Basque-ing in Boise & Beyond: July 28 – August 4, 2025
From
$3299.00
Duration
Tour Type
Overview
Join OregonWest Excursions as we head to Boise, ID for the Basque Festival. This will be the first Basque festival in 10 years and will be a great celebration!! Along the way and the return, we will enjoy many experiences and interesting places. While the Basque Festival (JAiALDI) is the heart of this tour, there is so much more to explore and enjoy on this tour! From pioneer history to steam trains and gold rushes, this will be a tour to remember! Come join us as we take a fun road trip and explore!
Day 1 – July 28, 2025: Pendleton
Today, we will get a mid morning start aboard the comfortable coach as we head to our first stop – Pendleton. Along the way, we will visit the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood and enjoy lunch at this famed lodge built in the 1930’s. Once we have refueled with a great lunch, we will make our way to Pendleton and check into the Best Western Hotel. Tonight we will enjoy a group dinner at Hamley’s Steak House – a regional favorite! (L, D)
Day 2 – July 29, 2025: Arrive in BoiseStart off the day with breakfast at the hotel before we explore the underside of Pendleton on an Underground Tour, where we will learn the history of this interesting city from the bottom up! Soon we will be back on the coach enjoying a boxed lunch from a local favorite as we make our way along this beautiful drive to Boise. We will check into the Holiday Inn Express University Area before walking to Barbacoa’s for a great dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 3 – July 30, 2025: Idaho City and the State CapitolAfter enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will board the coach for the ride out to Idaho City. Located in the heart of the Idaho Gold Rush area, this town has a great deal of history and interesting lore. We will take some time to explore the downtown area and then enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants – full of character and probably some local characters! After lunch we will head back to Boise and take a tour of the beautiful State Capital building. After touring the capital, we will return to the hotel and have a little time to freshen up before we enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)
Day 4 – July 31, 2025: Basque History and the Basque FestivalEnjoy breakfast at the hotel and a more leisurely morning before we head over to the Basque Museum. Spend some time learning about the history of the Basque people in the Boise area and enjoy the artifacts of the museum. Soon we will make our way to downtown Boise and the start of the festival. Explore the “Basque-Ing” on the block and enjoy the food, drinks, dancing and other fun activities. This afternoon we will return to the hotel for some time rest and relax before we enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner we will make our way to the Idaho Central Arena for the Basque Festival’s Sports Night where we will watch a spectacle of traditional Basque sporting events and culture! After, we will step outside and enjoy the Street Dance before we return to the hotel for a good night’s sleep! (B, D)
Day 5 – August 1, 2025: Idaho History and the FestaraGrab breakfast at the hotel before we make our way to the Idaho Botanical Gardens. Enjoy some time exploring the gardens and beautiful grounds. After the Botanical gardens, we will grab a light lunch before we explore the Old Penitentiary and learn about the pioneer life and what happened to those who ran afoul of the local law. We will head back to the hotel to freshen up before we enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant. Tonight, we will head back to the Idaho Central Arena for the Festara – a celebration of the traditional music and dance of the Basque culture. (B, L, D)
Day 6 – August 2, 2025: Baker CityEnjoy breakfast and a later morning as we shake off the Basque Festival and begin our journey home. Today we will visit the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and learn about the hardy people who made the trek to Oregon on a wagon train – a true testament to the incredible fortitude and will of these early American pioneers. After lunch and a short drive, we will check into the Geiser Grand Hotel in downtown Baker City. Take some time this afternoon to explore the downtown area of Baker City and its quaint shops and well preserved downtown. Tonight dinner will be on your own at one of the restaurants within easy walking distance of the hotel. (B, L)
Day 7 – August 3, 2025: Baker City Heritage & the Sumpter Valley RREnjoy a great breakfast take some time to enjoy the hotel this morning before we make our way to the Baker Heritage Museum. After enjoying the museum we will grab some boxed lunches from a local restaurant and take a short coach ride to McEwen to jump on the steam train to Sumpter. History comes to life aboard the vintage trains as you travel through the heart of gold country in the scenic Sumpter Valley. Running between McEwen and the historic mining town of Sumpter, it’s a guarantee that everyone will enjoy this relaxing trip back in time. Once we have returned from the train, take a little time to freshen up before we enjoy our final group dinner at the Geiser Grand. (B, L, D)
Day 8 – August 4, 2025: Travel HomeStart off with another great breakfast at the hotel before we climb aboard the coach for the journey home. Along the way we will stop and have lunch in The Dalles before we make the final leg and get everyone dropped off with memories of historical importance and a new found appreciation of Basque culture, music and food! (B, L)