The hotels you will stay at on this trip tend more towards the premium end of the scale. That's not to say they're fancy for the sake of being fancy, but rather we know you'll have a warm welcome, a big comfy bed, a great location and a bit of peace and quiet too. Here's what we love about each:

Nafarrola sits in a privileged position tucked between two hills looking down a valley towards the harbour town of Bermeo in the distance, with the sea beyond. This is a very comfortable, premium small hotel. A strikingly modern wing greets you on arrival before revealing the beautifully converted traditional farmhouse beyond. Spacious rooms have bathtubs and clear shower cubicles in the bedroom so if you are shy around each other, this might not be for you. The food is exceptional, the wine cellar out of this world. 

Housed in a converted grain mill in a 16th century stone building near the middle of the pretty village of Samaniego, La Molinera Etxea is a modest looking place from the outside. Stone wall, small windows and a heavy wooden door. Being a 'Casa Rural' (bed & breakfast) you won't find a reception desk, or uniformed staff. You will be met by the owner and possibly her small children. You will be shown into the old living area of what was her family home, and a meeting place for villagers. Up the stairs you will be shown to one of the six bedrooms - and here's the surprise, they are beautifully modern, very comfortable and stylish. Where you think you would find flickering old standard lamps, you'll find concealed LED strips. It's the perfect combination of personality and modernity. The welcome and hosting could not be more friendly. Breakfasts are served (often in two shifts) along the old dining table, family style. What they serve is mostly harvested, baked and made from the immediate surrounds. The hospitality is just wonderful. There's a little outdoor patio area with gorgeous views out over the vineyards of La Rioja Alavesa. 

Hotel Tayko in Bilbao is a comfortable and charming small hotel located in the Old Town by the river. It's a 5-minute walk from both the the Mercado de la Rivera and the restaurants and bars of Plaza Berria square. It is 2km from the Guggenheim Bilbao museum, or a 5-minute tram ride. The hotel has a lovely combination of industrial décor and minimalism. Food is also a highlight and its Michelin-starred restaurant Ola is a memorable experience if you want to push the boat out.