Today I want to share some images from my beloved Basque Country.
I first visited Bilbao and San Sebastian back in 2003 and since then I have them in my heart. As I visited more and more, I started appreciating the country and not only the two cities.
This beautiful structure was the first reason I wanted to visit Bilbao. I became aware of it back in 1999 and put it on my list as a place to visit. It is true that the museum by itself is a good reason to visit Bilbao. Is it the only one?
Of course not! The Basque country is a place where you can enjoy food to the fullest, and at the same time you can enjoy nature, be it the sea, or the mountains!
Salted dry cod – bacalao – is one of the other reasons to visit the Basque country! In San Sebastian there is a shop specializing in bacalao, they sell some 20 different cuts! The “steak” is better than beef!
Fishing is traditionally a major activity, these fishing vessels testify to the fact.
The road from Bilbao to San Sebastian is an opportunity to see the sea coast in all of its rocky magnificence, and enjoy – weather permitting – the beautiful sandy beaches.
The Basque people love the sea, and you can see the proof in the hundreds of boats in every small town.
The mountains are a short drive away.
The mountainous terrain provides for excellent lambs meat and wool.
Back in San Sebastian, you can enjoy the city and the relaxed atmosphere.
Ang go to the patriarch of Basque cuisine for a nice meal!
Juan Mari Arzak has three Michelin stars since 1973! When I first visited his restaurant in 2003, I was terrified, having the experience of 3-star restaurants in France. But the Basque country is different! In Arzak’s restaurant I felt like eating in the taverna of my neighborhood. People were normal, and Arzak obviously knew them all! They are people from his city, and they consider Arzak’s their own restaurant! Dress code is smart casual, and thats it!
I close this short journey with a bunch of flowers from the Guggenheim.
In case you are interested, I have written articles in this blog about:
- two restaurants in Bilbao (Andra Mari, in Galdakao 10km from Bilbao, and the Guggenheim Museum Restaurant)
- two in the San Sebastian area (Akelare and Zuberoa)
- “La Brecha” fish market in San Sebastian
- the bacalao pil-pil recipe