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Day 1: (Hotel in Bayonne)
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Arrive in Bayonne,
check into hotel.
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Walking tour of your home
neighborhood.
Apéritif and orientation on the
Basque region. |
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Day 2: (Hotel in Bayonne)
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Morning
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Guided tour of historic Bayonne.
Once a Roman fort, later British as part of the dowry
of Eleanor of Aquitaine, it was joined to France in
the 15th century.
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Afternoon
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Explore the city's colorful riverfront
district, visit its museums, shop for local specialties.
Enjoy a Bayonne specialty dating back to the Spanish
conquistadors--a thick, rich, spicy hot chocolate
drink.
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Late afternoon
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Gentle walk along the Nive
River.
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Free time.
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Day 3: (Hotel in Bayonne)
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Morning
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Guided tour of Biarritz.
The town began as a small Basque whaling station,
but was transformed 150 years ago into an internationally
renowned seaside resort, thanks to Empress Eugénie,
wife of Napoléon III.
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Afternoon
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Enjoy a stroll on the beach promenade,
swim in the Atlantic, explore the town's animated
streets, discover its delicious chocolate museum.
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Late afternoon
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Drive to the beautiful beach in
neighboring Anglet for a
walk or swim.
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Day 4: (Hotel near Saint-Jean-de-Luz)
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Morning
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Drive and walk in the foothills
of the Pyrénées for spectacular
views of the Bay of Biscay
and the forests of La Lande.
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Visit Ainhoa,
one of the region's prettiest and most traditional
villages.
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Late afternoon
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Visit Cambo-les-Bains
and the Villa Arnaga, lovely
home and formal gardens built by Edmond Rostand, author
of "Cyrano de Bergerac."
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Evening
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Walk along the coastal corniche
to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, enjoying
superb views of the Atlantic Coast, the sandy bay
and magnificent harbor, and the picturesque houses
of the port.
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Day 5: (Hotel near Saint-Jean-de-Luz)
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Morning
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Guided walking tour of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
to see the handsome 17th- and 18th-century houses
built for merchants and ship builders, and the famous
church where Louis XIV was married to Maria Teresa
of Castile in 1660.
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Afternoon
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Follow the coastline south into
Spain. Brief stops in typical
Spanish villages of the area.
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Visit to the Guggenheim Museum
in Bilbao.
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Day 6: (Hotel in Barcus)
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Morning
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Drive through forests and pasture-clad
hills to the beautiful inland village of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port,
once an important stopover for pilgrims on their way
to Santiago de Compostela.
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Lunch: Picnic en route.
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Evening
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Arrive at your new home in the
tiny village of Barcus in
the hills of France's easternmost Basque province
of Soule.
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Day 7: (Hotel in Barcus)
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Morning
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Easy walk in the quiet beauty
of the countryside surrounding Barcus.
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Afternoon
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Optional drive to Mauléon
for a visit of this quaint town.
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Continue to Sainte-Engrace
to explore its unique Romanesque church and walk in
the nearby hills.
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Not optional--spectacular views
of the Pyrénées.
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Day 8:
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Morning
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Drive to Pau
to visit its impressive château, home of King Henri
IV.
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Tour ends in Pau.
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