Join Iberian Traveler & Maribel's Guides in Savoring the Best of Spain, Portugal and the South of France

Seattle, WA, October 10, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Experience the food, wine and culture of Spain, Portugal and the south of France with one of Iberian Traveler’s guided or self-guided tours.

Tour No.1

Barcelona to Bilbao - Experience the art, architecture, languages and cultures of northern Spain with a 9-day adventure that takes you from the wonders of Catalunya to the Basque country. The tour begins in Barcelona exploring Spain's most cosmopolitan city, rich in history and filled with beautiful works of art and world famous architecture.

On the morning of the 5th day, you take the train from Barcelona to Pamplona for lunch and a tour of the historic quarter before transferring to San Sebastian-Donostia to continue your adventure in the Basque country, home of some of the world's most innovative cuisine.

From San Sebastian, the tour continues to Gernika-Lomo, the center of Basque culture and history, and the inspiration for Picasso's controversial masterpiece "Guernica." From Gernika you'll travel to Bilbao, one of Spain's most dynamic cities, whose transformation since the arrival of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, has been nothing less than spectacular.

Tour No.2

Navarra and the Basque coast - Explore the wonders and beauty of the Basque coast and the Navarran Pyrenees. The tour begins in Pamplona, known around the world for its Fiesta de Sanfermín and the running of the bulls. This dynamic city, the cultural and business center of Navarra, will be your base during the first 4 days to explore the beauty of the soaring peaks and deep valleys, shady woods and alpine meadows of the Navarran Pyrenees, including the Baztan, Roncal and Salazar valleys and the Irati Forest, the second largest and best preserved beech and fir forest in Europe.

After Pamplona you move to San Sebastian-Donostia, with its three beautiful beaches and world famous cuisine, and is one of Spain's most beautiful coastal cities and center of the world renowned Nuevo Basque cuisine.

Tour No.3

Pamplona and the Running of the Bulls Tour, which runs from the 6th through the 14th of July each year. Spend from 2 to 10 nights with the Peña Seattle as your guide enjoying one of Spain's most noted festivals.

Tour No.4

Bilbao and Beyond – This 12-day cultural tour through northern Spain and southern France, two countries that share a mythical heritage, a peculiar language, and an undeniable talent for gastronomy, begins in the compact, elegant sophisticated and stately coastal resort city of San Sebastian-Donostia, a city filled with Belle Époque architecture and one of Spain's most beautiful destinations, the pearl of the Cantabrian Sea.

Less than an hour up the coast are two stars of the Cote Basque, the charming and lively St. Jean-de-Luz and the elegant, stately and once very staid 19th century gambling, golf, spa and international resort of Biarritz, playground of British and European aristocracy, and the crown jewel of the Cote Basque.

Between these two remarkable destinations, lives the ancient walled seacoast village of Hondarribia, one of the most picturesque coastal villages in Spain and home to some of the best cuisine in the region.

Pamplona lies an hour's drive inland from San Sebastian. This walled city, known around the world for its popular Fiesta de San Fermín, lies along the main route of the pilgrims bound for Santiago, and is the cultural heart of the ancient Kingdom of Navarra. Here you'll explore Hemingway's favorite city in the north, stay at a beautiful palace in the historic quarter and savor some of Navarra's outstanding regional cuisine.

From Navarra the tour heads to Gernika, the center of Basque culture and history, and the inspiration for Picasso's controversial masterpiece "Guernica." From Gernika you move further west to Bilbao, one of Spain's most dynamic cities.

Tour No.5

Discover Portugal - The tour begins in Lisbon and then moves north to Berga and the Minho Valley wine region. You will be visiting the World Heritage City of Guimaraes, its castle, medieval walls and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganca. Tour the fabled port cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia in Porto. Take in the sights, smells, flavors of market day in Ponte de Lima. Explore the Albariño wineries of the Rias Baixas along the Spanish border of Galicia. Visit the Celtic ruins of Monte Santa Tegra atop the village of A Guarda.

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