Flavours of Spain: Basque Country, Rioja & Madrid

Today you dive into the legendary food scene of San Sebastian. In the atmospheric old town you embark on a guided pintxos crawl, hopping from bar to bar and sampling exquisite little creations, from seared foie gras and grilled prawns to the famous gilda of anchovy, olive and pepper, each washed down with crisp txakoli or Rioja, learning the etiquette and stories behind this beloved Basque tradition. You take in the beautiful crescent bay of La Concha and the harbour. In the evening you experience the pinnacle of Basque haute cuisine with a memorable dinner in a Michelin-starred restaurant. The flavour, craft and beauty are astonishing. As the day ends, you reflect on an extraordinary day of eating. This evening's meal lingers long in the memory. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to Bilbao and the Guggenheim.

Today you journey along the rugged Basque coast to Bilbao, the great Basque city, where you are transferred to your hotel. With your guide you explore Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum, a shimmering sculpture of titanium curves rising by the river, one of the most spectacular buildings of our age, and admire its major modern art and the giant flower puppy that guards the entrance. You then dive into Bilbao's gastronomy, wandering the atmospheric Casco Viejo, the old town, sampling pintxos and small plates and tasting crisp local txakoli. The art, architecture and flavour are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into the city, energised by its blend of the cutting-edge and the traditional. This evening, savour more Basque flavours in a lively taberna. Rest well, for tomorrow you explore more of Bilbao and its markets.

Today you explore more of Bilbao's rich food culture at a relaxed pace. You visit the vast Ribera market, one of the largest covered markets in Europe, browsing its stalls of glistening seafood, jamon, cheeses, vegetables and Basque specialities, and learning about the ingredients that define the region's celebrated cuisine. You wander the old town and riverside, perhaps taking the funicular up to a viewpoint over the city, and enjoy a leisurely lunch of small plates paired with local wine. There is time to revisit the Guggenheim or browse the shops. The flavour, culture and atmosphere are captivating. As the day ends, you relax, savouring the Basque good life. This evening is yours to enjoy a final Bilbao dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey into the vineyards of Rioja.

Today you journey south into Rioja, the most celebrated wine region in Spain, a beautiful land of vine-clad hills, medieval villages and historic wineries beneath the Sierra de Cantabria, where you are transferred to your hotel, perhaps a wine estate or a parador amid the vines. In the afternoon you visit a historic, centuries-old bodega, descending into its vast, cool cellars stacked with ageing barrels and learning how the region's famous Tempranillo reds are made, followed by a guided tasting of fine wines. You take in the beautiful vineyard landscape glowing in the afternoon light. The beauty and flavour are glorious. As the day ends, you settle into the wine country. This evening, savour a dinner paired with excellent Rioja. Rest well, for tomorrow you explore more bodegas and wine towns.

Today you immerse yourself in the wine country of Rioja. You visit a dramatic avant-garde winery designed by a celebrated architect such as Frank Gehry or Santiago Calatrava, a striking contrast to yesterday's historic cellars, touring the modern facilities and enjoying another fine tasting. You wander the beautiful medieval wine towns of the region, such as hilltop Laguardia, with its walls and ancient wine cellars beneath the streets, and Haro, the heart of Rioja. You enjoy a memorable long lunch amid the vines, pairing regional dishes with excellent wines. The beauty, craft and flavour are glorious. As the day ends, you relax in the wine country, mellow and content. This evening, savour a final Rioja dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to the grand capital, Madrid.

Today you journey south to Madrid, the grand capital and a paradise for food lovers, where you are transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. This afternoon you begin to explore its gourmet side with your guide, wandering the elegant San Miguel market, an ornate iron-and-glass hall where you graze on oysters, jamon, cheese, croquetas and cava, and taking in the arcaded Plaza Mayor and historic streets nearby. You sample vermouth on tap, a beloved Madrid ritual, and hand-carved jamon iberico, the finest cured ham in the world. The variety and flavour are delicious. As the day ends, you soak up the buzzing energy of the capital. This evening, enjoy a first taste of Madrid's tapas scene. Rest well, for tomorrow you explore more of the capital's legendary food.

Today you enjoy a full day of Madrid's legendary food scene. With your guide you explore lively food markets such as San Anton and the neighbourhoods that define the capital's gastronomy, and in the evening embark on a classic Madrid tapas crawl, hopping from bar to bar through historic La Latina, sampling patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo, tortilla, croquetas and more, each with a glass of wine, vermouth or cana. You learn the art of the tapeo, the sociable ritual of grazing and drinking that is the heartbeat of Spanish life. The variety, flavour and atmosphere are delicious. As the day ends, you savour the conviviality of the capital. This evening's feast is a fitting finale to your culinary journey through Spain. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow.

After a final morning in Madrid, perhaps a last coffee and churros or some gourmet shopping for jamon, saffron and Spanish delicacies to take home, you are transferred to Madrid airport for your onward departure. You leave having feasted through the flavours of Spain, the pintxos and Michelin kitchens of San Sebastian, the Guggenheim and markets of Bilbao, the vineyards and bodegas of Rioja, and the gourmet markets and tapas of Madrid, guided by experts who opened the finest doors. The tastes and images stay vivid long after you land, a perfect gilda in a Basque bar, the titanium curves of the Guggenheim, sunlit vineyards in Rioja, and hand-carved jamon in Madrid. Spanish gastronomy offers pleasure, sophistication and conviviality in abundance, and you depart well-fed, well-wined and already dreaming of a return to this delicious and welcoming land.