St Jean de Luz, Biarritz & Basque Country
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Port
Hendaye (Biarritz), France
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
Information Not Currently Available
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$170
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 7½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Your adventure begins with a drive through the countryside, revealing some lovely Basque villages.
You’ll pass Sare, which is surrounded by superb Basque farmhouses and Ascain, with its beautiful 17th-century homes. Pause in Aïnhoa for a guided walk among houses built in the Labourd style.
Reboarding your coach, you’ll also pass by Espelette, a village famous for its pottoks (Basque mountain ponies) and red pimientos, used extensively in Basque cuisine.
Next up is Biarritz -- the Queen of Resorts and the Resort of Kings. From the lighthouse, take in a panoramic view of the city and the Grande Plage beach. A small fishing port nested among the rocks is a village within the city of Biarritz. See the Virgin Rock-- a local landmark accessed by an imposing bridge constructed by Gustave Eiffel. Enjoy some free time for lunch on your own.
Visit St-Jean-de-Luz, formerly a favorite port for Basque pirates who sailed under the authority of the French king. Many of its fine houses were built by the privateers.
Visit the Church of St John the Baptist -- venue for the Royal Wedding of France’s Louis XIV and Marie-Thérèse of Spain in 1660. The two houses where the couple awaited the marriage can be seen on either side of the Town Square. The church’s interior is a fine example of Basque religious architecture with typical wooden balconies.
Return to the ship in Hendaye.
Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Lunch is not included. You will have time to purchase lunch at your own expense during the tour. In the event of religious services, the visit of the Church of St John the Baptist will be an exterior view only.