For those who love the ocean, we will be spending time on two of Spain’s most beautiful coastlines – one on the Mediterranean Sea and the other on the Bay of Biscay along the northern shores of Spain.
The Costa Brava, Catalonia
The Costa Brava or the ‘wild coast’ is the coastal region of of northeastern Spain and is one of its true paradises. The Costa Brava’s mild Mediterranean climate combined with crystal clear turquoise and green waters, rocky cliffs, hidden bays and sandy beaches invite guests to ‘exhale’ – surrounded by peace and calm.
We will take some time to slow down while on the Costa Brava and get our toes in the sand. We’ll also visit one of its charming fishing villages, Cadaques, home of Salvadore Dali. There, we will see why Cadaques so inspired him that he spent most of his adult life working there.
San Sebastian, Basque Country
“It is said that nothing is impossible. This is wrong. It’s impossible to lay eyes on San Sebastian and not fall madly in love.” ~ The Lonely Planet
Put simply, San Sebastian is stunning. The first sight of the shimmering scallop-shaped bays with crescents of golden sand and turquoise waves, will sweep you off your feet. It is a city set on the the Bay of Biscay that is cool, cultured and sophisticated. San Sebastian loves to indulge, with what seems like Michelin stars ‘falling from the sky’ onto its 5* restaurants and its pintxo bar culture. It is a city unmatched anywhere in Spain.
San Sebastian is divided by the Rio Urumea. On each side of the river lies a pristine curved bay with a beautiful stretch of sand. Playa de la Concha is the largest bay with glistening water, golden sands and a promenade along its shoreline. Throughout the summer months, there is almost a fiesta-like atmosphere for strolling the promenade, taking in shops, art galleries, music and trendy restaurants.
The bay is calm and safe for beachgoers, swimmers and those who just want to doze. We will take time to do just that.
We will visit San Sebastian as a group. You will also have time to discover the city with its old town and beaches during free time on your own or with new friends.
San Sebastian has been given the honor of the European Capital of Culture – 2016. Some compare it to Nice or Monte Carlo.
However, it is truly the center of Basque nationalism.