Touring the Basque country
Jun 11th, 2004 | 02:38 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2004
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Touring the Basque country
My boyfriend and I are taking a trip to Biarritz/Bilbao next week for 10 days. Any suggestions on "must-see" places in the area? Should we stay in one place and take day trips or stay in a few places? Suggestions for hotel accomodations (in the 2-3 star range)? We're on a budget but willing to spend what we need to enjoy the sights. Thanks!
Jun 11th, 2004 | 03:02 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
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St Jean Luz was a favorite place to visit, lots of places with great food. In St Jean we ate at The Arrantzalek, acroos the bridge in Cilboure. I missed out on Euzkadi in Cambo-les-Bains, I have since heard great things. We stayed in Biarritz and in Ainoha, which was my favorite. In Bilbao we stayed at the Hotel Carlton and found the food at the gungenheim, wonderful. At night we went to the old part of town and went to the tapas bars.
Jun 11th, 2004 | 03:08 PM
#3
Joined: Feb 2004
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You might want to download Maribel's guide to the Basque Country. (Maribel is a known on Fodors as probably the ultimate authority on Spain)
http://maribelsguides.com
http://maribelsguides.com
Jun 13th, 2004 | 08:08 AM
#4
Joined: Mar 2003
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Kaixo!
I suggest that you consider staying in one central location, in the San Sebastian-Donostia area, and take "day trips", since nothing in the País Vasco and Pays Basque is further than a three hour drive from this area, not even the Rioja Alavesa. You'll find the roadways excellent, but signage can be a little difficult at times.
Depending on what you want to do or see, nearly everything in the Basque Country is a "must see" from Bayonne to Hendaye along the coast, or inland to the villages of Sare, Ainhoa, Espelette, Bidarray and St. Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pays Basque. The coastal region from Hondarribia to Getxo, outside of Bilbao, is considered to one of the most beautiful in Europe, with dozens of places to visit along the way including Getaria, Zumaia, Ondarroa, Lekeitio, Elantxobe, Ea, Gernika, Mundaka and Bermeo, to name just a few of the interesting villages. The scenery as you drive inland through the mountains of Guipúzcoa is spectacular to say the least, as it is in Álava and Vizcaya.
If you want to save some money on accommodations and enjoy a more informal setting, then you should check out the growing list of Casa Rurals, country homes available in the País Vasco. Nearly all are in the 3-star class and are very comfortable. You?ll find them everywhere, from along the coast, to the inland valleys. I would suggest that you download Maribel's Guide to the Basque Country (http://maribelsguides.com/) and check out Basque Government's Rural Guesthouse web site (http://www.nekatur.net/) and possibly visit Top Rural (http://www.toprural.com/) to get a better understanding of what's available.
There are also dozens of excellent two and three star hotels to choose from in both Bilbao and San Sebastian, but there is no central web page listing everything. Again, check Maribel's Guides for some suggestions and enjoy the experience.
I suggest that you consider staying in one central location, in the San Sebastian-Donostia area, and take "day trips", since nothing in the País Vasco and Pays Basque is further than a three hour drive from this area, not even the Rioja Alavesa. You'll find the roadways excellent, but signage can be a little difficult at times.
Depending on what you want to do or see, nearly everything in the Basque Country is a "must see" from Bayonne to Hendaye along the coast, or inland to the villages of Sare, Ainhoa, Espelette, Bidarray and St. Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pays Basque. The coastal region from Hondarribia to Getxo, outside of Bilbao, is considered to one of the most beautiful in Europe, with dozens of places to visit along the way including Getaria, Zumaia, Ondarroa, Lekeitio, Elantxobe, Ea, Gernika, Mundaka and Bermeo, to name just a few of the interesting villages. The scenery as you drive inland through the mountains of Guipúzcoa is spectacular to say the least, as it is in Álava and Vizcaya.
If you want to save some money on accommodations and enjoy a more informal setting, then you should check out the growing list of Casa Rurals, country homes available in the País Vasco. Nearly all are in the 3-star class and are very comfortable. You?ll find them everywhere, from along the coast, to the inland valleys. I would suggest that you download Maribel's Guide to the Basque Country (http://maribelsguides.com/) and check out Basque Government's Rural Guesthouse web site (http://www.nekatur.net/) and possibly visit Top Rural (http://www.toprural.com/) to get a better understanding of what's available.
There are also dozens of excellent two and three star hotels to choose from in both Bilbao and San Sebastian, but there is no central web page listing everything. Again, check Maribel's Guides for some suggestions and enjoy the experience.
