GETTING TO BILBAO
The destination for the day was Bilbao, but we went there via two interesting towns and a local winery. The morning was cold to start (only about 55 degrees), but by noontime, the temperature was above 70.
GEOPARK IN ZUMAIA
A short distance from San Sebastián is the town of Zumaia, population around 10,000. We came here with our seasoned guide Angel to visit this geopark and the surprising rock formations for which it is known. Basque Coast Geopark is a small area between the Bay of Biscay and the mountains. In 2015, it was named a UNESCO Global Geopark. The surrounding area is a warm green with vegetation, and there is a small beach which attracts swimmers and surfers.
What makes this park unique are the striking layered sedimentary rock formations called by the German word flysch which means “flowing.” It was first used by a Swiss geologist in 1827. Layers of rock under the ocean for 50 million years were pushed upright exposing the different composition and color of individual layers.
Some of this action resulted from the formation of the Iberian Peninsula which previously was separate from France and the rest of Europe. It is said that each layer represents about 10,000 years of history, and that overall tens of millions of years have been exposed here. I found these rock formations spectacular and impressive; unlike anything I have seen elsewhere.
MEDIEVAL GETARIA
After coffee and cookies in a small bakery, a much-appreciated stop on this crisp morning, we ventured on to the medieval town of Getaria. An early Roman village, some walls and buildings remaining, Getaria was named after the square stone Roman sinks called “cetaria.”
Parts of the cathedral here are from the 13th century and its pink stone reveals the significant presence of iron.
Also noteworthy is that this was the home of fashion designer Balenziaga and Juan Sebastian Elkano, the Basque navigator and explorer who made the first circumnavigation of the world on the only ship in the Magellan expedition that successfully returned to Spain.
WINE ON THE TERRACE
Our outing on this day concluded with a visit to a lovely winery, Ameztoi, in the mountains outside Getaria. Here we enjoyed the view from the terrace while sampling a fizzy white wine and a new rose they are producing. We sipped the wines along with bites of three local cheeses and some delectable tuna.
What surprised me was that we were the only visitors at that time; a big bus group was just leaving when we arrived. No one from the winery checked on us or tried to induce us to buy bottles to take home. A most relaxing interlude!
Note: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved)
Excellent tour in Spain. Thanks for sharing the lovely photos. We are doing well. Nora and send our best wishes.