Parador de Hondarribia

BASQUE COUNTRY

Situated in the north on the French border, the Basque Country is defined by its unique language, wonderful beaches, cosmopolitan cities, beautiful greenery and its award-winning cuisine.

The beaches and coastal areas overlooking the Bay of Biscay make up one of the most magnificent natural coastlines in Spain with promontories creating picturesque sweeping landscapes. The coast provides plenty of opportunities for sailing, fishing and swimming and the city of San Sebastian makes full use of its wonderful coastal location offering both city and beach breaks to visitors. The city has become very popular with tourists over the past couple of decades with many renowned events such as the annual international film and jazz festivals and its appointment as European Capital of Culture in 2016 cementing its position as one of Spain’s top cultural centres.

The region’s capital, Bilbao, is also a cultural hub with the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum exhibiting some of the world’s best contemporary artworks. The commercial and shopping centres and plethora of pintxos bars, restaurants and cafes make it an ideal metropolis for a short city break and with ferry connections to Portsmouth and an international airport, it has never been easier to reach Bilbao.

The charming town of Hondarribia is less than 15 miles from San Sebastian and sits right on the border with France looking across the Bidasoa River over to the French town of Hendaye. Hondarribia’s historic walled old town is home to a number of old aristocratic buildings including the Parador, a former 10th Century Castle. The town has a number of restaurants and bars, mainly around the main square and riverside, offering regional fare, often heavy with rich seafood. Hondarribia also has its very own Michelin-starred restaurant within walking distance of the Parador.

Whilst the region’s dramatic coastline is a draw for many tourists, we must not forget the green and fertile interior. Wonderful areas of natural beauty and a hilly landscape make for excellent conditions for hiking, cycling and river fishing for those looking for more active holiday.

Basque food and restaurants have been on the international radar for many years now. Home to Spain’s highest concentration of Michelin starred restaurants, with there are no fewer than seven in San Sebastian alone including the famous such as the famous ‘Arzak’ restaurant; it is believed that the Basque Country has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin stars per square metre in the world, a must-visit for any true foodie.

If your tastes (and budget) are looking at more traditional and relaxed menu, then the Basque Country also has the perfect alternative, pintxos. The Basque equivalent of tapas, pinxtos are typically served on top of a small piece of bread and pintxos bar crawls are a popular activity in the old towns of Bilbao and San Sebastian.

With its coastal locations, it can come as no surprise that fish and seafood feature heavily in local dishes and the Basque Country.

The Basque Country is also perfect for wine-lovers with Eltziego and the Alava vineyards producing delicious vintages. One of the most famous brands, Marques de Riscal (another of Gehry’s architectural feats), which is located in the Alava province. The eye-catching hotel and vineyard welcome visitors for wine tours and to dine in the haute-cuisine restaurant. Argómaniz is located in the heart of the wine region enjoying wonderful views of the Alavese plains and the perfect base to explore the nearby wineries and vineyards.