Getaria is a small, mediaeval fishing village nestling in a stunning bay on
the wild and dramatic coastline of northern Spain. The aristocratic town of
San Sebastian, with its vivacious tapas bars and glamorous seaside promenades,
lies just half an hour to the east, while Bilbao and the Guggenheim museum lie
just over an hour’s drive to the west.
Nevertheless, despite Getaria’s central position on the northern Spanish
coastline, its pretty sand beaches and picture-postcard appearance, the town
still retains its local flavour and welcomes its visitors with a personal touch.
Rows of fishing boats bob up and down in the sheltered harbour while the tiny island of San Anton (know affectionately as El Ratón) protects them from the powerful blue-green embraces of the Atlantic. From the harbour a labyrinth of mediaeval streets winds upwards to the heart of the town, flanking the porticoes of San Salvador, Getaria’s 14th century church, and leading its visitors through the narrow streets of fisherman’s houses, family shops and cafés. Above Getaria the rolling green hills of the Gipuzkoan coastline extend out southwards, dotted by white-washed farmhouses with their goats and donkeys, and laced with vineyards and the hidden cobbled paths of the Camino de Santiago.
The local wine is a lively, young, white wine called Txakoli. It is grown extensively in the area, and has no doubt accompanied many a fisherman on his solitary expeditions into the Bay of Biscay. On a hot summer’s day this fresh white wine is the perfect accompaniment to lunch at any one of the numerous fresh fish restaurants that hug the harbour front. At lunch time the smell of grilled fish fills the air as barbeques are lit on outdoor terraces to entice the eminently enticeable passer-by.
Getaria is the location of our Spanish and the Sea Holidays and it is here
that we run a variety of Spanish language and culture holidays for individuals
and groups.
Guests are lodged at a charming little hotel in the heart of the village and
are immediately made to feel at home; fussed over kindly by the hotel owners:
Antero and Marie Pui.
Based in Getaria we offer tailor-made programmes for individuals and groups. These programmes can involve the following:
Spanish Language Courses
Spanish language tuition is offered by professional Spanish teachers for individuals
and groups. These lessons can be a combination of formal and informal sessions
tailored precisely to our guest’s language needs and level.
· Formal Sessions: These are given by our teacher at the hotel to either individuals or groups.
· Informal Sessions: The Spanish teacher can also join in the activities below, using them as a relaxed and informal platform for extra conversation practice in Spanish
Walks
The area offers a number of pretty walks. Some walks are coastal walks joining
the villages along the coast and longer walks can be enjoyed in the national
park of Pagoeta. These excursions are often extended to include lunch at a local
restaurant or tapas bar, or a picnic in the hills.
Local Culture
Guided tours of Getaria and the surrounding area can be organised focusing on
the following topics:
Local maritime history.
Basque fishing culture .
Basque farming culture.
Geography (including the famous geographic features of the ‘Flysch’
to be found along the coastline).
Basque gastronomy and wine.
Logistics
· Individual itineraries and programmes for groups of up to 15 people.
· Airport pick-up service. The nearest airports are Biarritz or Bilbao
(Both about one hour from Getaria).
· All our programmes are tailored to our guest’s individual interests
and needs.
Please contact:
spanish@spanish-courses-spain.co.uk
Tel UK: 00 44 (0) 121 711 3428
Tel: Spain: 00 34 650 713 759
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Spanish and the Sea Itinerary (Sample, we will design one specially for you)
Day 1
· Pick up from airport.
· Three course welcome meal with wine at the hotel in Getaria with Delfina.
· Double en suite room which open out onto the hotel garden.
Day 2
· Breakfast on the hotel terrace.
· A walk around the pretty fishing village of Getaria with Delfina and
a chance to stretch ones legs on a walk out towards the lighthouse on the island
of San Antón. This morning also gives you a feel for the town and time
to explore its history and cultural idiosyncrasies. We will also provide you
with local information on museums, public transport and local events.
· Lunch at a local restaurant.
· Two hours of formal Spanish classes.
Day 3
· Breakfast at the hotel.
· Three hours of formal Spanish classes in the morning.
· Afternoon free to explore the area at you own whim (and prepare some
Spanish homework for Delfina!).
Day 4
· Breakfast at the hotel.
· Today we take a longer walk into the rolling hills which surround Getaria
where pastoral farming dates back as far as the bronze age. We explore part
of the coastal stretch of the ancient ´Camino de Santiago´ which
passes the famous Txakoli vineyards and leaves mediaeval shrines and churches
in its wake.
· Picnic in the hills or traditional lunch depending on the weather.
· A 2 hour Spanish language class.
Day 5
· Breakfast at the hotel.
· Free day. (Easy transport to San Sebastian, Bilbao, Zarautz and Zumaia.)
Day 6
· Breakfast at the hotel.
· This morning we visit the country village of Aia which still preserves
the warmth and colour of traditional Basque country life, and visit the churches
and shrines, water mills and iron forges which testify to its rich and varied
past. Prehistoric caves and dolmens also leave their impressions before we take
a walk in the Pagoeta national park.
· Lunch at a local restaurant.
· A 2 hour Spanish language class.
Day 7
· Breakfast at the hotel.
· Three hour Spanish lessons in the morning and farewell lunch with Delfina.
Day 8
· Breakfast at the hotel.
· Return to airport.
All activities and meals mentioned in this agenda will be provided by us and facilitated by a professional Spanish teacher. In order to make the most of local weather conditions and cultural activities this programme is flexible. Likewise, we also do our best to adapt the programme to the various aptitudes and interests of our individual guests.
All language lessons will be tailored to our guest’s language level and needs.
Prices of the Group Spanish Language Courses - tailor made naturally varies according to numbers and what you want