Travel Diaries – Les Carnets de Route
Type: Private family tour
Duration: Full day
Starting point: Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Regions explored: French & Spanish Basque Country
Themes: Basque villages, gastronomy, traditions, mythology, landscapes
Pace: Relaxed, flexible, family-friendly
This journey reflects what The Basque Way does best: adapting the day to the travelers, their curiosity, and the rhythm of the moment.
Starting from the coast in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, this full-day private tour blended inland villages, local producers, Basque mythology, and scenic mountain roads. A perfect balance between culture, history, food and nature.
Pick-up in Saint-Jean-de-Luz
The day began with a private pick-up directly at the family’s hotel in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Leaving the Atlantic coast behind, we drove inland toward the rolling hills of the Basque countryside - where villages are smaller, traditions stronger, and daily life closely tied to the land.
Along the way, we discussed Basque identity, language, and how geography has shaped local culture for centuries.
Espelette - Peppers & Basque Terroir
Our first stop was Espelette, world-famous for its red peppers drying on white façades. We explored the village on foot, talking about Basque agriculture, seasonal rhythms, and the role of small producers in preserving local know-how.
Just outside the village, we visited a family-run sheep farm producing excellent Basque cheese made from sheep’s milk. A guided tasting introduced the different flavors, textures, and aging styles. The result was unanimous - the cheese was outstanding. Unsurprisingly, the family left with cheese and local products to take home.
Lunch in a Traditional Venta near Zugarramurdi
Crossing into Spain through a forest road, the atmosphere changed. This area is deeply linked to Basque mythology and the famous legends of witches associated with Zugarramurdi.
Lunch was served in a traditional venta, just steps from this mythical landscape. The meal was generous, authentic, and deeply Basque. Portions were impressively large - yet the family managed the incredible feat of finishing everything. Clearly, they arrived with a very serious appetite, and the food was too good to leave behind.
Ainhoa - Architecture, Pelota & Traditions
In the afternoon, we explored Ainhoa, one of the most emblematic Basque villages. We walked along its main street, visited the church, and stopped at the pelota court.
This was the perfect setting to explain the traditions behind Basque houses, family inheritance, village life, and the cultural importance of pelota - not just as a sport, but as a social pillar of Basque identity.
Scenic Mountain Roads & Basque Horses
Before returning to the coast, the light over the mountains became too beautiful to ignore. We took a small scenic road between Ainhoa and Espelette, offering wide views over the hills and grazing pottoks — the iconic Basque horses.
Strong, free, and slightly wild, they perfectly reflect the spirit of the Basque Country. A quiet, unplanned moment that often becomes one of the most memorable parts of the day.
Return to Saint-Jean-de-Luz
As the day came to an end, we returned to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and dropped the family back at their hotel. A full day filled with villages, producers, landscapes, stories, and shared laughter - exactly the kind of journey The Basque Way is designed to create.
A Journey Designed Around People
This journey with Maria and her family was a true pleasure to share. Their curiosity, open-mindedness, and contagious good mood made the day especially enjoyable. Sharing Basque culture, traditions, and mythology with travelers genuinely eager to understand the region is exactly what gives meaning to The Basque Way experiences.
