San Sebastian, Spain

Dean’s folks and one of his sisters paid us a visit in May/June, so we joined them for a week in San Sebastian, in Spain’s Basque country. It’s a foodie paradise, with more Michelin star restaurants than anywhere in the world. So yes, we ate!

We stayed in a fabulous big apartment right on Zurriola beach and I think one of Mini-Yazza’s highlights was running around in that, he’s not used to so much space, sadly.

Other highlights included days on the beach (the nude beach is perfect for swimming with little ones, and it’s fine to get them nude too!), eating icecreams, wandering the old town with its gorgeous churches, enjoying the aquarium on a rainy day, exploring the famous La Concha beach and walking up to the top of Urgull hill to take in the views from the 12m tall statue of Jesus. For mini, the highlight was going on a tourist train (‘Car! Car!’), stuffing a whole plate of fresh tuna in his gob, stealing my entire icecream when I offered him a lick, and having so much quality time with family.

Spot the stowaway

Bliss.

 

Fly: Easyjet to Biarritz in France, then it’s a 30-40 minute car trip. We arranged a van for the 5 of us, including a car seat for mini at £120 each way which was a bargain.

 

Stay: Hollywood Zurriola – can’t recommend this place enough, 4 huge double bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and loads of space. The bakery/café downstairs has the most friendly staff (Mini got loads of kisses) and just a block to the beach. Also plenty of outdoor playgrounds in the neighbourhood and a supermarket a couple of blocks away.

 

Eat: The in-laws became regulars at Bodega Donostiarra around the corner from our apartment which was busy every evening with locals. We also ate plenty of churros and plates of pinxtos as we wandered the old town, including a highlight of beef cheeks at Atari Gastroteka in the Old Town.

The view from our apartment