26. San Sebastian. Top things to do in San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain.

Listen to this episode from Beach Travel Wine Podcast on Spotify. Travel to San Sebastian in the Basque Country of Spain with us.  This is Lyle’s favourite (or one of) Spanish cities - San Sebastian. We first take you on the scenic five hour train trip from Barcelona. The first thing we saw was the stunning Maria Cristina Bridge that is modelled on the Alexander III bridge in Paris. After we find our apartment we head to the famous surfing beach called Zuriolla Beach, to a surf competition in progress. Listen as we take you up a very steep funicular from Ondaretta Beach to an old casino where the rich and famous used to visit.  It is now luxury accommodation.  Also on top of this mountain we take you on a very scary roller coaster ride. Of course we share the stunning views of La Concha beach and Isla Santa Clara while walking along what is known as the most beautiful urban  beach in Europe. We climb up the top of Mount Urgull where there is a castle with a museum, a fort and a 12 metre (40 foot) statue of Jesus Christ. You can hear how we wandered around the old town and how Lyle nearly bought some “bumless” pants. Next we explore the old town of San Sebastian where the houses still have the numbers from the boxes from the old bullring. The old town in San Sebastian has the highest concentration of bars in the world. We wander through the streets drooling over the pintxos on display.  We describe how you eat and pay for pintxos and which are the most popular ones. You will hear how San Sebastian has the highest concentration of Michelin Starred restaurants per square metre in the world. The locals say that San Sebastian is the food capital of the planet. Lyle then tells you the fascinating story of how Michelin Stars came into existence - and it is a great story - and probably not what you think. Lastly we tell you some of the other things San Sebastian is famous for and why some of the Hollywood A-listers love visiting in September - to attend the San Sebastian International Film Festival. Of course we finish with our favourite places to have a glass of wine in San Sebastian. You can read the show notes and see all the pictures here. Or visit our website at www.beachtravelwine.com