This one-week 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 called Txakoli.

This is now the base for our ‘Spanish and Walking Holidays'. Although the mountains behind are not strictly-speaking the Pyrenees (technically they stop half an hour away) we feel that the ethos of Gataria, the friendliness of its inhabitants and the sheer beauty of the surroundings are comparable to that of our very much loved Baztan valley.

This trip offers intensive professional Spanish teaching. It combines a programme of formal classes with more informal teaching methods combined with a range of stunning walks and cultural visits. Breathtaking scenery, coastal paths, long relaxed lunches and Txakoli all help create an inspired atmosphere where Spanish conversation comes naturally and cultural insights can be shared by the whole group.

The trip includes: 7 nights hotel accommodation in single or double en-suite rooms with continental breakfast, five 3-course meals with wine OR four 3-course meals with wine and one lunch of tapas and wine, 3 half-day walks and excursions, 5 days x 2 hours formal language lessons and on-going language teaching during all activities.

Flights to Biarritz with Ryanair (not included).

Proposed itinerary

Day 1
Arrival at the hotel. Check in single/double room with en suite bathroom
Three course welcome meal with wine at the hotel with your teacher.

Day 2
Breakfast on the hotel terrace.
Guided walk around the pretty fishing village of Getaria and then on to the lighthouse on the island of San Antón.  This morning also gives you a feel for the town and time to explore its history. 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.
Formal Spanish classes in the afternoon (2 hours). 

Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a formal Spanish class (2 hours).
Afternoon free to explore the area at your own whim (and prepare some Spanish homework!).

Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel.
Guided walking in the hills which surrounding Getaria where pastoral farming dates back as far as the Bronze Age. We will explore part of the coastal stretch of the ancient ´Camino de Santiago´ which passes the famous Txakoli vineyards where you can still see mediaeval shrines and churches  
Lunch (3 course meal and wine)on the cliff top village of Elorriaga.
Afternoon Spanish language class (2 hours).

Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day (connections available to San Sebastian, Bilbao and Zarautz)

Day 6
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to the country village of Aia which still preserves the warmth and colour of  traditional Basque country life. This trip includes visits to the churches and shrines, water mills and iron forges which testify to the village's rich and varied past, followed by walking in the Pagoeta national park.
Lunch (3 course meal and wine) at a local restaurant.
Afternoon Spanish language class (2 hours).

Day 7
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning Spanish lessons (2 hours) and grand farewell lunch at one of Getaria's famous sea food restaurants.  

Day 8
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departures 

Activities and meals are included as per the above programme and will be accompanied by native Spanish teachers.

The programme may be subject to change to accommodate weather conditions, local fiestas, cultural events and guests' individual interests.

Language lessons will be tailored as far as possible to participants' language level and needs.

The village

Getaria is a beautiful mediaeval fishing village, nestled in a dramatic bay on the Gipuzkoan coastline. It is one of the jewels of northern Spain.  With the waves of the Atlantic rolling in on its sandy beaches and the green Cantabrian hills tumbling in from behind, Getaria stands defiant against change.

The village's origins go back as far as the Bronze Age and Getaria has been an important Basque fishing port for hundreds of years. Today, it maintains a vibrant fishing culture and the port 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 the many open-air restaurants. The restaurants in Getaria are famous for their fresh fish and sea-food and lunch is invariably downed by a glass of the locally-grown wine, Txakoli, a light, lively white wine - perfect on a warm day.

Apart from the fishing and the Txakoli, Getaria is also famous as the home town of Juan Sebastián Elcano and geologists vist from all around the globe to examine the unique sedimentary cliffs formations called ‘flysch'.

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, Bilbao 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. 

Accommodation

We have stumbled upon a friendly family-run hotel, 5 minutes from the sea, in the heart of the mediaeval town and run by Marie Pui. In addition to the clean, cosy, en suite bedrooms, the hotel has a delightful garden with a terrace over-looking the bay.  Breakfast is served in the open-air, with the sound of the waves tumbling in on the beach below and a backdrop of breath-taking views.

Spanish classes

The course director and Spanish teacher is also a native of this coast and, apart from her excellent teaching methods, these tailor-made programmes also benefit from her experience and passion for the area.

If you have any questions or would like to book this tour, please contact us.

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