know me
THE WHY
There is nothing worse than oblivion, and we are at risk of forgetting
The frenetic and hyperconnected world we live in nowadays has brought us progress in ways our ancestors could have never imagined. What they could not foresee is how our life’s vertiginous speed would take us to leave so many things behind.
Inhaling the salty breeze of the Cantabrian, mingling with the neighbours in the weekly farmers market in the countryside, or even appreciating the rugged touch of an old vine in the glass while in Rioja. Spain, as a country rich in heritage, keeps alive many of these almost lost ‘assets’. They can seem minor issues but undoubtedly define who we are.
I do not want to convince anyone that our lifestyle is the best. I just want the traveler to enjoy, to taste, to appreciate little details that change the big picture. I want them to connect with our culinary heritage so they can reconnect with theirs.
Experiences to keep alive in our memories what makes us what we are
THE WHo
Hi, this is Juan, let me introduce myself. Born in SanSebastián, my love for food took me to deny my expected path as an engineer and to join the Basque Culinary Center. I graduated with the firm aspiration of letting the world know the best of Spanish gastronomy. Back then I saw myself traveling around the world with a bottle of Rioja and another one of Olive Oil under both armpits. Time would teach me that although I was in the right direction, the path to be done would be…different.
This vision took me to accept the opportunity of studying a European Masters on Wine Tourism Innovation. After studying in the winemaking schools of Tarragona, Bordeux and Porto for two years I started to travel around Europe with a bottle of Rioja under my arm. At that moment of my life I realized that the vision I had, did not reveal some details. Details like the missing solar beams that caress the grapes or even the hay aromas of a waking up farm.
And so is how a new plot twist would set me in my current journey. I started a career as a private tour guide in 2019 in my vibrant San Sebastián. Since then I have traveled along with hundreds of customers around the Basque Country in all kinds of trips. Now, almost four years later, I start my own way with a project keen on developing private tours and itineraries taking gastronomy and wine culture as its main axis.
THE how
I am constantly looking forward to working with vinegrowers, shepherds, committed cooks, fathers and grandchildren that can leave a footprint in my hosted travelers. Places with essence where the plague of touristy copy-pasting has not shown up.
And so it should continue. As part of that chain, I pursue a balance between the economical benefit for all the stakeholders involved in the process, and the long-term sustenance of the local communities and their traditional way of life. Because of this, I do not believe in flooding areas with big parties. And, in order to be consequent, I made the decision of working with private reduced groups on ageneral basis.
The vehicle I am working with is a brand new Mercedes V-Class bought in 2023. This van offers a maximum capacity of 7 passengers (8 including myself) . It will offer plenty of comfort for all the transportation from the accommodation of the guests to the visited places.
