Escape to Bilbao

You can spend the morning discovering Casco Viejo, the historic heart of the city. Stroll through its charming streets, and take the opportunity to visit the Euskal Museoa, which offers an interesting itinerary through Basque history, culture and traditions. Around noon, join Plaza Nueva for a tour of the pintxos bars. After lunch, cross the ria river to reach the San Francisco area, a mixed neighbourhood where Bilbao's young designers' shops are concentrated. After this shopping break, quietly reach the Indautxu district to admire the interior of the Azkuna Zentroa cultural centre, designed by Philippe Starck. You can then alternate designer shopping and pintxo bars along the elegant avenues of Indautxu. And to end this first day in style, treat yourself to a cocktail on Terraza Yandiola, the trendy spot in the neighbourhood.

You can spend the whole morning visiting the Guggenheim Museum. First to admire its indescribable architecture, and then to discover its fascinating collections. At lunchtime, the museum's restaurant, Nerua, offers a beautiful gastronomic experience for those who can afford it. Then join Gran Vía to enjoy the shops: you will find all the major Spanish brands. Continue your walk through the streets of Ensanche to admire its beautiful and eclectic buildings. At aperitif time, head for the pretty wooded square of Les Jardines de Albia to test Café Iruña, an emblematic place founded in 1903. In the surroundings, you will find several tapas bars to try your hand at the art of txikiteo (bar tour).

We start the day by the water with a stroll in stand up paddle along the ria, or by boat for the less sporty. This is an opportunity to admire the Zubizuri Bridge and the Palacio Euskalduna. Those who can afford a little deviation can even take a gastronomic break in the palace's prestigious restaurant, Etxanobe. After lunch, a visit to the Museo de Bellas Artes is a must. This Fine Arts Museum is one of the most interesting in Spain. And to finish off the stay in style, head for the nearby town of Getxo to admire the Puente Vizcaya, a real engineering feat listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.