Description
Dine on Delectable Plates in San Sebastian, Spain (Europe) for Five Days & Four Nights at a Boutique Hotel in Two Guestrooms for Four, Including a Pintxos Tour, and a Dinner at a Basque Cooking Club (Land Only)
What is not to love about the majestic city of San Sebastian, or Donostia as it is called in Basque, on the Cantabrian Sea? This alluring city sits on a circular bay with pristine white sand beaches that have long attracted wealthy beach-goers in search of sun and sophistication. While the city was made famous during the Belle Epoque era, in more recent years it has gained significant press for its cuisine, the wonders of which you'll discover on your pintxos tour and access to a txoko, a Basque cooking club!
Imagine a smaller Paris, located on the water, with fewer tourists, more relaxed and with a Basque twist - that's San Sebastian! And this vibrant city has a little bit of everything. La Concha, the most beautiful urban beach in Europe, is adorned by luxurious beachside mansions, and the boardwalk is lined by an ornate white railing that has become a symbol of the city. There are two other beaches in the city that offer a more relaxed beach experience, Ondarreta and Zurriola, the latter of which is also popular with surfers. Around the city you'll find evidence of its glamorous past; Queen Maria Cristina established her royal summerhouse in San Sebastian after all! The city celebrates the art of eating in all its many forms, and does it well - it has 16 Michelin stars spread across 9 restaurants, and famously boasts more stars per capita than anywhere else in the world, other than Tokyo! Famous for its pintxos, the best place to try some of them is the Parte Vieja (Old Part). This charming old city center is famous for having the highest concentration of bars in the world; it's where the pintxo is king and the food is taken very seriously.
San Sebastián has a justly deserved reputation as one of the world's great dining destinations. In this seaside city, you'll find the best tapas in all of Spain, known at pintxos, with recipes that showcase first-rate ingredients from the surrounding coast and countryside. Guided by a local expert, your walking tour will take you around the historical center of San Sebastian and to five different pintxos bars to sample a variety of these tasty local Spanish delicacies, accompanied by a glass of local wine in each bar.
Immerse yourself in Basque cuisine and culture at a cooking club! This exclusive tour begins with a transfer to Hondarribia, a quaint fishing village located on the Contabrian Coast, and one of the Basque Country's most charming towns, to visit the town before entering a txoko, usually translated as "gastronomic society." They're distinctly Basque members-only kitchens and dining halls, where people cook with their friends (often well into the night), keeping Basque recipes, language and culture alive. There are roughly two million people in the Basque Country and over 1,000 txokos, pronounced "cho-kos." But while the meals are delicious and often fresh from the farm and sea, the cameraderie is what makes the txoko experience truly unique. Just be prepared for a long night - don't be surprised if you sit down to eat at 11:00pm, and the next time you look at your watch it's 5:00am!
Item Special Note
Your trip for four includes:
5 days/4 nights accommodations at a boutique hotel in San Sebastian in two guestrooms
Daily breakfast
A pintxos tour
A dinner at a Basque cooking club, including a visit to Hondarribia and private transfers by van
All room-related taxes (including VAT)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Travel package is non-refundable and subject to availability. Certificates/gift cards cannot be replaced. Passport required for travel outside the U.S. A minimum 30 day advance reservation is required. Please email us at auction@stmaryhs.org to find out deadline to travel.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellation prior to arrival will be subject to forfeiture of reservations and funds.