Thanks Thomas - we do have photographic evidence of Xabi drinking a white alcoholic grape based liquid never to be confused with wine, which as you will know, is always red!
My long form comments below for those who are interested:
Hotels – ideal. Interesting variety ranging from practical city centre in Bilbao, ultra modern contrasting with rural surroundings in the Rioja village, formal yet friendly in Pamplona, and luxurious outside Getaria. I’d recommend all four.
Excursions – fascinating. We loved the shepherd visit and proximity to the animals, which was hilarious, including attempting to milk the sheep, the archaeological background of the Vittoria cathedral tour, the ominous landscape of the salt production pans, Xabi’s explanation of the evolution of the medieval city layout at Guardia with some insights into the shortcomings of Galicians against the incomparable Basques, a historic guided tour around Pamplona, experiencing the markets at Tolosa, visiting San Sebastian, and seeing Gernika on market day.
Gastronomy – truly wide ranging. A happy tasting menu lunch in Vittoria. Loved learning how to make tortilla and other pintxos with the friendly hostess and great local chef in Pamplona. Fascinating to sample the standard fare at a cider house – chorizo, cod and seared steak, who’d have thought it? We loved all the Pintxos bars, particularly when Xabi was showing us where to go in San Sebastian before experiencing Michelin star dining, Basque style at ElKano. My personal highlight was the local colour and excellent fare at the restaurant in Gernika that Xabi steered us into where I wouldn’t have believed another soul could fit into the hectic bar, let alone that there was a restaurant beyond which felt like a cross between the sanatorium in Midnight Express and the bar in Star Wars – I truly felt I was in a totally different culture.
Wineries – great variety. Enjoyed the contrast in Rioja between the ultra-modern Baigorri with a great meal, and local village producer Canas with a beautiful tasting against the backdrop of low sun over the vineyards – meeting the founder was an added thrill. Various alternative tastings including cider and young white Txakoli wine.
Walking – fabulous. The morning walk outside Guardia - we look forward to seeing some of Xabi’s brochure pics of the six of us walking with the Laguardia Sierras wrapped in cloud in the background. The mountain walk was my personal favorite. All four of us enjoyed the cliff top walk even if the sun decided to remain hidden and the short sharp inclines certainly took all of my breathe away.
Guiding – Exceptional, fascinating and totally absorbing. Always took everything in his stride whether it was needing to help Nigel and Margie make unforeseen arrangements, or reconnect me with my passport which I decided to leave in a trouser pocket concealed in the hotel closet we’d left earlier that day! Wonderful cultural insights whether walking around Pamplona, walled towns like Guardia, or picking our way through rambling trails in the mountains and forests.
Highlights – Xabi … and the whole trip really.
