Bridging The “Belle Epoque” Donostiarra In San Sebastian
January 9, 2009
From the sea, fishermen San Sebastian perceived as a city with three inputs to ground, one in Mount Igueldo and the Isle of Santa Clara, a second between Santa Clara and Mount Urgull and last fall to Mount Ulia. Irutxulo was called by then as the Basque translation of the phrase “three holes”. This perception of seafood capital of Guipuzcoa seems to get along with movie stars, Michelin and luxury hotel brands in mid-September to gain presence in the International Film Festival. However, the city, named in 1980 as San Sebastian, can become a pleasant discovery for the traveler on low incomes who do not get blinded by its brightness.
The charming buildings that gave it the nickname “Little Paris” in the second half of the nineteenth century emerged from the degree of deference that the regent Maria Cristina granted the city by moving his court there in summer. The “belle epoque” Donostia bequeathed to the twenty-first century luxury buildings like the Victoria Eugenia, Hotel Maria Cristina spas before Trotsky traveled the world war and now only admire the wealthy from their interiors.
Today, the pulse of the city is a voluntary one. Larger two widening is still an affordable area for the traveler who likes to walk the Old Town on foot. It also has an excellent network of buses (night weekends) that connects with people on the periphery and facilitates an excursion to Mount Igueldo or amusement park from the early twentieth century. Although the downtown is the ideal lodging (little chance in shelters in San Sebastian center below 20 €), good communication between neighborhoods have hostels outside as a very economic and, especially during high season. If you decide on this option, we will have the luxury of being neighbors in the natural setting of the museum of sculptor Eduardo Chillida.
The bike, owned or rented, adds to the transport network. In San Sebastian runs about 25 miles of bike lanes, the highest proportion user / longitude of Spain, and has more than 150 parking spots. An excellent opportunity for the passenger does not wear excessive physical or economic efforts and discover that there are beaches beyond La Concha. In swimming season or under the usual rain worth Donostia reach the most remote and untouched, that of Zurriola, nudist since 2004, reaching the Peine del Viento or properly secured the bike, crossing to the island of Santa Clara.
At this point, the capital San Sebastian has already soaked through and not just for its moisture. We have not made much the portfolio and maybe we can afford the 90-minute guided tour organized by the tourist office, the entrance to the Aquarium, Kutxaespacio or a museum. With the multi-card San Sebastian Card (13 € +1 € refundable) will save us between 10 and 30 percent more visitors in these and also free up the bus.
We leave these routes for later and enjoy the gastronomy of the place: the pintxos and Basque cider. In the tradition of the locals, stayed at the Boulevard to go to the street where Fermin Calbetón not of good food will save 1.5 € / 2 € per bite or pull into the harbor Gaztelubide. In addition to savoring a good cod we approach the men who organize activities between clusters.
Another option is the culinary route that starts from the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd to the Maria Cristina Bridge. The outlet of the Gipuzkoa plaza will give us a quiet and beautiful spot to rest as ingested.
Basque identity card with San Sebastian is accustomed to hosting overseas without disregarding the tradition of the land. Its inhabitants seem to have breathed air through the culture of Biscay and festivals have become their benchmark. At Film are added the July Jazz or International Fireworks in August, coinciding with the week Grande. Dates from which to flee the lover of calm or who does not want to pay more for the same in this dazzling city that aspires to be European Capital of Culture 2016.
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