KINGDOM OF NAVARRE CIRCUIT

Reception in the morning in Donostia/San Sebastián. Overnight at the hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant and in the afternoon a walking or panoramic tour of the city (depending on the composition of the group): Peine del Viento, Miramar Palace, Paseo Nuevo, Boulevard, Hotel María Cristina, Kursaal,… return to the hotel and accommodation.

Breakfast and departure to Pasajes de San Pedro, where we will visit the Mater Ship-Museum and learn about traditional Basque fishing gear. We will go by boat to Pasajes de San Juan, where we will see the house of Victor Hugo.

We will continue to Hondarribia, where we will learn about its important cultural and artistic heritage, the legacy of a rich history. Its walls, a large part of them still standing and in a constant process of recovery, give it a special appearance, evoking an epic past and impregnating every corner, alley, and square with aromas, flavors and sounds that transport us to other times. Lunch in Hondarribia.

We will continue our trip crossing Hendaye on the sea line that unites these two towns. Brief visit to Hendaye, with its 3 km long fine sand beach, which is the largest in the entire Basque Country. Return to San Sebastian and free time.

Breakfast and departure to visit the Basque Coast. We will first visit Biarritz, known for its famous beaches, therapeutic waters and surfing scene, it is a place where luxury restaurants and spas coexist in harmony with laid-back pizza stalls and surf shops. The city is mostly made up of bourgeois houses and mansions, used by the wealthiest as summer homes. This touch of luxury balances perfectly with the more relaxed and carefree surf culture, which also has a long tradition in Biarritz. Undoubtedly, this interesting contrast is part of the city's identity.

Later we will approach Baiona, located at the northernmost point of the French Basque Country, where the rivers Nive/Errobi and Adur/Aturri join, is the urban center of Bayona ("Baiona" in Basque). Thanks to the Adur river that connects Bayonne with the Bay of Biscay, the city has benefited throughout its history from a strategic commercial position. Baiona grew thanks to the whaling and cod fishing industry, as well as thanks to Basque sailors who returned from distant lands with spices and other riches. This influx of money financed many of the city's buildings, including its imposing Gothic cathedral. Lunch.

We will end the visit in Saint Jean de Luz, where we will see many of the buildings dating back to the 17th century, a time when Saint Jean de Luz was one of the most important fishing ports in France. Although the 17th century was a time of transition, when the main economic activity changed from fishing to what was essentially piracy, as the town became the base for Basque corsairs. These corsairs pursued France's enemies at sea, plundering them with the king's blessing. Return to San Sebastian and free time.

Breakfast. Today we leave Donostia/San Sebastián to enter the heart of Gipuzkoa. We will first visit the famous town of Ordizia, an international gastronomy reference for its famous black pudding (a very important contest is held for this reason) and its famous Wednesday market. We will continue our journey through the magical and suggestive Natural Park of Aralar. With its limestone massifs, its rivers and springs, rich vegetation and fauna, with its myths and legends, it captivates locals and foreigners, which is part of one of the most important mountainous areas in terms of altitude, extension, land use and natural values

Lunch in the Sakana Valley and continuation to Pamplona. Hotel accommodation and rest. In the mid-afternoon, walk through the historic center of Pamplona. Visit of the old Iruñea (Pamplona), former Basque capital; The Walls, the Palace of the Kings, its medieval streets in the old town, and the evolution of the city beyond the walls, etc... Rest before going out to dinner at a Gastronomic Society. Dinner not included that will be paid for by everyone, as is the custom.

Breakfast and trip to Nuestra Señora del Yugo, from where we will have an impressive panoramic view of this spectacular Biosphere Reserve Natural Park. Continuation of our journey through the Navarrese Ribera until we reach Tudela, the second largest and most important city in the Navarrese territory. In this city, Muslims, Jews and Mozarabs lived together for more than 400 years. This coexistence gave the city a cultural miscegenation, which is reflected in its monumental buildings, in its twisted alleys, with passageways, walls and watchtowers. Visit and lunch. Return to Pamplona and free time.

Breakfast and departure from Pamplona to visit the Leire Monastery, located in the southeast of Pamplona. An icon of Navarra for the important role it has played in the history of the Kingdom of Navarra. After your visit, we will continue our trip to see the Castle of Javier, birthplace of San Francisco de Javier, co-patron of Navarra.

We will continue our trip to the East to reach the medieval town of Ujue/Uxue where we will have lunch. View of the town and its church-fortress. We will continue on our way to Olite, to visit its impressive and beautiful Palace. Return to Pamplona and free time.

Breakfast and departure to Elizondo and visit of the capital of the Baztán Valley. We will enjoy its many stately homes and palaces. Its most emblematic building is the baroque palace of Arizkunenea, but there are other artistic monuments of interest such as the town hall, the Datue palace, the viceroy's house or the church of Santiago.

After visiting Elizondo, we will continue to Zugarramurdi. Lunch and free time to visit on your own the Caves and the Museum of the Witches (herboleras, midwives and women in general) who were falsely accused by the Catholic Church of Bruges. Return to Pamplona and free time.

Breakfast and free time until the time of departure transfer.