At the end of November, the TourTailors team set off for a final FAM Trip in Southern France and Northern Spain. This journey was designed to mirror the way our travelers explore: unhurried, authentic, and guided by expert local insight. We enjoyed guided walks that brought history into focus, scenic drives through countryside landscapes, and long, flavorful meals that revealed regional character. From Toulouse’s warm city streets to truffle-rich villages in the Dordogne, Atlantic coastlines and Rioja vineyards, each day offered new aromas and traditions!
See how this Southern France and Northern Spain itinerary helped us refine pacing, routes and meaningful experiences, so we can craft memorable journeys for our future travelers.
Toulouse welcomed us with warm tones and an easy southern rhythm, with terracotta façades glowing in the light, wide plazas opening unexpectedly, and café terraces alive with conversation. Our guided walking tour moved effortlessly between grand landmarks and quieter corners, giving us a clear sense of how naturally the historic center unfolds on foot. We lingered over elegant architecture, noticed the play of light on brick and stone, and appreciated the calm confidence the city carries so naturally.
Toulouse feels gracious rather than showy, a place that encourages travelers to slow their steps and settle in. By late afternoon, it was clear why this city works so well as a first stop. It offers beauty, culture, and a gentle pace that helps everyone arrive fully, body, mind, and appetite, ready for the journey ahead.
With our private driver at the wheel, the Dordogne unfolded in rolling green and honey colored stone, the sort of scenery that makes conversation pause mid-sentence. Our first stop brought a true highlight, an exclusive truffle hunting France experience at a local estate. A trained dog led the way with quiet confidence, and we watched, smiling, as the earth gave up its hidden treasure.
Soon after, tasting followed, rich and earthy, the kind of flavor that instantly explains the fascination. The afternoon carried us through Dordogne Valley medieval villages such as Gabilou, Beynac, and Castelnaud, each one framed by river views and castle silhouettes. We moved at a comfortable pace, enough time for photos, small wanders, and lingering viewpoints, and we left with a clearer sense of how to time this region beautifully.
Sarlat-la-Canéda greeted us with golden stone streets and a historic center that rewards early footsteps. We wandered through its lanes, soaking up the atmosphere and noticing the little details travelers love: how the light changes, how the squares open up, how the town feels at different hours. From there, we continued toward Bergerac, enjoying the shift from medieval character to wine-country calm.
A pause in Saussignac added a quieter, more intimate note, exactly the sort of stop that makes an itinerary feel personal. At Château de Fayolle, we visited the "chais" and strolled through the gardens, experiencing how wine culture and landscape complement each other so naturally. It was a day of graceful transitions and a reminder that the best journeys leave space to breathe.
The Atlantic greeted us with fresh air and sweeping views as we began a guided tour of Biarritz. Its seaside elegance felt polished and relaxed, with promenades, oceanfront architecture, and a salty breeze that stayed with us long after the tour ended. We continued to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, smaller in scale and full of Basque character, with a charming harbor atmosphere that suits an unhurried visit. It is an essential part of our Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz itinerary, both for the scenery and for the sense of local tradition.
Crossing into Spain, Hondarribia welcomed us with colorful streets, lively squares, and a proud heritage that instantly draws you in. The coastal road, the shifting accents, and the shared Basque spirit made the route feel seamless and richly connected, and we arrived in San Sebastián with the sea still on our minds.
We started the morning in San Sebastián, strolling through the old town and along the bay as the city warmed into its day. The sea sparkled, the streets felt inviting, and we found ourselves naturally lingering near the pintxo bars as aromas drifted out into the lanes. It quickly became clear why a Basque food and wine tour is such a joy, because food here is part of the local identity.
The scenery shifted as we headed inland to Laguardia, swapping salty air for vineyard horizons. Lunch paired with a winery visit introduced us to local traditions and the relaxed rhythm of a Rioja wine region tour experience, generous and full of character. The contrast felt perfectly placed, and we could already picture travelers loving this day!
Bilbao gave us a confident finale, full of striking design, cultural depth, and a sense of movement that keeps the city feeling fresh. On our guided walking tour, we followed the riverfront into the heart of town, noticing how historic façades and contemporary architecture sit side by side with remarkable ease. The city feels thoughtfully arranged for visitors, with inviting public spaces, museums and streets that encourage an unhurried wander. We took in the lively atmosphere that makes Bilbao so engaging, then paused to appreciate how this stop completes the arc of the journey. It rounded out our San Sebastián to Bilbao travel experience with style and substance.
As we headed home, we carried not only memories, but clear insight into pacing, logistics, and the moments that truly elevate a tailor-made itinerary.
This trip reminded us how valuable it is to experience a destination exactly as our travelers do, on foot, at the table, and guided by experts with local insight. Along the way, we refined pacing, improved route logic, and pinpointed the experiences that make a journey feel personal. We also saw how Rioja wine tours fit naturally after the coast, and how border crossings become effortless with the right structure. This France and Spain route offers a calm and well-balanced rhythm, seamlessly moving from medieval villages to Atlantic promenades and into vineyard country.
If a route like this fits your traveling dreams, you can reach out to us for a one-on-one call to help tailor it to your pace and interests.