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26 Mar 2018

Eneko – Michelin Star Restaurant

By basque

Eneko Restaurant

Hidden away up in the hills close to Bilbao sits a restaurant that has been gaining international acclaim. The Azurmendi is a Three Michelin Star restaurant that was named as 38th best restaurant in the Worlds’ 50 Best awards in 2017  However, it has a little brother, called Eneko

This off-shoot has been created by the Azurmendi’s main chef and owner, Eneko Atxa with the intention of making the restaurant more accesible. A holder of one Michelin Star by itself, the menu is focused on local provenance.

We at Basque Experiences were delighted to be invited in early March to sample the magnificent dishes…  The visit also included a tour and tastings of txakoli wines produced at their own Bodega!

Menu

Local produce is fundamental here and the principle runs through the Menu. Wines were their own; Gorka Izagirre, G22, 42, and Arima as well as a Campillo from Rioja Alavesa. Seven courses of which some of which you can see n the photos! Can you guess what was used though? The variety of methods, ingredients and presentation was great, and everything was delicious!! I had a couple of favourites but I am not going to give the game away… You will have to come with us and try or let us reserve a table for you and your group…

Pizarro

Talking groups, we have our Pizarro ‘Basque’ Gastronomy Tour in late 2018. For our final day with Jose Pizarro we will be visiting the Azurmendi Restaurant and kitchens, a unique chance to dine and discover this superb restaurant!

  • Basque Hake
  • Egg.... and peppers and corn....
  • Foie or Chestnut
  • Olives
  • Rich beef
  • Eneko's Team
  • Eneko restaurant
  • Dessert
18 Dec 2017

A Wine Tour from Bordeaux to Bilbao

By basque

New Wine Tour….

Bordeaux to Bilbao! That was the idea we came up with back in spring 2016, for some clients who visited us in 2015 on a private wine tour from Bilbao to Barcelona! They loved it so much we agreed to create a new tour for them. This time to take in the SW of France, the world’s most famous wine producing region along with the French Basque Country and the wines and gastronomy of the Spanish Basque Country…

 

Chateau and Cite du Vin

Bordeaux is the city of wine par excellence. Historic, traditional yet modern, regenerated and home to truly spectacular wines. The Cite du Vin, family owned Chateau Lamothe du Haux and the magnificent Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte all combined with our own excellent private guide. Visits to the charming and stunning St Emilion, fine dining in superb restaurants. Not a bad way to start the tour…

Biarritz and San Sebastian

The French Basque Country is sometimes passed by… It’s more recognised neighbour, San Sebastian gets the limelight these days. But Biarritz with its aristocratic past, belle-epoque architecture beautiful beach and elegant residents means a visit is always a must. Lunch at a riverside restaurant in Bayonne was followed by a visit to a D.O. Espelette red pepper farm before heading to San Sebastian for what was a long yet fascinating day. The Hotel Villa Soro certainly makes up for it though!! Visits to Getaria to learn and sample our indigenous Txakoli wine before an evening experiencing the Sagardotegi… The Basque Cider House!

Urdaibai and Bilbao

Ernest Hemingway was a frequent visitor to the Basque Country, writing, making friends and generally enjoying the finer things in life that we have to offer here! There is no better way to learn about his exploits than taking a slow boat along the Oka River in the stunning Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Sampling local cheeses and preserves, tasting local Txakoli and sing sea-shanties and whaler’s songs is a great way to spend a day before heading into Bilbao and the chic Hotel Miro

Our week of wine and Basque Culture was rounded off with visits to two superb wine-makers. Torre de Oña in Laguardia and the stunningly located Bodega Contino. Here our farewell visit was rounded off with a delicious lunch… The swaying trees provided the shade as as a warm breeze blew through the vines…

 

27 Jun 2017

Titan Travel Basque Tour 2017

By basque

Basque Tour with Titan Travel

Its been a great few weeks now working on our amazing new Basque Tour with Titan Travel. A seven-night Basque Tour seeing all the main sights of the Basque Country with Titan Travel, a large UK Tour Agency. The Stunning sights of the Spanish Basque Region…

First complete tour in the Basque Country

This is Titan Travel’s first complete tour in the Basque Country. Additionally, 2017 is the first year they are offering a complete 7-night Basque Tour via their website and via the printed catalogue. which also gets delivered to over 70,000 homes in the UK.

Your base for the week is Bilbao the dynamic, modern yet traditional Basque Capital. Visit the historical cities of Donostia/San Sebastian, world-renowned for its amazing Basque Food. Synonymous also with belle-epoque architecture and its tremendous beach.  Another day trip sees us in Vitoria with its beautifully preserved old town, squares, and Cathedral of Santa Maria. Also walk around Bilbao with the iconic Guggenheim Bilbao museum, and its river regeneration, recognised the world-over by urban planning experts.

In addition to cities, the Basque Tour includes day trips to Gernika and its Casa de Juntas Basque Parliament. Here we learn about and see ‘Guernica’ – Pablo Picasso’s most recognised and discussed artwork. Travel through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with its rolling green hills, beautiful estuary, and bird center. Finally, we visit the spectacular La Rioja Alavesa region, currently producing some of the world’s best red wines. Come and join us at two of our favourite bodegas Torre de Oña and Casa Primicia!!

Hotel

Choice of accommodation is very important on a 7-night tour. Therefore we have selected a modern, four-star hotel in the centre of Bilbao with easy access to all the sights. Its close proximity to the excellent new Tram in the centre of the city, makes it so simple to get about. So important for a free evening or afternoon to wander by yourself or with your partner. Half-board is provided as is private transport throughout, with a dedicated driver and Tour Manager. Additionally, the guides are chosen for their excellent English, friendly attitude and close attention to the needs and wishes of the groups.

Basque Tour 2018

Looking forward. Titan Travel are offering places on the 2018 tours already. Twelve different weeks are offered across the spring, summer and autumn. Our photos will give you a great idea of whats included!!

  • BASQUE TOUR
  • BASQUE TOUR
  • Casa Primicia Basque Tour
  • Gernika Basque Tour
  • Bilbao Basque Tour
  • Torre de Oña Basque Tour Laguardia
  • Basque Tour Vitoria

 

27 May 2017

Private Group Tours – Basque Country 2017

By basque

Private Group Tours 2017

Basque Experiences specialise in Private Group Tours across the Basque Country and northern Spain. This year already we have created, guided and shared tours to wineries, cathedrals, in addition to restaurants, and cooking schools. Our clients have discovered, pintxo bars, verdant forests, museums, public artworks, cycle rides, hikes, cheese-makers….. Our groups vary from 2 to 25 people, all fascinated and keen to learn more about our unique culture and country.

Private Guided Groups

With a mix of local knowledge and English guides, we can really make your visit to the Basque Country much more than a normal tour. We take you to out-of-the way villages, small family run wine-makers, restaurants where you will be the only non-local… It is your opportunity to really see the Basque Country, off-the-beaten track.

Small Groups

Our gusts include families, groups of friends, cruise ship passengers, businesses and special interest groups. Basque Experiences will take the time to listen to you, and most of all, to understand your reasons for coming to visit and create a bespoke journey, a real Basque Experience, one that is unique to you… We have had the pleasure of showing our beautiful country to guests from all over the world, including some who have enjoyed it so much they came back! Read some of the great comments and feedback on our TRIP ADVISOR page

Our 3 hour pintxo tours that take you to the local’s favourites in Bilbao, where you can discover our bite size pintxos, made in front of you. We create fully guided itineraries where we tailor your every need. Stay at boutique hotels in addition to rural retreats, learn with private chefs and contrast with local food, visit small wineries with the owners, hike to hidden valleys and rugged peaks… And most of all, what about those elusive restaurant reservations at some of the world’s finest restaurants? Leave it to us… 🙂

Drop us a line and we will be only too happy to chat even if its just for advice!

  • Cooking in Ordizia Gipuzkoa
  • ondarre gipuzkoa
  • Private Group Tours Basque Country
  • Private Group Tours - Basque Experiences
  • Cruise ship tour
  • Private Basque Tours Txoko
  • basque experiences
  • BBK PRESS
15 May 2017

Txakoli Tours in the green Basque Country

By basque

Txakoli Tours in May…..

May is one of my favourite months here in the Basque Country. Long days, a mix of sunshine and showers, and the rolling hills and villages are bursting with spring energy! These elements add up to form a perfect excuse to visit some of our marvellous grape-growers , juice-magicians and and partake in your own , private, made-to-measure Txakoli Tours…

The Basque Country’s own wine.

Our green land and climate, so influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, is somehow ‘bottled’ by alchemists across Euskadi.  Txakoli is a fresh, minerally and sometimes almost herby, slightly acidic wine, unique to this corner of the world. Our grapes, small, and hardy, are carefully hand picked in 3 distinct zones to produce this most Basque of tipples. Hidden from the outside world for years we, Txakoli is finally appearing on some of the world’s finest tables…

Discover with us

May is a very busy time for us here at Basque Experiences and over the last 2 weeks we have been busy guiding and organising various different Txakoli Tours. All made-to-measure by listening to the client and then applying our experience and knowledge to create a personalised private tour. There are family-run business, small producers, pioneers, and Michelin starred restaurants all producing this delicious wine…. When are you coming to discover our Txakoli??

  • Basque Experiences Txakoli

    Basque Experiences Txakoli

    Basque Experiences Txakoli
  • Private Group Tours - Basque Experiences
  • Basque Experiences Txakoli

    Basque Experiences Txakoli

    Basque Experiences Txakoli
  • Basque Txakoli Tours

    Txakoli Tours in Basque Country

    Basque Experiences Txakoli
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