St.JAMES WAY, Basque WHALERS and HONDARRIBIA - Private Cultural Adventure
Overview
An excursion to walk, among forests and cliffs, to a lighthouse done up like a medieval castle. What else? Some crazy people who build a 16th century ship with traditional techniques, a fjord that must be crossed by boat, a Venetian town that the writer of Les Miserables fell in love with, and a reasonably high mountain by the sea. More? A half-fishing and half-medieval town that whetted the appetite of the New York Times itself.
Inclusions
- Driver/guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private tour
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Albaola Musem visit
- Traditional Basque lunch with local wine
- Entry/Admission - Albaola, The Sea Factory of the Basques
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Sagues, 20013 Donostia-San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
We will pick you up in the morning and walk to Gros district. From Sagües you’ll start the hike of Mount Ulia that forms a part of the coastal version of pilgrimage called by Spaniards ‘camino de Santiago’ or St. James Way in English.
Stop At: Monte Ulia, San Sebastian - Donostia Spain
This path is locally known as ‘Ruta del Faro de la Plata’ because it pases next to the bulit in 1855 lighthouse (sp. faro) located at the entrance to the port of Pasajes. You will walk along rocky coast passing spectacular coves, rugged cliffs and artistically shaped sandstone rock formations. Mount Ulia was an important migratory whales lookout in 16th and 17th century and it’s a perfect place to learn about the significant role of ocean in the life of Basques.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Albaola, The Sea Factory of the Basques, Ondartxo Ibilbidea, 1 Pasai San Pedro, 20110 Pasai San Pedro, Pasaia Spain
The coastal path will finally take us to the village of San Pedro. It’s time to visit Albaola - the sea factory of the Basques. Museum and a shipyard where the local engineers and carpenters are building from scratch a replica of 16th century whaling ship using exclusively traditional techniques!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Pasai Donibane, Calle San Juan, 20110 Pasajes Spain
From San Pedro we will embark on a tiny boat which will take us to the twin village - San Juan located on the other side of the channel. You will immerse yourself in a sleepy atmosphere of this medieval fishing village and enjoy a 3-course traditional Basque lunch with a bottle of local wine! Topa (cheers)!
Duration: 20 minutes
Pass By: Jaizkibel, Hondarribia Spain
Having discovered colorful stories of Basque sailors, pirates and whalers you will be chauffeured to Hondarribia. We will drive along a scenic Mount Jaizkibel road. The 457 m high Jaizkibel mountain is considered one of the major areas of biodiversity in the Cantabrian Coast and the view from its top are just breathtaking!
Stop At: Historic Center of Hondarribia, Centro Historico, Hondarribia Spain
Hondarribia! It’s high time to discover this picturesque town located right on the border with France. You will visit the fortified part of Hondarribia. Its narrow streets, flowers draped from the balconies and medieval charm creates an extraordinary atmosphere and cultural context. We will also take time to discover a hidden collection of tapestries by Rubens in the castle of Emperor Charles V.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: marina arriba monte, Madalen Karrika Kalea, 5, 20280 Hondarribia, Gipuzkoa, Spain
Next up, you will continue towards the fishermen’s village called Marina, where the elderly congregate on benches along packed with bustling pintxo bars San Pedro Street. Colorful buildings located along this promenade used to be old fish markets and fishermen’s huts.
Duration: 30 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Sagues, 20013 Donostia-San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
We will pick you up in the morning and walk to Gros district. From Sagües you’ll start the hike of Mount Ulia that forms a part of the coastal version of pilgrimage called by Spaniards ‘camino de Santiago’ or St. James Way in English.
Stop At: Monte Ulia, San Sebastian - Donostia Spain
This path is locally known as ‘Ruta del Faro de la Plata’ because it pases next to the bulit in 1855 lighthouse (sp. faro) located at the entrance to the port of Pasajes. You will walk along rocky coast passing spectacular coves, rugged cliffs and artistically shaped sandstone rock formations. Mount Ulia was an important migratory whales lookout in 16th and 17th century and it’s a perfect place to learn about the significant role of ocean in the life of Basques.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Albaola, The Sea Factory of the Basques, Ondartxo Ibilbidea, 1 Pasai San Pedro, 20110 Pasai San Pedro, Pasaia Spain
The coastal path will finally take us to the village of San Pedro. It’s time to visit Albaola - the sea factory of the Basques. Museum and a shipyard where the local engineers and carpenters are building from scratch a replica of 16th century whaling ship using exclusively traditional techniques!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Pasai Donibane, Calle San Juan, 20110 Pasajes Spain
From San Pedro we will embark on a tiny boat which will take us to the twin village - San Juan located on the other side of the channel. You will immerse yourself in a sleepy atmosphere of this medieval fishing village and enjoy a 3-course traditional Basque lunch with a bottle of local wine! Topa (cheers)!
Duration: 20 minutes
Pass By: Jaizkibel, Hondarribia Spain
Having discovered colorful stories of Basque sailors, pirates and whalers you will be chauffeured to Hondarribia. We will drive along a scenic Mount Jaizkibel road. The 457 m high Jaizkibel mountain is considered one of the major areas of biodiversity in the Cantabrian Coast and the view from its top are just breathtaking!
Stop At: Historic Center of Hondarribia, Centro Historico, Hondarribia Spain
Hondarribia! It’s high time to discover this picturesque town located right on the border with France. You will visit the fortified part of Hondarribia. Its narrow streets, flowers draped from the balconies and medieval charm creates an extraordinary atmosphere and cultural context. We will also take time to discover a hidden collection of tapestries by Rubens in the castle of Emperor Charles V.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: marina arriba monte, Madalen Karrika Kalea, 5, 20280 Hondarribia, Gipuzkoa, Spain
Next up, you will continue towards the fishermen’s village called Marina, where the elderly congregate on benches along packed with bustling pintxo bars San Pedro Street. Colorful buildings located along this promenade used to be old fish markets and fishermen’s huts.
Duration: 30 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Our vehicles and offices are cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the cleaning and disinfection protocol certified by the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality (ICTE). We also use an ozone air purification treatment in our vehicles before every tour.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.