ELORRIO, OÑATI AND ARANTZAZU SANCTUARY

Discover the roots of the Basque Country

Activity: day trip to Elorrio, Oñati and the Sanctuary of Arantzazu from Bilbao

Inclusions: motor-coach and bilingual official guide

Frequency: every Wednesday during the period between 1st January 2019 and 31st March 2020 (excepting the following blackout dates: 1st January, 24th December, 25th December and 31st December)

Departure time: 08:40AM at Carlton Hotel (2 Federico Moyúa Sq). Please, be there 10 minutes before with your voucher in order to check-in

Arrival time and point: at 02:00PM approximately back in Bilbao city centre

Duration: 5 hours approximately

Conditions: It is necessary to book at least 48 hours in advance; subject to confirmation. Cancellation fee: 100% for less than 24 hours notice or no-shows. You can contact Incoming to Spain at +34 91 510 3038 from Monday to Friday between 09.00AM and 07.00PM or by sending an email to info@incomingtospain.com. A minimun of 2PAX is required to guarantee the availability of the tour.

Languages: bilingual trip (English and Spanish)

Voucher: show your digital/paper voucher to your guide the day of the service

Discover the roots of the Basque Country through this tour. On the one hand, you will visit the Gorbea Natural Park, were the tradition of making cheese out of the sheep's milk that are raised in this area is still preserved, and on the other, you will learn about the incredible forests, full of tales and legends, of the Urkiola Natural Park. You will also enjoy seeing the palaces and the historic quarter in Elorrio, while Oñati, that contains the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Arantzazu, is known for being the most elegant and monumental town in the area.

The group will depart at 08:40AM for a half-day tour into the most traditional inner Basque Country. We will head towards the area of Durango, which is the capital of the region and has a very characteristic historic medieval structure. This area is the start of the Gorbea Natural Park that still keeps the flocks of sheep and the traditional manufacture of cheese as one of its activities. In addition, Urkiola Natural Park, with wuthering heights, is well-known for its splendid forests and legends of witches. Once past Durango, we enter the valley of Durango-Atxondo.

We will stop by Elorrio, characterized by the abundance and slenderness of its palaces and manor houses of stone and carved stonework. It is the first Historic-Artistic site of Biscay, as it was officially considered in 1964. Among others, it has 69 coats of arms of stone embedded in the walls of their mansions, the Town Hall, the Portal of Don Tello, the Argiñeta Necropolis, Temple of San Agustin de Etxebarria, etc...

Then we will arrive to Oñati, the most elegant and monumental village of the province of Gipuzkoa. After viewing some of these monuments, like the oldest university in the Basque

Country, we will head up a road between the cliffs to reach the most important sanctuary of Gipuzkoa, the Shrine of Our Lady of Arantzazu. It is a compendium of the best contemporary Basque art, by the Franciscan order. Stop to visit and contemplate the building and magnificent views.

Once we this half-day tour has ended, we will return back to Bilbao, where we will arrive at 2.00PM approximately.

IMPORTANT:

• We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
• Please note that the tour includes several walking tours
• Please take into account that food, beverages or other services not specified above are not included.