Silversea Expedition Cruises A San Sebastian

Enjoy an excursion filled with pleasant vistas and delicious, rare wine as you travel from San Sebastian to Getaria. Departing the pier, drive 30 minutes to Mount Igueldo to see a panoramic view of San Sebastian's oyster-shaped La Concha bay, a postcard picture-perfect setting.

Next, drive 45 minutes to the village of Getaria, located on the coast of Guipuzcoa, a well-known fishing village due to be the hometown of prominent seafaring men, including Juan Sebastian Elcano, the first captain known to sail around the world. In enjoy some free time to visit Getaria, where you also have the opportunity to discover the unique and special denomination of their Txacoli wine.

From the village, retreat to a cellar of Txacoli, locally called Getariako Txacolina, only produced in this village and the nearby surroundings. The main production of this variety is white wine, but there is a modest production of red grapes from which they produce rose wine. Visit the vineyard, the cellar and enjoy a taste of white wine and some tapas before you return to the ship.

Explore Hondarribia, a divided village located at the border between Spain and France. Hondarribia contains two major parts: the upper town is the medieval district, where small alleyways contain old houses with carved eaves and wonderful balconies. The lower section is a lively fishermen's quarter.

Begin your excursion with a 30-minue drive to Hondarribia and begin with a brief walking tour in the medieval town. Return to San Sebastian and drive up to Mount Igueldo to see a panoramic view of the oyster-shaped bay of La Concha, a postcard picture-perfect setting.

San Sebastian was made popular in 1886 by Queen Regent Maria Cristina, and since then many visitors, including Spanish aristocracy, have been drawn to this relaxed resort destination. The Old Quarter is full of character and is the perfect place for strolling amidst a series of shops, bars, restaurants and squares. Amazingly, the city has been burnt to the ground 12 times in its history. However, one street not destroyed by the fire of 1813 contains some of the oldest buildings in the city, including the Church of San Vicente.

Also tour the modern part of the city to see several buildings of enormous architectural and historical interest, including the Cathedral of the Buen Pastor and the Town Hall.

At the end of your tour make the return walk to the pier.

Explore incredible Pamplona, famous for its running of the bulls, the encierros, the city where Hemingway stayed, and as a stop on the Way to Santiago. All of these and more, Pamplona also boasts a beautiful old quarter, a Gothic Cathedral and extremely delicious food.

Depart the pier and drive 90 minutes to Pamplona. After an overview from the coach, enter the historic quarter on foot to discover this town that is steeped in history and tradition. Walk along the banks of the River Arga to learn about this former capital of the kingdom of Navarre which, around its cathedral, has retained its aspect of an old fortified town with narrow streets. Among other buildings, find the bull ring, as Pamplona is famous for festivities surrounding the running of the bulls.

Stop to see the Cathedral, the culmination of the Gothic work of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. This emblematic monument is the one with the most historical and artistic relics in the city. It was in this structure that kings were crowned, bodies of government met, and through three centuries the Diputación del Reino had its headquarters.

After some free time in Pamplona, make the 90-minute return drive to the ship.

Enjoy a local delicacy and a tour of historic, charming San Sebastian, referred to as the "Pearl of the Sea" for its postcard picture-perfect setting and its oyster-shaped bay of La Concha. A Spanish city that is well worth the visit, San Sebastian was first made popular in 1886 by Queen Regent Maria Cristina, many visitors, including Spanish aristocracy, have been drawn to the relaxed resort destination of San Sebastian.

Amazingly, the city has been burnt to the ground 12 times in its history. However, one street not destroyed by the fire of 1813 contains some of the oldest buildings in the city, including the Church of San Vicente.

Begin your tour with a drive to Mount Igueldo for a panoramic view of La Concha bay. After a photo stop, enjoy a beautiful drive to the Old Quarter, full of character and the perfect place for strolling amidst a series of shops, bars, restaurants and squares. Take some time to visit on foot before a memorable tasting.

Your tour concludes with the opportunity to taste a local specialty called pintxos in one of the typical bars of the Old Quarter. Pintxos are small bites of food that are somewhat like tapas (small plates), but are more decoratively arranged and served primarily in the northern regions of Spain.

After your tasting make the 30-minute return trip to the pier.

Discover the history and charm of San Sebastian on this two-hour walking tour of the "Pearl of the Sea," a Spanish city that is well worth the visit. Made popular in 1886 by Queen Regent Maria Cristina, many visitors, including Spanish aristocracy, have been drawn to the relaxed resort destination of San Sebastian.

As you tour the modern part of the city, you have the opportunity to see several buildings of enormous architectural and historical interest, including the Cathedral of the Buen Pastor and the Town Hall. The Old Quarter is full of character and is the perfect place for strolling amidst a series of shops, bars, restaurants and squares.

Amazingly, the city has been burnt to the ground 12 times in its history. However, one street not destroyed by the fire of 1813 contains some of the oldest buildings in the city, including the Church of San Vicente.

After your tour and some time at your leisure, make the return trip to the ship.