Bilbao, the largest city of the Spanish Basque country, bordered by the Bay of Biscay to the North and sitting on the banks of the delightful river Nervion, is a location with many faces. Until you have actually stepped foot into the city, as I did last week, you won’t even realize that you could …
You’ll have to just trust me on this one, but there’s no better cure for a broken heart than a good piece of beef cheek. When I left Ibiza last week, I was convinced that the rest of my holiday was doomed. How could I ever feel for another place the way I did for …
If Basque cuisine needs any introduction at all, then let me quote Anthony Bourdain, who has called the Basque Country “the center of Western gastronomy.” With the chance to spend a week in Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country, how could I not put such bold claims to the test? Now, I will never claim …
Here is the truth about Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls. There’s a specific hour that only happens on eight days of the year. It takes place somewhere between four and six a.m. in a small Basque town, when morning seems to be starting, yet last night’s party never really ended. You’ve never seen so much …
Muster the word ‘Pamplona’ and chances are your first thoughts will have something to do with “Bulls” and “Running.” Yet there’s so much more to this aged, fortified city than the Running of the Bulls, without doubt one of the most revered and infamous calendar events on the planet. As the wide eyed traveler …
Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the Southwest corner of France and San Sebastian just across the border in Spain are both located in the area known as Basque country. Strikingly similar in layout and architecture, these cities offer some of the best Basque beaches, sights and food. Getting to the Basque Region It is possible, though quite …
On one of the best trips we’ve ever taken to Spain’s Basque region, my husband and I scoped out some regional gems that are off the typical tourist’s radar. Whenever we fantasize about where we’ll buy a European vacation home (after we become rich and famous, of course), these three spots are near the top …
After writing a paper on the Bilbao Guggenheim for a contemporary art history course in graduate school, I knew I had to get there one day. I was captivated by Frank Gehry’s innovative architectural design and curious to see the museum’s diverse collection. So, the day after I finished a rather intense teaching gig in …
While Spain’s Rioja region is famous for its red wine and the Andalusian area of the south is known for its sherry production, the Basque region around San Sebastián has a specialty drink of its own – a tart, vinegary alcoholic cider. The cider, referred to as “natural” – it is still rather than carbonated – is …
On a recent trip to the Basque region of France, we spent one wonderful night at Ostapé, a country inn owned by Catherine Pere-Verge and operated by Alain Ducasse, who grew up in Basque country. We arrived at Ostapé late afternoon in the middle of a rain shower. The rolling hills surrounding the estate of 45 …