Basque - Spain or France?
 

We are planning a trip to the Basque area in early June. We would like suggestions about where to go, the French side or the Spanish side? We will later be renting a house in the Languedoc region. But would like to travel in the Basque area first. Thanks for any suggestions.

How much time do you have? It is easy to combine both, time permitting.

We are going to La Rioja wine country for 3 or so days that would leave about 3 more days. We can still tweak things at this point, obviously.

Libby, unless you have a reason to be 3 days at La Rioja...you are comparing in time a little province against a territory that covers three provinces in Spain and one in France...it's not fair :) If you really want to stay at La Rioja, I would stay the other 3 days at San Sebastian, on the Spanish side and maybe do a day trip to Biarritz and st Juan de luz on the french side which are very very near.

We really enjoy St-Jean-de-Luz. Much less impressed with Biarritz.

I would follow kenderina's advice and spend at least three days in San Sebastian-Donostia/Hondarribia, using it as a base to visit the Pays Basque since you don't have more time to spend there.

Three days in the Rioja (Alta and Alavesa) will allow you just enough time to get a taste of this country, but not enough time to see much. Remember, most bodegas are only open in the mornings. You'll also need reservations in advance; sometimes only one day is sufficient, depending on the season. There are also only a handful of bodegas that offer a tour in English; Miguel Marino (http://www.miguelmerino.com/) in Briones is one, but reservations are required.