We’re in Basque country. While munching on delicious pintxos in Bilbao’s Plaza Nueva, we’re soaking up some Basque history. As noted last time, the Basques were sea-going people from way back. Whale-hunting expeditions took them all the way from Spain and France to the shores of North America. But they were just getting started. Continue reading “The Sea-Going Basques”
A Whale of a Time in Bilbao
To most people, the Basques are something of a mystery. One might get the idea that they’ve been an isolated group, never venturing far from home. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s a whale of a story, and it starts in Bilbao. Continue reading “A Whale of a Time in Bilbao”
Bilbao – It’s Not just about the Guggenheim
If “Basque country” was an actual country, Bilbao would be its capital. It’s the home of a famous Guggenheim museum, but the port city of Bilbao is also an important part of Basque history. We’re on our way there now. C’mon. Let’s go! Continue reading “Bilbao – It’s Not just about the Guggenheim”
The Road to Bilbao
Today is our first day waking up in St. Jean de Luz. After having breakfast at the hotel, we’ll be on the road to Bilbao, where we’ll stop for lunch. Bilbao is most well-known for being the home of the Guggenheim museum, but we’re going just to see the city itself. But first, le petit déjeuner. Continue reading “The Road to Bilbao”
St. Jean de Luz – Let’s Go Check it Out
St. Jean de Luz is a beautiful little seaside town on the western coast of France. It’s just ten miles from France’s border with Spain. After not-the-smoothest day of traveling, we arrived this afternoon. Now it time to go exploring and find some refreshments. Continue reading “St. Jean de Luz – Let’s Go Check it Out”
Welcome to Basque Country
St. Jean de Luz is a small coastal town just barely on the French side of the border between Spain and France. The town looks out on the Bay of Biscay and further out, the Atlantic Ocean. St. Jean de Luz is in Basque Country. But what does that mean, exactly? Continue reading “Welcome to Basque Country”
Rough Road to St. Jean de Luz
We started the day in Barajas, Spain – a pleasant pueblo adjacent to Madrid International airport. From there, we flew to San Sebastián. Next step: rent a car and make the short drive across the border to to St. Jean de Luz, France. It should have been easy, but it was a rough road to St. Jean de Luz. Continue reading “Rough Road to St. Jean de Luz”
Snags in San Sebastián
It’s early afternoon, but it’s already been a long day. We’re on our way from Madrid, Spain, to St. Jean de Luz, just across the border in France. Everything was easy until we arrived at San Sebastián airport. It was there where we hit our first snags in San Sebastián. Continue reading “Snags in San Sebastián”
Adventure at San Sebastián Airport
We’ve just started our “Basque Country Adventure.” I noted last time that we didn’t actually plan to have any serious adventures per se, but our arrival at San Sebastián airport turned out to be more adventuresome than expected. Continue reading “Adventure at San Sebastián Airport”
Basque Country Adventure
OK. “Basque Country Adventure” might be a stretch. I mean, we aren’t the most adventuresome travelers. There won’t be any whips, slithering asps, or runaway boulders on this adventure. But the “Basque country” part is accurate. That’s where we’re headed. C’mon! Continue reading “Basque Country Adventure”
