Basque Country

Basque Country - Overview:

The beautiful Basque Country is a lush green land, blessed with stunning countryside, a coastline untainted by mass tourism and a rich cultural heritage which sets the place apart from the rest of Spain and Europe. The region's nature reserves, hills and mountains attract hikers, rock climbers, cyclists and adventure sport enthusiasts. Culture and history buffs delight in the Renaissance palaces, Gothic cathedrals and myriad of museums which abound in Bilbao and the capital city of Vitoria-Gestaiz. Meanwhile gourmets, the smart set, and those seeking to soothe away their aches and pains in mineral rich thermal waters, make a beeline for the swish seaside resort of San Sebastian.

Basque Country - History:

During Franco's repressive regime the Basque language was banned and local activists were subjected to arrest, imprisonment, torture and exile. Such brutal repression spawned a militant nationalist movement demanding an independent Euskadi state consisting of four provinces in Spain and three in France.

As it stands the Basque Country (called Pais Vasco in Spanish) consists of the three Basque provinces of Guipuzcoa, Biscay and Alava which together form one of Spain's 17 autonomous regions.

Basque Country - Heritage:

The region has its own highly distinctive language, Euskera, which bears no relation to Castilian Spanish or indeed any other language in the world. And it's not just the mysterious language which sets the Basque Country apart from the rest of the Iberian Peninsula. Almost everything about the place � its cuisine, art, music, sport � is highly individual reflecting the special character of a people whose ancient roots span five millennia.

Genuine Basques are regarded by anthropologists as the last surviving representatives of the aboriginal tribes which once populated Europe. Everything from their blood group to their physical features binds them as a unique group and sets them apart from their Spanish neighbours. Small wonder that those of true Basque blood don't regard themselves as Spanish at all.

Basque Country - Our holiday accommodation and service:

Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy privileged, sophisticated holiday destinations in Asturias & Cantabria including the Basque Country. Privately owned houses, cottages, villas, apartments, villas with pools and hotels, in beautiful coastal and rural locations, hand-picked for an authentic taste of unspoiled secret Northern Green Spain.

So, if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling and trekking or climbing in Northern Green Spain's mountains and countryside; exploring Asturias & Cantabria's fascinating villages, rural towns and historic cities; enjoy bird watching nature, fancy a spot of surfing, swimming, sunbathing or relaxing on great beaches; or you just want to simply escape the tourist masses with a privately owned apartment, cottage or villa with a pool, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with flights to Spain, ferry travel and holiday car hire.