Basque Country

In the interest of international peace and harmony I decided to overcome the interminable squabbling about whether to call it País Vasco (Spanish) or Euskadi (Basque) and use the international language, English; indeed it might make life an awful lot easier if other minorities, in the interests of actually communicating, rather than confusing the tourists just to prove a point, might also agree to adopt a neutral language...wouldn't work for the Welsh of course, but then what would? From time to time I will no doubt slip into whichever form is easiest for me, so...no offence intended! To add to the confusion, the autonomous region within Spain, is only part of the total Basque country which stretches into France across the Pyrenees, though supported with rather less enthusiasm that side of the border. And if that were not enough, Navarra cannot seem to decide whether it is in or out, so I have left Navarra on its own, with its own section on this site. Plus, there are two enclaves, Treviňo and Villaverde in neighbouring Castilla and Cantabria respectively to which the nationalists lay claim...just shows how silly things get once you start on the slippery slope of separatism! All that aside, the people are genuinely warm and hospitable, justly proud of their prospering economy, beautiful scenery, fabulous food... Indeed, food alone makes it worth the visit! Generally superb with simple, well-cooked fish and meat, but also the typical "pintxos", (large) mouthful sized bits and pieces, currently evolving into an art form in themselves, particularly in the trendy bars of San Sebastian. In fact, food is so central to their culture that they even have social clubs where the (exclusively male) members, bring their ingredients and spend the evening preparing and enjoying a communal meal. You will come across excellent, if simple, restaurants in every town and village and, perhaps most importantly of all, these are not just for the privileged few. Every lunchtime you will see workers in their overalls alongside others in smart suits...very egalitariann.

Bilbao	Costa Vasca	San Sebastian	Euskadi