“In one trip, you discover three cultures”: American tourists delighted to discover the Basque Country

Between the mountains, the ocean, and a gastronomy that's the envy of many, it must be said that the Basque Country has everything to seduce. The proof: some tourists cross continents and oceans to spend a few days there. And it seems they're far from disappointed.

It's 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 18, when ten American tourists gather in the lobby of the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz. After a week spent touring the Basque Country, they are taking advantage of their last day in the region to explore the city with Charles Armand, a tour guide with the Biarritz-based agency Uliss.

“It’s wonderful,” enthuses Hallie, who came straight from New Jersey. “The food is delicious, and the wine too! I’d already been to France, to Nice, but they’re two regions with very different histories,” she notes. “And above all, here, there’s the ocean! Even though at home, it’s true that we have the other side.” Early this morning, it must be said that the call of the water is tempting. The sun is out, and the beach is still devoid of the many towels and their summer occupants. “This afternoon, I told my husband I was going for a swim!” enthuses Julie, originally from Connecticut. “When Charles told us about the spa treatments people used to come here for, I thought, that’s exactly what I want to do,” she laughs.

Having left Bilbao and passed through San Sebastian, the small group said they were "delighted" with their week spent in the Basque Country. "It's fantastic, because in one trip we were able to discover so much, with these three cultures," Julie continues. "I already want to come back, to spend more time in each place, like here in Biarritz, where we only stay for one day."

Jenifer, who has just arrived from Tokyo - but whose accent betrays her American nationality - joins her travel companion by adding: "There is a very unique culture here, which, even if it is different between France and Spain, is still united by the Basque culture. Moreover, I found it very interesting when we were told that the origins of the Basque language are unknown." She also delights in the local way of life, "very pleasant", with, of course, a special thought for "gastronomy".

Walking along the Grande Plage and its striped tents, Julie's husband exclaims: "That's the image I had in mind!" Arriving near the rock of the Virgin, Vichi, who regrets "being too old to learn to surf," marvels at the landscape and the guide's anecdotes. After moving to Australia, in order "not to live in the United States for obvious reasons," she decided to come and spend her vacation in the Basque Country, attracted by its "mystical reputation." Laura, from Boston, says she "feels like a queen" strolling through the streets of Eugenia de Montijo's beloved city. At her side, Julie has found the words that will delight the locals: "Here, you get it all."

When Charles concludes the tour two hours later, he shares a fitting maxim with the tourists: "In the area, they say you're a true Basque if you're Basque, you speak Basque, and you have an uncle who lives in the United States."