5 Days
4 Nights
Set beside the ocean and the mountains, the Basque Country offers a variety of landscapes for visitors to discover, each of them oozing with authentic charms. Do you love fresh air, fine cuisine and culture? Then look no further, this break is for you!
With its rich architectural heritage and dynamic culture, the Basque Country sets out to provide a warm welcome. Wander around the must-see towns and villages and meet their inhabitants. Make time for genuine discussion and let your desires and emotions run free.
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From its white facades with their colourful shutters to the lively streets with such distinctive arcades and the cathedral overlooking the city, there’s no doubt, you’ve arrived in Bayonne. Discover the places that have shaped the city and its love for chocolate, from the 17th century to today.
A visit to a chocolate factory is a must, ending with a hot chocolate tasting, followed by the workshop of a ham producer. The visit to the Bayonne ham salting and drying room will capture your full attention and make your mouth water just in time for lunch at Les Halles market.
After that, take the time to travel from one end to the city to the other, before stopping at the edge of the River Nive, and then cross Vauban’s ramparts to soak up the festive atmosphere of the city. And if you feel like it, why not take a trip to the sea at the end of the afternoon? Head for Anglet and its perfectly laid-out sea front.
Back in Bayonne in the evening, dine in the city before returning to your charming hotel located a stone’s throw from the city centre.
Head in the direction of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-port, a historic town an hour away from Bayonne and an unmissable destination in the Basque Country. It is also an important stopover for the many pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela who make the long journey to the Cathedral of Saint James, another UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site.
You will have the opportunity to explore the historic centre of the citadel designed by Vauban independently, on foot. Enjoy the amazing view over the Pays de Cize Valleys, the Irouleguy vineyard and the Pyrenees, from the covered walk. Return to the town centre for lunch, to discover authentic cuisine with local products taking centre stage.
Continue your day with an easily accessible hike. Two trails are on offer: leaving from the town towards Urkulu Tower (a vestige from the Roman period) or in the direction of Kurutxamendi, known as the mountain of the Cross (a strategic military point).
You will finish your day in a hotel and spa, located 15 minutes from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, for a moment of well-deserved relaxation before tucking into a meal at a charming farm owned by a Basque chef, the son of a shepherd.
An action-packed day awaits you at Itxassou in the heart of the Basque Country. The day will begin with white water rafting down the River Nive (duration 2 hours, 30 mins), supervised by nature enthusiasts. Itxassou, a village famous for its black cherry production, also promises to make this a day full of delicious treats for the taste buds. You are free to make your own lunch arrangements in Itxassou to discover the town’s culinary specialities.
Then set out on a walk to see the Pas de Roland. As legend has it, this opening in the mountain was created by Roland de Roncevaux as access for his troops during a battle with the Saracens.
Then end the day in the village of Espelette, famous for its chilli peppers that adorn the facades of the traditional Basque houses. Dine and stay over in a charming hotel whose decor combines Basque tradition and modernity.
We propose a tour of the Sare region aboard a small wooden train running on the local rack railway. Enjoy beautiful views of the Atlantic coast during a 35 minute journey to the summit of La Rhune, the highest mountain in the Basque Country.
Once arrived at your destination you will have the opportunity to purchase gifts in the Spanish ventas (shops) and enjoy refreshments before descending on foot (a 2-hour walk) or by the train again.
People interested in prehistory can take a few hours to visit the village of Sare and one of its caves. You will then make a welcome stop in the village of Guéthary for dinner, before enjoying a comfortable evening on the coast at Bidart, where you can relax in a double room in a 4-star hotel.
From Bidart, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is reached by the coastal trail: this beautiful hike lasting 3 hours, 30 minutes will leave you with fantastic memories of the breathtakingly beautiful landscape.
Your arrival point will be the Point of Sainte Barbe, the most beautiful lookout over the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Visit the city and stroll through its streets to discover its history and architecture and end your stay with a shopping session and unmissable macaroon tasting.
