Day 10 – Bilbao – Where Food is Art and Art is Food Time to leave the beauty of La Rioja and head to Bilbao, navigating the Ebro Valley to the northern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. The terrain changes from meadowlands to craggy mountainous visages, then industrial expanses and finally the commercial port city. I squeeze more tasting time at a few bodegas along the way and admire their artistry as much as their wine. Then a welcomed lunch at La Casa del Patrón with its Basque cuisine, located in the village of Murgia at the foot of the Gorbea Natural Park. Look at these anchovies and mixed salad—such artistic touches and as delectable as pictured! The monumental Frank Gehry designed Guggenheim Bibao defines the city—its presence is unmistakable at most angles. Quite a resemblance to his Hotel Marqués de Riscal, in Elciego, eh? But don’t disregard the Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts) with both antiquity and modern collections. I complete my food and wine tour of Portugal and Spain at Zortziko with its ultramodern kitchen housed in a historical monument building. Check out these unadorned yet stylish vegetable centerpieces. My compliments to Chef Daniel Garcia who wowed me with his simple, yet elegant meal of crunchy oysters, black cod and this ethereal fruit dessert, preceded by a miniature grilled cheese amuse-bouche and concluded by these knockout sweets. Oh, and did I say that my cup runneth over with the wines of the day? I am filled with delicious memories of Portuguese and Spanish food and wine, the history, art and architecture of their cities and the picturesque countryside that I devoured over these two weeks. Thanks for indulging me! Salud!