For the past 100 years or so, San Sebastián has been a beautiful place for the beautiful people to come for a little rest and relaxation. We’re not part of the “beautiful people” crowd, but we’re headed to San Sebastián, anyway. Why should they have all the fun? Continue reading “Beautiful San Sebastián”
Let’s Figure this Basque Thing Out
We’re on our way to the Basque city of San Sebastián, Spain. Lunch in Bilbao was great, but it’s San Sebastián that has the reputation of being a food-lover’s destination. Before we get there, though, we still don’t really know much about the Basques. Let’s keep trying to figure this Basque thing out. Continue reading “Let’s Figure this Basque Thing Out”
The Basques – A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery?
In 1939, Winston Churchill famously said, “It’s a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” He was referring to pre-WWII Russia. But it’s also a pretty good description of what many people think of the Basques today. Continue reading “The Basques – A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery?”
The Sea-Going Basques
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”
