Amplified Elegance: San Sebastian is where it's at!!

This past summer I had the privilege of spending a few weeks in Europe. For those of you who haven't taken a trip across the pond- start putting away $30 every week and this time next year you will have enough money. GO. The food, the people, the 'Je Nous Se Qua'...It will change you- in a good way.

On this most recent trip I spent the first week in London with family, the second week on my own in Barcelona, Spain. The last week and a half was spent in Basque Country - which is in the northern part of Spain and south of France. I was in San Sebastian, Spain and Biarritz, France to be exact. All of the places I've visited are amazing in their own way but the crown jewel of this trip was definitely my week spent in San Sebastian.

It's a low key surf town on the Atlantic coast that is known for beautiful beaches, good surf, a charming historic town and AMAZING food.

They specialize in meats and fish grilled over hot coals, marmitako and lamb stews, cod, Tolosa bean dishes, paprikas from Lekeitio, pintxos, Idiazabal sheep's cheese, txakoli sparking wine, and Basque cider. My favorites were definitely the pintxos, which is the Basque word for tapas or appetizers.

Every night in San Sebastian would start the same way... After a long leisurely day on at the beach, we would go back home and have a little rest. Relax, read a book, unwind. Then shower and get ready and leave for dinner around 9-10 in the evening. By this time the sun is down and the small cobble stone roads of the old town are bustling with people.

The air is warm and all the restaurants have a spread of pintxos sprawled out on their bar counter tops.

This charming town really has the best of all worlds... Amazing architecture, beautiful beaches, and a fun and vibrant night life. I can't wait to go back.