The Basque Country and Navarre

An excellent French and Spanish-speaker, travel writer Murray Stewart has worked in Northern Spain as a business consultant and taught English in Chile and Mexico. For part of the year, he lives in southern France. A diehard pilgrim, he has twice trekked over 1200 kilometres to Santiago de Compostela, passing slowly through both the French and Spanish Basque regions, as well as Navarre, on his way. He has also extensively toured the western Pyrenees and Navarre by bicycle. Recently pursuing a more sedate passion for classic cars, in 2014 he bought a 1970s Seat 600 in San Sebastián and drove it half way across France.

Contents

Introduction

PART ONEGENERAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1Background Information
Geography, Climate, Fauna, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture, Sport

Chapter 2Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tourist information, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women
travellers, Senior travellers, Travellers with disabilities, Ethnic minority travellers, Gay and lesbian travellers, Travelling with kids, What to take, Money, Costs and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Sightseeing and entertainment, Sports and other activities, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette, Buying property

PART TWOTHE BASQUE AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY

Chapter 3Bilbao and Bizkaia Province
History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Bilbao, Around Bilbao, West of Bilbao: Las Encartaciones, West Encartaciones: the Karrantza Valley, Inland from Bilbao: Durango and around, The coast east of Bilbao

Chapter 4San Sebastián and Gipuzkoa Province
San Sebastián, Inland from San Sebastián, East to France, West of San Sebastián, Further west: Deba and Mutriku

Chapter 5Vitoria-Gasteiz and Alava Province
Vitoria-Gasteiz, East of Vitoria: Llanada Alavesa, Southeast of Vitoria: La Montaña Alavesa, West of Vitoria: Añana and surroundings, La Rioja Alavesa

PART THREENAVARRE

Chapter 6Navarre
History, Northern Navarre, Navarre's western sierras: Andía, Urbasa and Aralar, Southern Navarre: La Zona Media and La Ribera, La Ribera: Bardenas Reales and Tudela

PART FOURTHE FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY
Chapter 7Biarritz, the French Basque Coast and Inland Labourd
Biarritz, Anglet, Bayonne, Bidart, Guéthary, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ciboure, Urrugne and around, Hendaye, Inland Labourd, Northern Labourd

Chapter 8Basse-Navarre
History, Uharte-Cize Commune, Saint Martin de Arberoue Commune, Uharte-Mixte Commune

Chapter 9La Soule
History, Getting there and around, Mauléon-Licharre, Hôpital Saint-Blaise, Tardets-Sorholus, Sainte-Engrâce, Soule's southwest

Appendix 1Language
Appendix 2 Further Information
Index