Top Experiences in Sanctuary of Loyola (Santuario de Loyola)

Enjoy the Basque Country with this 6D/5N tour, where you will sleep at the 3 main cities: Bilbao, San Sebastian & Vitoria.
Accompained by a profesional local guide, you will discover the charms and most beautiful sceneries of this part of the north of Spain as Guggenheim Museum, La Concha Bay, Mount Igeldo or Laguardia.

Rocky mountains, a Basque baseball game, winding roads, a piece of Baroque Rome hidden in a valley, cliffs that explain the last 900,000 years of the planet, a beach inhabited by dragons, a Basque sailor who went ‘round the world for the first time ... oh wait! Is all of this true? Yes, of course. Ikusnahi never lies.

This tour is focused on the path of St. Ignatius from his birth to the founding of the Society of Jesus. We will visit the spectacular Basilica of Loiola (built in the 18th century) and Saint Ignatius' family house and birthplace (in Loiola, Azpeitia), the hermitage of La Antigua in Zumarraga (where Saint Ignatius made a stop during his pilgrimage) and the Sanctuary of Arantzazu (located in a spectacular spot in a gorge, rebuilt in the 1950's and a showcase of modern religious art at its finest, awarded with several international prizes).

A day full of spirituality that will leave the faithful tourist as well as the not religious one awed by the sheer beauty of the sights.

**Note: Between November 1 and April 16 La Antigua hermitage will only open during weekends. If booked in a weekday during that period, the tour will go to San Telmo hermitage in Zumaia instead.**

This program offers the oppportunity to enjoy the Basque Country.

Minimum 2 adults per booking (rates based on double room/per person).

1 adult bookings under request (single supplement).

From Bilbao we will head towards the province of Gipuzkoa, passing through towns such as Eibar, Elgoibar and Azkoitia. We will reach the sanctuary of Loyola, where we will visit the birthplace of Ignatius of Loyola, the most famous figure in the area. We will continue our journey along the coast of Zumaia, arriving at the fishing village of Getaria, where we will visit its historic center. We will continue through Zarauz and finally arrive in San Sebastian where you will have free time to have lunch and enjoy one of the best gastronomies in the world. After lunch we will visit Mount Igeldo from where we will be able to se the amazing view of La Concha Bay.

"This tour is focused on the path of St. Ignatius from his birth to the founding of the Society of Jesus. We will visit the spectacular Basilica of Loiola (built in the 18th century)
and Saint Ignatius' family house and birthplace (in Loiola, Azpeitia), the hermitage of La Antigua in Zumarraga (where Saint Ignatius made a stop during his pilgrimage) and the
Sanctuary of Arantzazu (located in a spectacular spot in a gorge, rebuilt in the 1950's and a showcase of modern religious art at its finest, awarded with several international prizes).

A day full of spirituality that will leave the faithful tourist as well as the not religious one awed by the sheer beauty of the sights.

**Note: Until April 5 2020 La Antigua hermitage will only open during weekends. If booked in a weekday during that period, the tour will go to San Telmo hermitage in Zumaia instead. Same applies for Mondays from April 5 to November 2, 2020 **"

Local guide specialized in the history of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Attractive stories told in a pleasant way. Local guide who will show you all the arquitectonical ensemble created in honor of the Saint, and also his Birth-Place in Azpeitia. The guide is local, from the same town that Saint Ignatius, and he is the only one who makes the guided tour to little groups of couples, friends, relatives...

One of the most attractive things about San Sebastian is its magnificent hinterland. Although the city itself has much to offer, it is well worth venturing further afield to discover the lesser known Basque Country. Continuing north we will find the coast. The Basque Coast is an authentic natural paradise with treasures you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
Discover a territory that holds, a lush green maze-like countryside, a versatile coastline, a strong cultural tradition, the oldest language in Europe and where cooking is an essential part of the culture and of life itself.