La Concha Beach is a five minute walk from this vacation apartment, and the Old Town is just a little bit further away. It is a pedestrian area known as Reyes Catolicos where lots of shops, bars and restaurants can be found.
Buen Pastor is an elegant holiday accommodation located on the third floor of a romantic style building with a lift.

The typical sandstone used on these types of buildings in San Sebastian has also been kept in the inside. This feature together with the wooden details on the walls and the ceilings give the apartment a warm and rustic atmosphere.

On the whole, it is a modern apartment which has a cozy open plan lounge-dining room. In the sitting area there is a comfortable double sofa-bed and a windowed balcony facing the street. Thanks to these large windows, this room is very bright.
From the dining area a door gives you access to the fully equipped kitchen with top of the range electrical appliances and kitchenware. This way you will be able to enjoy great meals during your holidays in San Sebastian.

The vacation apartment Buen Pastor has a double bedroom with a King size bed, TV and a small balcony onto the street.
There is also a fully equipped bathroom.

At Buen Pastor you will enjoy all comforts of a great holiday accommodation; TV, DVD player, music player and Wi-Fi Internet system. It is also possible to contract parking with this apartment.

By staying at this vacation apartment you will enjoy the pleasure of being in the very centre of the city and you will be able to walk all over, admiring all the attractions offered by this amazing city.

GPS:
43.315688106830585
-1.9801515340805054

The vacation apartment Kasino is situated on the fifth floor of a building with a lift. It is located just opposite the spectacular Convention Centre and Auditorium, the amazing building designed by the admired architect Rafael Moneo. It is at the same time, next to the liveliest beach in San Sebastian, La Zurriola, where most of the youngsters gather.
Just crossing the bridge situated next to the building, you will be in the Old Town and the city centre.

This recently refurbished holiday accommodation has been able to keep some of the original features such as the high ceilings, the treated old wooden floors and the restored radiators, which at the same time, are its best qualities.

Both the lounge as well as the bedrooms face the sea and have a balcony, so it is possible to enjoy wonderful sunsets.

The vacation apartment Kasino is a bright and spacious holiday home which gives you the impression of being even larger thanks to the mentioned high ceilings and the big windows.

There is a comfortable leather sofa in the minimalistic and sober style lounge.

Both bedrooms are quite large. The main bedroom has a king size bed and an en-suite bathroom. The second bedroom has two twin beds. There are also two extra single beds at the apartment which can be placed in any of the bedrooms.

There is a second modern bathroom fitted with a shower cubicle too.

This holiday accommodation has a fully equipped kitchen with top of the range electrical appliances and kitchenware. This way you can be certain to enjoy great meals with your friends, partner or family during your vacation in San Sebastian.

The Kasino apartment has Wi-Fi Internet system and offers you the possibility to contract parking.

The apartment gets its name from the old casino which was situated opposite the holiday accommodation, just where the Auditorium Kursaal is nowadays. It is known as “Kursaal cubes” and all the crème de la crème used to be seen around here at the beginning of the 20th Century.

GPS:
43.323725947436245
-1.9786334037780762

Approach roads

Depending where you are coming from, there are various alternatives.

If you are travelling from Madrid (or the South of Spain), we recommend the A-1 dual carriageway and then the AP-1 motorway.

If on the other hand, you are travelling from Barcelona, it is easier. You should take the AP-2 motorway which links directly Barcelona and San Sebastian without turning off onto any other roads.

However, if you are coming from Valencia (or Levante) then we suggest you take the A-23 which links both cities.
And finally, if your departure point is in France, then you should follow the road passing by Biarritz, A-63, and direction San Sebastian. Once you cross the border, continue along the A-8 motorway and turn off at junction 12, where you will join GI-20 to junction 7. Then follow the signs to the city centre.

Approximate times and distances:

Madrid: 452 Km, 4h 46min.
Barcelona: 570 Km, 5h 43min.
Valencia: 572 Km, 5h 57min

By train

The train station in San Sebastian is located on the river bank, at the very centre of the city, opposite the Maria Cristina Bridge. All intercity trains in Spain belong to the company RENFE.

If you travel from Madrid, you should take the ALVIA train. It leaves from Madrid-Chamartin station and the journey takes around 5 hours 21 minutes.

If you come from Barcelona, again the train you should take is ALVIA. It leaves from Barcelona-Sants and the journey takes 5 hours 33 minutes approximately.

However, if you are planning to come from Valencia, unfortunately there are no direct trains to San Sebastian, so you should change. Your alternatives are;

-Take the AVE from Valencia to Madrid and then the ALVIA train already mentioned.

-Take the EUROMED to Barcelona and then the ALVIA train.

-You could also take the TALGO train to Tarragona and then the ALVIA.

Finally, if you are travelling from France it is best if you check the French Railway Network. There are no direct trains to San Sebastian.

The best option is to get to Hendaye and from there take a local train to San Sebastian (Euskotren). The French railway station is just a minute away from the Euskotren train station. There are daily trains between Hendaye and San Sebastian, in fact there is a train every half an hour, and the journey takes about 35 minutes. You will arrive at the Amara train station, in Plaza Easo, and this is just 7 minutes away from La Concha beach.

By coach

The coach company ALSA links Madrid (from the transport interchange at Avenida de America) and San Sebastian at various times on a daily basis. It is also possible to get this route at Madrid-Barajas Airport (T4). The time the journey takes it depends on the taken route. The shortest is around 5h 15minutes and the longest is 6h 25minutes.

This same company also offers coach journeys from Santander city centre and from Santander’s Airport. The trips take between 2h 25minutes and 3h 50minutes.

The company VIBASA makes the journey between Barcelona (Sants) and San Sebastian in about 7-8 hours.
BILMANBUS on the other hand, makes two trips daily between Valencia and San Sebastian. The journey takes 8h 30minutes.

Finally, PESA links Bilbao and Bilbao’s Airport Loiu with San Sebastian. The journey takes 1h 15minutes, and there are buses every half an hour from 07:45 until 23:45. This same company has a daily service between Biarritz’s Airport and San Sebastian. The journey takes 45minutes.

The local company EKIALDEBUS offers services between San Sebastian and its airport located at Hondarribia.

By plane:

Biarritz’s Airport (France) is just 48.8 km away from San Sebastian. It merely takes 40 minutes by car although it is also possible to take from there a taxi or a bus.

San Sebastian’s Airport (Spain) is 21.4 km away from the city centre, about 25minutes by car. It is possible to go by taxi or bus too.

Bilbao’s Airport (Spain) is 100 km away from San Sebastian. The journey takes about 1h 10 minutes by car although it is recommended to go by bus.

Santander’s Airport (Spain) is 192 km away from San Sebastian, about 2h by car. There is a bus service from there to the city centre.

By taxi

It is possible to book this service through our web page. See the section “Completing your reservation”.

Transport within San Sebastian

The local public transport is managed by the company Dbus and offers routes all over the city and linking the different neighbourhoods with the centre. They run weekdays from 7 in the morning until 10 at night (depending on the route). On Fridays, Saturdays and days prior to Sundays and Bank Holidays the company also offers a night service called owls.

The company Lurraldebus allows you to travel between San Sebastian and most of the villages within the province. While the company Euskotren takes you from San Sebastian to the coastal villages of Orio, Zarautz and Zumaia.

Hiring a car

If hiring a car during your stay in San Sebastian is an option, we recommend the company AVIS for its quality and good service. You can check their rates on our web page under the section “Completing your reservation”.

In this post we try to present useful information for the practice of different sports in San Sebastian as well as a bit of sport history, without forgetting those who only enjoy watching.

BIKE

San Sebastian is the birthplace of many great professional cyclists such as Peio Ruiz Cabestany or the world champion Abraham Olano; the famous mountain rider Marino Lejarreta and even the five times Tour de France champion Miguel Indurain, who in spite of being born in Navarra has always been closely linked to San Sebastian.

The riders have always felt the warmth of devoted fans in the Basque Country, fans who are considered to be some of the best and most respectful in the world. It is not a coincidence then that the Tour de France has chosen San Sebastian on several occasions as the start or finish of a stage.

A very important cycling competition here is the “Clásica de San Sebastián”. This takes place at the end of July and attracts thousands of fans who want to see some of the best cyclists in the world competing to get first to the Boulevard.

In a city with so much cycling tradition, it is not difficult to find all necessary means to pedal all around. It may be using a Dutch bike over the extensive cycling paths network (check out our blog on this topic; San Sebastian’s bike paths – Bidegorris) or perhaps riding on a mountain bike around the hills which surround the city.

If you are a bike lover, you will find that it is possible to practise any style in San Sebastian.

Here you are some useful facts and links;

• Renting a bike in San Sebastian – Avenida de la Zurriola, 22. Tel.: 943.29.08.54
• Information on cycling paths network.
• Green Services: bike guided tours around San Sebastian and its surrounding area. There are cultural routes or routes on a mountain bike. Tfn.:943.26.05.98 / 600.44.56.97
• Mountain biking tour: Donostia – Aro – Donostia

RUNNING

For those who like jogging, San Sebastian also offers many possibilities. There are more and more locals and also foreigners, who train or relieve their tension every day running along the various standardized stretches around the city. These are some of the safe and very beautiful routes along the city;

1. La Concha: from the Club Náutico to the Pico del Loro. Distance 1.8 Km
2. La bahía: from the Club Náutico to the Peine del Viento. Distance 2.7 Km
3. The three beaches: from Sagües to the Peine del Viento. Distance 4.2 km (taking the Boulevard) / 6.1 km (taking the Paseo Nuevo)

And if you like taking part in competitions, in the autumn you will be able to participate in any of the famous events, which not only they are very traditional and with large numbers of people running but they are also known for the careful preparation that goes into them.

1. Behobia – San Sebastian

• Distance: 20 Km
• Participation: 23 000 runners (the most popular event)
• Date: mid November

2. Clásica de San Sebastian

• Distance: 15 Km
• Participation: 5 000 runners
• Date: mid October

3. DKV San Sebastian Marathon

• Distance: 42.195 Km
• Participation: 2 000 runners
• Date: end of November

4. Cross of three beaches

• Distance: 10 Km
• Participation: 2 700 runners
• Date: Beginning of October

Nowadays, you can also have a tour around the city running. The city council offers the possibility to contract a Running Tour: a professional trainer will guide you around the most interesting places in the city while you jog. The cost is 12 Euros.

SURFING

This is one of the most popular sports in San Sebastian. And it is no wonder as the Zurriola beach is considered as one of the best for the practice of this sport.

It is nearly 1 Km long and offers different waves. From the powerful ones on the left against the wall of Sagües, where the advanced local surfers can be found, to the river breakwater, a more protected area where it is possible to see beginners or intermediate level surfers, as the waves are not so high.

Local, national and international championships are organized all around the year in San Sebastian.

In the last few years, people in San Sebastian have become more and more passionate about this sport. The city is experiencing a real boom and thousands of surfers from all over the world are coming to the Zurriola beach in order to surf here.

The beach is open up to the sea which guarantees the waves nearly 365 days a year. However, if you are new to the area it is best to ask the watch patrol or a local surfer about the currents as on a bad day these can be quite dangerous. A piece of advice; you should never paddle against the current even if it goes towards the beach and you want to get to the shore. You will exhaust yourself and you will not move forward. It is best to paddle perpendicular to the current to come off it.

If you are in San Sebastian just for a few days and want to have a go on this sport, you could always hire a surf board and neoprene (depending on the time of the year) for just 10 Euros each. And you could also take a short course with an instructor in any of the several Surfing schools.

GOLF

There are a great number of golf courses in San Sebastian and surrounding area, as well as around the French coast. Within less than 100 km there are more than 20 fabulous golf courses, all of different styles and for all levels and tastes.

The most well-known in San Sebastian are;

Real Nuevo Club de San Sebastian Basozabal: Just a few minutes from the city centre, this beautiful golf course was designed by the famous professional player José Mª Olazabal. It is located in a mountainous area and in a 360° outlook it is possible to see the most important mountains in the territory, such as Peñas de Aya, Jaizkibel, Adarra, etc. It is an exceptional place where the demanding round combines perfectly with a spot of great beauty.

Real Golf Club de San Sebastian: Founded in 1910, it is golf pioneered in the Basque Country and the third at national level. It is located in Hondarribia and it is possible to admire great views of that pretty little village, the Txingudi bay and Hendaye from its facilities. The Jaizkibel mountain is situated at the back, hence its name. It was designed by Pierre Hirigoyen over a rolling and uneven plot of land, what makes the players put a lot of effort, both technically and tactically speaking.

Recovering and enjoying as spectator

If after so much effort, you need to recover and relax your muscles, the Balneario de La Perla offers the best solution with a full program of specific treatments especially for sport players. A luxurious treat surrounded by unbeatable views.

And while we give our body a rest, or if you don’t enjoy practising any sport, we suggest some of the sport events regularly on offer, such as a football match with Real Sociedad in Anoeta, spending an afternoon at the horses at the racetrack, watching the famous rowing races Bandera de La Concha or cheer the best cyclists in the world as they participate in the Clásica de San Sebastian.

San Sebastian, a city on top form

In the charming neighbourhood of Gros, on one side of the extended Zurriola promenade just opposite the sea, we come accross the magnificent building Kursaal cubes by the architect Rafael Moneo. It holds the convention centre, an auditorium, an exhibition hall and a restaurant.

Its privileged location facing the sea and its avant-garde design with pressed double-glazing structure make it look like an impregnable fortress against rain and wind. Nevertheless, it is the perfect place to enjoy the view on days of bad weather.

At the Kursaal we offer you several options; from contemplating the waves lashing the Zurriola beach while the surfers try to control them to taste San Sebastian’s cuisine at Restaurante Nineu, where it is possible to feel the influence of the well known Basque chef Andoni Luis Aduriz. At Nineu it is possible to enjoy a delicous meal at very affordable prices.

Finally, without leaving the building, we recommend visiting the temporary exhibition shown at the time within the more than 5000 square metres exhibition hall.

On the other side of the river, as you cross the Zurriola bridge, you arrive at the Old Town, world capital of the pintxo. In spite of the bad weather, the rain will not prevent you from trying the main and best well known pintxo bars in “The Old Thing”, as people from San Sebastian know the old part of the city. Here you will find real temples of pintxos such as A fuego Negro, Gambara, La Cepa o La Cuchara de San Telmo. It is also possible to try something different at Bar Nestor, where they offer a delicious chop which you can eat at the bar together with a tomato salad.

If the rain gets worse, then why not trying the bars at Plaza de la Constitución. As they are sheltered by the arches they are a very good option. Among them, we recomed Astelehena and Tamboril.

And for those who enjoy an after-lunch drink, the Atari, situated at the end of the street 31 of August, serves the best Gin & Tonic in “The Old Thing”.

Without leaving the Old Town, as we get to Paseo Nuevo on the side of the Urgull Mountain, we can visit the recently refurbished Museo San Telmo. It is a former Dominican monks convent which offers an original look at Basque society apart from interesting thematic exhibitions.

And if it does not rain too much, we suggest walking all along Paseo Nuevo, with the umbrella to hand, just in case. With a bit of luck, if the sea is rough, you will be able to sea the waves jumping fiercely over the rails.

The Aquarium,situated at the end of Paseo Nuevo as we get to the harbour, is a great place for both adults and children. It has been extended on several occasions and nowadays it is one of the biggests in Europe. It has a 1 800 000 litres tank in which, going through a tunnel, you can walk among sharks, morays and all types of marine species.

From the Aquarium, following this special route for “A rainy day in San Sebastian”, we will walk along the La Concha Beach up to the Hotel Londres, once the casino of the city, where we can have a coffee break while we admire the view.

Just a little bit further on, we will find La Perla spa, the perfect place to give yourself the pleasure of a body treatment while enjoying the best possible views of the bay.

And for those who love music, in the evenings it is possible to have a drink in one of the pubs which hold out life performances, such as the Altxerri – La Galería. This is a pub situated in the Boulevard which offers life music week-days. Great atmosphere!

San Sebastian is a cosmopolitan city and as such it has some of the best fashion boutiques, which are situated in the centre. The best way to spend a rainy afternoon, shopping without doubt.

But if we think of the youngest tourists, apart from the already mentioned Aquarium, they will also enjoy the Science Museum, located at the Technological Park of Miramon (about 2 kms away  from the city centre, so a car or a bus should be taken).

It is an interactive museum which also holds a Planetarium. It presents its resources through handling objects and carrying out experiments. A perfect option to entertain kids for hours.

However, if in spite of the rain you feel like visiting the city the Txu-Txu train is a cheerful option. It is an open-air means of transport which at the same time is covered and will protect you from the rain. It takes you to the most special places in the city.

The tourist bus is best for sunny days, when you can climb onto the open-top double-decker bus in order to see the city from high above.

There is always something for everyone in a city which has been selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2016. We recommend you to check the evnts guide on www.donostiakultura.com
San Sebastian is a city for all weather conditions.

San Sebastian, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, has been an important holiday destination since the 19th Century when the Spanish Royal Family established here their summer residence. However, San Sebastian has also been able to maintain its buildings and elegance keeping up with modern times.

It is a peaceful city and its dimensions allow the visitor to go all over on foot, by bus or by bike, being able to make the most of the holiday.

San Sebastian is a cosmopolitan, vant-garde and creative city open to its visitors; a city recently nominated as the European City of Culture for 2016 which displays culture on every corner.

By means of this post we want to present the most noteworthy cultural aspects in the city.

ARCHITECTURE

It would be very easy to tell the story of San Sebastian through its architecture. It is a city full of buildings of various styles from different periods. Classical architectural buildings are found next to others from the Belle Epoque or among those of a more modern style. These are some of the most representative;

The Cathedral of Buen Pastor
Unveiled in 1897, it was built using slate and stones from Monte Igueldo and following a pointed style. Its design was inspired by the medieval churches from Germany and France.

The Miramar Palace
It was built by the same English architect who designed several other palaces around Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz, Seldon Worum. The Miramar Palace was erected as summer residence for the Spanish Royal Family, who turned the city into an aristocratic holiday resort from 1887. The building, made with red brick, sandstone and wooden framework, is surrounded by astonishing gardens considered a work of art on their own. Some of the halls are used as headquarters for the Basque Country High Music Centre.

The Church of San Vicente
This Gothic style church keeps in its interior one of the best retables of the whole Romanesque style. It was built during the first half of the 16th Century, making it the oldest chuch in the city.

It also has an astonishing French organ from 1868 and breathtaking stained glass windows. Outside, on one of its side walls, we find the sculpture “La Piedad” from the local sculptor Jorge Oteiza.

Cubos del Kursaal
However, not all the architecture in San Sebastian belong to classical style. There are some modern and truly avant-garde buildings like the one built by the architect from Navarre, Rafael Moneo. This stunning building holds an auditorium, San Sebastian’s Convention Centre and over 5000 square metres exhibition spaces. It looks like two huge rocks left stranded on the beach.

Victoria Eugenia Theatre
This emblematic building is located in the city centre. It was opened in 1912 and since that date has been a witness to many important cultural events in the city. Although it was recently refurbished with top of the range equipment and services, it has kept its original charm.

MUSIC

Another widespread cultural sample all over the city is Music. San Sebastian has always dedicated itself to different types of music; there is special passion for enterntainment and showbusiness.

It is the venue for the Jazz Festival “Heineken Jazzaldia” one of the most important and well known Festivals of its kind in Europe.

Within independent music, there is an specific festival too, Kutxa Kultur Festibala (Kutxa Culture Festival).

Every year, during August, San Sebastian also organizes the Quincena Musical (Musical Fortnight). It is a classical music festival which celebrated this past year the 72nd edition.

And following with classical music it should also be mentioned, due to its significance, the Orfeón Donostiarra, an amateur choir institution reckoned to have received so many achivements and awards that makes it one of the most important singing groups in the world. The Orquesta Sinfónica de Euskadi (Basque Country’s Symphony Orchestra) also has its headquarters in San Sebastian.

Within the contemporary music field, there are several local singers and music groups who have also demonstrated their talent in the last few years. For instance, it is worth mentioning Mikel Erentxun (former member of the group Duncan Dhu), Amaia Montero and her former group, which is still playing, La Oreja de Van Gogh, Alex Ubago and many more who have left San Sebastian’s hallmark in their songs.

But it is also possible to feel and experience music around the streets. There are several less known music groups who play life regularly at various musical venues, such as Altxerri, Bukowski or Etxekalte

And we shouldn’t finish this section on music as part of San Sebastian’s culture without mentioning that this city, together with Barcelona, Sevilla and Madrid has become a must destination for the most well known singers on tour. And this important role has not changed even in spite of the crisis, and good proof of that is that Bruce Springsteen will be filling up the Anoeta Stadium within a few months.

CINEMA
There is a true passion for the film world in San Sebastian. It holds one of the three most important Cinema Festivals in Europe, and this attracts hundreds of thousands of movie buffs every year, apart from stars of the silver screen. At the same time, San Sebastian’s inhabitants are also keen cinemagoers and this is a custom which has not been lost in spite of the development of new technologies and the efects that these have on the industry.

But the Zinemaldia (San Sebastian’s International Film Festival) is not the only film festival the city organizes. It also holds the Amstel Surf Film Festival and the Semana del Cine Fantástico y de Terror (Fantasy and Horror Film Week).

MORE CULTURE
San Sebastian is also a city full of traditions. This can be seen as people celebrate enthusiastically days such as San Sebastian Patron Saint’s Day or Saint Thomas Day or as they show their attachment for certain traditions such as the Gastronomic Societies.

There are several museums and art galleries, among which we recommend the Museo San Telmo and the galleries Kutxa Boulevard and Kutxa Cubo Kursaal.

In other words, San Sebastian is culture in itself. The artistic inheritance left by the two great sculptors Eduardo Chillida o Jorge Oteiza, works of whom can be seen around the city, together with the richness of the Basque language (the oldest in the European continent) and the Cultural Centres located all around the different neighbourhoods confirm the fact that San Sebastian is a Capital of Culture.

Just a few steps to the Zurriola beach, a 5 minutes walk into the Parte vieja and city centre you will find this modern apartment named Beti Ana that has been recently opened.

This new, spacious apartment with a surface of 120 meters offers room for eight persons. The apartment is situated on the fifth floor, with lift. The living room and the bedrooms of Beti Ana Apartment are especially luminous and sunny.

The apartment has been entirely renovated (finished in August 2010). Professionals have created a nice and clean space with plenty of room in all stays.
Beti Ana apartment is composed with three spacious rooms, each room offers a spacious wardrobe. In the main room there is a double bed of 150 cm, in the other two bedrooms there are 2 beds of 90cms each. In the living room you will also find two comfortable pull out sofas.

Beti Ana apartment provides 2 Bathrooms, the main one with a bathtub, the second bathroom with shower.
The living room/dining room and the integrated kitchen form a wide space that is situated in an angle of the housing. Also the four windows and the clear tones of the wall make this place clear and bright. The kitchen is perfectly equipped with any kitchenware you could probably need, including high range household appliances.

The Beti Ana apartment provides optional parking space.

Kubos gets its name from the fact that that the apartment is only 50 metres from the Kursaal Concert Hall and Conference Centre, locally known as the Kursaal kubos, or cubes. The Kursaal is the favourite venue for most of San Sebastians cultural events and conferences.

Kubos is a stones throw from Zurriola Beach and within very close walking distance to the city centre and Old Town. The location and spacious terrace are two of the most outstanding features of this delightful apartment.

Kubos is neatly designed to maximise every bit of the 55 square metres of living space, and no space lost on hallways. The large terrace also gives the apartment a feeling of spaciousness. Situated on the 5th floor, the apartment is both quiet and gets plenty of natural light.

Kubos has two bedrooms, each with a 1.40 cm wide double bed. The main bedroom is ensuite and opens on to the terrace. The apartment also has a guest toilet next to the living room. The kitchen is separate from the living room and is fully fitted.

A baby crib is also available free of charge.

GPS:
43.323647896316054
-1.9771528244018555

If up to now you thought that Spain’s northern city of San Sebastian was worth a visit because of its endless opportunities to have a good time, now there is one more: the new BCC or Basque Culinary Centre.

Before you could consider coming to San Sebastian because there are three beautiful beaches, gorgeous scenery, unbelievable bars and restaurants, great nightlife and lots of possibilities to keep you very busy (walking, jogging, swimming, surfing, cycling, paragliding and even flying in a hot-air balloon).

But very soon you may be coming also to visit the recently opened Basque Culinary Centre and who knows, perhaps follow a short course, attend a workshop or simply try its restaurant.

The official opening was last September 26^th and was attended by politicians, personalities from the cultural, economic and social areas of San Sebastian, the Basque Country and Spain, including Prince Felipe of Borbón and his wife, Princess Letizia. All of them admired the amazing building representing a pile of plates as well as the modern facilities of this special study centre.

For this its first academic year, the Faculty of Gastronomic Sciences will have 56 students, several of them foreigners. And for next year, there are already 400 in the waiting list, although the registration fees are 8000 Euros per year.

But the Basque Culinary Centre will not just be a “gastronomic university” (by the way, it will be the second of its kind in Europe after the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Turin, in Italy). There will also be a Centre for the Research and Innovation into Food and Gastronomy following investigations including education and eating habits, social alimentary responsibility and even developing associated technologies. And this Research Centre will be as important as the Faculty which will train tomorrow’s greatest chefs.

Among the professors who will be giving lectures are those awarded with Michelin starts Juan Mari Arzak, Martín Berasategui, Pedro Subijana or Andoni Aduriz.

And finally, remember that as the Basque Culinary Centre also pretends to generate wealth will open its restaurant to the general public very soon and will also offer workshops and courses in the afternoons and weekends for all enthusiasts of good gastronomy.

For more details check: http://bculinary.com

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?

You can pick up a free map at the tourist office at Boulevard 8 downtown whith  the bike paths marked in red. You can also take a look ahead on this online version with more details, such as where to rent a bike (red dots).

http://www.donostiamovilidad.com/bicicletas/red-de-bidegorris/

Bike Tours

The following link shows you an easy sightseeing tour of San Sebastian.The difficulty level is minor since the paths are fully developed and mostly level. The distance covered is about 15 miles.

If you follow the marked path you will start at Zurriola Beach with the architectural highlight Kursaal, end at the famous Wind Comb Sculptures at Ondarreta Beach and see a couple of the most famous sights in between.

http://www.gipuzkoaturismo.net

In July and August a guided bike tour is also available through the official tourism office.

www.sansebastianturismo.com

If you want to go on a little further I recommend a bike tour to San Pedro de Pasajes and San Juan de Pasajes, which are two quaint little fisher village separated by a tiny passage 5km east of San Sebastián. A dingy ferry will take you and your bike across and you can either walk from there or take your bike into the mountains all the way to France.

A more challenging tour further inland would be one to Lasarte-Oria. It covers about 19km one-way with the option of taking the train (Euskotren)  back to San Sebastián. The route leads over paved paths for the most part and only has 1km of sharp incline.

http://www.gipuzkoaturismo.net

Bike Rentals

-  BiciRentDonosti, Avenida de la Zurriola, 22. Tel: 943.29.08.54   http://bicirentdonosti.es/

- Amara Bike,  Plaza de los Estudios, 2. Tel: 943.457367  http://www.amarabike.com/

-  Bici Rent Colon, Paseo de Colón, 54. Tel: 943.29.08.54

-  Bicicletas Alai, Avenida de Madrid, 24. Tel: 943.47.00.01  http://www.alaitxirrinduak.com/inicio.php
Another possibility is the public bike sharing service offered by San Sebastian´s tourism office.

You have to pay a 20.00 € safety deposit which will be refunded upon return of bike on the stipulated day.

The rental rates are:

1 day= 8€

3 days= 15

1 week 25€

There´s just one catch: The maximum rental period in one row is 4hrs. You have to return the bike to one of the 9 designated stations around town, wait 30 minutes and then you can take a bike again.

Pick- up and drop-off has to be made between 10am and 9pm, Monday through Sunday.

www.sansebastianturismo.com

Here are some reminders to make sure that your biking experience will be a safe and enjoyable one:

• Stick to the bike lanes as much as possible
• Use proper safety gear such as helmets, bright or light-colored clothing, front and rear lights and reflectors
• Pedestrians: Limit your speed to avoid accidents on paths shared with them
• The recommended speed limit is 15km/h
• Check your bike and make sure that the brakes are in good condition
• When locking your bike make sure to use a secure padlock (one used for scooters) and park on areas specially designated for bikes.

Sources: www.gipuzkoaturismo.net