The Culinary Love of Gipuzkoa
And boy, was it something of a revelation! When we visited Gipuzkoa in the Basque Country (in Spain), I had various expectations – that the people would be friendly (a widely known fact), that the language would be dramatically different from Spanish, and that the weather would be pleasant. However, what I did not anticipate was the Basque people’s profound love for food!
You wouldn’t guess by looking at the people how much they love food—they’re all quite slim and remain active (which probably explains the slimness in hindsight). When I say they love food, I mean they indulge in it for hours on end. Dinner is not a rushed affair like I’m used to, where I scarf down my meal as quickly as possible. In the Basque Country, food comes with wine, laughter, good company, and plenty of conversation—it transforms dining from a necessity into an event! Dinner can continue late into the night and engages everyone in the vicinity, kids included!
Where to Stay – Hotel Higeralde
One of the highlights of our trip to Gipuzkoa was spending the night in a local’s home, which operates as a hotel and bed and breakfast. The place, called Hotel Higeralde, boasts some of the most breathtaking views across the land.’
The Dining Experience at Hotel Higeralde
Before diving into dinner, we explored our guest’s cozy rural Basque home, adorned with rustic furniture and nostalgic games.
As I arrived at the dining table, I was in awe of the incredible spread laid out before us!
As the evening progressed, we were treated to soups, breads, sauces, dips, fish, stews, salads, and this was just for starters!
The owner busied himself in the kitchen while we enjoyed our meal, reminiscing about our day and the experiences we had thus far in the Basque Country.
Breakfast the next morning was equally impressive, as we gathered in the kitchen for a quick meal before exploring more of the beautiful area.
We opted to sit inside, which left me regretting my choice as I noticed a couple enjoying a table outside—one that I had turned down previously!
The breakfast concluded indulgently with dessert, solidifying my love for Gipuzkoa!
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