Signature: Northern Spain & the Vineyards of Southwest France

About this trip

Spanning two extraordinary nations, this expedition traces the ancient and the refined from Northern Spain to Southwest France. Savour the culinary soul of the Basque Coast, the celebrated vintages of La Rioja and Bordeaux, and the breathtaking cave art of Cantabria and the Dordogne — connecting you to the communities and stories that define both regions

Highlights

✦Archaeologist cave tour Discover prehistoric art alongside a site archaeologist during a private cave visit

✦San Sebastián food tour

✦Savour Basque flavours on a walking tour supporting the Eat One Feed One social enterprise project

✦Explore historic Rioja wineries featuring designs by Gustave Eiffel and Frank Gehry

✦Join the owner of Castle Merle for a prehistoric meal and private exploration of ancient rock shelters

✦Discover the "Sistine Chapel of Prehistory" on a visit to Lascaux IV exploration with a guided tour of this immersive cave replica

✦Savour regional flavours during a hosted lunch amidst the vibrant energy of Victor Hugo market in Toulouse

✦Visit a pioneering community coffee shop Café Joyeux that is supporting employment for those with disabilities.

Day by Day

18 Aug – 1 Sep 2029

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US$14,999

Fully booked

September 2029

29 Sep – 13 Oct 2029

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US$14,999

Fully booked

What's Included

✓ Included

·Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group
·Bilbao
·Signature Moment: Caves del Castillo & Monedas Guided Visit
·Puente Viesgo
·Your Foodie Moment: Private Wine Tasting and Lunch at CVNE Winery
·Haro
·Your Foodie Moment: Walking & Food Tour of San Sebastián
·San Sebastian
·Signature Moment: Visit Castel-Merle With Prehistoric Lunch
·Sarlat-la-Canéda
·Your Foodie Moment: Guided visit to the Sanctuary of Rocamadour
·Rocamadour
·Your Foodie Moment: Toulouse Walking Tour and Lunch at Victor Hugo Market
·Toulouse. Arrival and departure transfers. Guided tour of Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
·Bilbao.
·Welcome Dinner in Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
·Bilbao. Visit to Seminario Pontificio (or Major Seminary)
·Comillas. Visit to Villa El Capricho de Gaudí
·Comillas. Altamira Caves Guided Private tour led by an expert
·Altamira. Altamira Cueva (Cave) del Pendo Guided Visit
·Escobedo. Yacimientos de Atapuerca Visit
·Atapuerca. Visit Bodegas Marqués de Riscal for a wine tasting hosted by a sommelier
·Elciego. Pamplona guided Walk
·Pamplona. Curated Panoramic tour of Bordeaux
·Bordeaux. Coffee Shop Enterprice visit and coffee
·Bordeaux. Visit Bordeaux Area Winery for tasting
·Bordeaux. Guide for the Monolithic church and catacombs visit
·Saint-Émilion. National Museum of Prehistory Entrance Fee
·Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil. Visit to Rouffignac Cave
·Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de-Reilhac. Visit to Font de Gaume Cave
·Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil. Morning Walk to walk to Food Market in Sarlat
·Sarlat-la-Canéda. Visit International Centre for Cave Art at Lascaux IV
·Montignac – Montignac. Elevators to Sanctuary of Rocamadour
·Rocamadour. Guided visit to the Sanctuary of Rocamadour
·Rocamadour. Visit to Pech Merle
·Cabrerets. Discover Toulouse walking tour
·Toulouse. Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expedition Expert Throughout. Porterage at hotels and when getting on and off of vehicles. Tips are included for all activities
·meals and porterage
·except for your Expedition Leader. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.