Lekeitio, Basque Country

A sprawling Gothic basilica is the centerpiece of this fairy tale Basque fishing village, but it's really only the beginning of a long list of things to see, do, and eat (hello, pintxos). For starters, there's a pair of gorgeous beaches right in town. From the longer Karraspio Beach, at low tide you can walk—yes, walk—across a sandbar to the nearby San Nicolás Island. Hike to the top of the small island for panoramic views of Lekeitio and the rugged Basque coastline.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rambouillet

Image
For those who can’t get enough of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette in Paris and Versailles, I give you Rambouillet. The town between Versailles and Chartres is most well known for Château de Rambouillet, a former medieval fortress. Located on the edge of the forest, the château was Louis XVI’s hunting lodge. It’s also where King François I died, where King Charles abdicated the throne, and where Napoleon I stayed before being exiled to Saint Helena. Until recent years, Château de Rambouillet served as the summer residence of French presidents. As a result, the château has hosted international leaders, royalty, as well as the first G6 Summit in 1975. Located near the château are many points of interest, including the Bergerie Nationale, which housed Louis XVI’s Merino sheep. Nearby is the Laiterie de la Reine {Queen’s Dairy} that was built by Louis XVI for Marie-Antoinette. Also in the forest is Chaumiére aux Coquillages {Shell Cottage}. Built in 1779 by Queen Marie-Antoinette for her...
Read more

Matakana

Image
New Zealand produces some nice wines and what better place to sample them than the vineyard. Matakana, about 40 minutes from Auckland, is home to more than 30 wineries where you can taste the fruits of the vine. Matakana also is a good place to sample local produce, perhaps buying the fixings for a picnic on a nearby beach. At the Saturday farmer’s market you can buy foods, including local cheeses and fresh baked breads, direct from the farmers, as well as pick up locally made handicrafts. You’ll also find quaint villages on your day exploring the Matakana coast.
Read more

Verdun

Image
Verdun is located in the Meuse department of northeast France. Dating to the 4th century, Verdun was founded by the Gauls and played a significant historical role throughout the centuries, but it’s now most known for part during World War I. Memorials and museums dot the area, including Fort Vaux, Mémorial de Verdun, Voie Sacrée, Verdun Memorial, Verdun Underground Fortress, World Center for Peace, Liberty and Human Rights – Verdun Episcopal Palace, Monument for Victory and the soldiers of Verdun, and the Ossuary. During the Great War, the Battle of Verdun lasted 300 days and is said to be one of the deadliest in history, with 230,000 dead {700,000 casualties}. The Ossuary is a memorial to those lost during the ‘Hell of Verdun’. Inside the Ossuary are the skeletal remains of approximately 130,000 unidentified French and German soldiers, which can seen from small windows on the back of the building. The inside of the building is engraved with some of the names of the deceased French...
Read more