SPANISH AND THE SEA HOLIDAY

Exclusive Spanish immersion weeks

The pretty fishing village of Getaria nestles in a dramatic bay on the Gipuzkoan coastline - half an hour from San Sebastian - and is one of the jewels of northern Spain.  Here we run our exclusive tailor-made ‘Spanish language and the Sea’ holidays. Although the mountains are not strictly-speaking the Pyrenees - (a lesson in what to name one’s company!) - the ethos of the place, the friendliness of its people and its sheer beauty are comparable to that of our beloved Baztan.

We offer a semi-structured Spanish immersion programme, based at a charming hotel in the heart of the medieval town, run by Marie Pui.  Breakfast is served in a spectacular terrace garden over-looking the beach, and to the sound of the waves rolling in below.

Delfina, course director and Spanish teacher, is a native of this coast and apart from her excellent teaching methods these tailor-made programmes benefit from her experience
and the passion she has for her area.  

Getaria

Getaria’s origins go back as far as the bronze age and it has been an important Basque fishing port for hundreds of years.  Today, the mediaeval port of this vibrant village still bustles with fishing boats and fish markets.  At lunchtime the smell of grilled fish fills the air as locals sit down at one of Getaria’s famous open-air fish and sea-food restaurants.  Lunch is invariably downed by a glass of the locally-grown wine, Txakoli; a light, lively white wine - perfect on a hot summer’s day.

Apart from the fishing and the Txakoli, Getaria is also famous as the home town of Juan Sebastián Elcano, the first person to travel around the world.  Today geologists from all over the globe are returning his visit and descend upon the area to examine the unique sedimentary cliffs formations called ‘flysch’.  Due to the uplifting of the Pyrenees the strata of these cliff faces (rather like a cross-section of puff pastry) offer an impeccable geological record of world history.

Getaria has just a few thousand inhabitants and a labyrinth of medieval streets winding up and around the flanks of the 14th century church of San Salvador.  Its historic defence towers and ramparts contrast with the streets of colourful fishermen’s houses where clothes lines extend from one wooden balcony to the next.  Behind the village, the rolling hills expose vineyards and whitewashed farmsteads as well as a portfolio of delightful country walks.

Getaria is also well connected by public transport to the rest of Spain.  San Sebastian is just 30 minutes away, Bilbo and the Guggenheim museum is an hour’s drive away.  A stunning 3km coastal walk also leads you around the bay to the elegant seaside resort of Zarautz.

Provisional Agenda