Page 24 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2024 SPAIN

the world-renowned cuisine.
Everyone in San Sebastian seems crazy
about food – Basque cuisine specifically.
Even experienced travelers may find it
hard to define the fare savored in coastal
northern Spain. Is it the pintxos, the beau-
tiful artistic mouthfuls offered at countless
eateries in the city? Is it the Spanish tor-
tilla or the burnt cheesecake praised by al-
most every tourist guide? Is it perfectly
grilled fish paired with the fizzy local wine,
Txakoli?
Our inquiring minds and palates were
eager to learn. And what fun learning it
was. We took a cooking class, did food
tours, and dined at wonderful eateries big
and small – known and unknown. San Se-
bastian is a global gourmand's paradise.
Pintxos, the Basque answer to tapas, are
the undisputed stars. These bite-sized de-
lights, bursting with fresh seafood, sea-
sonal vegetables, and innovative twists,
are displayed like edible art on bar coun-
ters across the city. The nightly ritual of
txikiteo – a social bar crawl where friends
hop from pintxo bar to pintxo bar – is a
must-do.
But perhaps, the greatest charms of
San Sebastian are the people and their
zest for life. During our time here we min-
gled with locals along the buzzing La Con-
cha promenade and made wonderful new
friends in our exploration of Basque Coun-
try seaside towns. We discovered San Se-
bastian is more than just a beach town –
it's a way of life.

24 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE FALL 2024