The proud capital of Spain’s Basque region, Bilbao, is a place where culture, history, and mouthwatering gastronomy surround you. Their storied history and decades spent fighting to retain their unique culture have shaped it to be the one-of-a-kind city it is today.
I was lucky enough to call this city my home for one short year during university. Everyone who knows me will tell you that I haven’t stopped singing its praises since. Spain is a large country with countless amazing cities to explore, but let me tell you about Bilbao’s history and why it should be your next destination.
Life in Spain
I always knew I wanted to leave the United States and live someplace else. When a professor recommended Bilbao, I decided it was the place, even though I had never heard of it before. A few months later, my bags were packed and I jumped headfirst into the culture and world of the Basque region.
I am ashamed to say that not a lot of time was spent studying. Instead, I spent my free time stepping back in time to walk the colorful streets of Bilbao’s old quarter, called Casco Viejo. The narrow streets date back to the medieval age and is now a popular place for bar crawls, shopping at local markets, and open plazas with cozy terraces. Students, travelers, and the elderly alike go here to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Europe’s Oldest Language
After stepping off the plane, I was first surprised by the strange letters I saw on the street signs and shop fronts. These words full of x’s and k’s had never appeared in any of my Spanish books.
Visitors to the region soon learn that signage proudly displays the basque words first, then Spanish. They call their language Euskara, while the rest of Spain calls it Vasco.
The Basque language predates Latin, and is, in fact, the oldest living language in Western Europe. Its origins are completely unknown. It has no apparent root words or influences from any other language. As the last remaining pre-Indo-European language, it may be even older than the Neolithic age.
The Fight to Be Basque
During Franco’s dictator rule of Spain, he had a vision of a Spain united as one and free from any outside influence. His idea of the ideal country was one where every citizen was a practicing Catholic who spoke Spanish and nothing else.
This is why, when meeting the generations born under his rule, you will find yourself speaking to a lot of women named Maria. This was by design since there was a strict list of acceptable names. All names with origins or spellings from another language were banned, meaning the family names passed down by Basque families for centuries were now illegal.
In certain regions of the country, you were fined for speaking any other language. In areas where it wasn’t technically illegal, anyone speaking Basque or Catalonian would be seen as anti-Francoist. During dictator rule, this was the last thing you wanted. Rates of fluency gradually decreased.
Due to this oppression, the Basque language has now become an important part of ethnic identity. The wounds have not been forgotten, and many consider themselves thoroughly Basque, not Spanish.
The language was difficult and I only remembered a few important words. When the bartender hands you your ice-cold beer, saying eskerrik asko, (“thank you”), goes a long way towards making you a more popular customer.
More Pintxos Please
The basques know how to snack. While other parts of Spain may give you some stale potato chips with your beer, you order pintxos in Bilbao.
Named after the verb pinchar, meaning “to pierce”, pintxos are served on a small piece of bread and topped with ham, seafood, cheese, beef, and more. It is usually nearly toppling over and skewered in place with a toothpick. I always order several, since they are just one or two delicious bites.
Tapas are usually simple, some saucy potatoes or a small piece of tortilla. A pintxo is more complex and innovative, usually with a harmony of unexpected flavors and sauces. A chef can be more adventurous when it comes to pintxos and most bars have dozens of unique combinations to choose from.
The fact that the idea of tapas has spread around the world but pintxos have stayed local has always surprised me. With the increasing popularity of basque cuisine, we can only hope that the pintxo will earn its place of honor on the international gastronomic stage.
Guggenheim Museum
It’s not often that a single building can put a city on the international map, but most buildings aren’t the titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum. Designed by the legendary Frank Gehry, it is one of the most admired examples of contemporary architecture in the world and glistens next to the flowing Nervion River.
Bilbao was facing a post-industrial economic slump in the ’90s. The city gambled on an expensive building to introduce the Basque capital to the rest of the world. Almost overnight, a city without a tourist culture started to fill with visitors.
The museum is known for its modern art and the curves of the building and large windows feel like a second exhibition. Make sure to head to Richard Serra’s The Matter of Time exhibition, where you can find your way through a maze of ceiling-high spiraling steel sculptures.
The Pickiest Soccer Team in Europe
Since 1912, their multiple league-winning soccer team, Athletic Bilbao, has only signed players who trained in or are native to the Basque region. The plan is to bring their own young players up through the ranks and give them a chance. Many in the region consider it a point of pride to cheer on a team made up of their own.
Others, however, find this nationalism cold and discriminatory. This a rare prerequisite in major organized sports. No other European team places restrictions based on birth and national identity.
Luckily, I felt welcomed as an outsider during my time in Bilbao and am glad I took a bet on an unknown city. Living in a fiercely independent city was new to me and opened my eyes to the conflicted history of Spain.
Everyone knows Barcelona and Paris are magical cities, but I challenge you to pick somewhere less-visited for your next voyage. You might find yourself falling in love with a place like Bilbao.
The gastronomy of Provence is unlike any other in France, given the unique geography and history of the region, its close link to the Mediterranean Sea and the Greek, Spanish and Italian influences. The cuisine of this region relies heavily on lean Mediterranean recipes, with olives, fresh vegetables, fish and seafood, herbs and other spices. It is a sensual and organic cuisine, leaning heavily on more healthy recipes. Being located along the Mediterranean coast, fish and shellfish are present in many recipes. Unlike other parts of France meats are not used as much, although some traditional recipes do call for sheep and beef. The preferred cheese of Provence is goat cheese.
As with any part of the world, the French Provence region boasts its own authentic recipes and specialties. One of the region’s most popular dishes is Bouillabaise, a delicious seafood, vegetables and herbs stew that is prepared with olives, anchovies, capers, olive oil and lemon juice. There are many other traditional recipes in Provence and it would take forever to describe all the aromas and delicacies of this region. The sweets of Provence are worth a special mention, with North African influences and a lot of unbelievable tastes. Although not as famous as other regions, the wine of Provence is loved by many people. This is one of the oldest wine producing regions of Europe and this can be felt through the hundreds of small wineries offering rich and hearty wines.
While Spanish cultue is unique in many ways, the Catalan culture goes one step further in making this place truly different. The Catalans are a fiercely independent and proud people. During the Spanish civil war, they gave the Nationalists a very hard time, and Franco responded by banning all Catalan books, names and language. There were many executions in retribution too. You can, in fact, still see the bullet-holes on the exterior walls of Plaça Felip Neri (in the old quarter) when a number of Oratorian monks were shot. After the fall of Franco, the people were again allowed to practice their culture in the open. If you dine at a typical Catalan restaurant, you’ll notice that the tables are like a giant picnic bench, where everyone dines together communally. You sit next to whom ever else is dining that evening, and just go with the flow.
Apart from all these, the old town was first founded by German colonists over 700 years ago. Along the years, it became an important strategic point with a vivid commercial life. Considered by many one of the most beautiful fortresses in Europe, Sighisoara offers plenty of things to see and discover, beginning with its 9 medieval towers, each one representing one of the guilds of the town. The most impressive of them all is the Clock Tower, also representing the main gate into the old town. Sighisoara Fortress is set on the slopes of a hill, with the traditional tall and colorful houses following the winding cobble streets up and down the hill. Among its most interesting landmarks, we can include the Church of St. Nicholas, the Church of St. Mary, the City Hall and other charming smaller monuments. But overall, the charm of the town comes from the preserved medieval atmosphere.
Now that you’ve got the logistics out of the way for a low cost, it’s onto finding places to go that aren’t pricey.
“I’ve heard the coastal cluster park will be turned into a Formula One track in the fall of this year, and in four years, Sochi will be one of the places in Russia where the FIFA World Cup will be held in 2018,” said Skoreshev. According to Pochenkova, the Olympic Games have attracted many young people, like her, to Sochi for work and job opportunities. She plans to stay and marry her fiancée, but she is concerned about others when the Games end. Despite the unknown future of jobs due to tourism, Sochi residents are enjoying all of the different cultures being brought into the country and city. “Different cultures are good. It has positively impacted the city because it is good to learn about other cultures,” said Okunkov. Pochenkova observed some of the specific cultural differences that are being noticed by Russians. “Russians are accepting the different cultures well,” said Pochenkova. “They understand that tourism is bringing changes to the culture. For instance, if you pay attention to the different international faces, they smile a lot regardless of what they are feeling; unlike Russians you can read all of the emotions on his face. If you look at Americans, they always smile no matter what they are feeling.” Despite the difficulties and uncertainties of their Olympic journey, many residents of Sochi seem to be happy and proud that the Games occurred not only in their home country but also their city.
There are many options to choose from when hiking in Scotland. If you don’t have lots of time, or are unaccustomed to the activity, The Clyde Coast Way is definitely for you. Fifty miles of simple trails along the picturesque southwest coast offer jaw-dropping views. Charming historic churches, and little villages line the way as well, and if you’d like to stop for a drink, or a bite to eat, check out one of the traditional pubs found on the route.
For intrigue and mystery The Great Glen Way is calling to you, as for seventy-nine miles you can try to catch glimpses of “Nessie” the famed “Loch Ness monster.” Hikers travel past Lochs Locky, Oich, and Ness, and who knows, maybe one of Nessie’s siblings is hiding in the others.
The striking Georgian architecture and natural spas are attractive features for the four million tourists who journey to Bath. Many travelers come for a day visit while others stay a few days to soak up (no pun) the charm.
The entire Caucasus region has seen an increase in the number of travelers heading there, with Armenia being one of the highlights. Filled with amazing food, wine, and people ready to share their culture and experiences, it is a fantastic travel option for those who want to pack as much as they can into one vacation.
Hikers from across the world travel to the region to take advantage of lush green forests, incredible landscapes including the Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe), and clear rivers. However, this diverse destination offers more than just hiking, much more.
Traditionally Koblenz will be your starting point and from there you can see places like Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, Jesuitenplatz, the Elector’s palace, and Florinsmarkt. Historic monuments dot the landscape, including the imposing equestrian statue of Emperor William I of Germany, which is found in Deutsches Eck— German Corner at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. The famous statue was named after the Teutonic Knights who were given the area in the 13th century, and holds a place of prominence in the region.
Heritage site enthusiasts will love that there’s something for you too, as the region between the cities of Bingen and Koblenz, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage— a symbol of German romantics. It is the scene for the famous Nibelungenlied—The Song of the Nibelungs, and prominent character ‘Lorelai’, who Heinrich Heine made immortal in his poem “The Lorelai” was said to sit on the riverbanks and lure sailors to their death on the rocks.
As Prageleto is such a draw for travelers, Club Med is there to ensure you’ll be well taken care of. Experience Italian food, drinks, and outdoorsy warmth, with décor and luxurious furnishings to match. Breakfast is traditional faire, complete with fresh espresso, warm pastries, and orange juice. Onsite restaurants feature meals that will leave you wanting more long after you’ve had them, and La Dolce Vita lounge bar is perfect for having great wine, or relaxing solo with a good book. For those who want a little more excitement, the resort’s nightclub is the place for you to dance the night away, or maybe meet someone new.
Situated near the city of Granada in a strategic point, overlooking the city and the surrounding area, the fortress complex will truly amaze any art and architecture lover, with some exquisite interior design masterpieces that cannot be found anywhere else. Although the first mentions of this place start from the 9th century, as a fortress guarding over the city, the site became a royal residence of the Nasrid dynasty in the 13th century. This started the glorious period for the Alhambra complex, being enriched with extraordinary new additions through the centuries that followed. Among the many buildings that form the complex of Alhambra, tourists can visit the Moorish Palace, the baroque palace of Karl V, a church that was built in the place of an old mosque and many other amazing landmarks.
