Feedback on Classic Journeys

Has anyone taken a Classic Journeys tour of the Basque Country and the Pyrennes? I would like your feedback on the guides, hotels, itinerary, etc.

Thanks . .

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Being familiar with the area, their Basque Country walking tour seems fairly simple and basic based on the itinerary they show on-line.

They fail to mention the names of the hotels in either St. Jean-de-Luz or Baigorry, but the Hotel Arce is the only 3-star hotel in the Baigorry. The most expensive accommodation in Baigorry is the small Chateau d%26#39;Etchauz, with only 7 rooms.

I%26#39;m also familiar with the Parador in Hondarribia. It%26#39;s very popular and comfortable, but does not have it%26#39;s own restaurant.

The cost seems reasonable for a guided tour but not knowing the full extent of what%26#39;s included in the tour, it%26#39;s hard say if it%26#39;s a good value.

You might want to note that since they indicate that you will be eating a lunch of tapas, presumably in Bilbao, San Sebastian-Donostia and Hondarribia, tapas are usually eaten before you have lunch in the Pais Vasco, which usually begins after 1:30. Dinner would be early if served before 9:30 in the summer time.

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I%26#39;m Edward Piegza and I founded Classic Journeys about 11 years ago. If you would like a reference from other travelers who have taken the trip you are thinking about, I would be happy to put you in touch. FYI...we have been named a World%26#39;s Best Tour Operator by Travel + Leisure Magazine. We are also members of the Adventure Travel Trade Association, The Ecotourism Society and BBB. If you want to contact us directly for a reference or other info, you can do that at www.classicjourneys.com. Thanks for your interest!

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I ended up taken the Classic Journeys tour of the Basque with a group of 10 friends. It was wonderful. Our guide,a local Basque woman, was fantastic. We eliminated the first stop and went straight to the Parrador in Honduribbia and then on to the Hotel Arce on the French side. Both places were great (see my reviews on Trip Advisor). The Parrador serves breakfast but not dinner which is fine because we went to very interesting restaurants with our guide. Hotel Arce has a 5-star dining room - we had dinner there all three nights and it was great. CJ takes you to very interesting and off-beat places like a sheep farm, chocolate factory, etc., etc., CJ is a small travel company that provides lots of personal service. recommend CJ without reservation

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