Private Basque Countryside Foodie Day Trip, San Sebastián

Your immersive and flavorful journey into the Basque countryside starts with a pickup at your San Sebastián hotel. Meet your expert guide and private driver, and set off on a scenic 45-minute drive south. Your destination is the Goierri region, known as the Basque Highlands and home to scenes of rural villages, snowcapped peaks, and rolling pastures. In this setting, you'll learn why the Basque Country is renowned for its gastronomy and how it's rich farmland and artisan producers have become symbols of the popular Slow Food movement. 

Make your first stop in a traditional country village, following your guide on a stroll around a bustling farmers' market and trying some of the local produce and products. The area is known for its high-quality vegetables, charcuterie, and Idiazabal cheese, made with whole raw milk from Latxa and Carranzana sheep breeds. Rub shoulders with residents doing their daily shop, and meet the vendors as you sample treats like freshly-baked bread and local honey.

Next, hop back in the car and take a scenic drive down rural dirt roads to reach a family-owned farm dating back to the 16th century. The farm uses self-sufficient and traditional methods to raise Euskal Txerrias, the Basque Country's only surviving native pig breed. Known for their hearty nature and docile temperaments, the pigs live outdoors in a natural setting, subsisting on a diet of fresh grass, ferns, acorns, and chestnuts.

After a warm welcome from the owners and their friendly dogs, step into the stone txoko (traditional dining room) for a delicious meal of farm-to-table Basque classics. You might start with cured meats or Basque-style ham croquettes, then savor simple, flavorful main courses like a traditional black bean stew or a perfectly cooked steak accompanied by local wines. Finish with a mouthwatering flan and coffee as you chat with your gracious hosts and share stories around the farmhouse table. At the end of your leisurely lunch, part ways with your new friends and join your guide for the drive back to San Sebastián.