San Sebastian - Donosti

32 km

San Sebastian is one of the most atractive cities in Spain and has been a well known resort for over a century. Its three beaches, mild weather and beautiful surroundings have made it a usual preference between Spaniards, and, nowadays, many Europeans.

Donostia is the cultural and turistical capital of Euskadi. There is no official title wich gives it this distinction but is nevertheless true that the varied programme of events and activities offered by the city is a major source of attraction for the inhabitants of the Basque Country and those of the nearby communities.

Festividades

During the eight days of Big Week Summer Festival, the city goes all out to put on a festive appearance – with concerts, street activities, bull-running and fireworks.

One of the major competitions in the pyrotechnic world – and one of the biggest attractions during San Sebastián's Big Week Summer Festival. Firms specializing in the making of fireworks will be coming from different countries to see which of them can provide the most out-of-this-world show in Donostia's sky.

ST. THOMAS' DAY FAIR

December 21st

Centrally-located Constitución Square and Gipuzkoa Square will provide the setting for this folk festival which began in the mid-19th century. Thousand of people will flock there to celebrate St. Thomas' Day and have a taste of this fair's star product – the txistorra salami. One can also enjoy other produce in season such as cheese, honey, and vegetables from garden and field. Another focus of interest on this day is the very well-fattened hog that is put on show in Constitución Square.

Festival Internacional de Cine

September 18th - 27th

The world of film and glamour will form part of this festival which, more than almost any other fixture in the Donostian calendar, draws an international crowd. Ten days during which the city's cinema halls will be showing the latest world-class and classic productions, monographs and special screenings, as well as presenting earnestly sought-after awards.

Jazzaldi, jazz festival

Julay 22th - 27th

One of Europe's well-established jazz festivals is preparing for its 43rd year with first-rate musicians and shows; musicians of the stature of Chick Corea, James Brown and Elvis Costello have performed there. Amongst the new features for this year is that the organizers have planned an All-Night Show dedicated to jazz.

Regatas

Before the races are held on the first two Sundays in September, there will be a qualifying round (on Thursday 4th) which will decide which teams of oarsmen will compete for the prestigious La Concha Race pennant. Then when the first two Sundays in September come around, the eight best-placed teams will go forward to the finals, and will take to the waters of the bay to compete for victory in this hotly-contested fixed-seat boat race.

Bilbao - Bilbo

60 km

Bizkaia stands out mainly because of its advanced modernity, but also because it suits the label land of contrasts as it lovingly keeps its traditions alive. It is the most densely populated province in the Basque Country and the demographic agglomeration is located in Greater Bilbao, as due to the creation of new infrastructures and the so-called "Guggenheim effect", Bilbao has turned into a plural, active, cosmopolitan and cosy city, where the charm of old spots has survived.

The rest of the territory has both highly populated areas and others with an age-old rural flavour. On the one hand, over decades the mining industry has been linked to exploiting iron ore, which has left a wealthy bequest in the shape of industrial remains and mining areas, such as La Arboleda in the Valle de Trápaga-Trapagaran. Interior mountains with mythical summits such as Anboto and Gorbeia, enveloped in legends, tumble down to the sea forming a steep coastline dotted with sandy areas and charming fishing ports.

Vitoria - Gazteiz

70 km

Capital of both the Basque Country and of the province of Alava. Vast parks and gardens, pedestrian areas, a renovated medieval quarter an balanced development make the capital of Alava one of the cities with the best standard of living in Europe. It also houses over three-quarters of the Alavese population. Throughout the 20th century, but particularly in the recent decades, steady growth and the quality of life have given rise to a phenomenon of demographic concentration in this comfortable, warm, commercial, administrative, services and pedestrian-friendly city.

Alava is singular. A series of distinguishing features set it apart from the other two of the three provinces making up the Basque Autonomous Community. An assortment of landscapes not to be found in Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, a number of historical monuments reflecting its past use as a place of passage as opposed to the relative isolation of the north, the

greater importance of the agricultural sector, a different demographic structure and even a different climate, all define the outstanding beauty of Alava. Furthermore, Alava is well known due to the excellent quality of its wines from Rioja Alavesa, the territory's southernmost region.

During history, pilgrims and travellers merged in Alava, leaving a part of their culture and traditions. For this reason, nowadays Alava has a rich historical heritage, full of magnificent monuments and buildings. Among the numerous historical treasures, the Roman archaeological site in Iruña-Veleia is worth mentioning, since

recently some important details about the origin of the Basque language were found in this place. Furthermore, the road used by pilgrims and which goes through Llanada Alavesa, as well as the prehistorical remains in the southern mountainous areas and the southern valleys or even the white saltmines from Salinas de Añana, one of the most astonishing views of Euskadi.