Browsing by Category: Basque Country

A statue of John Adams in downtown Bilbao.

The journey through Basque Country continues and on this fair July 4, 2011, I would like to send out a brief salute, evoking the words of John Adams, second president of the (more…)

Bar Gatz in Bilbao’s old quarter.

After several days and several meals in Bilbao, I have become infatuated with the city’s pintxos. Mamma Parla and I had a few restaurant meals (2 out of 3 were painfully disappointing) which drove us to drown our sorrows in txacoli, the local wine, and artfully prepared finger foods. (more…)

Mamma Parla is the queen of finding discounted hotel rooms. She found a great rate at the Grand Hotel Domine Bilbao, a very modern and somewhat posh hotel with incredible customer service and an even better location, just across the street from the Guggenheim. (more…)

Modernity meets the middle ages in the old quarter.

Two weeks in Basque country are underway and, as I expected, I quickly realized that 14 days are barely enough to comprehend Bilbao, much less the region. How do I do it all? Fit it all in? Eat everything I desire? Well, I can’t. And, frankly, I’m glad. I wouldn’t want to visit a place (more…)

Vitoria-Gasteiz

Last month, I polled Parla Food readers to see where I should travel and eat for two weeks. After a week of voting, Basque Country came out on top and now here I am in Vitoria-Gasteiz, capital of the region and home to the Basque Parliament. I have a hotel booked here for one night, but (more…)