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All walks are accompanied by a local guide and professional Spanish teacher:
The Spanish teacher uses all the activities as an informal and fun platform for the learning of more Spanish
expressions and interaction with neighbours and friends allows Spanish conversation (particularly at the higher
levels) to flow freely. Depending on the time of year we join in at local fiestas and cultural events.
Day 1 Pick up from Biarritz, cava reception and
dinner and introduction to the week and life in the Baztan and Malerreka Valleys.
Day 2 Today we drive to the tiny hill-top village of Ziga,
and walk high into the hills with stunning views of the Baztan valley and Elizondo. The walk takes us past isolated
farms and mountain crofts from which we gain an insight in the daily mountain life of the Basque people. We head
back to Ziga for lunch where we install ourselves on the terrace of the village inn with a glass of 'rosado' in
hand. Mercedes and Julian then prepare as a home-cooked lunch with their own home-grown produce before we head back
to the farmhouse. After a siesta there are 2 hours of formal, Spanish language lessons in the afternoon. Dinner
at the house.
Day 3 This morning we walk towards the village of
Azpilikueta, the birth place of the mother of San Francisco Javier, the patron saint of Navarra and famous
Jesuit missionary. Here we discuss the characteristics of Basque village life and explore the village church,
fronton (pelota court) and school as well as the vital roll of the local water mills and the antics of the
local miller (often famous for his womanising!). We head back to the farmhouse after a drink at the bar where
Edorta joins us for lunch and sings us Spanish and Basque songs on the guitar. Siesta and Spanish lessons in
the afternoon followed by dinner.
Day 4 This morning we make our way gently over the
hills to the medieval town of Amaiur where we explore the ruins of its mediaeval castle, famous for its role
in the final defense of the kingdom of Navarra and strategically placed on one of the main routes of famous
'Camino de Santiago' (St James's Way). Here we explore the history of the nobles of the Baztan valley and
examine the shields found on the numerous 'palacios' in the village. After a traditional Basque lunch at the
village water mill of corn talos, txistora, cider and Patxarran we make our way back to the house along parts
of 'El Camino'. Siesta and Spanish lessons in the afternoon. Dinner at the house.
Day 5 Today people are left to explore the area on
their own. In the morning and afternoon buses leave Elizondo for San Sebastian (one of the most beautiful cities
in Spain famous for its aristocratic past, tapas bars and wide open sandy bay, La Concha) and Pamplona
(a roman city, made famous by Hemmingway for the bull run in its world-renown fiestas of San Fermin). Those people
who prefer to stay at the farmhouse can happily borrow maps and will find ample stocks of food.
Day 6 This morning we explore my home hamlet and
take a walk along the ridges of Ameztia, with stunning views of the mountains of Mendaur, famous for its
superstitions and witches' covens. Here we visit my neighbours on their mountain farms, see their animals
and discuss the traditional farming methods as well as sampling Sagrario's delicious sheep's cheese, downed
with a glass of local wine. We then walk to my 'finca' for lunch on the terrace. After lunch we drop into
the local village of Santesteban to buy food for the final night's dinner and then head back to the main
farmhouse for Spanish lessons. Dinner at the house.
Day 7 Depending on weather conditions, we drive
further a field to the wild landscapes of Aritzakun and Urrizate where we visit the vulture breeding grounds
of Itxusi where abandoned shepherds huts testify to the age-old practice of transhumance farming. We walk
along smugglers tracks and ridge tops towards the Peņas de Itxusi, with spectacular views of the French
Atlantic coastline below. Here we find the most northern Griffin Vulture breeding grounds in the Iberian
peninsular. With vultures overhead we make our way slowly back towards civilization after a picnic in the
hills. Lessons in the afternoon. Grand farewell evening meal or barbeque at the farmhouse.
Day 8 Morning - return to Biarritz for return
flights.
To make the best of weather conditions, local fiestas and our guests'
individual preferences, these itineraries are flexible.
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Corn talos and cider at the water mill in Amaiur
Rafa - 
Paul and Phil's
