YOUR PROGRAM

Day 1 :

Arrival in the South West and Pays Basque region. Departure towards Bayonne, located  in the confluence of the rivers Nive and Adour in the middle of the Landes province and Pays Basque, city of chocolate, ham, bullfighting and traditional celebrations. Discovery of the medieval city of Bayonne with its former canals, its gothic cellars, its remparts, its monastery and its cathedral. Stop in a ham cannery and sampling. Lunch. In the afternoon, guided tour of Arcangues, village where Louis Mariano was buried. Continue to Biarritz, sea resort that became famous in 1854 because of the presence of Napoleon the 3rd and the Empress Eugenie. After driving along the coastline, stop at the lighthouse and at the « Rocher de la Vierge », the rock of the Virgin, to admire a great panorama on the city and the seashore. Back to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 2 :

Breakfast. Getaway trip in the hinterlands towards Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, capital of the Basse Navarre, on the paths of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle’s pilgrims. Be amazed by the fortified old town by « Sanche le fort » in the 12th and 13th centuries and learn about the history of the city. Lunch. In the afternoon, continue to Cambo-les-Bains and guided tour of the villa Arnaga, home of  the writer Edmond Rostand. Go on towards teh village of Espelette well-known for its red chilies that dry in front of the local houses. Back to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 3 :

Breakfast. Departure for an incursion to the Spanish Pays Basque. Visit the splendid basilica and the native house of Saint-Ignace of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order. Pass by Zarauz, beach resort and then Getaria, charming little village with it’s typical fishing port. Lunch in a cider house. In the afternoon, guided tour of San Sebastian :  discover the beach of la Concha, the harbour, the old town and its tapas bars, the Santa Maria church. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 4 :

Breakfast. Departure to Saint Jean de Luz. Guided tour of this exceptional site with its bay on the ocean with the montains on the background, its fishing harbour and with its bright coloured wooden boats and its pedestrian streets. Lunch. In the afternoon, departure to Hendaye : admire the beautiful long beach. Continue the itinerary towards Hondarribia, fortified port city dominating the Bidassoa, natural border between France and Spain. Discover the town, then free time. Retour à l’hôtel. Diner. Logement. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 5 :

Departure towards Ascain, picturesque Basque village and arrival at the Saint-Ignace and Sare mountain pass. Ascension by little cog railway train of the Rhune hills until the mythic summit of the Pays Basque. There, enjoy a 360° panorama on the Atlantic ocean, from St Sebastien to Biarritz, the Landes forest, the Pyrénées mountains, … Lunch with spit roasted lunch. In the afternoon, drive towards the Spanish border into the « ventas ». Free time for shopping. Continue to the village of Ainhoa, classified with the French label of « most beautiful villages of France », thanks to its architectural richness and its bastide-like construction. Its great and unique street is flanked with beautiful local houses. Back to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 6 :

Breakfast. Check-out and departure for the return to your country.