EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Survey Bilbao’s alluring architectural landmarks, with a focus on the stunning Guggenheim Museum. Enjoy a brief panoramic tour of the city including privilege views over the from city at Artxanda Hill, before alighting at the Guggenheim Museum, an architectural masterpiece clad in swooping titanium plates and curving glass panes that is the pure, unmistakable signature of starchitect Frank Gehry. Gaze in awe at this marvelous creation, which fractures the sunlight into an effervescent shimmer. You’ll discover its interior of milk-white walls, soaring halls and intimate galleries is equally enchanting. Led by an informative tour guide, spend approximately 1 ½ hours browsing modern art from the mid-20th century to the present, studying masterworks by Andy Warhol, Willem de Kooning, Roy Lichtenstein, Louise Bourgeois and Richard Serra, to name but a few. Board your coach continuing the panoramic drive from majestic neoclassical façades to cutting-edge subway stations designed by revered architect Norman Foster: you’ll be thrilled by Bilbao’s embrace of both the old and new. Prior to return to pier , stop for pictures at the 1893 Vizcaya Bridge, a highly unusual hanging transporter bridge that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delve into Bilbao’s historic heart on a brief panoramic coach tour.
• Appreciate nice city views from a priviledge view points at Artxanda Hill and stop for pictures and the famous Hanging Bridge of Getxo.
• Marvel at the swirling titanium and glass architecture of Frank Gehry’s iconic Guggenheim Bilbao.
• Appreciate an approximately 1 ½ hour docent-led tour of the museum’s 20th-century and contemporary masterpieces.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

The historic beauty of Bilbao is yours to discover during a visit to Getxo, where you will ride above the Hanging Bridge and see the main highlights of Bilbao. Departing from the pier, you will enjoy a short drive to Getxo, an elegant residential town nestled on the bank of the Nervion River and featuring large, English-style homes. Upon arrival, you will take a panoramic drive of the city and then proceed for a visit to the nearby Hanging Bridge, or Bizkaia Bridge. The Bridge joins the riverbanks at Portugalete and Las Arenas, allowing for free-flowing maritime traffic. Reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower due to its iron structure, this over 100 year-old masterpiece of engineering is now the oldest transporter bridge in the world. During your visit, you will have an opportunity to ride and take in spectacular views of Getxo, the Nervion River and Abra Port. Next, you will re-board your coach for the drive to Bilbao´s charming riverside of Nervion river and stop for photos at the swirling titanium and glass architecture of Frank Gehry’s iconic Guggenheim Museum. Gaze in awe at this marvelous creation, which fractures the sunlight into an effervescent shimmer. Your visit will conclude with a drive up Artxanda Hill for spectacular views of the city and the Guggenheim Museum.

OVERVIEW

Experience the magnificent landmarks of Bilbao and a mouthwatering sampling of pintxos (how locals call tapas), on this captivating walking tour. Travel to Bilbao’s renowned Guggenheim Museum, an architectural masterpiece clad in swooping titanium plates and curving glass panes conjured by starchitect Frank Gehry. Gaze in awe at this marvelous creation, which fractures the sunlight into an effervescent shimmer. After your outside visit to this remarkable structure, continue to Bilbao’s Old Quarter for a repast of traditional Basque pinxtos accompanied by regional wine. You’ll enjoy a walking tour of the city’s historic heart, passing alluring sights such as the splendid Teatro Arriaga, the bustling waterfront promenade of El Arenal and the lovely Cathedral of Santiago, which boasts a beautiful neo-Gothic tower. Time permitting, enjoy free time on your own, wandering Bilbao’s elegant boulevards dotted with medieval landmarks and ultra-modern subway stations designed by Norman Foster, another celebrated architect. Perhaps you’ll browse an inviting shop for a memento of this compelling city, which is firmly rooted in the past, yet plunging headlong into the future.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Marvel at the swirling titanium and glass architecture of Frank Gehry’s iconic Guggenheim Bilbao.
• Sample the Basque region’s tapas, called pintxos, and wine.
• Immerse yourself in Bilbao’s scenic Old Quarter on a walking tour of its medieval and neoclassical landmarks.
• Delight in time on your own to find a perfect souvenir or further uncover Bilbao’s charms.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• If you wish to visit the cathedral during free time, dress appropriately for a religious venue; shoulders and knees must be covered.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Embrace the beauty and flavors of the scenic Rioja Alavesa countryside during this memorable tour, tasting and lunch in El Ciego.

Depart the pier by coach for the scenic 2-hour drive to the town of El Ciego. Located in the Alava Province, El Ciego is the site of the new City of the Wine, a complex created by the Marques de Riscal cellars. The City of the Wine includes the old cellars, new Frank Gehry hotel, and new French wine spa, Caudalie.

Upon arrival to the complex, your tour will begin with a visit to the cellars. Here, you will learn about the history of the region's wine-producing heritage and techniques, and hear about the latest wine-making technologies. After your visit, you will be invited to taste the white Verdejo and red Reserva Marques de Riscal wines.

Continuing on, you will make your way to the town of Laguardia, where you will enjoy a brief guided walking tour and then a typical local lunch at Posada Mayor de Migueola, a traditional restaurant. Following lunch, you'll transfer directly back to the ship.

Learn about tending a herd of sheep at a shepherd’s school in the fiercely Basque Country and see how the sheep’s milk is used to produce local cheeses. The school will present the fundamentals of the ancient trade of shepherding. During the visit understand the importance of the indigenous Laxta sheep. The latxa sheep is distinguished by its open leece that, with thick, white wool, falls on both sides marking a perfect division. You will also see firsthand, the importance of Basque shepherd dogs, a highly intelligent, energetic breed with one of the world’s oldest lineages. These working dogs are naturals at helping shepherds tend their flocks. The sheep’s milk is used to make Idiazabal cheese, which you will sample with a glass of Txacoli wine. Following the enlightening experience at the shepherd’s school, you will stop at the Sanctuary of Arantzazu, which Franciscan monks founded centuries ago. It perches atop a rocky cliff and looks surprisingly unconventional, as its bell towers are made with blocks of diamond-point limestone.

Marvel at the vintage luxury automobiles in a Rolls-Royce Museum tucked away in a remote mountain fortress, and then marvel in front at the beauty of the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao. Departing from the pier, it's a scenic drive inland through the enchanting mountains that define Spain's beautiful Basque country. In time, you'll come upon majestic Concejuelo Castle, a treasure hidden away off the main road. What's even more remarkable is the Rolls-Royce Museum that's all but hidden inside its tower, the Torre Loizaga.This little-known, yet amazing collection of luxury automobiles contains more than 40 vintage Rolls-Royces, including a 1910 Silver Ghost and a legendary Phantom IV, of which only 18 were ever made, strictly for heads of state such as Queen Elizabeth. To complement the priceless Rolls-Royces, there are more than 25 other makes of luxury cars, including a Lamborghini Countach, Ferrari Testarossa and several rare Bentleys. After you have filled your head with thoughts of owning one of these beauties, it's time to resume your tour and travel back to Bilbao charming´s riverside of Nervion river and stop for photos at the swirling titanium and glass architecture of Frank Gehry’s iconic Guggenheim Museum . Gaze in awe at this marvelous creation, which fractures the sunlight into an effervescent shimmer. Next, you'll rejoin your coach and transfer directly back to the pier.

Follow the Nervión River into Bilbao to admire landmarks like its unusual transporter bridge and the Guggenheim Museum, a modern marvel of architecture on this mostly panoramic tour.

Depart from the pier and start driving towards downtown Bilbao, an energetic city on the Nervión River. Following the river's course, you will soon come upon the Great Biscay Transporter Bridge, a towering latticework of metal that opened in 1893. Ever since, it has been carrying people - and now cars, across the river in an open gondola suspended from the bridge high above. If the design reminds you of the Eiffel Tower, it's no coincidence; the bridge's architect was a student of Gustave Eiffel.

Next, you will drive up Mount Artxanda, one of the two mountains within the city limits. During a photo stop here, you will have an excellent panoramic view of Bilbao, one of the great cities of the Basque Country. While Bilbao's roots are definitely industrial, in the past two decades it has become passionately devoted to the arts. This cultural drive has been largely fueled by the celebrated Guggenheim Museum, where you will enjoy a brief amount of free time to take some exterior pictures and walk about.

Designed by Frank Gehry, the museum is clad in swirls of titanium, limestone and huge glass panes. Even before opening in 1997, it was hailed as the greatest building of its time. The Guggenheim is certainly the most photographed structure in Bilbao and after meandering about its grounds you will understand the attraction. Afterwards, you will return to the pier via a scenic route through downtown.

Experience the beauty of Guernica and the Biscaine Coast during this half-day visit to Bermeo and Guernica.

Departing the pier, it's a scenic 2-hour coach drive along the Basque Coast en route to Bermeo. Bermeo is one of the most important fishing ports on the Cantabrian coastline and home to a large deep-sea fishing fleet which operates in the Azores and Southern Africa. Upon arrival, you will take a guided walking tour of this charming little town, along the way observing the popular Basque architecture that is reflected in the fishermen's homes. Following your walking tour, you will have free time to explore the area at your leisure.

Rejoining your coach, you will next travel to Guernica, making a brief photo stop at the Mirador viewpoint en route. The former capital of this Basque country, Guernica was the meeting-place for local lords and kings who assembled here to pledge to uphold the laws of Vizcaya. On April 26, 1937, the town was completely devastated by German aircraft sent by Hitler to support Franco's troops. Upon arrival, you will see the petrified trunk of the symbolic oak tree that miraculously survived this horrific bombing raid. Another of the sites you will see is the Park of Europe where you will find the famous sculptures symbolizing Guernica-Lumo as a city of peace.

Your time in Guernica concludes with refreshments and an aperitif before visiting the Casa de Juntas, where the Basque Parliament has convened since 1979. Following your Parliament visit, you will re-board your coach for the return drive to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Admire Bilbao’s landmarks on a panoramic drive through downtown before visiting San Mamés Stadium, an extraordinary facility that was voted the world’s best sports building in 2015 for its architecture. Bilbao is renowned for its dynamic urban landscape, which includes the UNESCO World Heritage site Vizcaya Bridge and the Guggenheim Museum, a titanium-clad wonder that the legendary Frank Gehry designed. After passing both of these icons, you will stop at San Mamés, yet another cutting-edge architectural marvel. Thousands of sail-like slats cover the stadium exterior and the seating inside is so focused on the playing field that the fans feel like they are part of the action. You will experience that same excitement firsthand by running onto the field from the tunnel just like the Athletic Club soccer team before each home game. You will also browse the press room, locker rooms and stadium museum, whose collection tells the fascinating story of the team’s history.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the landmark Vizcaya Bridge and Guggenheim Museum while driving through Bilbao.
• Behold the bold design of the San Mamés Stadium, the Athletic Club’s home soccer field.
• Run through the stadium tunnel onto the grass field just like the soccer players.
• Tour the stadium locker rooms, press room and museum exhibits.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Tour a winery known for producing premium Txakoli wine and then dine on traditional Basque cuisine in a 19th-century country house that has been converted into a restaurant. Txakoli is a slightly fizzy wine made from the native Hondarribi grape that flourishes in the Basque terroir. Most Txakoli is white wine, but there are red varieties. As you will discover during the tasting, this delicate wine is typically poured into flat-bottomed glasses from a height of no more than eight inches to preserve its natural effervescence. Continuing on, you will pause for photos of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, an islet so visually dramatic that it was chosen as a location for the HBO series Game of Thrones. You will dine in "Puente Colgante" Restaurant. Basque cuisine is based on high quality products with good raw materials. Fresh fish and shellfish from the Cantabrian Sea, legumes, vegetables from their gardens and meat from their livestock are the main ingredients in their gastronomy culture. A traditional recipes that are passed from generation to generation and the passion of the Basques for their local products. Therefore, on this tour we will be able to taste the cuisine of the popular Chef Zuriñe García, trained at the Galdakao Hospitality School and nowadays the Chef in charge of Puente Colgante Restaurante. In her early years, this strong woman was trained in each of the kitchen games, soaking up all the knowledge while she expanded her academic training. With a lot of work and effort, in 2004, her passion for the great product of Basque cuisine, fish, was rewarded and she became the Head of the Fish Department. But in 2010 was the turning point in her career, Zuriñe García would become one of the few female haute cuisine restaurant chefs in charge of a Michelin Star restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour a winery and sample Txakoli wine made from the most prominent Basque country grape.
• Admire the spectacular view of the isletSan Juan de Gaztelugatxe from an elevated lookout.
• Dine on traditional Basque cuisine at Puente Colgante Hotel.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours independently exploring Bilbao, a seaside city in the heart of Basque Country that has been dramatically revitalized since the Guggenheim Museum opened a few decades ago. You will be dropped off near the Euskalduna building, one of the symbols of modern Bilbao. Built on the site of a former shipyard, the Euskalduna Concert Hall and Convention Centre is another contemporary masterpiece well worth visiting. For a counterpoint, you might cross the circuitous Nervión River to browse the Archaeological Museum. Nearby, you will also find within easy walking distance from the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum, whose wildly expressionistic titanium-clad exterior sets the tone for the collection of modern art inside.. A nice 30 minutes stroll along Gran Via – Bilbao´s main shopping avenue - will lead you to the Old Quarter, a pedestrian-friendly area founded more than 700 years ago. Bilbao’s most historical churches, monuments and plazas are there and not to be missed. If you wish to dine like a local, most every restaurant serves sparkling txakoli wine and pintxos, the Basque version of tapas. Fresh seafood is typically among the ingredients.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Bilbao on your own and focus on the attractions that sound most interesting.
• Be dropped off in the city center near the Euskalduna building and at walking distance from the Guggenheim Museum.
• Enjoy the freedom of wandering about at your own pace with no schedule to follow.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Browse the spectacular collection of modern art in the iconic Guggenheim Museum at your own pace and explore Bilbao’s nearby Old Quarter for a historical perspective with a guided walk. Even the museum’s exterior is captivating, as architect Frank Gehry designed it to be sculptural with swirls of titanium and huge glass panes. As you will discover inside, the majority of the collection features modern art from the mid-20th century to the present. The names of the artists read like a Who’s Who of talent that includes Andy Warhol, Willem de Kooning, Jeff Koons, Robert Rauschenberg and several contemporary Spanish artists. A guided walk through Bilbao’s pedestrianized Old Quarter will present plenty of urban charms as it is a wonderfully vibrant district full of historical monuments and picture-worthy corners. Tapas bars and one-of-a-kind shops will be at your fingertips during free time.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold the extraordinary whimsical exterior of the Guggenheim Museum.
• See modern works of art that are as spectacular as architect Frank Gehry’s museum design.
• Walk through Bilbao’s Old Town with the guide and explore it further on your own.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.