This one week, two vulture holiday features fabulous walking in two of the loveliest parts of the Basque Country. First in the magical area of Baztan with its beautiful old villages, rolling green hills, limestone peaks and ancient forests. Then we move to the coast to enjoy walks along cliffside paths between beautiful fishing and farming villages and to quiet beaches.

As well as great walking enjoy some of the best cooking in Spain and get to know the culture and atmosphere of the most beautiful parts of the Basque country. Accommodation is in the best hotels available. The last day is spent exploring the city of Bilbao and the incredible Guggenheim museum.

DAY 1 Hotel Señorio de Ursua, Arizcun D
Arrive Bilbao. Transfer to the hotel in the lovely village of Arizcun in the heart of the Baztan Valley. This is a unique, quintesentially Basque, area of green hills and forests, lovely villages and Caserios (the traditional Basque farmhouse). The valley is full of history and mystery and was known as a haven for witches and smugglers (who are still at it to this day!), as well as for the mysterious Cagot people whose origins are not known.

DAY 2 Hotel Señorio de Ursua, Arizcun B L D
Circular walk from near Arizcun taking in a beautiful valley, neolithic standing stones and a lovely farming village. The scenery is stunning on this gentle introductory walk.

DAY 3 Hotel Señorio de Ursua, Arizcun B L D
A stunning route along a high ridge dominating Baztan. Great views over the western Pyrenees and beautiful paths through ancient beech forest and along grassy ridges. Spain doesn't get much greener than this!

DAY 4 Hotel Itxasmin, Elantxobe B L D
We drive to the old fishing port of Zumaia and walk the glorious coastal path to Deba. This route is beautiful, alternating between cliffside paths rolling green farmland and views of the sea. The area is fascinating for its geology with the cliffs made up of Flysch (many superimposed layers of rock) which provide clues to the distant past. One layer, for example, provides proof for the theory that the meteorite which hit Yucatan brought about the demise of the dinosaurs. After the walk we continue on to our hotel in the coastal village of Elantxobe, a village set on near vertical cliffs above the fishing port. There is so little flat ground here that there is a turntable for the bus to turn around! We stay in a nice hotel here. Elantxobe is in the Natural Park of Urdaibai - a beautiful area of cliffs, beaches, hills and the wetlands of the Gernika estuary.

DAY 5 Hotel Itxasmin, Elantxobe B D
Free day. A day to relax, walk the coast, go to an idyllic beach or potter around the village and harbour of Elantxobe.

DAY 6 Hotel Itxasmin, Elantxobe B L D
A walk through the last coastal oak forest of the Basque country up to a hermitage with great views of the Gernika Estuary. Then we head down to the waters' edge and follow footpaths past an old tidal water mill and through a fascinating area of mud flats on to the castle of Arteaga.

DAY 7 Hotel Bilbao B D
Visit Gernika - the spiritual heart of the Basque country where the Basques held their parliament under an oak tree. The town is most famous for the civil war air raid in 1938 which stimulated Picasso to paint his Guernica masterpiece. We then drive on to Bilbao. We stay near the old quarter with its narrow streets, pretty squares, shops, bars and restaurants. The amazing Guggenheim Museum is an easy walk from the hotel.

DAY 8 Transfer B
Transfer to Bilbao Airport for those that require it.