Two years ago, after my retirement, I spent a few months traveling around Europe with two of my closest friends, with whom I share a great passion for art and culture. In Spain, our European tour took us first to Madrid and Barcelona, but our next destination—Bilbao—held a special kind of intrigue. We had, of course, heard of the Guggenheim Museum, but we knew little else about the city. That changed the moment we met Óscar, who helped us to discover an unforgettable city.

First, he drove us to the elegant Hotel Carlton in a very comfortable ride from the airport. He was polite and nicely dressed, and made us feel like more than just tourists. Later that day, our highly anticipated visit to the Guggenheim exceeded all expectations, but it was only the beginning, as Óscar was determined to introduce us to the true essence of Bilbao.
We had just two nights in Bilbao, but thanks to Óscar, we discovered incredible places we’d never have found on our own, like the Centro Azkuna cultural center and Sala Rekalde art space. He also showed us the Bizkaia Bridge, a UNESCO-listed architectural marvel we had never heard of before.
The highlight of our stay, however, was the breathtaking view from Mount Artxanda. Standing at the viewpoint, looking down at the stunning cityscape, we realized how mistaken we had been to think of Bilbao as merely an industrial hub. We had discovered a city filled with beauty and history, all thanks to Óscar, who went far beyond his duties to make sure we saw Bilbao through the eyes of someone who truly loves it.

“Introducing travelers to the beauty of my city is a privilege—I make sure they leave with unforgettable memories of this incredible region.”