By Georgina Howard, Pyrenean Experience Zugarramurdi is a rustic Basque village, snuggling in the foothills of the western Pyrenees. While the name Zugarramurdi is quite innocent and means “hill of elm trees”, the village is nowaday far better known for its caves and witches than for its hills and elms, because this is the site of the most brutal…
What does it mean to be Basque? Why have the Basque people fought to hard to preserve their language traditions? We spent a month in region trying to find answers to that question.
Euskal Herria means Basque Country, but Herri means more than country. It also means village, region and people. Because that’s how close the Basque people are connected to their land and heritage. The Basque country transcends national and international borders and is full of traditions, tales and tension.
From Donostia (Basque for San Sebastián) to Iruña (Basque for Pamplona), in every posh bar or local tavern, they’re lined up in the bar. Some more lavishly decorated than others, but all with the same purpose: to satisfy the small or big appetite. Maybe even in a happy marriage with some local wine.
Pintxos!
Famed for its ham, luckily Bayonne has much more to offer. The old, charming town is set by the banks of the lazy river Nive and has kept its medieval charm while some of the glitter of neighbouring Biarritz has stimulated the number of tourists visiting Bayonne and discovering this charming city. The houses to the Nive are…