If you are lucky enough to visit this fascinating place and want to have the best gastronomic experience possible, don’t skip taking part in these three experiences.

Go to a Pintxos Bar

Pintxos are small snacks that are eaten with a beer or any other drink in Basque bars, and not visiting one during your time in the Basque Country would be a crime. Commonly featuring local, fresh ingredients like crab, mushrooms, or local veggies, you’re likely to find more than a few things you’ll love.

Try Txakoli

Have you ever heard of txakoli before? This Basque wine is little-known outside of the region, but you absolutely must take advantage of the opportunity to try it while there. A light, dry white wine with a touch of carbonation, this tastes so good when paired with the local seafood.

Visit a Michelin-Starred Restaurant

The Basque Country has the most Michelin-starred restaurants per capita of any region on Earth. Plan in advance and you’ll be able to dine at one, such as three-star and world famous Arzak in San Sebastian or underrated one-star gems like Extebarri Grill in rural Axpe.

The post Must-Do Foodie Experiences in the Basque Country appeared first on Traveler Master.

What to Do

If you’re in Bilbao on a Sunday, the best thing to do is to go to the local flea market housed in a massive warehouse called Espacio Open. It’s a little bit away from the center, but it’s great because it’s a really local place and it only happens once a week! There you can find awesome stalls with clothes, trinkets, furniture, and there are two cafes where you can get pintxos and drinks!

The Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao is the perfect place to go if you want to see a lot of famous, yet local artists displayed in a very aesthetically pleasing way. It’s great to see how much artists from the city and Basque Country are celebrated, but the best part is that it’s free between 6-8 pm every day for the public, and for people 25 and under, admission is free all day long!

Known to some as Frank Gehry’s “titanium monster”, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is definitely worth at least checking out from outside. The massive steel building is a work of art in and of itself, and from circling the building, you will see famous sculptures like “Puppy” and “Tulips”, both by Jeff Koons. The Guggenheim is definitely a little bit of an investment since it costs 17 euros for adults and 9.50 for students 26 and under, but it’s large enough that you can really spend a whole day there.

The Ria Bilbao, or Estuary of Bilbao, runs throughout the city and is so beautiful to walk alongside. Follow it and appreciate all the stunning, colorful buildings on the shores, and the interesting bridges you’ll pass by.

Food

Bilbao is most famous for pintxos, which is another way to say tapas. These little bites are way more over the top than regular tapas though, with crazy combinations, lots of different types of cod and other seafood, and more! One of the best places to get pintxos is a place called El Huevo Frito where they are famous for topping their pintxos with quail eggs!

Another place to visit for traditional, local food is a restaurant called Cafe Iruña. Although it can be a bit pricey for dinner, if you go during the week they have a great menu del dia for only 15 euros! You can get a starter, main course, and dessert that all have a Basque country flair.

If you have a sweet tooth, there are two treats you have to try. One is called a pastel de arroz, which means rice cake, and it’s a pastry shell filled with a rice pudding like filling! The other one is called a carolina, and it’s a pastry base that is topped with meringue and coated with chocolate! The

The post As Soon As You Visit Bilbao, You Know It’ll Hold a Special Place in Your Heart appeared first on Traveler Master.

The country is divided into 17 “autonomous communities,” all of which have their own cultural identity. Some even have their own language!

Here are our picks for Spain’s four most unique regions that you should check out ASAP.

Galicia

The first stop on our tour of Spain takes us to Galicia, a rain and wind-swept region in the country’s northwest corner. Galicia shares Celtic heritage with places like Ireland and Scotland, and it’s easy to see why. Galicians have their own language, and you can try delicious dishes like Galician octopus in cities like Santiago de Compostela.

Basque Country

Basque Country is a very unique place. Located in northern Spain near the French border, this fiercely independent region speaks the only non-Indo-European language in Europe. In addition, it has an elite gastronomic rating and features stunning, modern cities such as Bilbao and San Sebastian.

Catalonia

Catalonia, located on Spain’s Mediterranean border, has been in the news recently for wanting to become independent from Spain. This region also has its own language, Catalan, and one of the world’s most spectacular cities in Barcelona.

Andalusia

Andalusia is Spain’s southern region par excellence. Sharing a Moorish heritage with the north of Africa, you can find beautiful North African-inspired architecture at places like the Alhambra in Granada and at the Mosque of Cordoba.

The post Discover Spain’s Four Most Unique Regions appeared first on Traveler Master.

Located mostly in Spain, with a tiny portion in France too, this hyper-unique region has its own language, culture, and gastronomy.

If you’re looking to see the Basque Country, here are four spots that you must check out.

San Sebastián

The Basque Country’s beach city par excellence is San Sebastián, a picturesque city full of tapas bars and breathtaking views. You’ll love La Concha Beach, which is located in the heart of the city.

Rioja Alavesa

This southern portion of the Basque Country is the home of one of Europe’s top red wine regions. Visit a winery or a town like Laguardia to experience the Rioja Alavesa in its full splendor.

Bilbao

The Basque Country’s biggest city and cultural mecca is Bilbao, which hosts the stunning Guggenheim Museum as well as San Mamés Stadium, the home of Athletic Club and one of the best football stadiums on Earth.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

This small chapel on top of a rocky islet was the location for some of the shooting of Game of Thrones, and it’s easy to see why. A dramatic rocky staircase leads to the top of a spectacular viewpoint at this scenic spot on the coast.

The post 4 Must-Visit Spots in the Basque Country appeared first on Traveler Master.

If you are lucky enough to visit this fascinating place and want to have the best gastronomic experience possible, don’t skip taking part in these three experiences.

Go to a Pintxos Bar

Pintxos are small snacks that are eaten with a beer or any other drink in Basque bars, and not visiting one during your time in the Basque Country would be a crime. Commonly featuring local, fresh ingredients like crab, mushrooms, or local veggies, you’re likely to find more than a few things you’ll love.

Try Txakoli

Have you ever heard of txakoli before? This Basque wine is little-known outside of the region, but you absolutely must take advantage of the opportunity to try it while there. A light, dry white wine with a touch of carbonation, this tastes so good when paired with the local seafood.

Visit a Michelin-Starred Restaurant

The Basque Country has the most Michelin-starred restaurants per capita of any region on Earth. Plan in advance and you’ll be able to dine at one, such as three-star and world famous Arzak in San Sebastian or underrated one-star gems like Extebarri Grill in rural Axpe.

The post Must-Do Foodie Experiences in the Basque Country appeared first on Traveler Master.

What to Do

If you’re in Bilbao on a Sunday, the best thing to do is to go to the local flea market housed in a massive warehouse called Espacio Open. It’s a little bit away from the center, but it’s great because it’s a really local place and it only happens once a week! There you can find awesome stalls with clothes, trinkets, furniture, and there are two cafes where you can get pintxos and drinks!

The Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao is the perfect place to go if you want to see a lot of famous, yet local artists displayed in a very aesthetically pleasing way. It’s great to see how much artists from the city and Basque Country are celebrated, but the best part is that it’s free between 6-8 pm every day for the public, and for people 25 and under, admission is free all day long!

Known to some as Frank Gehry’s “titanium monster”, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is definitely worth at least checking out from outside. The massive steel building is a work of art in and of itself, and from circling the building, you will see famous sculptures like “Puppy” and “Tulips”, both by Jeff Koons. The Guggenheim is definitely a little bit of an investment since it costs 17 euros for adults and 9.50 for students 26 and under, but it’s large enough that you can really spend a whole day there.

The Ria Bilbao, or Estuary of Bilbao, runs throughout the city and is so beautiful to walk alongside. Follow it and appreciate all the stunning, colorful buildings on the shores, and the interesting bridges you’ll pass by.

Food

Bilbao is most famous for pintxos, which is another way to say tapas. These little bites are way more over the top than regular tapas though, with crazy combinations, lots of different types of cod and other seafood, and more! One of the best places to get pintxos is a place called El Huevo Frito where they are famous for topping their pintxos with quail eggs!

Another place to visit for traditional, local food is a restaurant called Cafe Iruña. Although it can be a bit pricey for dinner, if you go during the week they have a great menu del dia for only 15 euros! You can get a starter, main course, and dessert that all have a Basque country flair.

If you have a sweet tooth, there are two treats you have to try. One is called a pastel de arroz, which means rice cake, and it’s a pastry shell filled with a rice pudding like filling! The other one is called a carolina, and it’s a pastry base that is topped with meringue and coated with chocolate! The

The post As Soon As You Visit Bilbao, You Know It’ll Hold a Special Place in Your Heart appeared first on Traveler Master.

The country is divided into 17 “autonomous communities,” all of which have their own cultural identity. Some even have their own language!

Here are our picks for Spain’s four most unique regions that you should check out ASAP.

Galicia

The first stop on our tour of Spain takes us to Galicia, a rain and wind-swept region in the country’s northwest corner. Galicia shares Celtic heritage with places like Ireland and Scotland, and it’s easy to see why. Galicians have their own language, and you can try delicious dishes like Galician octopus in cities like Santiago de Compostela.

Basque Country

Basque Country is a very unique place. Located in northern Spain near the French border, this fiercely independent region speaks the only non-Indo-European language in Europe. In addition, it has an elite gastronomic rating and features stunning, modern cities such as Bilbao and San Sebastian.

Catalonia

Catalonia, located on Spain’s Mediterranean border, has been in the news recently for wanting to become independent from Spain. This region also has its own language, Catalan, and one of the world’s most spectacular cities in Barcelona.

Andalusia

Andalusia is Spain’s southern region par excellence. Sharing a Moorish heritage with the north of Africa, you can find beautiful North African-inspired architecture at places like the Alhambra in Granada and at the Mosque of Cordoba.

The post Discover Spain’s Four Most Unique Regions appeared first on Traveler Master.

Located mostly in Spain, with a tiny portion in France too, this hyper-unique region has its own language, culture, and gastronomy.

If you’re looking to see the Basque Country, here are four spots that you must check out.

San Sebastián

The Basque Country’s beach city par excellence is San Sebastián, a picturesque city full of tapas bars and breathtaking views. You’ll love La Concha Beach, which is located in the heart of the city.

Rioja Alavesa

This southern portion of the Basque Country is the home of one of Europe’s top red wine regions. Visit a winery or a town like Laguardia to experience the Rioja Alavesa in its full splendor.

Bilbao

The Basque Country’s biggest city and cultural mecca is Bilbao, which hosts the stunning Guggenheim Museum as well as San Mamés Stadium, the home of Athletic Club and one of the best football stadiums on Earth.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

This small chapel on top of a rocky islet was the location for some of the shooting of Game of Thrones, and it’s easy to see why. A dramatic rocky staircase leads to the top of a spectacular viewpoint at this scenic spot on the coast.

The post 4 Must-Visit Spots in the Basque Country appeared first on Traveler Master.