DAY 1 BARCELONA
Arrive
in Barcelona at any time. As your fellow travellers are arriving throughout the
day, there are no planned activities, so check-in to the hotel (check-in time
is approx. 3pm) and enjoy the city. In the evening meet your fellow group
members to go over the details of your trip. Check the notice boards or ask at
reception for the exact time and location of this group meeting. After the
meeting, you can head out for a meal at a local restaurant with the group
(optional). If you arrive late, no worries, your Tour Leader will leave you a
message at the front desk.
Please note: This tour is designed for those who wish to enjoy the spectacle of
the Running of the Bulls from a safe distance. Sunwebtravel does not in any way
recommend participating in the run. Please see the "important notes"
section for more information on this.
If you arrive early why not spend the afternoon at leisure exploring Spain’s
second largest city, known worldwide for its dynamic atmosphere and exciting
style. Barcelona may be Spain’s second largest city, but it's the capital when
it comes to fashion, architecture, food and music. Renowned for its dynamic
atmosphere and groundbreaking style, Barcelona is always fun and exciting. As
the most cosmopolitan and economically active city in Spain it has always shown
its will to be modern. Barcelona is always at the forefront of the latest
international styles, whether it be in architecture, fashion or ways of
thinking. There is plenty of history too: visit the old Gothic Quarter with its
maze of dark streets, historic cathedral, medieval buildings, bars and cafes.
Stroll the Rambla, a large tree-lined pedestrian boulevard perfect for
people-watching and window shopping, ending at the harbour front facing the
Mediterranean Sea.
Make sure to view Gaudi’s most famous work, the Sagrada Familia cathedral, an
inspiring yet bizarre testament to the artist’s unique vision. Should you need
some quiet time away from it all a visit to the imaginative Park Guell will
cure all ills, as you stroll the tree lined paths and admire more of Gaudi’s
creative genius at play.
For nightlife, the highest concentration of young and beautiful locals dancing
the night away – both in the bars and on the street – can be found near the
intersection of Santaló and Mariano Cubi streets. Here you can always find good
music, good drinks and lots of fun. Another good nightlife spot for meeting the
fashionable locals of Barcelona is on the Plaza Francesc Maciá.
DAY 2 BARCELONA
Today
is a free day to explore all that the Catalan capital has to offer. Why not let
your Tour Leader take you on a orientation walk after breakfast, to point out
some of the many highlights not to be missed. From the impressive Gaudi
architecture of the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, Pedreira and the Park Guell,
to the magnificent Picasso Museum, the narrow atmospheric alleys of the Gothic
Quarter and the sweeping Ramblas boulevard leading down to the sparkling waters
of the Mediterranean around the modern and bustling port area and of course,
Barceloneta Beach, the hangout for the trendy local crowd in summer.
DAY 3 PAMPLONA
Welcome
to the fiesta! We head by train to Pamplona, capital of Navarre region and home
of the Fiestas de San Fermin, one of Spain's most famous festivals, best known
for its daily Running of the Bulls or "encierro", an integral part of
this week-long annual festival. After checking-in to our hotel in the late
afternoon, head out with your Tour Leader onto the streets to explore the city
and soak up some of the unique festive atmosphere. Get ready for your first
night on the town as you join the colourful revelry with plenty of time to
sample some great local tapas and wine. Don't expect to get much sleep -
Pamplona has more bars than Dublin!
The festival of San Fermin is a deeply rooted celebration held annually from
midday on the 6th July, when the opening of the fiesta is marked with a
pyrotechnic display, to midnight on the 14th July, with the singing of the
"Pobre de Mí". While its most famous event is the encierro (the
running of the bulls) the biggest day is 7th July, when thousands of people
accompany a replica of the statue of Saint Fermin along the streets in the old
quarter of city. The saint is accompanied by dancers and street entertainers,
such as the Gigantes (giant-sized figures who represent the King and Queen of
Europe, Asia, Africa, and America) and the Cabezudos (the Bigheads). The
week-long celebration involves many other traditional and folkloric events. It
is known locally as San Fermines and is held in honor of Saint Fermin, the
co-patron saint of Navarre. Its events were central to the plot of the book,
"The Sun Also Rises", by Ernest Hemingway, which brought it to the
general attention of the English-speaking world. It has become probably the
most internationally renowned fiesta in Spain. Over a million people come to
participate in the festival every year.
Estimated travel time: Barcelona to Pamplona, 6hrs (metro, train, bus)
DAY 4 PAMPLONA
An
early start as we head to our private balcony for the best and most coveted
view of the heart-stopping action of a morning bull-run (or
"encierro" in Spanish) accompanied by our expert local guide to talk
you through the action. You'll soon see why we (strongly!) recommend that you
leave the running to the local experts!
We will be picked up at our hotel at around 6am to head by private transport to
the centre of the old town where we meet our local guide to take us to our
private balcony in a building overlooking the route of the running of the
bulls. Enjoy the excitement of one of the most coveted views of the daily
"encierro", which lasts little more than a couple of minutes, but for
the runners it can seem like hours! Our guide will explain the history and folklore
involved in the San Fermin festival and the tradition of the bull run and daily
bull fight, or "corrida".
After the action, sit back with your travel companions and local guide, who
will continue to pique your interest with tales of past runs, bull fights and San
Fermin festivities. Opt to visit the local Encierro Museum, which details the
history and tradition of the running of the bulls. Later there will be plenty
of time to soak up some more of the festival action below in the heart of it
all, in the streets of Pamplona. Do as the Spanish do and take an afternoon
siesta to rest and recover some strength for another evening of partying on the
streets with the thousands of other revellers.
DAYS 5-6 SAN SEBASTIAN
Rise
early (or stay awake!) for another viewing opportunity of today's
"encierro", which takes place each morning throughout the week-long
festival, followed by breakfast at the hotel to trade war stories. Grab a quick
nap before we head by bus to the beautiful coast and “La perla” of the Basque
country, San Sebastian.
Just a short bus ride away from Pamplona, San Sebastian is an elegant, vibrant
and beautiful coastal town with a strong Basque identity. Take a stroll through
the old part of the city, which the Donostiarras (citizens of San Sebastian)
refer to as Alde Zaharra or Parte Vieja (the “Old Part”). It is a pedestrian
precinct full of local character. At the edge of the Old Quarter begins “La
Concha” beach, one of the most famous beaches in Spain. Enjoy a very pleasant
walk to the other side and you can admire the “Comb of winds”, one of the
sculptures of Chillida, a local Basque artist. From there you can climb, or
take a cable car, to Monte Igaldo and enjoy the best views of the city.
Visit the Brecha market, whose façade can be seen from the main Boulevard. What
was once a traditional market is now a shopping and entertainment centre,
occupying the so-called "Brecha", the old fish market and the space
connecting the two. Along with modern shopping possibilities, fresh local
products are still available. You may wonder why it is called “Brecha”. The
reason is that this is the point in the old city wall where the
Anglo-Portuguese artillery opened up a breach (brecha) during the 1813 seige.
Back in the old quarter, indulge yourself with pintxos, a very traditional
Basque way of eating; they’re small portions of local delicacies, cold or hot,
perched (or sometimes piled somewhat precariously!) on top of slices of fresh
bread, held together with a cocktail stick and lined up along the bar tops in
all the bars. Grab a plate, fill it up with whatever tickles your fancy and
order yourself a glass or crisp local white wine to wash it all down.
Afterwards, take a walk along the Alameda, a pleasant pedestrian promenade
ideal for strolling, sitting on one of the many benches, listening to music
from the bandstand, or meeting up with friends before heading out to enjoy some
of the nightlife San Sebastian is famous for.
If you have had enough of revelling and city pursuits, catch a local bus or
train to one of the many surrounding beach towns up and down the spectacular
Basque coastline. This is a popular destination for surfing, bodyboarding and
other water sports, as well as just relaxing with a book and a few local treats
on one of the many wide sandy beaches.
Estimated travel time: Pamplona to San Sebastian, 1.5hrs (local bus).
DAY 7 BILBAO Today
we head to the vibrant and exciting Basque capital, Bilbao. This northern city
is one of Spain's most culturally alive, bustling with the young, trendy and
sophisticated, yet distinctly laid back and stress-free. There is Basque
culture galore in its many museums, galleries and exhibition spaces,
mouthwatering cuisine, animated nightlife and of course the internationally
renowned Guggenheim ( or "El Goog" as the locals call it!) Museum.
Bilbao has always had a strong international feel to it. With the boost in
trade stimulated by the conquest of the Americas, Basque fishermen, merchants
and settlers built strong links to such cities as Boston and many Basques
emigrated to both North and South America. By the late 19th century the
smokestacks of steelworks, shipbuilding yards and chemical plants dominated the
area’s skyline. Under Franco, there were violent reprisals against Basque
nationalists over many years, yet the city prospered as it fed the Spanish
industrial needs. The late 20th Century was characterized by a seemingly
terminal economic decline that has been dramatically and dynamically reversed
in recent years as Bilbao has become one of Spain's must-see destinations.
Head out with our Tour Leader to discover why Bilbao has earned its very deserved
place on the discerning tourist's map and soak up some of the traditional
Basque hospitality, and of course some of the most delicious cuisine in the
country.(please note: food and drinks are at the customers expense)
Estimated travel time: San Sebastian to Bilbao, 2hrs (local bus)
DAY 8 DEPARTURE
You
are free to depart Bilbao at any time.
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