Introduction
Welcome to my blog, A Day in the Life! Today I am going to talk about the Basque region of Spain, which is in the northern part of the country. I had the amazing privilege to spend a summer in Bilbao, which is found within the Basque region. Also known as Pais Vasco, this region is an absolutely beautiful area, with a rich culture, and so much to do and see. Just in one region you can see mountains, vineyards, and coastal shores. The Basque region is really perfect for all travelers, but specifically those who love culture, architecture, and exquisite food and wine. This is the perfect location for a couple’s getaway or a bonding trip with the girls.
Brief History
The Basque region is an autonomous community established by the statute of autonomy in 1979. The region is located in northern Spain, and it borders the Atlantic Ocean and France. The region is made up of three main provinces: Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa. The capitol is Vitoria-Gasteiz, but the largest city is Bilbao. Spanish is the main language, but knowledge of Basque is common. English is not widely spoken.
The history of the Basque region goes back all the way to the Cro-Magnons who were the first to live in the region. Further down the road, the Basque region became the Kingdom of Pamplona, and was ruled by Sancho III the Great from 1000–1035. The kingdom was later split into sections by his sons when he died.
The Basque region was self-governed for a time after that, until the French Revolution took over the control of the region. This issue brought the Basque Country into the Convention War of 1793, when all the Basque territories were nominally French for a time. When the Napoleonic Army invaded Spain some years later it encountered little difficulty in keeping the southern Basque Provinces loyal to the occupier. Because of this lack of resistance, the southern Basque Country was the last part of Spain controlled by the French until the burning of San Sebastian on August 31, 1813.
The Basque region was also part of the First and Second Carlist wars. Then, from 1939–1975 the region was under control of the dictator Francisco Franco, and remained so until his death, upon which they became an autonomous community, according to the website, History of the Basque People (http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/ciencia/ciencia_basques04.htm).
What to do
If you are planning on traveling to Spain in the near future, I would highly suggest checking out the Basque region. There are so many things to see and do, so to help you out, I made a list of the the Basque Region’s top attractions:
1.Guggenheim Museum: The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a museum of modern and contemporary art, designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. It is a must-see for anyone traveling to the Basque area, even if you’re not that interested in art, the museum itself is amazing to look at. The museum notably houses large-scale, site-specific works and installations by contemporary artists. The most famous exhibits that the Guggenheim houses is the Puppy and Tulips both by by Jeff Coons and Maman by Louise Bourgeois.
For around $15, you can do a Bilbao city hop-on hop-off tour, which stops at the museum, or if you have a bigger budget, you can arrange a private tour for around $165. For more info or to book a tour, check out TripAdvisor. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187454-d190276-Reviews-Guggenheim_Museum_Bilbao-Bilbao_Vizcaya_Province_Basque_Country.html)
CC BY-SA 3.0Hinweise zur Weiternutzung
If you decide to check out the museum, there is a restaurant in the museum, but it’s more expensive than other options, so I would eat before or after. There are many delicious restaurants nearby to the museum, a few are: Porrue, Nerua, and Sua San, which are all within walking distance, 0.1 miles, of the museum. For more restaurants near the Guggenheim, check out TripAdvisor. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/RestaurantsNear-g187454-d190276-Guggenheim_Museum_Bilbao-Bilbao_Vizcaya_Province_Basque_Country.html
2. Catedral de Santa Maria: Even if you’re not a religious person, this marvel of gothic architecture is a wonder to behold. The building is a 14th century cathedral, and is currently being renovated. The cathedral is open for tours Monday through Sunday, and even holds worship hours on Saturday and Sunday.
If you decide to check out the Catedral de Santa Maria, be aware that there is renovation going on, and it may be loud or dusty. This is a unique experience because usually people don’t get to see history unfolding before their eyes like they can while visiting the cathedral under renovation. For more information, check out the Catedral on TripAdvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187458-d532318-Reviews-Catedral_de_Santa_Maria-Vitoria_Gasteiz_Alava_Province_Basque_Country.html)
3. La Concha Beach:
If you are looking to make the most out of the beautiful Spanish weather during your trip, then check out La Concha Beach in Donostia. One thing about beaches in Spain that may be of a culture shock is the lack of swimsuits. People in Europe are very open about sexuality and walking around naked doesn’t really seem to bother them. If you’re to uncomfortable to be around naked you can always go jump off a mountain. Literally. The hills and the wind are the perfect combination for paragliding over the ocean.
La Concha beach has been rated the #1 out of #642 beaches in the area on Trip Advisor, and won the traveler’s choice 2015 award for beaches. For around $13, you can visit the beach as a part of the San Sebastian Hop-on Hop-off tour.
The beach’s perfect blue water and soft sand will lure anyone out on a hot day, and visitors who reviewed the beach said that is safe, clean, and quiet. Sounds like the perfect place to go for a lazy afternoon! For more information, including directions to La Concha Beach, check out TripAdvisor. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187457-d675885-Reviews-La_Concha_Beach-San_Sebastian_Donostia_Guipuzcoa_Province_Basque_Country.html)
4. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: The beautiful islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is situated on the Bay of Biscay. The famous church on the rocks (pictured below) seems to have come from the Knights Templar, and was donated in the year 1053. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is connected to the mainland by a man-made stone bridge. The bridge transitions into a narrow path that contains 241 steps and zigzags its way back and forth to the top. Once there, you will find the church which has a bell situated along the front of its facade. According to legend, after you have completed the climb, you should ring the bell three times and make a wish.
Today, the serenity of the island, the rugged coast, and the relentless sea pounding against the rocks is what drives visitors to this island near the towns of Bakio and Bermeo.
The best time to visit the island is during spring and autumn. Summer months are often crowded with visitors and the church is closed during the winter. More information about the island can be found on Trip Advisor, who gave the island a “seal of excellence.” (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1064174-d2307740-Reviews-San_Juan_de_Gaztelugatxe-Bermeo_Vizcaya_Province_Basque_Country.html)
5. San Sebastian: San Sebastian is a charismatic old island town that features golden beaches capped by twin peaks at either end. Check out the soaring statue of Christ that gazes over the city, the brand new shopping district, and the late-night lively Old Town. The area is also a food capitol of the country, so check out the local restaurants while you’re there!
While in San Sebastian, check out the Restaurante Rekondo, Ibai, and the Bar Nestor. These are all top rated restaurants in the area, and are great for tourists and locals alike. Some specific foods to try are the pintxos and tapas, which are the native Basquers’ version of hors d’oeuvres.
How to communicate, and what to say
The official language of Spain, including the Basque region is Spanish, but the Basque region also speaks Basque, just not as often. 700,000 out of the Basque country’s population of 2,100,000 speak Basque, according to wikitravel.org. Also according to wikitravel.org, the Basque language is particularly complex, and is notoriously impenetrable for foreigners; even many Basques who speak Spanish as a first language have extreme difficulty learning the language. Many Basques speak English, however, if you learn even a little Basque and speak it to the locals, they will fall in love with you. If, as a foreigner, you learn enough Basque you can expect locals to offer you drinks anywhere you travel in the Basque Country.
To help you out, here are some common phrases to know (in Spanish):
- Hello: Hola!
- Goodbye: Adiós!
- Yes: Si
- No: No
- Please: Por favor
- Thank you: Gracias
- You’re welcome: De nada
- Excuse me: Perdón
- I’m looking for.: Estoy buscando.
- What time is it?: Qué hora es?
It is important when meeting people from the Basque region of Spain to remember to shake hands upon meeting, and refer to them as Don or Dona and their first name when in a formal occasion. After establishing a friendly relationship, females usually kiss each other’s check, starting with the left, as a greeting.
Spanish people usually prefer face-to-face contact over a phone call or email, and they prefer people to display modesty when describing their achievements and accomplishments, unlike the bragging culture of Americans, including myself.
As for dress, they prefer to dress stylish, yet conservative, basically just dress like you would dress anywhere else in Europe. Elegant accessories are important for men and women, as it is important to look good in others’ eyes for the Spanish.
Lastly, avoid confrontation at all costs! Spaniards do not like to publicly admit that they are incorrect. Also this will help you avoid looking foolish, which is important to Spanish people.
Final thoughts on the Basque Region
Overall, the Basque region of Spain is definitely a destination that should be on your list of places to go. Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach vacation with your spouse, a fun-filled wine-tasting and museum touring trip with your gal pals, or a family vacation, the Basque region has all that and more to offer. The region has an old history, is full of culture and life, and offers some of the best foods in Spain. I hope you will all choose to learn more about the Basque region, and use this post as a rough guide to the area if you ever decide to visit. I hope you enjoyed this installment of A Day in the Life featuring the Basque Region of Spain! Until next time, Adiós!
How to Communicate/What to say
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