MSG's Ben Anglade Makes Tour Inspection Debut in the Basque Country!

Ben Anglade, our newest tour operator, made his debut on our final trip of the year, flanked by fellow operator Jen Ellis, as Mill Hill School departed for the Basque region.

The duo arrived in Bordeaux late on 11th December to see as much of the local culture as possible. They collected a car and departed for Anglet, then on to San Sebastian where the pair met with our Head of European Operations Stuart Lock, who lives out in the Basque Country.

The following day started with a transfer to Bilbao for a visit to the Guggenheim Museum and a tour of San Mamés, the home of Spanish football side Athletic Bilbao. They also visited the markets in Bilbao, where they could take in some of the local culture and get a taste of what Bilbao has to offer.

The final full day saw the pair transfer to Bidart, Biarritz, and Bayonne in search of the best excursions for future touring groups. This resulted in a visit to the aquarium in Biarritz, the "beautiful" square in Bidart, and much more. Their trip was bookended with a return to Bordeaux, as they took in the atmosphere as France took on Morocco in the FIFA World Cup semi-final match.

I caught up with Ben after the tour:

" After just a month at MSG Tours, I was given the opportunity to head over to the Basque country and familiarise myself with one of our most popular tour destinations. Over the course of my 3-day visit, I had the chance to experience some of the finest food, architecture, landscapes, and cultural experiences that the region has to offer, from the Guggenheim in Bilbao to the Chocolate Museum in Bayonne. Most importantly, I feel confident in my ability to operate bespoke tours in the area, with recommendations for touring groups based on personal experience. "