The Basque Country
Why go?
Why should you come to the Basque Country and its near neighbour
Navarre? Well, let’s consider the facts. A
short tour of this beautiful land will reveal the following: sandy
beaches and high mountains, vibrant cities and cute country towns,
Michelin-starred restaurants and those legendary pintxos
bars, then magnificent vineyards and shimmering olive groves. In
short, the scenery is spectacular, the food and wine
even better. Welcome to the land of plenty!
So what about the Basques themselves? Don’t expect the
frostiness of the British or the haughtiness of the French. On the
contrary, the hallmarks of Basque hospitality are remarkable
warmth and openness. You will be down in the pintxos bars
eating great food and knocking back a glass of Rioja before you
know it. Life is to be lived, that is the motto here. It is one the
Basques abide to with great precision.
There is also the story of the Basques themselves. This is an
ancient land, rich in tradition. The Basque people have
lived here for millennia. They are one of the most settled ethnic
groups on the planet. As for their language, it is wholly original,
unlike any other. It is hard to visit their corner of heaven and
not leave with a new-found empathy for their quest to be recognised
for who they are.
Any Downsides?
The weather here is less predictable than further south, and those gorgeous mountain valleys are green for good reason, but despite the odd burst of rain, the temperatures remain clement over winter and the blue sky holds for much of the year. In July and August, especially at weekends, the beaches will be busy with locals and the traffic can be a pain. And if you’re heading to San Sebastián to eat in one of those 3-Michelin-star restaurants, don’t expect the experience to come cheap.