“Basking In the Bounties
of the Pays Basque”
Itinerary
October 2-11, 2010
Tour begins and ends in Paris.
Saturday October 2. Day one Guests arrive Paris. Check in to Paris hotel. Evening meet and orientation with Sally. Optional dinner at a Montparnasse creperie such as Josselin, or a bistro such as Le Timbre not included in the tour.
Sunday October 3. Day two To Bayonne.
After breakfast at our hotel we will walk the short distance to Gare Montparnasse to take a mid-morning TGV to Bayonne. Pick up at Bayonne rail station by our Basque driver. Transfer to and check into Le Grand Hotel in Bayonne center. Afternoon introductory walking tour of Bayonne. We will visit the outstanding Musée Basque for an introduction to this distinctive region and its culture.
Monday October 4. Day three A day in the Basque countryside.
Today, our driver will pick us up after breakfast for a day trip to historic St. Jean Pied du Port. This lively little riverside town in the mountains was once an important milestone for walkers before crossing the high Pyrenees along the ancient Santiago de Compostella pilgrimage route. St. Jean Pied du Port has a wonderful market on Mondays and is a great place to shop for Basque linens, high quality spices and other good things. A highlight of this day will be a relaxed gastronomic lunch at secluded Ostapé in the hamlet of Bidarray. Ostapé is a hill-top auberge with a well regarded kitchen that prepares outstanding locally sourced food. On the way back to Bayonne, we will drive through Ixtassou home of the famous Basque cherries, and, visit the charming rural village of Espelette, home of the DOC Espelette peppers. We will take a walk to enjoy Espelette with its attractive Basque farmhouses, lovely village center and pretty countryside. Evening free. Dinner on your own in Bayonne.
Tuesday October 5. Day four Exploring Bayonne
Today we will visit the bustling covered market along the riverside and explore the medieval heart of Bayonne with its glorious Cathedral, and its many charming shops, convivial cafés and tea salons. We will enjoy a visit to an artisanal producer of Jambon de Bayonne, who makes delicious hams, saucisse, Foie Gras and other exceptional Basque foods. A leisurely riverside lunch is included in the tour. Free later afternoon and evening to explore, visit other museums, or shop at will. Dinner on your own.
Wednesday October 6. Day five Exploring Biarritz and ‘Cooking Party’
The highlight of this day will be an engaging guided market visit (with tastes!) to the abundant Les Halles in Biarritz followed by a cooking party with the delightful Chef Alain Briant held in his beautiful teaching kitchen located in his home near the market. After preparing and savoring our multi-course lunch (with wine), guests are free to explore compact Biarritz at will or with Sally. Transportation will be by public bus to and from Biarritz.
Thursday October 7. Day six Exploring Saint Jean de Luz and On to San Sebastian
Our driver will pick us up after breakfast and checkout to take the lovely coastal route to St. Jean de Luz. St. Jean de Luz is a charming resort and still-active fishing village with a lovely market and lots of characterful small shops. In addition to the normal array of gorgeous French patisserie and the normal Basque abundance of buttery Gateaux Basque cakes in various sizes, it is essential to taste the beloved regional variety of macaron in St. Jean de Luz. We will enjoy a walking tour of the historic center and the fishing harbor in St. Jean de Luz, including the market, followed by a relaxed lunch of regional cuisine, and then some free time to shop or relax at will. After lunch, its on to the beautiful Spanish beach-resort city of St. Sebastian for arrival in later afternoon. Check into Hotel Niza on La Concha beach.. Rest, relax. This evening guests who wish to gather for a Tapeo, or ‘tapas crawl’ in the Old Town can meet Sally at 8 p.m. for an entertaining and delicious evening. ( The Tapeo is not included in the tour.)
Friday October 8: Day seven Exploring San Sebastian
San Sebastian is a sophisticated, dynamic small city set in a stunning natural location along two half-moon bays. The town has a charmingly dense ‘old quarter’ that is medieval/gothic in feel, and also neighborhoods replete with attractive art deco and art nouveau architecture. The scale is eminently walkable and invites leisurely exploration. Sally will lead a walking tour of St. Sebastian including the market area, the old quarter, and the cathedral neighborhood. Lunch on your own. Afternoon: free time to shop, explore at will visit museums or the beach. We will have dinner together in a Tapas Bar/gourmet bistro such as Ganbara or Bodegon Alexandro featuring regional Basque specialties and ultra-fresh fish.
Saturday October 9. Day Eight Free day/Flex day in San Sebastian
Options (not included in the tour): public bus or private driver to Bilbao to visit the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum and take a walk with Sally through Bilbao’s fascinating Old Town. Or, stay in San Sebastian and enjoy this city as you wish. Book lunch at the renowned Arzak or another of the several Michelin starred restaurants in and around San Sebastian. Lunch and dinner on your own this day.
Sunday October 10. Day nine San Sebastian to Paris
Following breakfast and check out from our hotel at noon, our driver will pick us up to bring us back to St. Jean de Luz to catch our train back to Paris. Final dinner in Paris in the Montparnasse quarter is included in the tour as is final night in Paris hotel.
Monday October 11. Day ten Tour ends. Following breakfast at the hotel, tour ends, guests return to the US
Interested? Contact Sally: sally@yourgreatdaysinparis.com or call 781 391 6183 |
