5-day tour

History & Culture: Urola Valley

Would you like to visit History & Culture: Urola Valley?

We quote a taylor-made travel for you 

Enjoy the surroundings of San Ignacio de Loyola and live a unique experience traveling through stops in the history

KEY DETAILS

  • LIVE GUIDE: English, French, Spanish, Basque
  • INSTANT CONFIRMATION


WHAT YOU´LL DO

Take the opportunity to learn more about the history behind Loyola, Zumaia, Azpeitia and Getaria

  • Day 1: Arrive in Loyola
  • Day 2: Walking tour in Azpeitia and visit a cheese factory
  • Day 3: Route of the three temples
  • Day 4: Visit Zumaia and a boat trip
  • Day 5: Optional: Relaxing morning in a Thalasso o guided visit to Azkoitia

WHAT TO EXPECT

Day 1 - LOYOLA

Arrive in Loyola.

Note: depending on the arrival hour, a guided tour of Azkoitia could be possible.

 

Day 2 - AZPEITIA

Breakfast in the hotel.

In the morning a walking tour in Azpeitia, a town that despite its historical industrial character, has preserved the old town rich in history. The cobblestone streets, the Plaza Mayor, the kiosk and the townhouses are the best representatives of its cultural heritage. We will stop at the most important places in the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola. On the other hand, showing its industrial character the Basque Railway Museum can still show us the best railway collections in Europe.

Self-Transfer to a cheese factory in the foothills of the Cordillera Izarraitz where we can learn from the good job and the work of farming.

Lunch in a cider house and free time to enjoy the afternoon.

Transfer to the hotel and accommodation.

 

Day 3 - ROUTE OF THE THREE TEMPLES

St Ignatius of Loyola was born in one of them. Another is said to be built thanks to the help of pagan giants. The other one evokes an appearance of the Virgin. Here is a travel through the magic and monumental Gipuzkoa. Three temples, three symbols, each with its own style, personality and legend.

The route starts in Loyola Sanctuary, a place of great historical value in which happened revolutionary change in the life of the founder of the Society of Jesus. The visit is made individually to enjoy all the time necessary in each case. The tower-house where Iñigo de Loyola was born in 1491 is located here and, later on, a baroque sanctuary with a huge dome was built here, following a design by Carlo Fontana, one of Bernini’s disciples.

Few kilometres from this place, in a natural terrace of Mount Beloki, we find the Romanesque hermitage of La Antigua, offering us views over the industrial landscape of Urretxu and Zumarraga. Considered the Cathedral of Basque hermitages.

Last stop of the route. The legend of the Sanctuary of Arantzazu goes back to the 15th century, when the Virgin, suspended on a hawthorn, appeared to a shepherd. In the middle of the 20th century, this place became an art laboratory in which emerged the avant-garde, controversial and singular site we now know.

Accommodation in the hotel.

 

Day 4 - ZUMAIA AND GETARIA

Breakfast in the hotel.

Zumaia a fishing village of quaint streets and churches of Basque Gothic style, situated in a privileged coastal location. In its natural area, we can find one of the most precious secrets of the Basque coast, a great geological heritage, a place where we can discover the history of our planet.

Do you dare to discover dinosaurs in Zumaia?

Boat transfer to Getaria, where we will taste a great menu in a Txakolindegi or txakoli (Basque especial white wine) winery. Free time to enjoy the afternoon.

Transfer to the hotel and accommodation.

 

Day 5 - LOYOLA

Breakfast in the hotel.

Optional: Relaxing morning in a Thalasso or guided visit to Azkoitia.

 

BEFORE GOING

With a private tour guide, the schedule, duration and activities can be adjusted to meet your needs. Please, provide any special requests you have.

Please note that this tour is a culture and food tour. But, you will get a pair of local snacks as well as a walk through the old quarter of San Sebastian in order to learn about the Basque culture and gastronomy. Please note that you will not receive a full meal.

 

CANCELLATION POLICY

  • Cancel up to 15 days in advance for a full refund
  • Cancellations between 15 days and 48 hours will be charged 50%
  • Cancellations 48 hours in advance will be charged 100%

 

Would you like a tailor-made travel?

Tell us how would you like it

This website uses its own and third party cookies to optimize your navigation, suit your preferences and perform analytical tasks. By continuing, consider that you accept their use. Cookies policy