Picos de Europa & Basque Coast Family Adventure

5.0 reviews
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teenage boys swimming in sea in northern spain

Experience our ultimate northern Spain family adventure

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walking past the guggenheim in bilbao

From the grandeur of Bilbao and its famous Guggenheim...

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hiking past national park sign in picos de europa

To the idyllic mountains of the Picos de Europa...

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quiet beach at deba in the basque country

And along the unspoilt beaches of the Basque Coast...

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teenagers la concha bay san sebastian

... To the elegant coastal city of San Sebastián

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local woman with gamoneu cheese in the picos de europa

This trip immerses you in authentic Spanish flavours...

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canyoning in the picos de europa

And brings you together as a family...

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hotel balcony picos de europa

With memorable places to stay...

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meeting a shepherd in picos de europa

The chance to mingle with locals...

10/11
morning view with clouds in the picos de europa

... Lots of time to enjoy Spain's great outdoors...

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tapas sign village picos de europa cantabria

See below for more & get in touch for full details

Duration

From green mountains to golden beaches, trade the noise of modern life for the peace and quiet of northern Spain, where the only hurrying you need do is when you're giggling down a mountain stream together.

  • Epic mountain scenery
  • Quiet golden beaches
  • Hike, bike, swim & surf
  • Mingle with locals
  • Welcoming hosts
  • Great for food & culture
  • Lovely places to stay
  • Time to relax
Read Full Itinerary

What's Included

Key Inclusions

10 nights in first-class hotels

4 nights in self-catering aparthotels

Family-sized rental car

10 x breakfasts

1 x lunch

4 x dinners

Guided activities as described

GPS tracks for self-guided walks


Guided Activities

Private Bilbao pintxos tour

Cable car return tickets

Private full-day Picos de Europa tour

Private half-day river canoeing

Shared canyoning

Shared surfing


5* Service

We have personally experienced & loved every aspect of this trip

Travel Guide App with advice, background information and recommendations

ABTOT / ATOL Financial protection

Local support throughout

24/7 emergency support

Industry-leading 160% carbon capture


Please note: International travel not included.

Itinerary

Day 1

Meet your guide to explore Bilbao


You begin in Bilbao, reached by train, plane or ferry. Bilbao is the Basque Country's biggest city and home to Frank Gehry's famous titanium-clad Guggenheim. The best way to get to know the city, and to set you up for your travels, is to explore the pintxos bars of the old town with our lovely local guide. Pintxos are small works of bread-based culinary art, a Basque version of tapas if you will.

Day 2

Travel in the Picos de Europa


Day 3

Walk an easy but stunning trail


Day 4

Ride the cable car into the highlands


Day 5

Canoe on the way to your next base


Day 6

Experience rural Picos life with your guide


Day 7

Hike the Cares Gorge


Day 8

Giggle your way down a mountain stream


Day 9

Discover the hidden landscapes of Ponga


Day 10

Peek at cave art and walk in a painted forest


Memorable moments you can look forward to...

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Giggle...

Down mountain streams

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Ride...

The cable car into the highlands

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Put your feet up...

In idyllic wildflower meadows

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Soak in...

Views you'll never forget

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Tackle...

Enormous Picos lunches together

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Fill your basket...

With tasty picnic treats

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Make friends...

With the goats of the Cares Gorge

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Eat way too much...

Creamy cave-matured cheese

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Go off the beaten track...

In tiny mountain villages

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Chance upon...

Traditional local festivities

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Potter around...

In pretty medieval towns

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Make footprints...

In quiet golden beaches

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Breathe in...

Fresh sea air

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Learn to surf...

The warm Cantabrian waves

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Go for a walk...

In the painted forest

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Mingle with locals...

At weekly produce markets

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Find a quiet moment...

To watch the sun set

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Count...

The flowers on Bilbao's puppy

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Sit back...

With some pintxos in the sun

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Hear the stories...

Of your local guides

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Make memories...

To share together, forever

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Exceptional Vacations

Best-in-class vacations & service - is what our clients say they love about our trips, as noted in the highest possible 5* Feefo Platinum Award.

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Travel Positive

Travelling with one of the first travel companies to be certified B Corp means your vacation, according to Which?, meets "the highest standards of social and environmental performance".

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Beautifully Local

Vacations away from the crowds, crafted to give you a more authentic, local experience. Small-scale accommodation, exceptional guides & in-depth local knowledge.