a little bit of heaven on earth | the Basque Country and Biarritz

Looking for someplace different to visit in France? Why not consider the Basque Country and Biarritz. I have enjoyed the three days and two nights I have just spent in this part of the world, tucked into the southwest corner of France. Everything about my stay was fabulous.

The Basque Country straddles the border of France and Spain in the area of the Pyrenees mountain range. The people of this region have their own language and culture. At the western end of the Basque Country is the city of Biarritz on the Atlantic coast of France, just north of the boundary with Spain. It features wide, sandy beaches; great waves for surfing; upscale shopping; a casino; memorable food and wine; and gorgeous scenery. I would recommend spending six nights in this region of France to get a taste of the entire region.

Spend your first three nights at Hotel du Palais Biarritz. This property is the finest example of a palace hotel that I have ever seen. It outdoes anything in Paris for sheer grandeur and elegance. The former mansion of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie, this five story building is right on the best beach in Biarritz, a close walk to everything. The grand dining room overlooks the sea, and the service reminds guests of the luxury enjoyed by travelers in the early 20th century. Virtuoso guests will also benefit from exclusive rates and amenities at no extra cost.

Explore the Basque countryside while staying at Ostape, a new property owned by famed Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse. The rooms are a mix of contemporary architecture and traditional decorating touches, with your room's windows looking out across the surrounding countryside (pictured above). As you might expect, the food is exceptional; we enjoyed an exceptional lunch that was probably my favorite meal during this trip to France. Best of all, Ostape has applied for membership in Virtuoso, meaning great amenities and prices when you book through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant.

Basque Country and Biarritz (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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