THE PYRENEES–THE ADVENTURE
BILBAO -> BARCELONA
September 4 -17, 2025
Some may still consider the French-Spanish high mountain range to be a rugged, untraversable gravel road region that offers little to the traveler, apart from rugged, barren stone landscapes, steep gorges, and partially (remaining) icy mountain peaks. We don’t mind, but: it’s hard to be more mistaken, at least regarding the factor of inaccessibility. Because by now – thanks to theTour de France, la Vuelta, and not least the EU – the high mountain range between the Basque Country and Catalonia is excellently developed in terms of transport. In some places, it even features seemingly endless winding ribbons of whisperasphalt. Thus, square meter by square meter, it is a dreamland for the touring sports car driver.
Geographically and culturally, the Pyrenees form a world of contrasts: breathtaking national parks, crystal-clear lakes,secluded valleys (where ancient rituals are still practiced today), rugged, inhospitable high mountains, and green, richlyforested hills alternate with wide, high plateau-like landscapes, creating a uniquely varied backdrop for this extensive roadtrip between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
You will experience thirteen days and nights in nine different hotels (ranging from handpicked, charming, extremely locally influenced 4-star country hotels to absolute luxury accommodations of world-class), and you will visit metropolises likeBilbao, San Sebastian, and Barcelona, as well as brilliantly isolated mountain and valley routes that will guide you along the entire length of the Pyrenees and over adjacent mountain ranges such as the Serra de Cadí and the Corbières. You will experience the full spectrum of Europe’s southernmost high mountain range: from the wild Atlantic of Cantabria to the pleasantly warm Mediterranean of Catalonia.
We’ll add a bit of culture (Guggenheim Museum, Txakolina, Vin Doux Naturel, Gaudi), a sailing experience on the Costa Brava, and – right in the middle – 2 days in Andorra, and you have a potential favorite dish. And: you will encounter more animals on and just off the route than anywhere else (except perhaps in Norway, but there it’s almost exclusively goats): cows, horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs – everything with four legs is on the move and can be found at any time! Two-legged creatures are quite rare here. You will experience an extensive SPORTS CAR ADVENTURE with a wide range of experiences here – at least in September 2025
THE PYRENEES
BILBAO -> BARCELONA
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You will experience the entirety of the Pyrenees.
From Bilbao to Barcelona, we have woven together the 9 selected stations into an experience of considerable breadth,allowing you to return home after 13 days of travel with a rich experience of Europe’s southernmost high mountain range.Sometimes, less (by which we mean phases of rest and regeneration) will indeed be more.
During the first two days in Bilbao, you will gain a distinct insight into the Basque soul (also through your palate), the essenceof which is naturally expressed in culinary terms.
None other than Martin Berasategui, the godfather and most decorated of all Basque star chefs, and a translator of Basqueculinary tradition into modernity, will be part of this experience, along with the ubiquitous pintxos (Basque tapas). We will takeyou on a pintxo tour through some typical establishments in the old town.
The Guggenheim – by far the most famous building in the entire Basque Country – you will experience up close, even withouta museum visit, as you will be staying with a direct view of the city’s most characteristic structure at the Grand Hotel “TheArtist.”
During the day trip between the two nights in Bilbao, we will guide you through Cantabria and into the region of Castile andLeón. These are areas that are not associated with the Pyrenees or the Basque Country, except perhaps through centuries offeud and enmity. This day will thus serve as an excursion into ancient Spanish royal lands – due to the unreal beauty of thehilly, mountainous, and coastal landscapes.
The next day will be purely Basque again with the transfer to Hondarribia. You will tour the Txokolina area (wine-growing),experience a detour to San Sebastián, and marvel at the panoramic route over the Jaizkibel. You will spend the night inHondarribia in the old palace of Charles V, now a 4-star Parador, where the original Rubens tapestries meet contemporaryhotel luxury.
In Hondarribia, the grand zigzag begins between Aragon and the Hautes-Pyrénées department, between Catalonia and thePyrénées-Orientales, a zigzag from east to west with various crossings of the main ridge of the Pyrenees. You will encountera series of scenic overkill and will spend nights in Spain, France, and also in Andorra. The rhythm will be as follows:
Bilbao, 2 nights, Spain (Basque Country)
Hondarribia, 1 night, Spain (Basque Country)
Santa Cruz, 1 night, Spain (Aragon)
Near Lourdes, 2 nights, France (Haute-Pyrénées)
Bonansa, 1 night, Spain (Aragon)
Andorra, 2 nights, Andorra (Encamp)
Bolvir, 1 night, Spain (Catalonia)
Coullioure, 1 night, France (Pyrénées-Orientales)
Barcelona, 2 nights, Spain (Catalonia)
The sports car adventure in the Pyrenees will culminate in Barcelona, at the iconic W Hotel. Two nights there, right on theMediterranean coast and within walking distance to the “Ramblas” and “Ciutat Vella,” the old town of Barcelona, offer theopportunity to incorporate one or two additional treats. We will certainly take you on an evening sailing trip, where you willexperience the sunset over the city with a tapa or two and a glass of cava in hand. The next day, you will enjoy a crisp, privateGaudí tour. The farewell dinner at the rooftop restaurant of the W Hotel invites you to let your gaze wander, both, locally and directly over the water towards the horizon, and mentally while reflecting on the past eventful days in the Pyrenees.
You will have a lot to share! -
13 1/2-day guided sports car tour in your own or rented sports car
Individual arrival in Bilbao
13 (in words: thirteen) meticulously planned driving days as described in the travel itinerary
Concept and guiding by Reinhard Loeven
2 overnight stays at the Grand Hotel THE ARTIST, Bilbao, Spain
1 overnight stay at the PARADOR de Hondarribia, Hondarribia, Spain
1 overnight stay at the country hotel in Santa Cruz, Aragon, Spain
2 overnight stays at the Hideaway near Lourdes, France
1 overnight stay at the Boutique HOTEL, near Anso, Spain
2 overnight stays at the Mountain Hotel & SPA, Encamp, Andorra
1 overnight stay at the *****GLHotel TORRE DE REMEI, Bolvir, Spain
1 overnight stay at the coastal hotel LES ROCHES BRUNES, Coullioure, France
2 overnight stays at the W-HOTEL, Barcelona, Spain
13 time- or enjoyment-optimized lunches in typical local restaurants or as lunch picnics or lunch packages
13 dinners ranging from rustic country menus to classic pintxos and tapas to refined gourmet cuisine
Sunset sailing in the Mediterranean
Gaudí tour in Barcelona
Winery visits in the Basque Country and Roussillon
Roadmap
Extensive photo documentation of the trip
Various agency services, networking contacts
Travel price per person for the “Superior” arrangement: €7,945
Travel price per person for the Premium arrangement: €8,675
Travel price for single drivers from: €13,430
