The Northern Gateway, Self-Drive

The Northern Gateway, Self-Drive

60 Views
5 Days From

$622

$560

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on "The Northern Gateway, Self-Drive" tour and explore the cultural and historical gems of Spain's Basque Country and La Rioja. Begin your journey in Bilbao, where you can marvel at the iconic Guggenheim Museum and other architectural wonders. Drive through the scenic landscapes to Pamplona, famous for its neo-classical cathedral and the San Fermin festival's bull run route. Continue to Logroño, the heart of La Rioja wine country, and visit the picturesque hilltop town of Laguardia and renowned bodegas. Conclude your adventure in Vitoria, with its medieval city center and historic landmarks. Enjoy superior accommodations and the freedom of a self-drive car hire with unlimited mileage and comprehensive insurance. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Bilbao: Enjoy this Basque city, seeing the famous Guggenheim Museum and other sights and attractions

  • Logroño: Explore the capital of La Rioja and visit this important wine-producing area

  • Pamplona: See the capital of Navarre and its neo-classical cathedral

  • Walk through the Citadel Park in Pamplona and follow the route that the bulls run during the San Fermin festival

  • Explore the wine country of Rioja, including the hilltop town of Laguardia and famous bodegas around Elciego or Haro

  • Visit Vitoria, the capital of the Basque country, and its medieval city centre, including Plaza de la Virgen Blanca and the Cathedral of Santa Maria

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival Bilbao / Car Pick Up

Location: Bilbao

Accommodation Name: Silken Indautchu or similar 4*

Collect your car upon arrival at the airport and drive to your first hotel accommodation in Bilbao.

Overnight in Bilbao.


Day 2 : Bilbao

Location: Bilbao

Accommodation Name: Silken Indautchu or similar 4*

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you explore Billbao. Although the capital of the autonomous region of Euskadi - Basque Country - is Vitoria, the port city of Bilbao is, in fact, the largest of the Basque cities. The renewal of this industrial city has been continuous since the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in 1997, with various projects designed by famous architects, including a new tram system, a subway system designed by Sir Norman Foster, a pedestrian bridge, the Zubizuri bridge by Santiago Calatrava, a jagged glass-fronted public health building, and the reconversion under the orders of well-known designer Philippe Starck of a disused warehouse turned into a public multifunction building, the Alhóndiga. Other notable structures include the Iberdrola tower, by Cesar Pelli, Deusto University’s new library by Rafael Moneo and the Paraninfo of the Basque Country University by Alvaro Siza. 

Overnight in Bilbao.


Day 3 : Bilbao – Pamplona – Logroño (250Km – 3Hrs)

Location: Logroño

Accommodation Name: F&G Logroño or similar 4*

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Pamplona. . Visit the elegant neo-classical Cathedral of Royal Saint Mary. Walk through the Citadel Park, than follow the route that the bulls run during the San Fermin festival and have a drink at the classy Café Iruña. Continue towards Logroño, the capital of the wine-producing region of La Rioja. 

Overnight in Logroño.


Day 4 : Logroño

Location: Logroño

Accommodation Name: F&G Logroño or similar 4*

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Logroño and its monumental legacy walking through the old town. Also we recommend today to explore the wine country of Rioja. Drive to the hilltop town of Laguardia and visit one of the famous bodegas, some of them with the spectacular architecture around Elciego or Haro. 

Overnight in Logroño.


Day 5 : Logroño – Vitoria – Car Drop-Off / Departure Bilbao (145Km – 2Hrs)

Location: Bilbao

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast at your hotel departure towards Vitoria, the capital of the Basque country. It has a medieval city centre in which you will find countless places of that show off the essence of the city, such as Plaza de la Virgen Blanca and historic buildings like the Cathedral of Santa Maria. Drop off the car in Bilbao. Return procedure and exact designated area will be adviced by rent a car company when you pick up the car on arrival day.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    4 nights' accommodation in superior hotel categories: Silken Indautchu or similar in Bilbao, and F&G Logroño or similar in Logroño.

  • Meals

    4 breakfasts are included.

  • Car Hire

    Car hire includes applicable local taxes (VAT), unlimited mileage, 24-hour road assistance, full-full petrol rate, and basic and super collision damage waiver (CDW, SCWD), vehicle theft (STP), and supercover (cover against damage without excess except windows or wheels).

What's Not Included

  • Personal Expenses

    Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, laundry, drinks, and meals not stated explicitly in the programme are not included.

  • Additional Expenses

    Any other expenses which are not mentioned in the included section are not covered.

  • Flights

    National or international flights are not included.

  • Insurance

    All types of insurance except mentioned car insurance are excluded.

  • Visas

    Entry visas to Spain and Gibraltar (if applicable) are not included.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance tickets to any venue, museum, or activity are not included.

  • Car Hire Exclusions

    Damage to a third party or to the hire vehicle due to negligence or inappropriate driving, loss or damage to aerials, jack, safety triangles and vests, windscreen wipers, petrol cap, luggage covers, or any other fixed or mobile component of the vehicle, damage to the engine through negligence, theft of the vehicle with keys left in the ignition, damage caused to the vehicle or to persons through driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fines due to breaking traffic laws and regulations during the hire period, each additional driver fee, any extra equipment (GPS, baby seat etc), and no insurance cover in Gibraltar are not included.

    ...more ...less

Requirements

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Spain. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent in summer can be very useful during your stay.

Please Note

  • Drivers age from 26 to 75 years old (must have had their driver´s licence for a minimum of one year)
  • Drivers who are not citizens of the European Union must present an international driver’s licence together with the original from their country of origin.
  • If the customer returns the vehicle earlier than the agreed upon drop-off date stated in the rental contract, the rental company will not refund the customer for any unused days
  • Deposit credit card Visa or MasterCard only
  • Accident/theft reporting must be notified within 48hours of incident
  • In cases where, following the return of the vehicle, additional cleaning is required due to the car being dirty beyond the level expected from normal vehicle use, an additional charge shall apply, against evidence of the cost of the service provided

  • Accommodation options

    ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

    Day 1, 2 Bilbao:

  • Superior Hotel Category = Silken Indautchu or similar 4*

    Day 3, 4 Logroño:

  • Superior Hotel Category = F&G Logroño or similar 4*

    CAR HIRE OPTIONS

  • Car Group Category B = Seat Ibiza or similar
  • Car Group Category C = Seat Leon or similar

  • Mode of Transport

    Travel comfortably with a self-drive car hire, choosing between a Seat Ibiza or Seat Leon, including unlimited mileage, 24-hour road assistance, and comprehensive insurance coverage.

    Accommodation

    Enjoy 4 nights' accommodation in superior hotels, with stays at Silken Indautchu or similar 4* in Bilbao for the first two nights, and F&G Logroño or similar 4* in Logroño for the last two nights.

    Accommodation options

    ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

    Day 1, 2 Bilbao:

  • Superior Hotel Category = Silken Indautchu or similar 4*

    Day 3, 4 Logroño:

  • Superior Hotel Category = F&G Logroño or similar 4*

    CAR HIRE OPTIONS

  • Car Group Category B = Seat Ibiza or similar
  • Car Group Category C = Seat Leon or similar

  • Check out our Q&As

    • What type of car is included in the self-drive tour?

      The self-drive tour includes a car hire with options between a Seat Ibiza or Seat Leon. The car hire comes with unlimited mileage, 24-hour road assistance, and comprehensive insurance coverage.

    • What kind of insurance is included with the car hire?

      The car hire includes basic and super collision damage waiver (CDW, SCWD), vehicle theft protection (STP), and supercover (cover against damage without excess except windows or wheels).

    • Are there any age restrictions for drivers?

      Yes, drivers must be between 26 to 75 years old and must have had their driver's license for a minimum of one year.

    • What should non-EU drivers present when picking up the car?

      Drivers who are not citizens of the European Union must present an international driver’s license together with the original from their country of origin.

    • What happens if I return the car earlier than the agreed drop-off date?

      If the customer returns the vehicle earlier than the agreed upon drop-off date stated in the rental contract, the rental company will not refund the customer for any unused days.

    • What are the accommodation options during the tour?

      The tour includes 4 nights' accommodation in superior hotels. You will stay at Silken Indautchu or similar 4* in Bilbao for the first two nights, and F&G Logroño or similar 4* in Logroño for the last two nights.

    • What meals are included in the tour?

      The tour includes 4 breakfasts.

    • What should I wear when visiting religious or official buildings in Spain?

      Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts, or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious, or official buildings.

    • What should I do in case of an accident or theft involving the rental car?

      Accident/theft reporting must be notified within 48 hours of the incident.

    • Are there any additional charges if the rental car is returned excessively dirty?

      Yes, in cases where additional cleaning is required due to the car being dirty beyond the level expected from normal vehicle use, an additional charge shall apply, against evidence of the cost of the service provided.

    • Do you offer any travel insurance?

      We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure. 

    • Are Visa fees included in the price?

      No, visa fees are not included

    • Are flights included in the tour?

      No, they are not included

    • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

      You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.

    • Is there any option for solo traveller?

      Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.

    • What documents will I receive before I travel?

      Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers

    • What does the price include?

      What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.

    • When are there specific hotel names confirmed?

      Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client's arrival

    Reviews of this operator

    Maria R  

    Very informative tour

    05-Dec-2022

    Very informative, creative and charming guide Sol made the experience one to remember. Highly recommend to give you an overview of the area.

    Andrew W  

    Great Scenery

    08-Aug-2022

    Spectacular scenery. Lovely lunch. The two villages were lovely to see. The stops were short. Best to pre-plan a walk through the villages beforehand to make the most of the time there. The guide was very informative and helpful

    Sandra F.  

    Great tour! Northern of Spain, Galicia & Portugal (Multi country)

    15-Nov-2022

    We took an 16-day tour with this firm, and everything exceeded our expectations. The sights we saw were breathtaking, and our tour guides were outstanding. We went on an English/Spanish tour, and the majority of our group was from South America and spoke Spanish. The extra package that includes lunch and select entertainment is highly recommended. Thank you very much for this opportunity! ...more ...less

    Grace B  

    Down South, Self-drive, couldn't be better

    16-Oct-2022

    Loved the self-drive tour, gave us the ability to stay on our own schedule. Locations were great with lots to explore in each town as well as along the drive. Ronda and Seville were our favorite! We had the ability to stop while on the road to wine and olive oil taste too, as well as explore Castillo de Almodovar, a beautifully restored castle near Seville where they shot several scenes of Game of Thrones. Location of hotels were good too, easy to get to so you didn't have to drive through some of those difficult narrow one way streets. Only issue was having to pay for parking at some of the hotels, this should have been part of the package. Other than that, it was a great tour! ...more ...less

    Steve G  

    Excellent Volcano and Village Tour

    17-Nov-2022

    Amazing volcanic scenery, beautiful village set in deep valleys. Ivan was a very knowledgeable local guide who was great with our toddler!

    1 Select your preferred date

    Monday - Friday

    Feb 24, 2025 - Feb 28, 2025
    $622 $560 (USD)

    Operator discount: -$62 (USD)

    Tuesday - Saturday

    Feb 25, 2025 - Mar 01, 2025
    $622 $560 (USD)

    Operator discount: -$62 (USD)

    Wednesday - Sunday

    Feb 26, 2025 - Mar 02, 2025
    $622 $560 (USD)

    Operator discount: -$62 (USD)

    Thursday - Monday

    Feb 27, 2025 - Mar 03, 2025
    $622 $560 (USD)

    Operator discount: -$62 (USD)

    Friday - Tuesday

    Feb 28, 2025 - Mar 04, 2025
    $622 $560 (USD)

    Operator discount: -$62 (USD)

    Book with Confidence

    • Low Deposit

      Destination Services Spain requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

    • Cancellation Policy

      We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of destination services spain charges.

      Up to 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

      At 17 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

      At 9 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

    The Northern Gateway, Self-Drive

    5 Days Starting and ending in Bilbao, Spain

    Visiting: Bilbao, Logroño

    Tour code:

    643026

    Group Type:

    Independent

    Guide Type:

    Self Guided

    Physical rating:

    VERY_EASY

    Age range:

    26-75

    Tour operated in:

    English

    Trip Styles:

    Small Group

    Activities:

    Sightseeing, Walking

    From: $622 $560 (USD) Operator discount: -$62

    NB: Prices correct on 03-Feb-2025 but subject to change.

    Similar Tours