Designed to be a special gastronomic experience, our Farewell Dinner will be at Azurmendi, outside of Bilbao. Voted No. 19 in the ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’, executive chef Eneko Atxa pushes the boundaries of culinary design and gastronomy. Awarded 3 Michelin stars, Chef Atxa is known as being a pioneer in altering the texture of foods with his cutting-edge techniques and precise presentations. The Basque native’s philosophy has always been about ‘pushing the envelope’ and he does just that.

Chef Eneko Atxa is one the most attentive chefs in the world. He has a keen mind that cannot stop creating and skilled hands that work with speed, precision and care. His gigantic kitchen is very technical while being ‘conceptual’ at the same time. Atxa manages an impressive team of more than 20 people and allows his staff to actualize his creative vision at his direction.

Azurmendi is built on a hilltop that overlooks the beautiful landscape of the Basque country. With its own gardens and vineyards, sustainability is very important. Azurmendi has become a model to be followed for its ethical and environmental principles.
Azurmendi is where we will experience Eneko’s passions – nature, gastronomy and art that intertwine to bring about his international haute cuisine.

 

Our dream was to create a restaurant where people can feel nature not only in the dishes but as an overall experience. Our roots define our cuisine.”      ~ Eneko Atxa

Ah…San Sebastian – a place like no other in Spain. Enjoy two days in this lovely Basque city on our Spain tour in June.

In San Sebastian, we will be:
* Cooking with a Basque chef at San Sebastian Food Cooking School
* Touring the local Brexta Market with our chef as he/she buys ingredients for the meal
* Learning about Basque cooking techniques and local foods
* Enjoying the fruits of our labor in our shared feast!

Read about San Sebastian Food Cooking School and view their videos about this experience and their beautiful city…

San Sebastian Food Cooking School

 

For those who love the ocean, we will be spending time on two of Spain’s most beautiful coastlines – one on the Mediterranean Sea and the other on the Bay of Biscay along the northern shores of Spain.

The Costa Brava, Catalonia

The Costa Brava or the ‘wild coast’ is the coastal region of of northeastern Spain and is one of its true paradises. The Costa Brava’s mild Mediterranean climate combined with crystal clear turquoise and green waters, rocky cliffs, hidden bays and sandy beaches invite guests to ‘exhale’ – surrounded by peace and calm.

We will take some time to slow down while on the Costa Brava and get our toes in the sand. We’ll also visit one of its charming fishing villages, Cadaques, home of Salvadore Dali. There, we will see why Cadaques so inspired him that he spent most of his adult life working there.

San Sebastian, Basque Country

“It is said that nothing is impossible. This is wrong. It’s impossible to lay eyes on San Sebastian and not fall madly in love.” ~ The Lonely Planet

Put simply, San Sebastian is stunning. The first sight of the shimmering scallop-shaped bays with crescents of golden sand and turquoise waves, will sweep you off your feet. It is a city set on the the Bay of Biscay that is cool, cultured and sophisticated. San Sebastian loves to indulge, with what seems like Michelin stars ‘falling from the sky’ onto its 5* restaurants and its pintxo bar culture. It is a city unmatched anywhere in Spain.

San Sebastian is divided by the Rio Urumea. On each side of the river lies a pristine curved bay with a beautiful stretch of sand. Playa de la Concha is the largest bay with glistening water, golden sands and a promenade along its shoreline. Throughout the summer months, there is almost a fiesta-like atmosphere for strolling the promenade, taking in shops, art galleries, music and trendy restaurants.

The bay is calm and safe for beachgoers, swimmers and those who just want to doze. We will take time to do just that.

We will visit San Sebastian as a group. You will also have time to discover the city with its old town and beaches during free time on your own or with new friends.

 

San Sebastian has been given the honor of the European Capital of Culture – 2016. Some compare it to Nice or Monte Carlo.

However, it is truly the center of Basque nationalism.