Basque, Spain
 

I am contemplating a place to go to this August with my boyfriend. We are both graduating, and only have time to go in August (I know not a fabulous time to go anywhere). We both want to go someplace neither of us have been. The Basque region looks interesting with cities, beaches, and wine country, as well as not so intense heat. Would this be a worthwhile place to be for two weeks in August, for two well traveled people who like architecture, museums, good food, wine, beaches, and countryside?

The País Vasco and Pays Basque are both excellent destinations, but you'll need to plan ahead for August, when Spain and France are on holiday and the Basque country is a major destination, especially San Sebastian-Donostia and Biarritz (high season).

You should also take a look at Maribel's Guides to the País Vasco and Pays Basque (http://mariblesguides.com). You will find the guides very useful in planning your adventure.

renting a car will give you easier access to the quaint villages.

i like to check out www.toprural.com for country homes where you might be lucky to get a night or two along the way.

you have chosen a gem of an area.

A great idea!!! This region meets all your demands. Check www.nekatur.net for excellent accommodation at unbeatable prices, and make plans in advance, August is high season over here.

ttt

-MikelG will steer you right. He was a great help to me last year.

-go to http://marshlands.blogstream.com/ to get my writeup on three weeks in San Sebastian.

As suggested, act soon on reservations.

San Sebastian/Donostia fits me better than anyplace I have found in Europe. Truly a civilized place with warm people.

I think the International Fireworks Festival in San Sebastian is around August 15 (a local holiday). It was every night for a week...incredible. That was also peak of high-season, but still great fun.

Stella,
I am going in Sept. and have used Maribelsguides, www.saint-jean-de-luz.com, www.bayonne-tourisme.com,www.spaininfo.com,among several others. As Maribel has suggested, I have reservations at Hotel Niza. Should be crowded in August so make your reservations early.

In Basque Country tapas are called "pintxos" and bars in San Sebastian are a show of different kinds of meal. More info:
www.todopintxos.com

We're going in June. Maribel's guides will accompany us during our trip 'cause we want to try a lot of her restaurant suggestions!

Last year I stumbled onto a bilbao travel agency, totally Spain, that did a great job for me. After I returned I learned from them that handle all of Maribel's travel in Basque Country. Not a bad rec.

The Latest issue(MAY) Saveur magazine, has an article with photos of Basque Country and suggestions of where to eat.

Oh I can't wait to get my copy of Saveur!

This is a fabulous region! And the food certainly ranks among the world's best. The area has every component on Stella's list!

Maribel's guides are essential. Not essential, but maybe a little interesting, would be the first part of this report dealing with San Sebastian; I got lots of help here for my trip:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34894706

My husband and I went there last August. It had everything you listed, in the finest possible way. You'll have an amazing time. We've traveled to many places around the world but few have such a good combination of culture, leisure, beach and gourmet, especially if you want nice weather in August (warm but never boiling hot).

BTW we thought the Spanish side was much better than the French side (Biarritz, St Jean de Luz, etc), which we felt was more resorty and didn't offer as much unique culture.

Most of the Basque country is in the foothills of the Pyranees.

Pau is a lovely city on the French side with some beautiful views of the Pyranees. It's sort of on the 'edge'of the Basques.

Several years ago a friend and I took a high country drive on the Spanish side from Donistia and spent the night in Jaca. We managed to get within 8km of the French border. It's very pretty driving along the backroads.

ek, thanks for the link to the old thread. Will be going to Hondarribia for 4 nights with car this July. I can't wait as your post confirms to me that this was a good idea. thereyet