Barcelona to Bilbao - 7 days and nights in northern Spain with Maribel

Experience the art and architecture, languages and cultures of this spectactular part of Iberia; the Picasso museum. Gaudi's Park Güell and Casa Milá in Barcelona. San Sebastian-Donostia and Bilbao's world famous gastronomy and beauty, Frank Gehry's Guggenheim and Chillida-Leku Museums.

Itinerary Highlights:

Days 1, 2 & 3 - Barcelona

	12:00 noon - Check into the hotel
	The hotel is located in the right Eixample, close to Paseo de Gracia, Plaza Catalunya, Avenue Diagonal and the Gothic Quarter. It is close to some of our favorite places, including:

	La Rambla, the tree-shaded pedestrian boulevard that offers a little something for everyone, from art to food to flowers.
	The Picasso Museum, which contains a collection of the painter's early work and more. Included here is his interpretation of Velázquez's series of Las Meninas.
	The Miró Foundation, which houses an extensive selection from Joan Miró's works and other Spanish and international art.
	The Palau de la Música, one of the world's leading concert halls. Built in 1905, its rococo spaces play host to musicians from around the world.
	Park Güell, a fanciful housing community that just didn't catch on in its day. Its wavy, colorful roofs and benches, designed in mosaic tiles, are highlights of a popular park in a woodland setting, which also features Gaudi's own spartan residence.
	The Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family), a daring work that's been in progress for more than 110 years. The National Geographic says this magnificent cathedral represents the muscle and imagination that lifted Barcelona to the economic and cultural leader it is today.
	Casa Milá (also known as La Pedrera or the quarry), with its irregularly curved limestone walls reminiscent of desert sand dunes. Originally thought too futuristic, it is today considered a landmark of modern architecture.

	While in Barcelona you have the option taking a half-day cooking class, a workshop, combined with a visit to the world famous Boqueria market to select the freshest ingredients.
	Leaving Catalunya, we continue our journey to the Basque Country. A short flight takes us over the Pyrenees to the beautiful Basque seaside resort city of San Sebastián-Donostia.

Days 4 & 5 - San Sebastian-Donostia

From your hotel balcony you enjoy the expansive view of San Sebastián's beautiful crescent shaped beach, La Concha.

	On the first afternoon in San Sebastián we will visit the Parte Vieja, the Old City, often referred to as the jewel of Euskadi. Filled with numerous pintxos bars and outstanding restaurants, San Sebastián is considered the center of Basque cuisine.
	One the second day we will visit the Chillida Leku, a sprawling park, home to the works of internationally famous sculptor Eduardo Chillida.

Days 6 & 7 - Bilbao - Guernica

Bilbao, once an industrial wasteland, has transformed itself to become the center of business in the Basque country and the north of Spain and is challenging San Sebastian as the center of Basque cuisine and culture.

	Today we visit the famed Frank Gehry designed Guggenheim museum after a quick stop in Bilbao's Casco Viejo at the equally famous Riverside Market built by the architect Pedro Ispizua in 1929.
	On our last day we visit Gernika-Lomo, the center of Basque culture and history and it's famed Tree of Guernica, the Basque symbol of heritage, law and freedom and the inspiration for Picasso's controversial masterpiece Guernica.

Day 8

Taxi to the Bilbao airport for your flight home.