone passionate about gastronomy, authenticity and meaningful travel, this is a must. Because in the Basque Country, you don’t just taste the food. You taste life itself.
Feeling hungry already? Don’t hesitate, request your tailor-made proposal from FAME Travel Designers.
