Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: basque country getaway tour at Bilbao

Experience the stunning natural splendour, iconic sites, and exquisite flavours of northern Spain’s Basque Country during this immersive, two-night overland getaway. In Bilbao, discover the Iron Bridge of Getxo, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a guided tour with lunch at the Guggenheim Museum, and a stroll through the Old Town with its beautiful façades and palaces. Cap off your visit to Bilbao with a pintxos dinner with wine tastings at an amazing farmhouse restaurant. In Getaria, visit a local cellar for a tasting of the region’s renowned Txacoli wine, then proceed for lunch at a local restaurant. At San Sebastian, a charming, Belle Epoque resort built around a crescent-shaped bay, capture breath-taking panoramic views from Mount Igeldo, take a stroll through the Old Town, and enjoy a delicious dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. Drive on to Hondarribia for a guided walking tour, then proceed for a sumptuous lunch at a local restaurant. Your Mid-Voyage Overland Adventure concludes with a scenic drive to the pier in Bordeaux.

02MIDBIO-C Basque Country Getaway

Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights

Departs from: Bilbao at approximately 10:00 a.m.

Re-join ship: Bordeaux at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Reserve by: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE

This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.

Payment in full is due at time of final payment. Bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea.

All Land Adventure fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 120 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.

VISA INFORMATION:

Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Spain. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency for Spain is the Euro. Local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (a shopping stop is planned during the program).

Experience the stunning natural splendour, iconic sites, and exquisite flavours of northern Spain’s Basque country during this immersive, two-night overland excursion.

DAY ONE – Saturday, 5 April 2025 – Bilbao

After disembarking the ship in Bilbao, meet your guide and depart for the Iron Bridge of Getxo

After disembarking the ship, meet your guide and depart for a scenic sightseeing tour of Bilbao. Begin with a visit to the iconic Iron Bridge of Getxo, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1893, it is the oldest transporter bridge of its kind in the world. After a photo stop here, re-board your coach and head into Bilbao City for a visit to the iconic Guggenheim Museum.

Take a captivating tour of the iconic Guggenheim Museum

Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum represents a magnificent example of the world’s most ground-breaking, 20th-century architecture. Upon arrival, step inside to explore the impressive permanent and temporary exhibits, all housed within an eclectic architectural environment symbolising the urban and economic revitalization of Bilbao.

Enjoy lunch at the Guggenheim Museum’s Bistro restaurant

Following your museum tour, proceed for lunch at the Bistro restaurant, located inside the Guggenheim Museum.

After lunch, proceed to your hotel for check-in and some free time at leisure

After lunch, a short walk brings you to your hotel, located in front of the museum, for check-in and some free time at leisure.

Take a guided afternoon stroll through Bilbao’s Old Town with its exquisite façades and palaces

This afternoon, meet your guide and depart for a guided stroll through Bilbao’s Casco Viejo (Old Town), declared an Historical-Artistic Monument. At the very heart of the Old Town are its traditional Siete Calles (Seven Streets). Along this latticework of streets lined with charming shoppes and stores, the Old Town features beautiful façades, urban palaces, and superb architectural gems from centuries past.

Savour an amazing pintxos dinner with wine tastings at an amazing farmhouse restaurant

Following your walking tour of the Old Town, re-board your coach for a drive out of the city and proceed for dinner at an amazing local restaurant located at a farmhouse. Once seated, enjoy a delicious selection of pintxos (appetizers or snacks akin to tapas) accompanied by a tasting of different wines. During your meal, your chef conducts a special demonstration at a station positioned in front of your table and shows you how to prepare one pintxo from each course. After dinner, re-board your coach and transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight accommodations in a Superior Room at the Hotel Domine – Bilbao

DAY TWO – Sunday, 6 April 2025 – Bilbao/San Sebastian

After breakfast and check-out, meet your guide and depart for the scenic drive to Getaria

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, meet your guide and depart for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to Getaria, located on the Urola Coast in northern Spain’s Basque Country.

Visit a local cellar for a tasting of the region’s renowned Txacoli wine

Upon arrival at this historic town, a stop is made at a local cellar to experience its own special denomination of the renowned Txacoli wine, a slightly-sparkling, very dry white wine produced in the Spanish Basque Country, Cantabria, and northern Burgos in Spain.

Proceed for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant in Getaria, then continue on to San Sebastian

Following your wine tasting, proceed for a delicious lunch at a lovely restaurant in Getaria. After lunch, re-board your coach and continue on to beautiful San Sebastian, the ‘Pearl of the Cantabrian Sea’.

Marvel at the beauty of this charming, Belle Epoque resort built around a crescent-shaped bay

San Sebastian is a charming, Belle Epoque resort built around a crescent-shaped bay. San Sebastian’s inviting beaches and splendid architecture have been attracting visitors from all over the world since the mid-19th century, and this glamourous jewel of the Basque country still retains all of its splendour from an era when it served as a summer destination for royals.

Capture breath-taking panoramic views and photo opportunities during a stop at Mount Igeldo

Upon arrival at San Sebastian, a photo stop is made at Mount Igeldo for breath-taking panoramic views and photo opportunities overlooking the city, Bahía de la Concha, and the surrounding coastline and mountains. Afterward, re-board your coach and transfer to your hotel for check-in and some free time to freshen-up before dinner.

Enjoy a delicious dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant in San Sebastian

This evening, meet your guide and depart for the short drive to dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant in San Sebastian. After dinner, re-board your coach and transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight accommodations in a (insert type of room) Room at the Hotel Maria Cristina – San Sebastian

DAY THREE – Monday, 7 April 2025 – San Sebastian/Bordeaux

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, meet your guide and depart for a tour of the Old Town

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, meet your guide and depart for the Old Town of San Sebastian. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through its historic streets. Highlights of the Old Town include the Plaza de la Constitution, Gothic-style San Vicente Church, the oldest in the city, Baroque-style Basilica of Santa Maria, Museo San Telmo, and more. Along the way, a stop is made to sample the local pintxos (appetizers or snacks akin to tapas).

Drive on to Hondarribia for a guided walking tour and visit to the historic Parador

Next, re-board your coach and head to Hondarribia, located near the French border. This delightful town is divided into two parts; the Upper Town is the medieval district, where small alleyways contain old houses embellished with carved eaves and wonderful balconies. The Lower Town is the Fishermen's Quarter. Upon arrival at Hondarribia, a short walking tour brings you to the historic Parador, once a medieval defence tower and now an atmosphere-laden hotel.

Enjoy a sumptuous lunch at a local restaurant

Following your walking tour of Hondarribia, proceed for a sumptuous lunch at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the pier and ship

After lunch, re-board your coach and commence the scenic, approximately 3.5-hour drive to the port of Bordeaux. Upon arrival in at the pier, embark the ship.

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking for approximately 3.4 miles (about 5.6 kilometres), at times over uneven, gravel, cobblestone, and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coaches and many steps at the sites visited. This tour is recommended for active guests in good physical condition. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with back and/or neck problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with a fear of heights, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing in layers with flat, non-slip, sturdy, and closed-toe walking shoes or sneakers, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, sunglasses with a strap, a weatherproof jacket, raingear, an umbrella, a small backpack for land visits (for cameras, bottled water, etc.), camera, medications, binoculars, and Euros or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Guests must carry their passports and ship’s ID at all times. The tour sequence, timings and itinerary may vary. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Programme Includes:

One-night stay at the Hotel Domine – Bilbao

One-night stay at the Hotel Maria Cristina – San Sebastian

Two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners

All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

Not Included:

Any meals and drinks not specified above, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance and other personal items.