What You Need to Know Before Visiting the Basque Country

If you're planning on visiting the Basque Country, this video has some helpful tips on what you should know before you go. Hella Basque invited Bart Farrell of Kontatu, an American living in the Basque Country for 8 years, to share his thoughts on what you can expect from your trip. Find out what is unique about the Basque Country, helpful phrases in Euskara to help you get around, what kind of food you can expect to eat in the Basque Country, and where you should go on your visit.
Check out Kontatu:
Channel - / @thebestofbilbao
Facebook - / kontatubilbao
---
What is the Basque Country?: • What Is the Basque Cou...
---
► Subscribe to the Hella Basque channel:
bit.ly/HellaBasqueSubscribe
---
Read the blog:
www.hellabasque.org
---
Sign up for the email newsletter:
bit.ly/hellabasque
---
Shop Hella Basque merch:
bit.ly/HellaBasqueStore
---
Join the Basque walking tour of San Francisco:
www.airbnb.com/experiences/90...
---
Follow me online:
Facebook: bit.ly/HellaBasqueFB
Twitter: bit.ly/HellaBasqueTwitter
Instagram: bit.ly/HellaBasqueIG
#BasqueCountry #Basque
DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links I provide, I may make a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you! Thank you so much for supporting the Hella Basque KZread channel.

Пікірлер: 119

  • @leirezalakain2836
    @leirezalakain28364 жыл бұрын

    As a basque person it's so refreshing to see foreigners (and Americans, no less) be so respectful and educated about our culture. Most stuff written about Euskal Herria online is usually quite inaccurate and just treats it as a weird and charming part of Spain, but you guys really acknowledged our identity. Milesker benetan!

  • @HellaBasque

    @HellaBasque

    4 жыл бұрын

    I'm so glad you found this video refreshing! Trying to bring that Basque perspective to English language information on the Basque Country. I agree there's not enough of it! But I'm trying to change that with Hella Basque, poliki poliki

  • @AugustoOrthez-co8jv

    @AugustoOrthez-co8jv

    7 ай бұрын

    GORA EUSKAL HERRIA .... 🥰😍🥰

  • @plo173
    @plo1733 жыл бұрын

    "I'm just a tourist with a lot of questions" I want that sentence on my grave.

  • @AliceWonders22

    @AliceWonders22

    2 жыл бұрын

    lol she's adorable. Just found her.

  • @onlinemusiclessonsadamphil4677
    @onlinemusiclessonsadamphil46774 жыл бұрын

    I'm Scottish of Basque diaspora descent. A load of us arrived in Wales and went to other parts of Britain.

  • @HellaBasque

    @HellaBasque

    4 жыл бұрын

    Very cool!

  • @jonathaniraegui6547
    @jonathaniraegui65473 жыл бұрын

    I am a Canadian of Basque ancestry who lived in Bilbao for 3 years. I’ve moved back to Canada since but this makes me miss the Basque Country so much. I can’t wait to go back once we can travel again. Thanks for making this video :)

  • @AugustoOrthez-co8jv

    @AugustoOrthez-co8jv

    7 ай бұрын

    I MISS IT TO MUCH TOO

  • @yanasaintlevie
    @yanasaintlevie4 жыл бұрын

    Never met anyone that ‘looks’ like me and my family (from Spain & Croatia) and then i found information on the Basque people. They look just like my family. The physical traits are astonishing... the gold ring around the eyes, eyes are green/blue... just our physical traits. We look closely related. It’s crazy.

  • @HellaBasque

    @HellaBasque

    4 жыл бұрын

    Really interesting. Glad you found a kinship! Never heard about this gold ring around the eyes though... Need to read up on what people are saying about Basques' physical traits haha

  • @RaymondStudio

    @RaymondStudio

    4 жыл бұрын

    It's so typical here to have that gold ring you mention or green eyes too. Like having the O blood type.

  • @Michelle-ld4me

    @Michelle-ld4me

    3 жыл бұрын

    What do you mean by gold ring around the eyes? I never heard of it and can’t picture it. Do you have a picture?

  • @user-py5gy9ty9x
    @user-py5gy9ty9x Жыл бұрын

    Going to this beautiful region for the first time in four months... can hardly wait!!!😊

  • @AndrewEvenstar

    @AndrewEvenstar

    10 ай бұрын

    u ready ? I went in February

  • @user-py5gy9ty9x

    @user-py5gy9ty9x

    9 ай бұрын

    @AndrewEvenstar yes. Have even some of the little stuff done. Literally just waiting for the day I get to hop on those plane rides to get there. Very excited!

  • @alaskacanoe6837
    @alaskacanoe68377 ай бұрын

    In the 1970’s we hired sheep herders that were from Spain but basque … They were so interesting and amazing This was in Utah and Idaho and Nevada that we herded sheep

  • @Alejojojo6
    @Alejojojo64 жыл бұрын

    Omg! You're here! Im from Bilbao and lived in the US, in Riverside California for over 2 years!

  • @HellaBasque

    @HellaBasque

    4 жыл бұрын

    Small world! Hope you enjoyed your time in Riverside!

  • @LareesieAlice

    @LareesieAlice

    3 жыл бұрын

    Small world. I am in Riverside and also have a brother named "Alex", after our Basque great grandfather "Aleczander".

  • @clementine793
    @clementine7934 жыл бұрын

    Elorrio? My last name is Elorriaga:)) Im loving learning more and more about my Basque heritage!

  • @HellaBasque

    @HellaBasque

    4 жыл бұрын

    Definitely a connection there! Glad you're learning more about your Basque heritage and checking out the Hella Basque channel :)

  • @antonycharnock2993
    @antonycharnock29933 жыл бұрын

    Kaixo from the UK. I love Spain but especially the Basque country. Visited twice now. First time to Bilbao & Mundaka. All the pintxos and food overwhelmed my senses. I've tried the squid ink croquets, I like my seafood. Second time in September 2019 I explored a bit more visiting Orduna & the Salto de Nervion waterfall, the salt valley, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Elorrio where I visited the Necropolis. Keep meaning to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe & ring that bell. Next time when I can travel again. Berriro ikusiko gara!

  • @edwardvillate2112
    @edwardvillate21123 жыл бұрын

    GREAT MEMORIES for me, This RIGION, I'm from BASQUE ANCESTRY, and I had the PRIVILEGE of leaving as a TEENAGER, there in SANTURCE, last town of the river NERVION , and in VITORIA , ALAVA/RIOJA , and I had a RICH & PLENTIFUL EXPERIENCE of all what the BASQUE CULTURE had to offer , that wood be to many to mention , but """MASSIVE THANKS or this VIDEO""" !!!👌

  • @TravelingisFREEDOM
    @TravelingisFREEDOM2 жыл бұрын

    This seems to be such a charming place, I hope I can visit sometime in the future when all this is over. Seeing and sharing places like this is why I love traveling and make videos so much!

  • @amazingmelanin6588
    @amazingmelanin65883 жыл бұрын

    Hello from San Francisco, my family & I are thinking of moving to spain. Thank you for this wonderful information. ❤️

  • @TelevisionCrews

    @TelevisionCrews

    2 ай бұрын

    Wow, you'll miss the Bay Area!

  • @jesusangelsanchez4135
    @jesusangelsanchez41354 жыл бұрын

    Oso polita!!!! :)

  • @HellaBasque

    @HellaBasque

    4 жыл бұрын

    :D

  • @Evanbear1
    @Evanbear14 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this video! I am going to Sopelana in June to visit a friend who lives there, and it will actually be my first time ever in Europe!

  • @HellaBasque

    @HellaBasque

    4 жыл бұрын

    Have a great trip! Glad you enjoyed the video :)

  • @ufercasgmailcom6468

    @ufercasgmailcom6468

    3 жыл бұрын

    I live in Sopelana wtf

  • @ufercasgmailcom6468

    @ufercasgmailcom6468

    3 жыл бұрын

    Evanbear1

  • @rolflin

    @rolflin

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ufercasgmailcom6468 hahah me too laguntxo!

  • @vasonar
    @vasonar3 жыл бұрын

    Kaixo from the 408 and 669 area codes!

  • @user-ff7my2vb8s
    @user-ff7my2vb8s11 ай бұрын

    Thank you. What a great resource. From 707 Santa Rosa CA.

  • @jeffreyetxeberria2850
    @jeffreyetxeberria28504 жыл бұрын

    Hi Anne Marie and Bart, I am glad to see both of you in a Hella Basque KZread video. Bart, I watched your video about being grateful to be living in Basque Country a year ago or more and I was humbled by what you said. I recommend watching it if you are an American.

  • @yeshiahwisdom3142
    @yeshiahwisdom31422 жыл бұрын

    Thank you guys...

  • @BlazeWindsword
    @BlazeWindsword4 жыл бұрын

    Nice introduction to the Basque Country

  • @HellaBasque

    @HellaBasque

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you :)

  • @BlazeWindsword

    @BlazeWindsword

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@HellaBasque your always welcome 😎👍

  • @ra1279
    @ra12793 жыл бұрын

    That reminds me of a story. My uncle, who lives in Idaho, came to Oregon to visit my parents and I. They were all born and raised in Viscaya. I BBQ'd t-bone steaks for all of us, but my mother cooked squid in black ink. After eating half of his steak, my uncle gorged on the squid and gave me the other half of his steak. I've never eaten squid as it looks terrible and smells worse, but my parents and uncle finished every ounce of it.

  • @anaz5918

    @anaz5918

    Жыл бұрын

    Squid taste very good , you don’t know what you are missing.

  • @opalacios666
    @opalacios6663 жыл бұрын

    Eskerrik asko! Very cool!

  • @duantorruellas716
    @duantorruellas7163 жыл бұрын

    Very cool video , if theres people like these two there , interesting and intelligent , I would love to go there. Some of the words with the Xs reminds me of greek . I want to see saint sebastian and the rest of this place .

  • @silverkitty2503
    @silverkitty25033 жыл бұрын

    I used to live here. (im not basque) He gives a pretty good explanation.

  • @johnnewton3335
    @johnnewton33354 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video and I agree with everything you say, I love to travel and I love spain, I went to bilbao as it's easy for me from England and the gateway to travelling through spain, as you say public transport is fantastic. my first visit to bilbao was when the Basque country found me! There's a tourist card that can be collected at the airport and is fantastic value, unlimited transport and visitor attractions throughout bilbao. Read the rich history and fables but leave out the politics, that's for another day. Above all its the Basque people, they are the nicest, kindest and most welcoming people you will ever meet. I have met so many great people. Another major fun thing is the cider houses, maybe Helen you could do a video from one? Thanks for the video.

  • @hectorsuarez846

    @hectorsuarez846

    2 жыл бұрын

    you being from england and as an englishman so glad you enjoyed Bilbao and Spain

  • @lesvisagastume8250
    @lesvisagastume82502 жыл бұрын

    I love to learn about Basque country since I found out my last name Sagastume comes from there. Is nice to learn about where your ancestors come from.

  • @egunezasca2036
    @egunezasca20363 жыл бұрын

    A very very nice video

  • @HellaBasque

    @HellaBasque

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @carrishirley3993
    @carrishirley39932 жыл бұрын

    Hello 👋 I just found you and I'm really enjoying your content. My great grandfather was born in Urepel France ,I have never been but would absolutely love to one day. 😀

  • @edurvevtx7319

    @edurvevtx7319

    Жыл бұрын

    Urepel is a beautiful Basque village. Basque Country has 7 territories, 4 under Spain and 3 under France. We are a stateless nation that dreams with our independence.

  • @deborahalbertson8166
    @deborahalbertson81662 жыл бұрын

    I have been drawn to the Basque country myself. It must be in My DNA because I'm an O Negative and I hear there's a lot of them there. I have to visit this place.

  • @cyberknife82
    @cyberknife822 жыл бұрын

    My ancestors came from Gipuzkoa. Lazalde!

  • @vanessarodriguez7601
    @vanessarodriguez76014 жыл бұрын

    Can you do a video on moving to Basque 101?

  • @HellaBasque

    @HellaBasque

    4 жыл бұрын

    Great suggestion! Will have to talk to people who have moved there and get their input

  • @vanessarodriguez7601

    @vanessarodriguez7601

    4 жыл бұрын

    Oh yes please. I would absolutely love it!

  • @GreatScottByJoe
    @GreatScottByJoe2 жыл бұрын

    I am basque by blood and dna where is the best place to learn the language and what dialect should I choose anyone with advice it’s deeply appreciated.

  • @estephaniey123
    @estephaniey1234 жыл бұрын

    Footage would be nice

  • @bernardayala1128
    @bernardayala1128 Жыл бұрын

    I was told by my grandfather I am Vasco that was in 1964. Recently my DNA test confirmed that. We are direct decendants of Don Juan Francisco Buenaventura De Ayala y Escobar. We are also Koweta (Creek) Indians!

  • @hantykje3005
    @hantykje30053 жыл бұрын

    Hi, I have a question about Basque football. Im currently managing Real Sociedad (won La Liga last season btw)in Football Manager, and apparently there is a huge rivaly between this club and Atletic Bilbao, with Osasuna, Alaves and Eibar also beeing rivals. What is the background for these rivalries? I have another question about more touchy issues, the ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasun). How does this organization's legacy inflence the Basque region today?

  • @josebabilbao7759

    @josebabilbao7759

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi! There is a large rivalry between Athletic and Real Sociedad, however this is mostly a friendly rivalry. The other rivalries are not so famous (especially since Eibar is fairly new to elite football), but they are rivalries nonetheless. There is also a Basque Cup Final every year in which a league table is organised with all the la liga games between Basque teams and the top 2 play a final! (Although this has only been around for a few years) Hope I answered your questions!

  • @hantykje3005

    @hantykje3005

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@josebabilbao7759 Thanks for answering my first question! Do you know or have opinions about my second question? The legacy of ETA today? How does this organization's legacy inflence the Basque region today? Perhaps an uncomfortable question, but it is not meant that way :)

  • @josebabilbao7759

    @josebabilbao7759

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@hantykje3005 although many people support independence, or greater autonomy, practically no-one was actually in favour of ETA's violence. Obviously there are no longer any members since it has been disbanded. However, some spanish right-wingers state that Basque-Leftist party EH Bildu is a 'reincarnation' of it, since Batasuna, a pro-ETA party have slight links to them, although the grand majority of Bildu are not pro-ETA. One recent incident of 'ETA' was the Alsasua (in Navarra) incident where basically some Basque teens got in a bar fight with some Guardia Civil (Spanish police). Although these kind of fights happen fairly often across the world, these teens were accused of being pro-ETA (even though they no longer existed), and some of those boys weren't even at the bar during the incident. Some of them are still serving prison time a few years later. Just clarifying I am completely against what ETA did Hope this info helps :)

  • @hantykje3005

    @hantykje3005

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@josebabilbao7759 Yes very helpful. Thank you!

  • @DeniseEggertwaterlily
    @DeniseEggertwaterlily4 жыл бұрын

    There is nothing but discussion .

  • @longbowandwarbowcraftingbo2859
    @longbowandwarbowcraftingbo28593 жыл бұрын

    found out 4 years ago my blood type is rh A negative and my family are from Scotland, Ireland and Italy? i wonder if i have any Basque too?

  • @MiloManning05

    @MiloManning05

    Жыл бұрын

    Irish are basques

  • @juliaclemons62
    @juliaclemons623 жыл бұрын

    Ancestry lead me here and even I'm fucking shook that we favor heavily

  • @stephanieellison7834
    @stephanieellison78343 жыл бұрын

    Does a vegan person have any options in the Iparralde part of the country?

  • @rolflin

    @rolflin

    2 жыл бұрын

    concerning what issue??

  • @stephanieellison7834

    @stephanieellison7834

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@rolflin Food.

  • @AndrewEvenstar

    @AndrewEvenstar

    10 ай бұрын

    ​@@stephanieellison7834salad

  • @orlandovelastegui1391
    @orlandovelastegui13913 жыл бұрын

    I believe if you count the people in Latin America with Basque ( Vascones) Heritage you’re look in the 100 million range.

  • @ra1279

    @ra1279

    3 жыл бұрын

    True. Outside of Spain, you'll find the most Basques in Argentina.

  • @okitatatsumaki2769
    @okitatatsumaki2769 Жыл бұрын

    I need to visit my place of origin before I die. Haha

  • @ikeridigoras5548
    @ikeridigoras554811 ай бұрын

    Euskal herrian euskaraz!!!!!

  • @liqiz1755

    @liqiz1755

    9 ай бұрын

    Is it dangerous as Spanish to visit Basque Country?

  • @charleyjr.iriarte7428
    @charleyjr.iriarte74282 жыл бұрын

    Do you guys travel freely between Spanish Basque and French Basque?

  • @gontzallekzeit2050

    @gontzallekzeit2050

    11 ай бұрын

    Bai (yes). Il n'y a pas de frontières. Tu peux passer librement à pied, en bagnole ou transporte publique, bien que le Pays Basque est divisé (malheureusement) entre deux Etats.

  • @AndrewEvenstar

    @AndrewEvenstar

    10 ай бұрын

    yes. I did on a bus. took about an hour

  • @charleyjr.iriarte7428

    @charleyjr.iriarte7428

    9 ай бұрын

    @@AndrewEvenstar I have a sense of love for Spain and Basque for some reason. I don't even know how to speak either language. I only speak my first language, Pohnpeian, and English. In fact, I probably understand English more than my own first language. I love all people though! Ahahaha

  • @isabellemayamercero1735
    @isabellemayamercero17353 жыл бұрын

    You must talk about Navarre too. Its part of the basqur country and everyone always forget.

  • @ra1279

    @ra1279

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's easy to forget because people in Navarre don't consider themselves basque.

  • @sarribel

    @sarribel

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ra1279 many do As our culture is Basque. I am a citizen of pamplona/iruñea. The Vociferous, uncultivated Basque haters are mostly Right wing extremist spanish migrants, alongside those living alongside the Ebro river

  • @rolflin

    @rolflin

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ra1279 not all of them ;) agaun the mixed feelings as bart said....

  • @rolflin

    @rolflin

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@sarribel hahah totally agree!! NABURROS!

  • @johncreed2627
    @johncreed2627 Жыл бұрын

    Are Basques Celtic people or a mix?

  • @christianevans5471
    @christianevans54713 жыл бұрын

    why does Basque use base-20 counting? do a video.

  • @ra1279

    @ra1279

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm not sure they do. Bat, bi, hiru, lau, bost, sei, zazpi, zortzi, bederatzi. That's one through ten. 11=hamaika, 12=hamaBI, 13=hamaHIRU, 14=hamaLAU, 15=hamaBOST, 16=hamaSEI, 17=hamaZAZPI, 18=hamaZORTZI, 19= hemeretzi. 11 and 19 don't match the pattern, but the rest follow a base 10 pattern.

  • @rolflin

    @rolflin

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ra1279 no mate . 40 = berrogei= 2 times 20 60=hirurogei 3 times 20 80= laurogei 4 time 20!!! and so on So he is right we use a 20 multiple based counting system mixed with 10 pattern, very uncommon

  • @doreenvilla830
    @doreenvilla83024 күн бұрын

    So want to visit the Basque country. DNA results? 85% Basque. Need to see my Ancestral roots❤

  • @charleyarchuleta4932
    @charleyarchuleta49322 жыл бұрын

    I’m “916” “559” Cali

  • @rolflin
    @rolflin2 жыл бұрын

    bart! best partner you can have here ;)

  • @stevethecross2727
    @stevethecross2727 Жыл бұрын

    I have to see France before I die there's no way I can be French and never have a chance to step foot on my homelands soil. Bonjour à tout le monde je veux être avec vous autres.

  • @thomasrodriguez773
    @thomasrodriguez7732 жыл бұрын

    Ps are you Spanish or French? There isn't any question that you are Basque. Your name is french

  • @03Venture
    @03Venture2 жыл бұрын

    I’m dying to go visit Euskarria, but the language and the complex politics absolutely freak me out.

  • @veasg
    @veasg3 жыл бұрын

    I lived in Vitoria-Gasteiz for 11 years. Pintxos and tapas are the same fkn thing. The skewer thing he said is rediculous. Madrid is the only place I know of that gives you a free tapa with a drink. Badakaldo is where they do BBK live.

  • @DedeZepol

    @DedeZepol

    3 жыл бұрын

    Pintxos and tapas are similar for a person not used to them, but in fact they are quite different: pintxos are much more elaborated than tapas, that usually are for free (and you can find them in a lot of cities of Spain... Maybe you have been 11 years in Vitoria, but you haven't travel too much...), while you have to pay for pintxos; a pintxo is an individual portion of food, only for one person, while a tapa is usually to share between several people. By the way, I'm from Barakaldo, and BBK Live is in Bilbao, in Kobetamendi (mount "Cobetas") more exactly: www.bilbaobbklive.com/es/experiencias/kobetamendi/

  • @rolflin

    @rolflin

    2 жыл бұрын

    maaaaan 11 years and you learned nothing ? XDDD

  • @jiensuyang3915
    @jiensuyang39154 ай бұрын

    Basque discovered him??😂😂😂 no matter where these ppl go they embarrass themselves

  • @orlandovelastegui1391
    @orlandovelastegui13913 жыл бұрын

    As soon as you said this guys name I knew he wasn’t Basque. Easy to know basque just by their last name. Ortiz, Ayala, Aguirre, Ibarra some names that are Basque. Their too many basque Surnames to list everyone.

  • @HellaBasque

    @HellaBasque

    3 жыл бұрын

    Let's not forget some Basque people don't have Basque last names :)

  • @rolflin

    @rolflin

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@HellaBasque some of us are from mixed heritage with families tied to euskalherria since more than 200 years. My last names are all mixed between basque, castilian, aragonese

  • @canismajoris6733
    @canismajoris6733 Жыл бұрын

    Why do Americans think that anything other than deep fried cheese sounds horrible?

  • @ikeridigoras5548
    @ikeridigoras554811 ай бұрын

    Stop making videos abou our culture without knowing who we are

  • @candymigu
    @candymigu4 жыл бұрын

    Please stay biscanos tontos

  • @FearEeatsTheSoul
    @FearEeatsTheSoul3 жыл бұрын

    Who TF names there Kid BART FARREL?

  • @winstonschwarz1636
    @winstonschwarz1636 Жыл бұрын

    Most important tip for an American visiting the Basque country? Lower the volume of your speech!