Independent guide tours of the basque country

You might want to know...

Euskal Herria (The Basque Country) is home to one of Europe's oldest and proudest people, The Basques. It is a small autonomous region located along Europe's Atlantic coast in the north end of the Iberian Peninsula, between Spain and France. It has a population of just over two million people but in contrast to its size The Basque Country offers an unparalleled diversity of cultural and geographical interest. This is a land where you will meet warm hearted folk passionate in their enthusiasm to share some of that diversity with you. Euskal Herria came second in the Lonely Planet's "blue list" of emerging destinations for 2009.

What's on offer?

This is a mountainous country, densely forested with indigenous, oak, encina and beach. Rugged bone-white lime-stone peaks break through this ocean of green rising to a height of 1000m. Secluded, seemingly undiscovered corners abound and there are walks, scrambles and climbs to fill more than one lifetime. On a typical day out we expect to meet more griffon vultures than others travellers.

Fascinating culture

This is also a region with an extraordinarily rich, vibrant and entirely unique culture. The basques are perhaps most acutely defined by the native language Euskera. Euskera is thought to have its routes in the Neolitic period and it is certainly the oldest and most obscure language in Europe.

Art

A visit to Euskal Herria would not be complete without a trip to the spectacular Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Basque artists such as Chillida, Ibarrola and Oteiza are but a few who have made significant contributions and are world renowned.

Food

There is no doubt that one of the greatest Basque passions is food. Good eating is a national passion. This is a country where you can enjoy a healthy three course meal with a bottle of wine for around 12 €. La Rioja wine region is situated in the south of Euskal Herria. La Rioja is considered to be the most important wine of the Iberian Peninsula. Cider is also produced here and cider houses can be found in the north of the country. Here cider is drunk direct from the barrel and the food, typically, tortilla, cod and steak is exceptional.