Introduction to Spain's people, food and sights.". Consider more time in Bilbao, with more to see than Guggenhenheim. "As a teacher, my favorite parts are all the things I learn. Well organized, excellent timing for events, high-quality tour guides, and a lovely tour director who was flexible when necessary. Despite some rain, we saw and did, a lot. Our guide, Francisco, was knowledgeable and entertaining. The group bonded well despite limited bus times together. Our guide, Federico Garcia Barroso, took us on walking tours of Barcelona, Madrid, and Toledo, through public squares, broad avenues, and narrow streets. The guides at the specific sites were also great. OUR GUIDE JORGE (??) He's good! It was inspiring to be on the path that has be used for over 1200 years by countless pilgrims.". I am grateful that your company offered this tour, that I have seen Euskal Herria at last, and that it is as beautiful and interesting as I imagined. He was well-versed in the history of the region. While doing laundry is San Sebastian in a tiny laundromat adjacent to a workingman's tapas I met I film producer who was exhibiting at the local film festival. Our guide, Federico, was really good - helpful, very knowledgable, took care of all the details, and also had a great personality. see our FAQ. She shared her knowledge of Spain and was very helpful and made the complete trip fun and exciting. The view of Barcelona from its upper terrace and stepping in to the grandness of the Oval room took my breath away. better than others. Very slow loading of JavaScript file with recent JDK Our tour guides provided experiences rich in Spanish history, food, art, culture. We were stunned by the light, color, and beauty. And we demonstrated how the more you understand the art youre seeing, the more enjoyable it is. Rick Steve's did not disappoint. And Guernica at the Rena Sofia, with our local guide's chilling personal story around this time in Spain's history.". We had a fun group. Our tour group was terrific and added to the outstanding experience. Especially the day I opted out of the Toledo trip due to not feeling well, Fredrico took time out to call and make sure I was ok and let me know to contact him if I need something. Good information about each new place, guided tours of the highlights and enough free time to spend on your own. This is one tour I'd consider doing a second time (as long as we could have Francisco as our guide). "I loved seeing and walking around the old cathedral in Toledo. This masterpiece is hard to capture in pictures, so a visit was very powerful". A wonderful introduction to Basque Country and culture. "The morning we spent walking the Camino. This morning is devoted to the swirling architecture of Antoni Gaud and Barcelona's Modernisme movement. I am an instructor and by nature I seek to be educated. Loved the whole tour from start to finish. Excellent. Our Guide was a class act. We happened to be in Rome during the G20 summit. I'm not sure if it was that we just walked that far for a really average churo or wow imagine that the people who arranged the tour are surprised the Royal Palace is not available to tour on one of the biggest national holidays of the year.". "The entire tour provided lots to enjoy. Federico blended Spain's history with the history of art. We ate a lot but walked it off on beaches, city streets and the Camino de Santiago. If doing the Camino by car, reverse the itinerary and start in San Sebastin. I loved the Camino and all the history explained and Pamplona-the running of the bulls was so interesting and historical. "Freddy, our guide in Madrid, gave the best explanation of cubism I've ever heard just before bringing us in to view Picasso's Guernica at the Reina Sofia. It far exceeded my expectations! Also, all the local guides were stellar; I learned more about Spain's history, arts, and culture from them than I ever could have by reading alone. I am so happy my in-laws recommended we take this tour together. Enjoyed the private dinning club experience where a member of the club cooked for our entire party. I like the experience of mixing with local citizens. I traveled with my parents who had never been overseas before. 2022 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | The tour guide was great. On the normal tour the art museums were the highlight.". "My favorite WOW moment was getting to experience Antonio Gaudis architectural wonders in Barcelona, especially the Sagrada Familia. And after using the last two years to film the remaining pieces of the puzzle and weave it all together, Rick Steves Art of Europe is finished and available to stream for free on ricksteves.com. Great tour, wonderful Guide, very informative local guides along the way. The group was wonderful, the tour guide was great and the experiences were fantastic. THE UNIQUE PLACES FOR FOOD AND WINE. Very moving.". We knew little about the Basque Country when we sighed up for this trip but were interested in learning. He was entertaining, funny, and very informative!". As a first-time visitor to Spain, I appreciated our tour guide's support as we explored our surroundings and our independent explorations. Today we'll say au revoir (agur in Basque) to France, but not before we make one last stop for a visit to the walled French town of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a traditional starting point for hiking the 500-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail. This tour was great in that it had a significant cultural learning content in addition to some neat places to visit. Be on your feet, walking and standing, for up to four hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions. And to experience life in person, not on social media.". My one criticism is that we would have liked more guided time in the Prado museum than we got. This was my first time on a Rick Steves tour. Sleep in Madrid. And the "buddy" system worked very well. So fun!!!". herkese byle I especially like the scheduled free time to explore on our own. "All of Barcelona was "Wow" from our hotel room to the places we visited.". Rick Steve's did not disappoint. I think Agustin and Claire infused us with their love of their home in such as way as to entice me to want to explore the area more in the future. Starting in Bayonne and ending in Bilbao, this tour happily immerses you in the rich art, history, and culture of Europe's Basque Country including the distinctive towns of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Pamplona, San Sebastin, and Guernica. Only wish there were more time - although, Frederico did a great job of adjusting activities to maximize our time. 2 Our visit to the sheep farm learning to make cheese and petting the goats and sheep, when all of a sudden one sheep decided to give birth! Meals we generally good, although the last night's was too much food, and not as good as some of the other nights. Local guides were exceptional, gave us lots of context and background to appreciate everything we saw. This was a lovely tour -- rather low key and in smaller towns. It was one of the best tours ever! Our overall experience was fantastic. This was my 2nd visit to Spain but it was much better on a RS tour! "I really enjoyed the Cathedral Gaudii designed. We had met only briefly in a church, hadn't even talked, yet there was a sort of bond--that was acknowledged in those minutes. I would say ,when I was coming up from the train station and when I turn around and I saw the Sagrada Familia. We had just the right amount of time to be on our own. I feel like I'm a better person for having known them.". Nice people and enough time on our own to explore each city made the experience memorable. Our guide, Federico, was really good - helpful, very knowledgable, took care of all the details, and also had a great personality. Another fine, short itinerary could start in San Sebastin, continue to Barcelona, Madrid, Granada (could add the beach village of Nerja here), and Ronda, and end in Sevilla. Build your own itinerary to match your interests. Not so much in Madrid. Never once did anyone on the trip reach out to me to tag along during free time or share a meal. Barcelona is easily worth two days, and no one would regret having a third day (or a fourth, or a fifth). "Federico's explanation of Picasso's Guernica painting!! Your guide will help you get pointed in the right direction for home, or to continue your travels in Europe. Our walk on the Camino de Santiago and tour of Guernica were things we never would have done ourselves. Activities were really fun and informative on history and culture of the Basque Country. There was no disappointment in that regard. The tour was a nice balance of planned and unplanned time which allowed for individual exploration. The experience of traveling on the bullet train. "Gaudi-esp La Sagrada Familia; also Goya and Bosch". I loved the guided city orientation walks. Nice tour which focused on a unique region and culture lead by passionate guides from the region. Gaudi's art is so fanciful and yet functional.". Had double He took us out of the city to Toledo one day and to Segovia the next. I loved seeing the Basque country--one country (unofficial, I suppose) that incorporated parts of France and Spain. This is one of our most active tours! Organized, caring, efficient, thorough.from signing up for the tour through coming home and receiving this form. Everything was great from the hotels, the food, the daily guided tours and our very small group of 9 people. How would you spend two days in Paris? In retrospect, when describing Barcelona and Madrid, I would say we were constantly surrounded by incredible art! "Walking along the Camino where so many pilgrims have passed for centuries was truly amazing. Excellent city guides. 4.3 out of 5 stars 52. The guides were excellent, Francisco was exceptional in the history of the area and the people of the region. I enjoyed seeing the process of making the yogurt and soft cheese. We've been talking about walking the entire Camino when we retire and yearn to go back to Basque Country.". HE IS AN OUTSTANDING GUIDE. Great tour group to meet and share experiences. Amanda was very helpful with all questions and suggestions for our free time. Great people to tour with. The fun loving attitude continued with singing on the bus, theme songs to old TV programs, while sharing photos in airdrop, eating and drinking together! "The Palace in Spain was amazing and so beautiful. The second was in Madrid where Picasso's Guernica painting is featured in the Sofia Museum. The bus time was limited and rewarding in that we toured additional communities and enjoyed great meals. Our tour leader (guide) was excellent. "The food. Breaks between tours were sometimes too brief for snacks or meals. The tour was fantastic. The group tours at cathedrals and museums were unmatched. However, the access to the important cathedrals and museums was excellent, along with the support of knowledgable guides. That and, of course, virtually every meal !!!! Also at the top was walking part of the Camino Santiago. This ambitious, six-hour sweep through the span of European art history The tour was quite active with many opportunities for walking. Wear very comfortable shoes. WebEurope in Winter- 7 Best European cities to visit for sunshine & culture. There were wow moments every day. I was thunderstruck.". He suggested that we might want to walk as pilgrims and to focus on something in our life that has meaning--something to change, to forgive, to treasure--and to walk in quiet contemplation. Our guide was Jorge who did a GREAT job keeping us on schedule and delivering good explanations of all the various areas and events we experienced. Fran is from Pamplona and he brought a festive and personal energy to the tour, fostering a fun and inclusive group dynamic. "Someone said it best, and I paraphrase " There wasn't a "wow" moment as that would denote some activities I'd seen many photos and videos, but I wasn't prepared for the immensity of the building when we emerged from the Metro. Made Spain come alive. One of the most enjoyable dimensions of producing this series was working with three different art history professors from three different universities as they reviewed our content. We see so much more than we would see on our own and the local guides are so very good at explaining what we are seeing. There seemed to be more dinners together this time. This is our third RS tour so we have some means of comparison to other trips. Now the puzzle is complete. 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