Basque Country Culture and Wine Experience

Our Basque Country Culture and Wine Experience offers you an insight into this extraordinary and unique region of Europe. The Basque Country is an autonomous community in northern Spain and southern France, close to The Pyrenees. The Basques have a unique culture, language and many traditions which differ greatly from their Spanish and French neighbours.

Here are ten facts relating to the Basque culture:

1. The Basque language has seven different dialects.
2. The Basque language is also spoken in part of France.
3. The Basques are one of the oldest ethnic groups in Europe.
4. Basque is one of the oldest living languages.
5. Basques have their own unique festivals – the most famous being the running of the bulls in Pamplona.
6. Folklore plays an important part in the culture.
7. They have their own unique drink – Txakoli
8. They have their own national sport – Pelote
9. Rural sports still exist – mainly stone lifting and log chopping!
10. Eating is a national pastime! Home to many Michelin-starred restaurants

During our Basque Country Experience you will stay at the Hotel Iturregi located in Getaria, north east Spain, close to San Sebastian. The hotel is set amongst the Txakoli vineyards, with a beautiful facade of large windows which offer spectacular views of the Getaria lighthouse and the entire Basque coast. Hotel Iturregi offers its guests a space of peace and tranquility. Modern and classic styles blend seamlessly in the interior of the hotel. Outside, the building blends in naturally with the picturesque setting that surrounds it. The swimming pool, built on the ruins of the original farmhouse called Iturregi, is the ideal place to relax.

With views of the Gipuzkoan coast, lovers of the sea, beach and nautical sports will find in the nearby towns (Zarautz and Getaria) all kinds of activities such as surfing, sailing, fishing … or simply relaxing on the beaches sunbathing. Ideal place for mountain walks and hiking trails. One of the main routes of the Camino de Santiago passes near the hotel. Our Experience includes a visit to the Getaria Museum, a specialised centre dedicated to the life and work of Cristóbal Balenciaga.

The Museum also runs exhibition initiatives on other subjects related to the world of fashion and art, paying special attention to local ties with Donostia-San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa and the Basque Country. The Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum Collection is dedicated to the famous designer from Getaria, who dominated 20th century Haute Couture.

No visit to the Basque Country would be complete without a wine tasting tour: ‘Txakoli’ is a lightly sparkling white wine predominantly from the Basque region: its green bottles dominate bars of Basque towns. This half-day tour lifts the lid on its secrets at two ‘Txakoli’-producing coastal towns: Getaria and Zarautz. Tour both towns, and visit a Getaria ‘Txakolindegi’ (winery) to see and learn about its vineyards and taste its wines alongside local delicacies.