Private San Sebastian: Cider House Experience
San Sebastian, Spain
From EUR 159.00
Office phone number: +34 639 267 948
Private San Sebastian: Cider House Experience
San Sebastian, Spain
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
You cannot get more Basque, gastronomically speaking, than a visit to a cider house. These places are steeped in tradition and serve legendarily great food; we'll take you to our favourite local cider joint where you will enjoy a delicious lunch, meet the locals, learn about the cider-making process and soak up the friendly, vibrant atmosphere, on a tasty private tour that’s just for you! A visit to the orchard and a trip to the disco next door (!) will all add up to a truly memorable afternoon in Basque country.
This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
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Highlights
- Taste a traditional Basque lunch from a typical cider house in the hills outside San Sebastian
- Discover the history of cider-making in the area and learn all about the cultivation process from an expert guide
- Serve yourself a cider (or three!) straight from the barrel
- Share a table with locals and enjoy a drink with them as you compare life stories!
- Find out why the word “txotx” is the greatest call to action you will hear during your stay in Northern Spain!
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Schedule details
- Duration: 5 hours
- Pickup location:
Pick-up can be arranged from your hotel
- Pickup time: 1.00 PM
- Drop off location:
Drop-off can be arranged at your hotel / apartment
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, return taxi from your accommodation to the cider house, traditional Basque three-course meal, unlimited cider served straight from the barrel (wine is also available) and a shot of sloe-flavoured liqueur
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel or another centrally located meeting point that you have agreed on ahead of your private tour.
A 15-minute taxi ride will take us to the spiritual home of Basque cider, a pretty hilltop town outside San Sebastian. Here we will visit one of the most traditional cider houses in the region.
Cider production has always been a very social affair; originally most farmhouses in the area would have made their own cider for personal consumption and to offer to friends and neighbours when they came over to visit. Over the years this tradition has become more and popular and as a result, increasingly commercialised.
Together we will enjoy the authentic Basque experience of eating at long tables (the tradition of standing is entirely optional) alongside the locals. This a wonderful opportunity to get to know local people, sharing a cider with them and finding out about each other's lives. Your guide can help break down any language barriers (as will the cider…!).
The cider house menu changes with the seasons but typical dishes that are often served include chorizo cooked in cider, fried cod with onion and green peppers, chuleton (succulent T-bone steak), cod fish omelette and idiazabal (a delicious local sheep’s cheese) served with quince jelly and walnuts. Is your tummy rumbling yet?!
But oh wait, there is more! To make a great lunch a truly memorable one that you’ll be talking about for years to come, cider will be available directly from the barrel (known as a kupela) in true txotx style! It’s here that you’ll learn how to pour cider straight from the barrel (a fabulous photo opportunity if ever there was one!) and you will be shown the correct way of drinking from your special cider glass.
As we savour our typically Basque lunch, your guide will tell you more about the apple harvest, when it takes place, how the apples are gathered and the traditional implements that are used to make cider.
After lunch, you will be able to see how cider making has evolved with a mini tour of the establishment. There will also be an opportunity to visit the apple orchards, weather permitting, where you will see the different apple varieties and learn a little about their horticulture.
If you are not ready for the fun to stop just yet, next door to the cider house you will find a disco, where you can have a cocktail, a coffee or even a shot depending on what you fancy. If you like, your guide will introduce you to a delicious local liqueur which should help with the digestion of your meal as well as give you a warm buzz for the journey home!
After an unforgettable afternoon, your guide will take you back to your hotel (or another central location). But fefore you go, don’t forget to ask for tips on what else to see, do and most importantly for our city, eat, in seductive San Sebastian!
This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, return taxi from your accommodation to the cider house, traditional Basque three-course meal, unlimited cider served straight from the barrel (wine is also available) and a shot of sloe-flavoured liqueur
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Please wear anything you feel comfortable in. We recommend that you bring a jumper and/or a jacket because even in the summer months, the temperature in the cellar where the barrels are, is very cool.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Additional Information: This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
Closure of sites: In the unlikely event that our favourite cider house is closed, we will take you to a similar one nearby.
Child Policy: Travellers under 18 years of age are not permitted to join this tour.
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Dietary Notes
We are unable to cater for most special dietary requirements, due to the rustic nature of the food on offer. Please email us at info@sansebastianurbanadventures.com for more information.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +34 639 267 948
Email address: info@sansebastianurbanadventures.com
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