What a “treat” this place is, literally! San Sebastian is considered the cultural center of the Basque region and one of the culinary capitals of Europe with seven Michelin three-star restaurants and over 200 Pintxo bars (Pintxos = tapas).
It doesn’t hurt that it has Rio de Janeiro-like outcroppings and natural bays on the Atlantic with access to incredible seafood and great surfing, hiking, and, of course, wine tasting and cooking schools / tours.
San Sebastián is a culinary paradise, but, known in the past as “Little Paris”, its cultural scene proves it has much more to offer. Crowned “2016 European Capital of Culture,” it offers large-scale artworks that populate public spaces, the San Telmo museum will present a joint project with Madrid’s Reina Sofía museum, the modern Kursaal auditorium and other area theaters will screen films as part of its annual film festival, and the historic Hotel Maria Cristina beautifully updated its époque interiors.
The Basque region is clean, orderly, with a very hardworking and dedicated population. The origin of the Basque is a mystery as is that of their language – linguists can’t find ANY similarity to other European languages nor to any other in the world for that matter. One thing for sure is that their mountainous terrain made it next to impossible to conquer so they managed to remain isolated for centuries unlike most areas in Europe in which migrations played a major role in shaping the DNA pool.
But no need to worry about the language as Spanish – and a very clean, beautiful Spanish – is the predominant language throughout San Sebastian, although you will see some signs and hear the Basque language spoken from time to time.
Handpicked for you, our instructors are among the most professional and experienced in the field. Private lessons take place daily—one-on-one, two hours per day—in the location of your choice. We don’t use classrooms! Your personal instructor focuses on conversation, introducing grammar only as needed for natural communication.
Enjoy two hours per day of guided cultural activities: unique walking tours, site visits, and tastings—all led by your instructor. No English-speaking groups! Learn while on the move, practicing conversation for one week, a month, or longer—you decide. Experience authentic interaction as you practice with your local neighbors.
Choose from our carefully selected four- and five-star boutique hotels, or luxury houses and apartments in prime locations—or select your own lodging. Either way, your Language & Luxury Tour promises an unforgettable cultural experience.
Your private chauffeur awaits! We arrange transfers to and from the local international airport, with optional VIP expedite service for arrival, departure, or tight connections.
Your Language & Luxury Tour is fully managed from the moment you inquire until the moment you return home. We coordinate every step—your consultations, your instructor match, your private lessons, cultural activities, schedules, and optional excursions—so your experience flows smoothly and effortlessly.
Explore on your own—or enjoy half-day and full-day exclusive experiences tailored to your interests! Choose from private wine excursions, cooking classes, food tours, truffle hunting, pasta making, or tapas walks—each designed to deepen your cultural connection. You can also enrich your week with wellness sessions, artist-led workshops, golf outings, or family ancestry explorations.
“Staying in San Sebastian was such a relaxing time, close to the shore, yet I got to experience the mixture of Basque and Spanish cultures all in one. This location is truly a magical place and I was not only able to pick up Spanish, but also learned some local Basque phrases during my stay meeting locals in the city.”
I just returned from an incredible week in Paris, thanks to Language & Luxury. I was immersed in the culture and the language, with a very talented instructor, who not only improved my French language skills, but also provided me with personalized tours and insights that I could not have acquired elsewhere.
There is so much to see and do in Paris, and Language & Luxury provided all the arrangements - and the instructor - to make sure that my time in Paris was as personally fulfilling and rewarding as possible. It's an incredible program for anyone looking to improve their language skills and explore Paris on a deeper level.
Every Language & Luxury™ experience is a hand-tailored private journey to learn a foreign language, with a Personal Language Instructor, one on one, in some of the world’s most beautiful cities and towns. If you ever have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
No classrooms. No groups. No strangers.
Just you—or your trusted friends and family—guided through a fully coordinated, luxury immersion experience.