Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
France – Spain – Bordeaux – San Sebastian
100% customisable for you
After lots of daydreaming and counting down the sleeps, it’s finally time to hit the rails for your gastronomic adventure across France and Spain.
Head to the station, stock up on snacks and some reading material, then board your two-and-a-half-hour Eurostar to Paris. Stake your claim on the window seat if you must, but the tunnel beneath the English Channel remains stubbornly devoid of fish...
When you roll into Paris, a local driver will whisk you over to your connecting station (offering a fleeting glimpse of the city’s elegant boulevards en route). Then it’s back on the rails for a two-and-a-half-hour high-speed train to Bordeaux, where you can sit back and relax as the French countryside flashes by.
When you arrive, you’ll be privately transferred to your centrally-located hotel – your base for the next three nights.
Tonight, bypass any dinner deliberations with a restaurant recommendation from our Concierge – they’ll know exactly where to find the finest oysters. Consider it the amuse-bouche to the delicious days ahead...
Fuel up with a quintessentially French breakfast this morning; we’re talking buttery croissants and a velvety cafe au lait.
Pastries polished off and the caffeine working its magic, lace up your walking shoes and meet your local guide for a greatest hits tour of Bordeaux. Kick things off at the grand Place de la Bourse, where its statue-embellished facades are perfectly reflected in the famous Water Mirror – bound to spark plenty of oohs and aahs.
Next, wander around the winding streets of the Saint-Pierre district, passing plenty of gleaming patisserie windows, where the allure of caneles (Bordeaux's signature vanilla and rum cakes) have the habit of derailing sightseeing plans...
Sweet tooth satisfied, pass the ornate Bordeaux Cathedral, before continuing to Cite du Vin, where every exhibit uncorks (pun intended) another chapter in the region’s winemaking story.
The tour wraps up along the Garonne River, where you’ll find a healthy smattering of bars and bistros, leaving you spoilt for choice when dinnertime rolls around...
Set off with your local guide to Saint-Emilion this morning, a charming medieval village nestled in the heart of Bordeaux’s wine country.
Stroll through sleepy stone lanes, where traditional cafés tempt at every turn. Fancy a pick-me-up? Indulge in a macaron de Saint-Emilion; a more traditional version of the beloved almond treat that dates back to the 17th century. Between bites, wander between the town’s monuments as your guide tells you all about its medieval history.
Consider yourself a wine connoisseur? You’ll be in your element as you arrive at a local chateau to discover the craft behind Saint-Emilion's celebrated Merlot. Swirl, sniff and sip your way through a selection of different varieties, experiencing how a quick tasting has a funny way of turning into a full-blown love affair with your new favourite vintage...
Back in Bordeaux this evening, make a beeline for a cosy bistro and sink your teeth into entrecote a la bordelaise – a flame-grilled ribeye steak served with an aromatic shallot sauce.
You’ve had a delicious whirl around Bordeaux, and now it’s time for the next course: Spain.
After one final fresh-from-the-oven pain au chocolat, head back to the station and catch the train to Hendaye, where you’ll connect onwards to San Sebastian, crossing the border into Spain. All in all, the journey will take around three hours, so nab a window seat, stick on your headphones and tune into our destination-specific playlist as France’s vineyard-clad valleys gradually give way to the forested peaks of Spain’s Basque Country.
Alight in San Sebastian, then check in to your charming guesthouse in the heart of the city – your cosy abode for the next three nights.
Drop your bags, then spend some time exploring your new surroundings. Perhaps uncover tales of daring sea voyages at a local museum or linger in a lively square, where buskers belt out tunes to the twang of the Spanish guitar. And when hunger strikes this evening, feast on chargrilled turbot, cooked over glowing coals.
Rise and shine... well, whenever you feel like it – today is all yours to explore San Sebastian at your own pace. Enjoy a lazy start, at least until the aroma of freshly baked gateau Basque (cake with a sweet cherry jam filling) tempts you into town.
From here, perhaps grab a Spanish iced latte to go, then amble down to one of San Sebastian’s dreamy beaches. Claim a sun-drenched patch of sand, sip on a spritzy sangria, then while away the hours watching surfers ride the Atlantic waves. The promenade is also lined with an abundance of restaurants, perfect for an al fresco lunch.
When the heat starts to bite, embrace siesta o’clock by retreating to your hotel, where a heavenly out-in-the-sun-all-day snooze comes easily after one too many plates of tapas...
Wrap up the day sun-kissed and satisfied at a local restaurant, pairing chistorra (smoky Basque chorizo) with some regional wine as golden hour settles over the city. Cheers, or rather, salud to that.
Woke up feeling ravenous? You’re in for a real treat today. Meet your local guide, then follow the irresistible aromas and clink of wine glasses into San Sebastian’s Old Town, where you’ll find pintxos bars galore. Think tapas but with a Basque twist: small but mighty bites that pack a serious punch.
Follow your guide’s lead between local favourites, where chefs work their magic, whipping up bite-sized masterpieces at impressive speed. Feast on some gilda (a fiery skewer of anchovy, olive and chilli), before tucking into smoky grilled octopus, crispy ham croquettes and prawns still sizzling from the grill.
And what to drink with it all? Polish off some txakoli (a zesty white wine), poured from a daringly ambitious height – equal parts serving technique and party trick.
Travelling with any cheesecake fiends? Save room for a slice of Basque cheesecake, where its signature caramelised top gives way to a gloriously gooey centre, ending your foodie tour on a sweet note before heading back to your hotel.
Enjoy one final Basque breakfast this morning, then amble around the local markets in search of a few edible souvenirs to keep you smiling on the journey home.
Then, meet your driver for the one-and-a-half-hour private transfer to Bilbao Airport, tracing the shimmering Basque coast along the way and making one final foodie pit stop in the charming fishing village of Getaria.
Here, watch fishermen haul in the day’s catch, before seeking out a local seafood seller to discover why this town has earned such a stellar reputation for its shellfish. And if yesterday’s txakoli left you thirsty for more, you’re in luck – vineyards producing the local fizz spill across the surrounding hills, so naturally, it has a starring role on menus throughout town.
And when you’re suitably stuffed, resume the journey to Bilbao Airport, where you’ll board a two-hour flight home; plenty of time to ruminate on which dishes you’ll recreate in your own kitchen and start dreaming up your next foodie adventure...
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
