Located on the eastern side of the 'Cordillera
Cantábrica' (mountain range that goes
parallel to the northen coast of Spain), this
is one of the most industrialised regions
of Spain. They own an autoctonous culture
that has been preserved through their pre-indoeuropean
language, the 'Euskera'. This language coexists
with Spanish. The region is made of three
provinces: Vizcaya, Guipúzcoa and Alava.
Local sports have strong roots and are worth
seeing. Most of their sports require enormous
physical strength an skill. like the ' pelota
vasca', 'traineras' (rowing), wood chopping
by Aizkolaris, stone lifting, etc. All sports
are very much related to the farming and fishing
past of these lands.
ALAVA
Rainassance
architecture t in Vitoria 
Tourism office:
Parque de la Florida s/n. Vitoria.
Highlights: 272.477 inhabitants. Surface
3.074 Km2, the largest province of the Basque
Country. The capital Vitoria is also the capital
of the entire region. The palace of Ajuria-Enea,
the residence of the regional president, is
located in one of the most beautiful streets
of the city.
Monuments: church of 'Santa María',
church of 'San Vicente', church of 'San Pedro',
the new cathedral, church of 'San Miguel',
'Torre de Hurtado de Anda', 'Plaza de la Virgen
Blanca' and the 'Parque de la Florida'.
GUIPÚZCOA
Jazz
Festival in San Sebastián
Tourism Office
Reina Regente, 8. Donostia-San Sebastián.
General information: San Sepastián
is one of Spain's most beautiful cities. Excellent
food, big culture scene and a great beach.
It hosts yearly the most prestigious film
and jazz festivals in the country.
Celebrations : 'Tamborrada y Caldereros'
previous to carnaval, 'Semana Grande'
in August, Rowing 'Traineras' competitions
in 'Playa de La Concha' (San Sebastian's main
beach), 'Feria de Santo Tomás'. International
Jazz and Film
Festivals.
Highlights: San Sebastián is
a classical destination for Summer holydays.
Only 20 Km. away from the Irún-Hendaya
French border, it's a clean, modern and beautiful
city placed between the Igueldo, Urgull and
Ulía hills, where the Urumea river
reaches the sea. Nearby towns of Zarautz (great
beach), Guetaria, Aia, etc. make the perfect
day trip from San Sebastian.
Monuments: church of 'San Vicente',
'Santa María', convent of 'Santelmo',
'La Concha' beach.
VIZCAYA
The
Guggenheim museum in Bilbao
Tourism office:
Plaza Ariaga, 1. Bilbao.
General information: Surface 2.240
Km2. The most populated province in te region.
Highlights: Fishermen's villages and
the small beaches in the coast, from Bakio
to Ondarroa.
Monuments: Its capital Bilbao Bilbao has
an interesting the old part of town, the cathedral
of 'Santiago' and the Guggenheim
Museum.
