If you are headed to the Basque region of Europe, which spans part of Spain and France, you are in for a treat. Summer is the perfect time to visit the Basque lands, as rainfall gives us a break and it is the time when most festivities take place. Here is an overview of my seven favourite places to go and see around the area, that you can explore during your time on the ground.
- San Sebastian is full of incredible sights and atmosphere. Here you will find a variety of beaches to relax on, along with bars and restaurants to dine at. Stay one day and you will not want to leave!
- Biarritz and St. Jean-de-Luz are both beautiful seaside resorts where you can spend a day relaxing under the sun or getting pampered.
- If you are looking to spend time in nature, a visit to the town of Larrau will pay off when you step into the Iraty Forest, the largest beech forest in Western Europe.
- San Pelayo town is the place for sports lovers. Here you will find the Basque sports festival that takes place every summer.
- For a breathtaking sight, visit Vitoria and stop at the Cathedral of Santa Maria, an award-winning 14th-century Gothic church that has been newly restored.
- If you are feeling adventurous, head to the city of Pamplona to run with the bulls or watch people run. This is always really good fun.
- Bilbao, my hometown and the largest city in the area. Just walk around the city and see the sights. My personal recommendation is to take the funicular railway to the top of the Artxanda Mountain. There you will enjoy the panoramic views of a city that is surrounded by mountains, and it is a great spot for taking pictures. During your visit to Bilbao, be sure not to leave without having yours taken with “Puppy,” the larger-than-life floral sculpture of a terrier that has become the capital’s mascot.
The area also has several wonderful museums that celebrate art and history. I recommend visiting the following museums:
- Basque Museum in Baiona, for an introduction to Basque history and traditions.
- Balenciaga Museum in Getaria, where the famous fashion designer Cristobal Balenciaga’s original designs are on display.
- Gernika Museum, for a historical view of the city starting with the first century through contemporary times and learn how the city was rebuilt after the bombing.
- Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, which houses a permanent collection of modern art and a bookstore that is packed with vintage art books, recipes books and funny gadgets.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this article, contact Cristina Tung at cristinatung@hotmail.com. For questions about in-flight catering in Basque Country, contact weborders@airculinaire.com.
| This is an article by guest author Cristina Tung. Cristina is a corporate flight attendant based in the Basque region of Spain and is an industry expert in business aviation. Any thoughts expressed in this article are entirely Cristina’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Air Culinaire Worldwide. |
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