Basque Country

Main interests: Landscapes, Sport, Beautiful Villages, Food
For children: ★★★☆☆
Best season: spring, summer, autumn
Best wines: irouléguy (red) for the truly passionate
Easy to combine: direct flight from Paris, Lyon, Nice
                               2-hour train / 2,5-hour drive from Bordeaux
Ideal stay duration: 2 to 5 days

With its own language and a strong cultural identity, the Basque Country has long stood apart from both France and Spain – even as it belongs to them politically. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees, it is a land of green rolling hills, colourful villages, and long beaches that have become iconic surf destinations. Whether exploring lively coastal towns, hiking dramatic coastal trails, or sampling the region’s bold and inventive cuisine – including the famed pintxos – the Basque Country offers an experience unlike anywhere else.

A personal favourite: a trip across the border to San Sebastian