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Published: April 27th 2017
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My wonderful parents arrived in Spain at the start of my spring break on April 11th, and the 10 days we spent together are days we will never forget 😊 They spent 10 days with me and I had the best time. It was like my two worlds were colliding. Watching them stroll down the cobble stoned streets and the paths I walk down daily was so uplifting.
The first day they arrived we walked around the town and I explained to them the geography and the general areas of the town. I showed them places I go to often and spots all the internationals hang out at. I reserved a table prior to their arrival at a popular spot in the old part of San Sebastián called "Atari". Essentially, Atari is a highly rated Pintxo bar, but they also have tables and small plates to share for a meal. We did this and had a wonderful first night. This restaurant being located in old town is a very popular and a busy area just next to a beautiful church and steps, we ran into a few of my friends in my program. I was so glad my
folks could meet a few of my European friends because they really are so amazing and lovely. We all chatted for a while and had a great time. The following day, being tourists, we took the double decker bus around Donosti. My mom always recommends doing these in new cities because you really do see everything. It was great :-). Later that night, we went back into the old part, where we each "took turns" picking bars to hang out in and try different plates. So many choices!! Did you know that no other place in the world has more bars per square foot?!
Our good family friends Paul and Maureen Winans were here too after their trip to Paris and we had an absolute blast our first night with them. They feel like family because we are all such close friends and our families are freakishly similar!!! 😊 The next day, we had an awesome spot for dinner at this restaurant right on the water called "GU". Gu has the perfect view for a sunset, drinks, and small plates. We had a nice little dinner and had more great times. The next morning, we went to
the San Telmo museum in Donosti, which I enjoyed because it covers a lot of history of just who the basques are and how they came about. I feel knowing this is important as not many understand who they are. Following that, we had a nice lunch in the section of the old town that actually used to be a bullfighting arena, and now is a huge courtyard of outdoor restaurants. We had a small bite to eat, and then headed over to the aquarium which we loved!!! I loved seeing the sharks so up close. I saved a lot of the touristy things in my town for when my family would be here 😊
Later that night, was probably one of the highlights of the 10 days. My mother booked a Michelin restaurant at the top of one of the three mountains in Donosti. This was extraordinary. The view was breathtaking and the service was incredible. We received numerous "presents" or surprise plates from the waiters that we did not order which we loved. The restaurant was called "Mirador de Ulia", way at the top of Monte Ulia. This meal was more like an experience than anything. You
could really see how much work and perfectionism went into every spot on every dish we were served. Everything tasted amazing, and this was such a special night.
The next day we did another thing I hadn't done here before, go up to Monte Igueldo. There are three mountains in the city, and this is one I hadn't done before. After the pretty walk along playa de la concha, you will come across a tram that takes 30 some people up to the top of the mountain every few minutes. Just a few euros to get up. It only took 2 minutes tops to get to the top. This was new to me too, so when we arrived at the top, immediately everyone goes straight to the balconies to see the magnificent view. This is so beautiful!! We didn't think it could get anymore beautiful. BUT IT DID! As we kept exploring the top of this mountain, there was a bar with the awesome view, so we got few drinks and a small snack before we did anything else. The top of this mountain almost felt like a fair. It had little rides that kids could do,
even some carnival games. On the far end of the mountain there was a little water ride that people were doing where you sit in this little log thing and it takes you around the rim of the mountain. We didn't get the chance to do that though! When we didn't think the view could get better, we saw a sign at the base of this little castle looking building that people were at the top of that said, "Greatest View in the world" and an arrow pointing to the stairs! Only 2.25Euro to go up. We did!!! This is the view you will see when you lookup on google, "Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain." It was breathtaking. I think the best view in the world!! It shows the entire city and all the details. We got some cool pictures and really enjoyed ourselves up there for a while. In the middle of the terrace up there, there was a stone compass sort of thing that would point to different cities on the coast and say how many kilometers away it was! I loved this so much. It was worth the climb. For easter, we went to mass at the beautiful Buen
Pastor cathedral. It was all in spanish and basque so my family didn't understand, but the church was so beautiful and we felt it was important that we go to mass on easter. There were a lot of older people there for the majority. Funny story how on easter later that night we went to a pizzeria barones type place and got Italian. We had the best time though and got some great dishes!! He has risen.
After Paul and Maureen left Spain, myself, mom and dad rented a car for two days and we road tripped around the south of france!!! We saw Hendaye, Bayonne, Biarritz, stayed the night in Bordeaux, Saint Jean De Luz, & Arcachon. Many of these are small french villages, glen ellyn like but they were so adorable. I loved Biarritz because it felt like California almost. Beautiful beaches and rock structures, cute little restaurants along the strip of 5 star hotels, it was beautiful. Bordeaux was beautiful also, the only thing that freaked me out was the train that goes literally in the middle of the street in town! Every few minutes too. No caution signs or anything anywhere. Crazy! The
hotel was adorable right near the center of the city. We went to a winery outside Bordeaux called "Château de Rouillac" They say the wine in the south of France is delicious, and it really was. This was my first time at any winery and I enjoyed learning about the process and the business itself. The thing we also caught our guide say is that most wines in south of France are a mixture, or a blend of different types. Cool 😊 We even got to meet one of their horses, Titan who works in the fields for them and he was the most large, but sweet horse we'd ever met. Beautiful!!! My parents bought a few bottles and we hit the road! We stopped that afternoon in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a small french basque village. It should win the cutest village in the world award. It was so cute. Little shops, candy markets, spices, and all kinds of cute shopping. We had a drink there and then went home. I adore the south of France despite my not understanding any of the language. We all have heard the "rude" stereotype the french get, but in our case we actually met some
amazing french people who were very kind to us when we needed help (which was a lot.) This made us smile. Mom and Dad spent a few more days with me in Spain and we had even more amazing times together. It went so fast 😞
This was an amazing visit and we had a blast!!! I love you mom and dad!! 😊 Lots of other pictures, scroll down!
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Grandma Ev
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Loved it. Love how you express your feelings. So informative. ??