Zumaia und die Flysch-Route

San Sebastián (Basque Donostia) is a coastal city in the Basque Country on La Concha Bay. Worth the trip for the city beach La Concha between Monte Urgull and Miramar Palace, the Pintxo bars of the Old Town, and a cuisine earning the city the reputation for more Michelin stars per square meter than any other.

The Basque Country (País Vasco, Basque Euskadi) is an autonomous community in northern Spain with its own language, distinct culture, and long history. The Atlantic coast with sandy beaches and steep cliffs, green hills and mountains inland, vibrant cities, an internationally renowned cuisine, and modern architecture characterize the region.

Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country and a prime example of successful urban regeneration. The Guggenheim Museum has transformed the former industrial city into a hub for art and culture.

Biarritz, on France's Basque coast, blends seaside resort tradition with surf culture. In the 19th century, largely due to Empress Eugénie, the town became a meeting place for European nobility. Today, villas, the Grande Plage, and the *Rocher de la Vierge* define the cityscape. Besides renowned surf spots, there's the *Musée de la Mer*, an oceanarium dedicated to the Atlantic. From the Phare de Biarritz, you look out over the coast to the Pyrenees. Spring and autumn are quieter than mid-summer. You'll find Basque specialties in the market hall Les Halles.

Vitoria-Gasteiz is the seat of the Basque Government and Parliament and was the 'European Green Capital' in 2012. The city has a well-preserved medieval center, many parks and green spaces, and a relaxed atmosphere.