The past year or so has been a real roller coaster on our planet and for our planet’s human beings. It’s a minor miracle that most of us are in relatively good stead. So, with our pennies in hand and our confidence high, let’s try to look ahead and not down. There are lots of locations that could fill that remit, but here, we want to feature this region of Spain. This adventure is special because its the Basque region. Not familiar? Let’s bring you up to speed. The Basque Country (Euskal Herria in Basque), straddling the border of north-central Spain and southwestern France along the Bay of Biscay, is one of Europe’s most distinct
and fascinating regions. What makes it truly special is a combination of an ancient, enigmatic culture, world-renowned culinary excellence, dramatic geography, and a strong sense of identity. At the heart of Basque identity is Euskara, the Basque language. It is a linguistic anomaly: a pre-Indo-European “language isolate,” meaning it is completely unrelated to Romance languages like Spanish and French, or indeed any other known living language. It is considered the oldest surviving language in Europe. Because their language predates the arrival of Indo-European settlers, the Basque people are often considered one of the oldest distinct cultural groups on the continent. This ancient heritage is reflected in a rich mythology, unique rural sports (like Herri Kirolak, which includes wood-chopping and stone-lifting), and traditional dances.
They are Spanish, of course, but with that je ne sais quoi. We’ve been there, and it is everything that everyone says that it is. Our affiliate partners inspires.to have your trip all wrapped up for you. To look and book, click here
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