Be Wooed by San Sebastian

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San Sebastian in the Basque Region of Spain is a safe, beautiful part of the world. Renown for its gastronomic experiences, scalloped around a beautiful bay, there is something to find all year round.

Whilst there are many options travellers often become overwhelmed and may miss the beauty and random joyful moments substituting it for stress.

This guide is to remove that stress so you can focus on the day and making this day, this destination on of the best in your lifetime.

This is a suggestion and any order can apply but understand, exercise is often better in the morning (then it is done). Food and wine feels less like a guilty pleasure when exercise has been done.

It is fun to wander around with no commitments and explore.

This is not to steal the serendipitous moments but to give you a fall back plan and one that will make you look in control not lost.

Walk to the Castle

You can see the castle here on top of the hill.

On the hill behind the old town is the Castle. Also known as Castillo of La Mota.

It is on top of the hill surrounded by a big park (Parque de Urgull).

The walk up can be dramatic and step (there are stairs leaving from behind the old town near the boat harbour, or gradual if you follow the boat harbour round past the aquarium and head up.

Just follow your nose – heading up is the main goal and you will find many little tracks.

There is a secret bar that is open in Summer.

Once up the top you will have amazing views of San Sebastian and the surrounding hills.

Alternative options to climbing the hill

These are some other walking options that are more flat terrain for those with injuries or unable to climb a hill.

If climbing is too tricky there are many walks around San Sebastian.

You can head to the left of the bay towards the south and find the amazing art sculptures of Spanish Artist Eduardo Chillida called Peine del Viento. Also a romantic beautiful spot.

Or you can walk around the Parque to Urgull and head over to Zurriola beach and head back along the river with the trees and shade.

2. Pinxos in the Old Part of Town

This gastronomic delight should be on every foodies global tour.

Apparently San Sebastian has more michelin awarded restaurants than anywhere else in the world – but I think their pinxos are the stand out.

There are two famous cheese cake shops here.

Saint Telmos is my favourite has the best foie gras, blood pudding and iberian pork cheeks and grilled octapus.

Tintos (red wines) are awesome everywhere.

3. La Perla

This day spa (thermalogica) water treatment retreat is fantastic.

Right on the beach at Playa De La Concha, this magnificent building has great views from the far infared chairs. If you go between 130 – 4pm you can get a reduced rate for the two hours.

You can hire a towel and everyone has to wear the sexy blue cap.

Hot steam room, hot sauna, multiple spa pools, relaxation zones and a cold plunge pool. Definitely worth it if you like water and day spas. No need for bookings unless during busy season. Click here for more information.

4. Santa Maria Cathedral

This iconic landmark is found in the old city.

It is 3 euros to pass through but worth it if this is the only church you are going to. There is another up near Saint Telmo which is equally breathtaking and of a different era.

5. Ferry trip

For a small fee (7 euros when we went) you can jump on the ferry and go to La Concha. Here you can disembark for exploring, or in summer swimming and a drink at the bar.

Otherwise you can stay on the ferry and do the round trip.

It’s a great way to get a different aspect from the water.

Other activities

There are so many sporting activities to do. Stand Up Paddling, swimming, sailing, bush walking, bike riding and more.

Simply walking along the promenade later in the day is wonderful as buskers line the wide pavement entertaining children and tourists. Grab an icecream and slowly meander long.

There is an art gallery, library with an exhibition hall beneath it, museum, aquarium and more.

It is the perfect place for a weekend or a week. Relax, drift and enjoy.

Luis Canas Bodega (winery) La Rioja

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This family run winery Luis Canas Bodega is in the La Rioja region in north Spain. La Rioja is about 80km from Bilboa and has many little villages with boutique hotels.

Some people (especially groups) will often take a cab from Zaragoza or hiring a car will give you independence.

We found this fantastic vineyard in the village of Villabuena de Álava and stayed at Hotel Viura.

You can go for a wine tasting at Luis Canas but I highly recommend a tour.

The vivacious knowledgable Carmen will take you on an exceptional tour, explaining all the grapes grown in the region, some history and finishing on the cusp of the vineyards valley of grape vines.

The cellar was impressive!

With a large production and representing many local wine growers, they are committed to sustainability, integrity and looking after the little farmers.

It is hard to put into perspective the gentle sound that the vines make, the smells that the wine emits and the tastes of the region on your palate. It’s a personal experience that has to be taken by you.

I highly recommend a tour and visit of this vineyard. Book a tour here and find out more.

Hotel Viura La Rioja

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This fantastic designer Hotel Viura, in discovered in a small town with 43 wineyards (Bodegas). The Hotel Viura is for that holiday where you don’t want to worry and every detail has been paid attention to and is found between Haro and Logrono.

With a living art gallery in the foyer and public spaces it is eye candy for the art lovers.

A roof top has many chez lounges where groups can catch up, where you can take a wine from the bar or lie back and relax reading a book looking up at mountain ranges in the back ground.

Starting from the car park you can literally turn off the car and grab some grapes. The reception is very art nouveau with English speaking staff.

A bar with friendly staff(full of local wines), a dining room downstairs that serves complimentary breakfast and a night time menu. It is “fine dining” ie smaller meal sizes but tasty.

You can get meals in town but a different standard and on Sundays nearly impossible.

The rooms are all different with their own personalities, views and private bathroom and toiletries.

My favourite part of the hotel was the art works and room top bar… oh and the grapes in the car park.

Click here to book directly.

Laguardia the medieval town in La Rioja

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High on a hill and easy to find is the foot traffic only medieval town of Laguardia.

With a centuries old history there is much to see and experience.

I would recommend the bodega and wine tour with cueva DorreTxe. A small family run bodega (winery) in the middle of town.

From the outside…

It costs 5-10 euros per person and includes wine tasting.

It is a short punchy life changing experience.

You walk down a few stories under ground seeing the still in use wine making tools. A bramble bunch that serves as a filter for the fruit from the wine.

The stair well underneath to the cellars

Underneath the cave opens up. Apparently during the Teslars rule there were many wars. These spand from 10th century for 4 centuries.

During this time the women and children were often hiding in the caves. Men would bring food, hunted animals and fruit. At one point all the 325 caves were connected as one tunnel. They were sectioned off in the 18th century and now many of the families have their own cave.

This one is used for wine and entertaining.

The wine is boutique, small in production. One Tinto and one blanco.

They also make the local liquor from blueberries. Perfect as a post meal digestiv.

You can book here or turn up and try your luck.

Vivanco Musea

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When my sis mentioned we were going to a wine museum I was a bit like… well how about you go to Vivanco and I will do a wine tasting.

Silly me. The museum is amazing.

With four levels going underneath the ground, an insight into the large underground barrel collection and it’s own wines, the Vivanco Museum is worth it.

In fact it is a must for any wine connoisseur.

Each floor shares a different angle about wine.

One on the history (wine is 8000 years old)!

And about the local region La Rioja.

Aa floor on corks and corkscrews

A floor about pesticides and commercialising wines – all very interesting.

Upstairs is a cafe with a small menu, outside art installations and a wine tasting corner.

Wine tasting flights

The last level has some incredible art by Andy Warhol, Picasso and Sorolla.

I highly recommend a visit to this museum if you are in La Rioja.

La Vieja Bodega, La Rioja Spain

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Simply one of the greatest treats to the La Rioja region in the north of Spain is not just the wine but the food.

We are in for an amazing treat at La Vieja Bodega just outside of Haro.

A vineyard and fine dining all in one.

If you go with a large group you can have a wine tasting in their cellar which has the musty smells of yesterday and wines.

Angel, who owns the restaurant with his wife Marion have a fancy selection of some 400 ones at the front of their restaurant.

The menu for the restaurant is stunning as is the food.

You can’t really go wrong and today I order the ratatouille with cod fish and the shoulder of lamb for main course.

It is all delicious, flavoursome and gluten free!

The shoulder of lamb is one of the most tender sweetest well cooked cuts I have ever had.

Desert is a gin and tonic sorbet – it is enough to wake you up yet lure you towards a siesta.

I would love to bring a group of people through the Basque region showing you these amazing gems. The food and the people are warm, hospitable and excellent at their wines and food.

You will need to book in advance here and if you are lucky enough you will get to meet the wonderful duet Angel and Marion. Thank you, we will be back again for sure. x

The Hairy Arm – Shiraz

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At first I wasn’t too sure about The Hairy Arm Shiraz outside of Sunbury, north west of Melbourne.

It is in the heavier Australian red style of wine but during the day I actually like this wine.

The aroma gets the thumbs up with its complex layers.

The wine is like a jam sandwhich that grandma used to make, comforting for the soul, reminiscent of childhook memories and delightful palate.

4.2/5

Jericho Fume Blanc

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This wine is interesting! Jericho Fume Blanc is a fun experiment for people to try.

We sourced ours from Emmanuel’s Wine Shop in Kingscliffe.

This family owned winery have taken the Sauvignon Blanc grape into a French oak barrel and left it for a few months to infuse with the flavours and essence of the Adelaide Hills.

I found the initial nose quite confronting and not that pleasant at all. Maybe a little like cat’s urine.

It is sweet tasting.

The floral aromas swing around on your tongue and coat the tip of your tongue with an interesting experience. I found the wine grew on me with further consumption but what wine doesn’t.

Overall, after sharing a bottle with my partner, we are giving this a 3.2/5. Vivino (click the link below) rate it as 3.9/5.

If you like trying different wines give it a go but maybe hold back on the case until you decide definitively whether you like it or not.

You can orders your below. Click on the shop now.

3 Free things to do in Devonport Auckland

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Devonport on a Sunday

1. Visit Mt Victoria

Overlooking the charming area and suburbs of Devonport it Mt Victoria. Set up as a battalion base in the wars it now serves as one of the best, unadulterated views of Auckland.

The Signalman’s House is on the way up and truly breath taking. For it’s colonial style, it’s obvious connection to yesterday and it’s current purpose of offering writers a retreat. Being a writer I am totally in-love with the idea of a haven. A place to write whilst being frivolous and overlooking the harbour.

You can’t drive all the way to the summit any more but you can walk, hike or stroll. Ie foot is the only way. Up the top you will be greeted by sweeping views to the east, north and west. To the south you have iconic views of Auckland although you need to veer past a few trees.

You can have a picnic on the old forts, while watching the clouds jump and jive overhead.

Or you can share a chit chat with an old mate reminencising over times of old … waxing lyrically about childhood while your feet dangle over the edge of the old fortress.

Exploring is lot of fun which is what makes this the perfect afternoon trip for a family or lovers or solo travellers.

2. Visit the Devonport library

Well blow me down, I have visited many libraries around the world but this library is amazing.

Aside from being an architectural designer master piece it offers peace.

Peace and an open air outlook over one of the most amazing bays in the world.

It’s inspiring and has all the literature greats at your finger tips… all for free… waiting to be indulged.

I whittle away a few lustful moments reading the local rag and absorbing the view.

Whilst not a “tourist” attraction I sincerely hope you visit this space. Especially if you have never been to a library before!

3. Walk along the foreshore

This is one of the oldest, loveliest foreshore walks in New Zealand.

Beautiful trees, spaces, play grounds, picnic areas and Elizabeth House, make this a beautiful lazy afternoon walk.

Grab a photo with your family – a real keep-stakes as the back ground of the azure waters of the harbour and the sky line of Auckland subside away. Truly beautiful.

4. Lunch at the Esplanade Hotel

The Esplanade Hotel is such an iconic landmark. Built in 1857 the interior is everything you would expect from a timeless building.

We rock up on a Sunday and have the bowl of mussels done in white wine garlic and cream. Yes you guessed it! Something I will travel back for again and again and again. Especially at the end of the pier if the ferry from Auckland. It the perfect romantic escape and boys… it has a fire side!

5.Visit an art gallery

Despite everyone assuming art is for the rich or eccentric art is an expression. There are many art galleries in davenport and all worth a Casual wander through. There are too many to name and in my personal (artist) opinion, sometimes it is better to waltz through art galleries than it is to visit one. See where your heart takes you.

Wine Touring from Auckland

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It’s a typical Auckland winter’s spring day – cold, wind, rain, sun!

All the seasons every hour.

We head off to explore west of Auckland and the local wineries.

There is a lot to see and some really good wines, some lovely experiences, including the historic The Riverhead and the west coast of NZ.

The Riverhead

The Riverhead is a restaurant location dating back to the 1850s.

Beautifully preserved it buildings and location offer a warm vibe.

The pub is great for a NZ wine, craft beer and game of pool. A fire side welcomes everyone, the staff are friendly and their is plenty of space and low noise so you can chat. You can sit outside with their warm heaters in winter so many options.

The restaurant has a very good reputation but we felt it feel a little short of it’s price and reputation. The staff weren’t the best and the food whilst restaurant standard wasn’t abundant. We gave it a 4/5.

Dul winery

I lovely little winery near Kumea. Worth a stop over and as the lady says their “chardonnay is the stilettos of wines”.

Hunting Lodge winery

I really like this winery – open, classy and two price levels of wines. Really good food and friendly staff. I highly rate Hunting Lodge.

The wines are great and there are two eating options – casual (perfect for families and kids) or the five star restaurant.

Muirawa Bay

This is an absolute must. Only 45 minutes from Auckland the coastline is radically different to the east coast.

Wild and rough and some how exhilarating. The sand is speculedwith dark ebony sand and cobalt blue. I haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else in the world. It’s an artists haven.

Follow the beach around the cliff and you will discover something really amazing. It is a gull colony and it truly breath taking. While watching birds navigate their landings, I felt like I was in a David Attenborough show. Amazing.