Linda Fox's report on the Basque Country - Need To Know
Posted On
20.03.07
Shopping Shops on the Spanish side are generally open from 10am to 1pm; and from 4pm to 8pm. On the French side, opening hours are usually 9am to 12pm; and 2pm to 6pm.
Time for nibbles The best time for tapas (pinchos) is from 12pm to 2pm and from 7.30pm to 9pm. Good places to try ‘pinchos’ include almost anywhere in the old town of San Sebastian (Donostia in the Basque language). In Fuenterrabia (Hondarribia), both Enbata and Yola Berri are well-established and favourites with the locals.
Identification You will need some form of identity, e.g. a driving licence or passport, when you use a credit card.
Language People in the Basque region are fiercely proud of their identity and many speak in Basque. The area is far less commercialised than the South of Spain so you may have to get by with sign language or a smattering of French or Spanish.
High Seas The whole region is a surfers’ paradise so watch out for children if the water gets choppy.
Sporting summers In the summer there are Basque games tournaments every day. These include pelota (a version of handball), pala (using a small wooden racket) and cesta punta (using a scoop shaped racket).
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