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Regions of Spain : Basque Country
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Baskland is of particular interest for its completely autochthonous culture,
including a language of its own of quite mysterious origins. Its folklore is
autochthonous too, and you may even watch particular sports like the
so-called Basqueball ("pelota vasca").
Today it is one of the most industrialized regions of Spain. Despite of
that there are still many areas of almost untouched nature, notably the
natural parks of Valderejo, Urkiola, Urdaibai and the magical landscapes
along Guernica river. It is a great region for hiking, riding, golf and all
sorts of mountain sports. Another attraction is the steep Cantabrian coast,
but don't forget to bring your raincoat to protect yourself of the "txirimiri",
the typical very fine rain.
The Cities:
San Sebastian
 Just
21km west of the French border, within the Basque Country, lies Donostia-San
Sebastian, the summer capital of Spain. It lies against the Bay of Biscay,
surrounded by green mountains. During the summer months the population here
swells as the Spanish head here to escape the inland heat. It has about
180,000 inhabitants.
San Sebastian is a tasteful resort without the normal holiday resort
trimmings and makes an ideal base from which to explore the Basque Country.
This is the capital of the province of
Guipuzcoa, the smallest province in
Spain. The city offers quiet, natural places just minutes from the city
centre and the city is divided into two by the River Urumea.
Getting to San Sebastian is relatively easy as it is linked to most of
Spain's major cities by bus. The trains from Madrid to the French border at
Irun all stop here. Iberia airlines also offer flights from
Madrid
airport (Barajas MAD) to
San
Sebastian airport.
Donostia-San Sebastian was once a small fishing village and the
inhabitants lived facing the sea. They were known to have hunted whales and
fished for cod. At one point it was a thriving port, importing wines and oil
for France and England. Over the centuries the city has undergone many
sieges and in 1808 it was occupied by Napoleon's soldiers who stayed here
until 1813. The city fell into decline in the 19th century but was lifted in
1845 when Queen Isabel II arrived in the city to spend the summer there., a
tradition that continued for decades.
No visit to the city is complete without a visit to the old quarter (Parte
Vieja) where most of the traditional local life takes place. Its narrow
streets are packed with bars and restaurants. The Plaza de la Constitución
is where you will find the library, once the Town Hall. The square was once
used as a bullring. The Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro, patron saint of
the city can be found on the only street that remains from the 1813 fire,
the Calle 31 de Agosto. The old quarter opens out to the sea at the harbour,
home to the fishing fleet as well as the pleasure craft. Here you will find
the Naval Museum and the Aquarium.
Donostia-San Sebastian has three beaches, La Concha, Ondarreta and La
Zurriola. La Concha was made popular by Queen Isabel and is considered to be
one of the most beautiful city beaches in Europe. Ondarreta beach stands at
the foot of Mount Igeldo and has a more aristocratic feel to it because of
the villas and gardens that lead to the sand. La Zurriola is to be found on
the right bank of the river and has undergone a massive project to increase
its size by reclaiming land from the sea. It is now much bigger than La
Concha beach. All three beaches offer tourist changing rooms, parasols and
sunbeds. Standing in the centre of La Concha Bay is the tiny Santa Clara
Island with a lighthouse and a small wharf. This island turns into the
city's fourth beach in the summer with a ferry service from the harbour.
There are many monuments to explore in the city, such as the
Cathedral, a
neo-Gothic structure of the 19th century. Its spire at 75m high can be seen
from most of the city. On Mount Urgull you will find the Castillo de la
Santa Cruz de la Mota which stands on the site of an earlier fort. All over
the city you will find open-air sculptures by local artists. The city also
offers several parks and gardens. Wide open spaces of green with manor
houses and water features.
Bilbao
 Spain's
6th largest city and biggest port, in the heart of the Basque Country and a
good place to see the regions attractions. Bilbao has its own airport,
located 8km away from the city and serviced by flights from all over Europe.
Visitors must see the new
Guggenheim Museum with its bizarre shape that
upset many locals when it was built. It is
devoted to American and European art. There are also other museums to visit
including the Museo de Ballas Artes, containing both modern and medieval
works. The commercial heart of Bilbao is full of bankers, attracted by the
shipbuilding and shipping interests of the port. Industry is rife in Bilbao
but underneath there is a culture worthy of an exploration.
The old quarter of Bilbao on the east side of the river is connected to
the new side by several bridges. Climb the famous 64 steps to the top of the
town to the church built in the 1500's. See the
Cathedral built in the 14th
century. The only way to see the old town is by foot.
By night, Bilbao offers several discos, many bars and a theatre.
more....
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Vitoria-Gasteiz
 Vitoria
in the Basque Country is 41km south of Bilbao and up until the 1980's was a
sleepy, quiet hamlet. It was in the early 1980's that it was chosen as the
headquarters for the Basque region's government. The
airport of Vitoria-Foronda lies just 5km from the centre.
Vitoria was founded on the site of a small hamlet called Gasteiz, perched
on the top of a hill. Sancho el Sabio, king of Navarra and founder of the
city chose Gasteiz as a stronghold against Castille and granted the town its
charter in 1181. Vitoria continued to grow, protected behind the city walls.
It had three streets which crossed the hill from north to south, around
which the town was laid out in the shape of an almond. The structure of the
medieval town still remains. In the middle ages Vitoria was renowned for its
craftsmen and merchants whose guilds gave rise to the names of streets. At
the end of the 18th century the city began to expand outside its walls.
During this period the Plaza de Espana was constructed, marking the
expansion to the south.
In the mid-19th century Vitoria expanded towards the south. This area is
now the city centre and main shopping area. Most of the streets and squares
in the centre are pedestrianised and contain a large number of sculptures
from the Basque Country, converting the city centre into an open-air art
gallery. Here you will also find stately mansions, 19th century houses and
the new Cathedral. Calle Paz is the main shopping street of the city and
marks the eastern boundary of the city centre.
Places to visit within the medieval quarter
- Casa del Cordon: 9th century, houses a medieval tower and Gothic hall.
- Palacio de Bendana: 1525, home of the Fournier playing card museum,
one of the most impressive collections in the world.
- Casa Armera de los Gobeo: 16th century former home now houses the
Archaeological Museum.
- Torre de los Anda: 9th century fortified house and tower.
- Cathedral de Santa Maria: 14th century with triple Gothic portico.
- Old City walls: 13th century.
Places to visit in the city centre
- Plaza de la Virgen Blanca: 17th century, known as the old square. In
ancient times, markets were held here, outside the city walls. The square
is dominated by the church of San Miguel. All around the square one can
see characteristic buildings. In the centre stands the monument to the
battle of Vitoria.
- Church of San Antonio: 17th century with Baroque doorway and
impressive sculptures.
- Palacio de la Provincia: 1833. Home of the Provincial Council of Alava.
- New Cathedral: 1907-1973. Neo-Gothic style.
- Plaza de Espana: 1971. Forms a perfect square and houses the main Town
Hall on one side.
Of special interest to the visitor is the Parque de la Florida, dated
1820. It is located behind the paliament building. These romantic gardens
feature streams and copses and is one of the most attractive places in the
city. The bandstand was built in 1890 and is used every Sunday in the summer
and spring. The tourist office is located close to here.
Next to the park starts a promenade that stretches 3.5km to the Basilica
de Armentia. It is covered by a canopy of trees and is lined with parks,
mansions and museums. The Paseo de la Senda is worthy of a walk, whatever
time of year.
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 Gran Lakua Hotel Vitoria 
The Gran Lakua Hotel is perfectly connected with the Vitoria Bilbao freeway,
the airport of Vitoria Gasteiz and the urban centre of the city. In addition, it
is near to the most modern commercial centres. The hotel offers 147 guest rooms which includes apartments, studies and
suites that are decorated with the best materials to offer a high level of
comfort and exquisite elegance. The restaurant at the onsite is most selective palates where guests will be
able to enjoy old prescriptions of the gastronomical tradition of Basque Region
and to savour dishes with the last culinary tendencies. Moreover, there is a
cafeteria and a piano bar that will count on the comfort and the attention that
its time of relaxation deserves. The hotel provides five panelables halls, which are suitable for meeting,
conventions and conferences. During leisure, you can workout at the gymnasium or
relax at the spa.
Click here for more information and Booking Details »
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Gastronomy
Basque cooking enjoys a reputation for being one of the best cuisines in
the world.
This statement is corroborated by everyone who visits this region and
eats at a bar, restaurant, steakhouse or cider farm - the food is very good
in the Basque Country.
Traditional cooking based on the quality of its products and their simple
preparation, with roots in public tradition and in which seafood plays a
special part, although we should not forget our tasty meats and local
products such as beans, cheese and junket. These and other products complete
the extensive repertoire of our traditional gastronomy.
In the seventies, after researching, innovating and extending the
repertoire of traditional Basque cooking and after a first contact with
French cuisine, a group of young chefs came up with the idea of the
so-called New Basque Cuisine, and today some of the leading chefs in this
movement are household names. As a result of their experimentation and
research, the group came up with new ingredients, new ways of preparing
food, new aromas and combinations, creating an exquisite and creative
cuisine.
Speaking of the Basque gastronomy, it would be impossible not to mention
the Popular Gastronomic Societies, which can be found all over the region.
These masculine redoubts represent a unique phenomenon and maintain the
attachment to local culinary traditions very much alive. Without them, it
would be difficult to explain the deep-rooted popularity of Basque cuisine.
In these Societies, men cook for their friends and relatives, making
gastronomy the basis for their social relations.
Another of the curiosities of Basque cooking are the "pinchos" or "tapas",
small portions served in most bars and restaurants and which represent
another opportunity to try the delicacies of our cuisine. The Basque Country
offers a wide range of restaurants, steakhouses, seafood restaurants, cider
farms, etc., for all tastes and pockets.
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Silken Amara
Plaza Hotel San Sebastian
High
Tech Petit Palace Arana Bilbao
