Along with co-hosts Simon McGookin and Gijs van Hensbergen, you will embark on an unforgettable culinary journey exploring the history, traditions and remarkable evolution of Basque gastronomy. From the pioneering chefs who transformed San Sebastián into one of the world’s great food destinations to the producers, artists and communities that continue to shape its identity, this journey looks beyond the plate to understand what makes the Basque Country so extraordinary.

Based in San Sebastián, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, we’ll visit some of the institutions and restaurants that have helped define modern Basque cuisine. Dine at legendary restaurants including Arzak, Elkano and Martín Berasategui, discover the philosophy behind the Basque Culinary Center, and experience the unique social tradition of a Basque gastronomic society.

Beyond the restaurants, we’ll explore the cultural and landscape influences that are inseparable from Basque food. From the fishing port of Getaria and its Txakoli vineyards to the Old Town’s legendary pintxos bars and the extraordinary art of Chillida Leku, this is a journey through the culture, people and places behind one of the world’s most distinctive gastronomic traditions.

Whether you are a passionate food lover, a wine enthusiast or simply fascinated by the way culture and creativity can transform a region’s cuisine, this intimate journey offers a unique opportunity to trace the vision of Basque gastronomy from its traditions to its modern expression.

Payments Policy 

Each tour has a deposit of $750 per person which is payable at booking. The balance of payment is due 90 days prior to the start of the tour.

WeTravel Payments

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new booking system, powered by the WeTravel platform. Our primary goal is to enhance your booking experience, making it simpler and more convenient, especially when it comes to payment via credit card.WeTravel is a highly respected booking and payments platform for group travel businesses, trusted by over 5,000 companies worldwide. We couldn't be happier to partner with them, knowing that they provide instant payment acceptance, efficient booking management, and global fund transfers.
Booking your next adventure with us is now smoother than ever. Tours will continue to be listed on our website as before. When you click ‘book now’ on the tour page you will transition to the new WeTravel booking page for that tour where you can select the package and options that you wish to book.

We highly recommend creating an account during the signup process. This enables you to track the status of your bookings and make any necessary changes whenever you need to. Rest assured, WeTravel respects your privacy and won't inundate you with marketing emails.

Payment Methods  Once you've completed the familiar booking form, you can proceed to make secure online payments, currently available in 2 different ways:

1. credit card (which incurs a processing fee that varies according to the currency and location you are paying in, up to 2.9%) 

2. bank debit transfer. Bank debit transfers occur when an account holder authorises an outside party to “pull” funds from their bank account. The recipient’s bank initiates the transfer of funds, not the sender’s bank. When a customer sets up this type of bank transfer to make a payment, they provide their name and account details to the recipient, who will then use the account information to pull funds from the sender’s account into their own.This is different from bank/ wire transfer where instead of the recipient’s account “pulling” money from the sender’s account, credit transfers work by “pushing” money from the sender’s bank account to the recipient’s.

If you prefer alternative payment methods such as cheques or Wise wire transfer, we're happy to accommodate these arrangements on request.  

Non USA Payments  

Most of our tours are listed in US dollars but if you want to pay in your local currency by the bank debit method then it is as easy as selecting the flag of your country’s currency on the top right of the window when you are making payment. Alternatively, you can request our $US account details to make a wire transfer from outside the USA.  

2nd Participant Payments   

A booking will only show under the account of the person who made the booking, not the second participant. There are 2 options for payment in this case - 

1. You can pay together and handle the participant's payment outside of WeTravel. 

2. You can share the login and each make payments with your preferred payment method.

Timings 

The payment timing will stay the same, with a deposit of $750 pp payable at booking and the balance payable by 90 days before the tour starts. You will receive an automated reminder 30 days before the balance is due.We believe this new system will streamline your booking experience. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@iberianwinetours.com.

Cancellation Policy

If you wish to cancel your booking, you need to confirm the cancellation in writing by email or letter. If you contact Iberian Wine Tours prior to confirming your cancellation we can advise you of the cancellation charges applicable to your situation. The cancellation charge is based on the number of days prior to the starting day of the trip booked. The charges are per person cancelling, as follows:

90 days or more – loss of deposit

89-60 days or more – 25%

59-30 days – 50%

29 days or less – 100%

Refund Policy
From time to time, tours do not reach the minimum number of bookings necessary to make the trip viable. We reserve the right to cancel or alter a tour in these circumstances. If we cancel the tour or make substantial alterations, we will advise you at least 60 days before departure and will offer you alternative dates or a full refund. 

Meeting Point: Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, San Sebastian, 11:30 Tuesday 2nd November 2027

Day 1 – Tuesday 2nd November

Meet at 11:30 at the Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, San Sebastián. We begin our journey with a visit to San Telmo Museoa, housed in a former Dominican convent in the heart of San Sebastián’s Old Town. The museum offers an excellent introduction to Basque history, culture and identity, providing useful context for the food, traditions and landscapes we’ll discover throughout the journey.

We continue to Arzak for lunch. One of the great names of modern Basque cuisine, 3 Michelin star Arzak has played a pivotal role in the evolution of contemporary Spanish gastronomy. Founded by Juan Mari Arzak and now led alongside his daughter Elena, the restaurant remains one of the region’s most influential culinary institutions.

The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free to relax or explore San Sebastián at your leisure. L

Day 2 – Wednesday 3rd November

This morning we visit the Basque Culinary Center, one of Europe’s leading institutions for gastronomic education and research. We’ll enjoy a private tour exploring its innovative approach to cuisine, hospitality and culinary science, as well as its role in developing the next generation of Basque chefs.We then stay for lunch at the Culinary Center, experiencing its contemporary approach to Basque cooking.

This evening we step away from the world of professional kitchens and into one of the traditions that makes the Basque Country so distinctive: its gastronomic societies. We’ll join a private dinner at one of San Sebastián’s societies, enjoying a convivial meal in a uniquely Basque setting and learning more about the social traditions that have helped shape the region’s food culture. B/L/D

Day 3 – Thursday 4th November

We leave San Sebastián this morning and head along the coast towards Getaria, one of the most beautiful and historic fishing towns in the Basque Country. Here we’ll explore the region’s famous Txakoli wines with a private winery visit, learning about this distinctive, naturally fresh white wine and the maritime landscape in which it is produced.

We then continue to one Michelin star restaurant Elkano, where lunch is one of the highlights of the journey. Widely regarded as one of the world’s great destinations for grilled fish, Elkano is famous for its reverence for the finest local produce and its mastery of the parrilla. Lunch will showcase the extraordinary quality of the Cantabrian coast in the simplest and most compelling way. Free evening. B/L

Day 4 – Friday 5th November

This morning we visit Chillida Leku, the former home and studio of Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida. Set within beautiful grounds just outside San Sebastián, the museum brings together his monumental works with the landscape that inspired him, providing a fascinating cultural counterpoint to the food and wine experiences of the trip.

We then continue to lunch at 3 Michelin star Restaurant Martín Berasategui, a restaurant that has become one of the defining destinations of Basque haute cuisine. Berasategui’s cooking combines extraordinary technical precision with an intense respect for the finest ingredients, making this a fitting final gastronomic experience for our journey. B/L

Day 5 – Saturday 6th November

Our Basque gastronomic journey comes to an end this morning following breakfast and check-out. B