This tour is a great opportunity to grab Basque local culture! Your guide will pick you up at your hotel for a spicy journey! On your way to the first stop, your Basque guide will share with you his passion and knowledge of the region. You will soon be surrounded by a stunning landscape. The first stop of the day is at a Basque pig breeder. You will learn how a Bayonne ham is made thanks to this exceptional craftsman, and of course you will get to taste some!
Then, hop from one village to the next and discover this land of strong identity and tradition.
Your guide is a nice local fellow, 100% Basque, and he/she knows his way round to make sure you see the hidden corners and charming places of those typical villages boasting a unique architecture like Sare, Ainhoa, Espelette, Saint Jean Pied de Port: the church, the pelota open courtyard, the incredible half-timbered houses, in a word Basque culture and traditions...
Now is time to visit a sheep cheese maker from a Protected and Controlled Appellation of Origin ( AOP in French). Traditional Basque cheese is made with milk from the female sheep, the ewe. You can find it everywhere. After the visit, now that you are an expert at making sheep cheese, take a rest and enjoy a tasty local lunch with only local-made products. (Lunch not included, on request)
The final stop is a meeting with a farmer producing Espelette chili powder. You will be invited to discover the terroir and its core values, you will get a full understanding of the product, from the field to the tasting room and you will know all the steps of the process on this Protected Appellation of Origin. Meet and share the passion of this outstanding producer who belongs to his land and has been growing chile for generations. After this visit, time for an aperitif and full range of taste. Enjoy products from the terroir and realize how much you’ve learned in just one great day!
Back to your hotel.