Basque Country : Spring 2024 — Alliance Francaise MSP

Join AFMSP for spring in basque country: May 25 to June 3, 2024

For centuries, Basque Country was a single territory that was occupied at various points in history by the Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, and Moors. Then, in 1512, Pays Basque was split in two along the French-Spanish border, with three provinces in France and four in Spain. For many years, the Basque peoples in both France and Spain fought for their independence, however, those efforts did not succeed.

This itinerary in the Basque Country is for people who love great food, glorious mountains, gorgeous beaches, historic and contemporary art, stunning views, unchanged rural villages, European history, and ancient traditions.

We will spend the first six days of the trip in the three provinces of France's Basque region: Labourd, Basse-Navarre and Soule. The final three days of the trip will be on the Spanish side visiting Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, Araba, and Nafarroa, while based in Bilbao.

This tour is organized by Christina Selander Bouzouina, Executive Director, Alliance Française Mpls/St Paul.

Space is limited, reserve your spot today!

Basque Country

The seven provinces of Basque Country are divided across the French and Spanish border, separated by the Pyrénées mountains, and running west to the Bay of Biscay in the Atlantic Ocean.

*Where We’ll Go*
*and*
*What We’ll See*

Rendez-vous in Biarritz, an elegant seaside town in southwestern France that has been a popular resort since European royalty began visiting in the 1800s. We will spend our first three nights at a charming hotel near the sandy beaches of Biarritz, and discover nearby towns of Bayonne and Saint Jean de Luz.
After a healthy dose of sunshine and the Atlantic breeze, we will head east to the heart of the Pyrenées mountains to stay at a fifth generation resort, nestled in the Nive River valley. We will explore Ortillopitz, a historic Basque heritage site, the town of Espelette with a sampling of the famous pepper of the same name, as well as Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a major stop on the Camino de Santiago trail. Then, we’ll slip across the mountainous border to Spain on our way to Pamplona, legendary for its running of the bulls and a favorite of Ernest Hemmingway.
Three nights in the mountains will refresh us in preparation for our third and final stop: Bilbao. On our way to this bustling city, we will make a final stop in France, in the town of Hendaye, and then continue along the coast to San Sebastian. While in Bilbao, we will explore the city, its parks and sights, as well as the legendary Guggenheim museum, one of Frank Gehry’s most notable structures.

What’s Included?

Hotel : Nine nights, double occupancy; all rooms are non-smoking and have private baths. Single accommodations are available upon reqeust, please see details and rates below.
Food : Breakfast is provided each day at the hotels; six lunches and five dinners are included in tour price.
Transportation : All inter-city transportation from Biarritz to Bilbao, by air-conditioned coach.
Multilingual tour guides for all group activities included in the itinerary.
Guided tours indicated as ‘included’ on the Trip Plan.

Read the full itinerary.

What’s Not Included?

The price of the tour does not include:

Transportation (flights) between participant’s point of origin and Biarritz nor transportation from Bilbao to participant’s final destination.
Medical or trip insurance.
Other Meals: Any meals other than those organized by the tour described in the itinerary.
Other: Any services not specifically identified in the What’s Included? section above.

10-Day basque country adventure

May 25 to June 3, 2024

$4,750 per person, double accommodations

For a Single Supplement, please add an additional $1,200.

Eligibility and Reservations

All participants must be at least 21 years of age and able to walk some distance. Reservations will be taken by the Alliance Française on a first-come, first-served basis. Total participation is limited to 20 people. Please complete the registration form below. If you have any questions, please call or e-mail AFMSP.

To sign up, please complete the registration form below and submit with a $1,500 deposit to Alliance Française before February 1, 2024. The payment schedule for remaining balance is as follows: $2,000 ($3,200 if selecting single accommodations) is due no later than March 1, 2024; the remainder must be paid no later than April 1, 2024.

Register now:

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Additional information about you:

Do you have any physical concerns or limitations that may pose challenges to climbing stairs and walking long distances? How can we best assist you to make this visit more comfortable?

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Do you have any food intolerances, allergies or dietary restrictions?

Which part of the trip are you most looking forward to?

Hotel Accommodation Information:

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If Applicable to Reservation

ELIGIBILITY AND RESERVATIONS

All participants must be at least 21 years of age and able to walk some distance. Reservations will be taken by the Alliance Française on a first-come, first-served basis. Total participation is limited to 20 people. Please call or e-mail AFMSP for a paper registration form.

I acknowledge and confirm that I am eligible for this trip.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

To sign up, please complete the registration form below and submit with a $1,500 deposit to Alliance Française before February 1, 2024. The payment schedule for remaining balance is as follows: $2,000 ($3,200 if selecting single accommodations) is due no later than March 1, 2024; the remainder must be paid no later than April 1, 2024.

I will mail an endorsed check to Alliance Française (227 Colfax Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55405))

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CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

If you cancel prior to March 1, 2024, Alliance Française will offer a partial refund of your deposit (less a $500-per-person cancellation fee). No refunds for participant cancellation will be made after March 1, 2024 as deposits must be wired to the hotels, sites and restaurants at that time. All participants must sign and return Waiver and Release of Liability forms, which will be sent to you after we receive the deposit and completed reservation form. Reservation will be considered complete once Alliance Française has received these signed forms. Alliance Française reserves the right at all times to cancel all or part of the tour and refund appropriate monies paid by the participant, without further liability. For this reason, we strongly encourage participants wait to make non-refundable travel reservations until we have confirmed that the tour will take place. If you have questions about the trip, please contact: Christina Selander Bouzouina, directeur@afmsp.org or 612 332 0436

I acknowledge and agree to AFMSP's cancellation and refund policy.