PYRENEAN EXPERIENCE HOME
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SPANISH LANGUAGE
AND WALKING

AUTUMN WALKING HOLIDAY
(optional Spanish)

SPANISH & THE SEA HOLIDAY

DESIGN YOUR HOLIDAY

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DATES & PRICES 2009

BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES

THE FARMHOUSE

FOOD & PHILOSOPHY

TRAVEL
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WHAT THE PRESS SAY

SPANISH AND THE SEA HOLIDAY

Exclusive Spanish immersion weeks

This gourmet Spanish language and walking holiday is based in the delightful mediaeval fishing village of Getaria, steeped in maritime history and famous for its fresh fish restaurants and dry white wine; Txakoli.

Run by professionals in Spanish language teaching and intercultural training with over 20 years experience.

Getaria

This week offers intensive professional Spanish teaching. It combines a programme of formal classes with more informal teaching methods woven into a rich tapestry of stunning walks and cultural forays. Breathtaking scenery, coastal paths, long lazy lunches and Txakoli all help create an inspired atmosphere where Spanish conversation comes naturally and cultural insights can be shared.

These holidays are based at a charming hotel in the heart of the mediaeval town run by Marie Pui. Here we offer our guests double or single rooms (WITHOUT SUPPLEMENT) where breakfast is served in a pretty terrace garden to the sound of the waves on the beaches below.

Typical Activity Programme

Day 1
	• Arrivals at the hotel.
	• Three course welcome meal with wine at the hotel Itxas Gain in Getaria with Delfina.
	• Single/double room with en suite.


Day 2
	• Breakfast on the hotel terrace.
	• A walk around the pretty fishing village of Getaria and a chance to stretch one's legs as we venture up to explore the lighthouse on the island of San Antón and breathe in the sea air. This morning also gives you a feel for the town and time to explore its history and cultural idiosyncrasies. We will also provide you with local information on museums, public transport and local events.
	• Lunch (3 course meal and wine) at a local restaurant on the sea front or tapas and txakoli in a local bar.
	• Two hours of formal Spanish classes in the afternoon.

Day 3
	• Breakfast at the hotel.
	• Two hours of formal Spanish classes in the morning.
	• Afternoon free to explore the area at your own whim (and prepare some Spanish homework for Delfina!).

Day 4
	• Breakfast at the hotel.
	• Today we take a longer walk into the rolling hills which surround Getaria where pastoral farming dates back as far as the Bronze Age. We explore part of the coastal stretch of the ancient ´Camino de Santiago´ which passes the famous Txakoli vineyards and leaves mediaeval shrines and churches in its wake.
	• Lunch (3 course meal and wine) on the cliff top village of Elorriaga.
	• A 2 hour Spanish language class.

Day 5
	• Breakfast at the hotel.
	• Free day. (Connections to San Sebastian, Bilbo (and the Guggenheim) and Zarautz).

Day 6
	• Breakfast at the hotel.
	• This morning we visit the country village of Aia which still preserves the warmth and colour of traditional Basque country life, and visit the churches and shrines, water mills and iron forges which testify to its rich and varied past. Prehistoric caves and dolmens also leave their impressions before we take a walk in the Pagoeta national park.
	• Lunch (3 course meal and wine) at a local restaurant.
	• A 2 hour Spanish language class in the afternoon.

Day 7
	• Breakfast at the hotel.
	• Two hour Spanish lessons in the morning and grand farewell lunch at one of Getaria's famous sea food restaurants.

Day 8
	• Breakfast at the hotel.
	• Departures.

AVAILABLE DATES 20092009AW1

Level: Elementary - Lower Intermediate level:

9th - 13th May 2009

Level: Intermediate - Upper Intermediate level:

17th – 24th October 2009

Price

€1230 euros. Minimum of four people.

Price includes: 7 nights hotel accommodation in single or double en-suite rooms with continental breakfast. NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS. Five 3-course meals with wine / four 3-course meals with wine and one lunch of tapas and wine, 3 half-day walks and excursions, 5 days of 2 hour formal language lessons and on-going language teaching during all activities facilitated by professional language teachers and cultural specialists.

We also run bespoke Spanish and the Sea holidays throughout the year for individuals, couples and groups. Please enquire.

For telephone enquiries call +44 (0)121 711 3428.

walking holiday

Getaria

Getaria’s origins go back as far as the bronze age and it has been an important Basque fishing port for hundreds of years. Today, the mediaeval port of this vibrant village still bustles with fishing boats and fish markets. At lunchtime the smell of grilled fish fills the air as locals sit down at one of Getaria’s famous open-air fish and sea-food restaurants. Lunch is invariably downed by a glass of the locally-grown wine, Txakoli; a light, lively white wine - perfect on a hot summer’s day.

Apart from the fishing and the Txakoli, Getaria is also famous as the home town of Juan Sebastián Elcano, the first person to travel around the world. Today geologists from all over the globe are returning his visit and descend upon the area to examine the unique sedimentary cliffs formations called ‘flysch’. Due to the uplifting of the Pyrenees the strata of these cliff faces (rather like a cross-section of puff pastry) offer an impeccable geological record of world history.

Getaria has just a few thousand inhabitants and a labyrinth of medieval streets winding up and around the flanks of the 14th century church of San Salvador. Its historic defence towers and ramparts contrast with the streets of colourful fishermen’s houses where clothes lines extend from one wooden balcony to the next. Behind the village, the rolling hills expose vineyards and whitewashed farmsteads as well as a portfolio of delightful country walks.

Getaria is also well connected by public transport to the rest of Spain. San Sebastian is just 30 minutes away, Bilbo and the Guggenheim museum is an hour’s drive away. A stunning 3km coastal walk also leads you around the bay to the elegant seaside resort of Zarautz.