The city of Vitoria (in Basque: Gasteiz- name of the primitive village that was crowning the hill - and officially Vitoria-Gasteiz) is the capital of Alava and of the Basque Country. Nailed in a crossing way, it has been along the history an important strategic point both in the military plane, in the commercial and the cultural one. Already from Roman times these lands have not stopped being a crux of communications between the Plateau of Castile and Europe. In these crossroads of ways the original village of Vitoria arose.

We will enjoy a brief walk into an urban area with form of almond, we will know a good number of buildings that have been kept as symbol of old times, despite the losses that also have been important. Before beginning the visit, in the Burulleria's Square we will find a hyperrealistic sculpture in bronze of Ken Follet, the author of ' The Pillars of the Earth '. Vitoria corresponds this way to the Welsh writer, who has spread in his work the name of the Cathedral of Santa Maria and the city. Ken Follett’s fascination with the full-scale restoration of the Cathedral of Santa María in Vitoria began in October 2002, when the writer was invited to the city to give a talk. At the time, Ken Follett stated, "The restorations of the cathedrals in Europe ought to follow the example of Santa María in Vitoria. Nowhere else in the world can you see anything like it. I wish I had seen this restoration before writing The Pillars of the Earth". The author was amazed by the unique reconstruction model of a temple in plain view of the people. This marked the beginning of a close cooperation between the writer and the Santa María Cathedral Foundation, which has provided him with information on the deterioration of the cathedral – facts which he then put to use in his research for ' World Without End '.

It was also in Vitoria, in a subsequent visit, that Ken Follett announced that he was writing the sequel of The Pillars of the Earth. There he explained that the Cathedral of Santa María had been a great source of inspiration for him and that he would like it to be the venue for the presentation of his novel. The Cathedral of Santa Maria (Old Cathedral) is a Gothic building of the 14th century with a tower of the XVIIth. Under the portico there are opened three fronts decorated with statues and reliefs. In the interior, the chapels contain Gothic, Flemish(Andalusian gipsy) and Renaissance Italian images. In the chapels of the left side paintings of Rubens and Van Dyck can be seen. The cathedral is still  in period of restoration and has been studied by experts of the whole world by its architectural curiosities, among them the deformations that it has suffered due to reforms and previous restorations so "Opened for works" it is the singular slogan of the guided visits to the works of restoration of the Cathedral of Santa Maria. The tour by the temple in reconstruction is realized using a safety helmet. It is an exceptional visit that, with a few rigorous measures of safety, it allows to attend the works of live restoration. The quality of the Program of Visits is recognized by the Prize Tourism (2000) granted by the Basque Government.

After we will visit the region of the Route of the Rioja Alavesa's Wine, it is placed to the margin of the bank of the Ebro and protected by the south slope of the mountain range of Cantabria. The region descends in staggered hillsides and enjoys a microclimate favoured for the cultivating of the grapevine. A tradition that goes back in Alava beyond the Roman epoch. The best known wines from La Rioja Alavesa are red, although rosé and white ones are also produced.

We will stop at Elciego, a picturesque town of international renown for its wine prestige reached across the time. Their uses, customs, history, climate and landscape, their human and artistic configuration make of Elciego a jewel worth knowing. Elciego is made up of Wines and Winerys, the centenary Art of the town, Frank Gehry's work in the Winery Marques of Riscal, its customs and its peoples, autochthonous gastronomy and tourist offers. There we will enjoy the beauty of its town and a visit to the marvelous winery and building of the Marques of Riscal complex including a tasting on this guided tour.

Duration: 8 hours approximately.

Note: All transport expense, meal at lunch time and organized entrance fees included. Minimum five travellers required to book. Otherwise check our Personal Guide Service for a day or half a day. Contact us to put your name on our waiting list in order to make a group or ask for a tailor-made service.