Bilbao, Spain · 8 Days
Basque: Spain's Culinary Riviera
From Earth to Table, Market Treasures and Fine Dining
Hosted throughout by Anna & Michael Olson
The Concept
An Invitation Into the Basque Table
Welcome to the Basque Country: Europe's most celebrated culinary coastline, where tradition and innovation live side by side.
This eight-day journey is based in Bilbao and explores the region's iconic food culture, guided by the expertise and warmth of celebrated chefs Anna and Michael Olson. You'll follow ingredients from source to table: artisanal chocolate in Tolosa, pintxos culture in San Sebastián, a private culinary masterclass in Santander, and a behind-the-scenes seafood conservas tasting in Bermeo.
From the wild beauty of Gaztelugatxe to the rural heart of Idiazabal and its legendary cheeses, every detail is curated for comfort and access.
At a Glance
Dates
Sept 24 - Oct 1, 2027
Nights
7
Base
5-star Hotel Carlton, Bilbao
Group Size
Max 16 guests
Host
Anna & Michael Olson
Style
Culinary immersion
$9,700 CAD + GST per person
Double occupancy (shared room). Single supplement: $1,950 CAD + GST.
Superior room upgrade: +$650 CAD pp (subject to availability).
Deposit: $1,500 CAD per person
Or $3,000 CAD per couple sharing a room.
Your Hosts
In the Best Hands
Our first ever trip to Spain was to the Basque region, and we fell in love with the food, art and culture of this area. There is a passion for life that becomes a part of your heart when you visit, and we can't wait to share this with you.
Anna & Michael Olson
Michael, Anna & Giovanni - behind the scenes
Anna & Michael Olson
Celebrity Chefs & Culinary Hosts
Award-winning pastry chef and cookbook author Anna Olson and chef Michael Olson bring decades of culinary mastery to every journey. Their deep love for regional cuisine, hands-on cooking sessions, and infectious enthusiasm transform each meal into a masterclass - and each moment into a memory.
Giovanni
Founder, FTD Agency & Tour Director
With over 15 years of curating luxury European travel, Giovanni personally scouts every hotel, restaurant, and experience. His Italian roots and fluency in four languages open doors most travelers never know exist - from private producer visits to family-run kitchens off every guidebook. He handles every detail so you simply enjoy.
Together, Anna, Michael, and Giovanni create an experience that blends world-class culinary expertise with seamless, behind-the-scenes care - so every moment feels effortless and extraordinary.
Why This Journey
Curated Experiences
Market-to-Table Cooking in Bilbao
Step into Bilbao's culinary heartbeat with a guided market visit and a live chef-led cooking experience at a private txoko-style setting. Follow ingredients from stall to plate and sit down to an exclusive tasting menu.
San Sebastián: Pintxos & Belle Époque Elegance
San Sebastián is where food becomes culture. Discover the world of pintxos in the Old Town at your own pace, then enjoy a guided walk through the city's most iconic streets and seaside views.
Artisan Access: Chocolate, Conservas & Cheese
Rare access to the people behind the region's most celebrated flavors - from an immersive chocolate experience in Tolosa, to seafood conservas in Bermeo, to a hands-on Idiazabal cheese workshop.
Michelin-Star Farewell Dinner
The journey culminates with a farewell dinner at Michelin-starred Atelier Etxanobe - the Chef Atelier Plus Menu with wine pairing, a fitting finale to an extraordinary week.
Day by Day
Tour Itinerary
Eight days. One iconic Basque base. A culinary journey you'll never forget.
Day 1
Arrival in Bilbao
Arrive at Bilbao Airport. Private chauffeur group transfer to your iconic 5-star hotel in the heart of the city. Settle in and explore the elegant Plaza Moyúa. Welcome dinner at Restaurante Víctor (Plaza Nueva) featuring the legendary Bacalao al Pil-Pil.
🍽️ Dinner
Day 2
Tolosa Chocolate & San Sebastián Pintxos
Private transfer to Tolosa for a guided visit and tasting at the Rafa Gorrotxategi Chocolate Museum. Continue to San Sebastián for free time to discover pintxos at your own pace in the Old Town. Guided walk through the waterfront highlights and Belle Époque elegance. Return to Bilbao for dinner.
🍽️ Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3
Santander Coast & Cantabrian Cooking Masterclass
Private transfer along the coast to Santander. Private guided tour of the city's key coastal and urban highlights. Exclusive culinary masterclass and degustation at Chefs Working - a private, hands-on experience with curated wine pairings. Return to Bilbao.
🍽️ Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4
Urdaibai, Gaztelugatxe & Bermeo Seafood
Drive along the dramatic Biscay coast through the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Visit the iconic San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Continue to the historic fishing port of Bermeo for a guided visit and tasting at Conservas Zallo (seafood preserves). Traditional Basque lunch at Restaurante Almiketxu.
🍽️ Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5
Bilbao Market-to-Table Cooking Experience
A culinary highlight: guided market visit and ingredient selection at El Txoko. Live chef showcooking workshop followed by an exclusive tasting menu lunch. Afternoon at leisure to explore Bilbao's vibrant neighbourhoods.
🍽️ Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6
Arantzazu Sanctuary & Idiazabal Cheese Workshop
Private transfer into the Basque interior. Guided visit to the striking Sanctuary of Arantzazu. Hands-on Idiazabal cheese experience and tasting at Aranburu Farm, paired with Txakoli wine. Visit the medieval town of Oñati for free time and market browsing. Return to Bilbao for dinner.
🍽️ Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7
Bilbao City Tour & Michelin-Star Farewell
Private guided tour of Bilbao - heritage sites, Casco Viejo, and the city's key icons. Afternoon at leisure for galleries, boutiques, or a final pintxos crawl. Farewell dinner at Michelin-starred Atelier Etxanobe: Chef Atelier Plus Menu with wine pairing.
🍽️ Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8
Departure Day
Final breakfast at the hotel. Morning checkout. Private group transfer to Bilbao Airport for departure. ¡Hasta la próxima!
🍽️ Breakfast
What's Included
Your Package
Included
5-star accommodation throughout
- 7 nights in 5-star Hotel Carlton Bilbao (or similar) with breakfast
- Private arrival and departure airport transfers
- Private transportation with driver for all scheduled day trips
- Welcome dinner at Restaurante Víctor
- Rafa Gorrotxategi Chocolate Museum visit and guided tasting (Tolosa)
- Private Cantabrian culinary masterclass at Chefs Working (Santander) with wine pairings
- Conservas Zallo guided tour and tasting of 7 seafood products (Bermeo)
- Lunch at Restaurante Almiketxu
- Market-to-table culinary experience at El Txoko (Bilbao): market visit + chef showcooking + tasting menu
- Aranburu Farm guided visit and Idiazabal cheese tasting paired with Txakoli
- Farewell dinner at Michelin-starred Atelier Etxanobe with wine pairing
- Beverages with included meals: ½L water + ¼L wine or 33cl beer per person
- Private guided tours (English-speaking): San Sebastián, Santander & Bilbao
- Sanctuary of Arantzazu guided tour
- Customized recipe collection from Anna & Michael Olson
- Emergency medical travel insurance*
- 24/7 in-destination support in English
* Emergency medical travel insurance is provided by ARAG S.E. (Top Mundo policy) and includes the following key coverages per person: up to €1,000,000 in medical and hospital expenses, emergency dental care (€200), full-cost medical repatriation or transport, family member travel in case of hospitalization (up to €1,500 + €150/day), hotel convalescence (€1,500), early return for family emergency or hospitalization, search and rescue (€2,000), advance of funds abroad (€3,000), luggage protection against theft or damage (€3,000), trip cancellation coverage (up to €5,000 for Europe / €7,000 worldwide), travel delay compensation (€100 per 6 hours of delay), missed connection reimbursement (€700), 24/7 emergency assistance and interpreter services, and accidental death and disability coverage while in transit. This is a comprehensive emergency policy provided as part of your package. Guests are still encouraged to purchase their own additional travel insurance, including personal trip cancellation and personal liability coverage, for complete peace of mind.
Not Included
- International flights
- Optional activities, upgrades, or additional tastings not listed
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, and tips/gratuities
- Pintxos and drinks in San Sebastián (Day 2 - at your own pace)
- Lunch in Oñati (Day 6 - free time)
- GST 5%
- Credit card processing fees (e-transfer available at no extra cost)
Pricing
$9,700 CAD + GST per person
Double occupancy (shared room)
Single room supplement: $1,950 CAD + GST
The Basque Table Awaits
Basque: Spain's Culinary Riviera
Pintxos, Txakoli, artisan chocolate, Michelin-star dining, and the wild beauty of the Bay of Biscay.
Sept 24 - Oct 1, 2027 · 8 Days · Bilbao, Spain · Max 16 guests