Special edition - 4 days and 3 nights trip: visit Salamanca and be part of the University New Year's Eve - the biggest student party in the country! Then we continue with the trip to the Basque Country with its incredible nature, famous cities, hidden places, a lot of excursions!
A trip to the University New Year's Eve of Salamanca and Northern Spain: Basque Country!
It is a special edition to visit the Basque Country and also enjoy Salamanca in the GREATEST STUDENT PARTY in the country: UNIVERSITY NEW TEAR'S EVE.
Trip Summary:
- 1st day (Thursday, December 12): trip to Salamanca, visit of Salamanca, celebration of the University New Year's Eve in its main square, afterparty in a famous club. 1 night accommodation at the 4 * hotel next to the Plaza Mayor.
- 2nd day (Friday, December 13): departure to Bilbao, visit of Bilbao, party with Happy Erasmus Bilbao, 1 night accommodation in a central hostel.
- 3rd day (Saturday December 14): excursions to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Butrón Castle and Zumaia. We arrived in San Sebastian at night, partying with Happy Erasmus San Sebastian, 1 night accommodation in a central hostel.
- 4th day (Sunday December 15): we visit San Sebastian all day and around 7:00 p.m. we move to the road to Valencia.
Detailed program and info:
It is a special edition to visit the Basque Country and also enjoy Salamanca in the GREATEST STUDENT PARTY in the country: UNIVERSITY NEW TEAR'S EVE.
Trip Summary:
- 1st day (Thursday, December 12): trip to Salamanca, visit of Salamanca, celebration of the University New Year's Eve in its main square, afterparty in a famous club. 1 night accommodation at the 4 * hotel next to the Plaza Mayor.
- 2nd day (Friday, December 13): departure to Bilbao, visit of Bilbao, party with Happy Erasmus Bilbao, 1 night accommodation in a central hostel.
- 3rd day (Saturday December 14): excursions to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Butrón Castle and Zumaia. We arrived in San Sebastian at night, partying with Happy Erasmus San Sebastian, 1 night accommodation in a central hostel.
- 4th day (Sunday December 15): we visit San Sebastian all day and around 7:00 p.m. we move to the road to Valencia.
Detailed program and info:
1st day (Thursday, December 12):
We will leave early in the morning to be in Salamanca during the day and visit the city with calm and we can rest in the Hotel before the party starts.
A macro festival in the oldest university city in Spain. An incredible festival in a unique place. It will probably be your best ever New Year's Eve with more that 35,000 students it's a huge party you won't forget!
A macro festival in the oldest university city in Spain. An incredible festival in a unique place. It will probably be your best ever New Year's Eve with more that 35,000 students it's a huge party you won't forget!
New Year's Eve has been celebrated in Salamanca for over 90 years. In the main square (Plaza Mayor) thousands of students meet to celebrate the biggest and most anticipated New Year's Eve event. The reason that this event began is very simple: the University of Salamanca is home to thousands of students from Spain and from around the world (it's the univeristy that receives the most Erasmus students) and most of the students would leave to celebrate Christmas with their families meaning they would not be together for New Year so they decided to celebrate saying goodbye to their friends and seeing in the new year before they all went back home. From here the exact day of celebrations came about and it never changes, and is celebrated each year with more and more students, not only from the University of Salamanca but the whole of Spain. It is always celebrated on a Thursday - the best university party night - in the second week of December, two weeks before the real new year's eve.
Each year there are more and more students that come and it's quickly becoming an international event.
In fact, last year there were 35,000 students, crazy! Imagine the party atmosphere!
To have luck in the new year in Spain it is tradition to eat two grapes in the last twelve seconds of the year. But there is a different tradition in Salamanca, here you eat 12 fruit pastilles, one for each of the last seconds before midnight.
When we arrive in Salamanca you will have time to wander and eat before the party starts. The history of Salamanca has always been bound to the students, so it's no wonder that it's the oldest university in Spain. Even today the students are what characterize the city.
Also if you want to pass your exams, but the secret is in Salamanca! In the front of the university among many figures and statues there is a skull with a frog on top, and the legend goes that if you find the frog you will pass your exams! There are always lots of students in the entrance trying to find it. It's a tradition that you have to make the most of to make sure you pass. The frog has become a symbol of the city.
2nd day (Friday, December 13): Bilbao
Welcome to the North!
We are going to visit the emblematic Basque Country.
We will travel at night to get to Bilbao in the morning. We will visit the city with a guide who will show us its main monuments and tell us all its history, in a walk through the streets of the city center. We will have free time and enjoy the gastronomy of the north ;-)
Bilbao was chosen as the best European city in 2018.
Bilbao is the administrative centre of the vizcaya province and is the biggest city in the Basque country.
3rd day (Saturday December 14): San Juan de Gaztelugatxe - Butrón Castle - Zumaia - San Sebastian.
We wake up and go to the most anticipated excursion of trip: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Butrón Castle and on the way to San Sebastian we will make a stop to visit a jewel on the coast - the Basque town of Zumaia - iconic for its appearance in the series Game of Thrones. It is nn excursion where we can enjoy the best of the Bizkaia Coast.
In Bizkaia you have everything: from impressive castles, historic bridges or incredible panoramic views, all of them in the Basque Country, one of the best tourist destinations in Spain. Discover the locations and views of the famous Game of Thrones series.
We will arrive in San Sebastian for dinner time. This night we will spend here.
4th day (Sunday December 15): San Sebastian.
In the morning we will visit the city with a local guide. In addition to the visit with the guide through the main monuments and buildings of the city there will be plenty of free time to walk along the famous La Concha beach and its beautiful viewpoints overlooking the Island of Santa Clara.
In San Sebastian you can not miss some places of interest such as The New Promenade, The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, The Old Part, The Comb of the Wind, Mount Igueldo, Mount Urgull, The Museum of San Telmo, Miramar Palace, City Hall from San Sebastián, La Concha beach.
In the afternoon around 7:00 p.m. we will start our journey back to Valencia where we will arrive around 2 a.m.
End of the trip.
Information of interest about the sites that we are going to visit on our trip:
Bilbao:
The city is situated along the banks of the river Nervion with its unique tides. This place used to be a fishing village. The founding date of the city was the 15th July 1300. In 1511 Queen Juana de Castilla ordered the creation of the Consulate of Bilbao which determined the fate of the city as the most important port in northern Spain in the subsequent centuries.
The city is very green and there are lots of beautiful parks and gardens. The walk along the banks of the river is lovely. In the city there are loads of old and modern attractions. The old city is found on the right bank of the river. In the central part of the old city you will find the Basilica of St James built in the 15th Century, and the seven oldest streets of the city. In this area you'll also find the Dona Casilda Iturrisa park. The most important milestone is the Guggenheim Museum. The architecture of the building is very unique and was designed by one of the most famous contemporary achitects. Its looks like a huge bird, looking skyward. The museum treasures a large number of various works of art from the twentieth century.
An interesting attraction for visitors is the glass bridge which crosses over the river to the Guggenheim museum. The main attractions of the city include the old church of St Nicholas of Bari, the Cathedral of Santiago built in the fourteenth century, the Basilica Cathedral of Santiago and the Church of San Antonio. In the old town there are beautiful old mansions in the Negura area. And of course it's interesting to visit one of the largest markets in Europe, the modernist Mercadi de la Ribiera. The people here are very hospitable and cheerful. Visitors can admire not onlt the history but the modernity, architecturally interesting buildings, beautiful museums and the famous local cuisine.
Interesting fact: The Bilbao football team has always played and still plays in the premier league and has never dropped down to the second. Also only Basque players are on the team.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe:
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is the scene of the 7th season of 'Game of Thrones', if you are a fan of the HBO series it is an almost obligatory visit.
The hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is located on the islet of Gaztelugatxe, belonging to the town of Bermeo. The access to the hermitage is possible thanks to a bridge of two arcs that unites the continent with the islet. The hermitage, built in honor of San Juan, dates from the tenth century, although during its history it has suffered various mishaps and fires. The last one, in 1978, forced its complete reconstruction after some vandals set it on fire. According to tradition, you can make a wish to the saint after going up to the hermitage and ringing his bell three times.
Butron Castle:
Located in the Biscayan town of Gatika, Butron Castle is one of the symbols of the Biscayan nobility. Although its origin goes back to the Middle Ages, when a tower house was built, its current appearance responds to the wide reform ordered by the Marquis of Cubas during the 19th century. This architect is also responsible for works such as the University of Deusto or the National Museum of Anthropology.
The Germanic style of this building contrasts with that of the other castles in the region, as the Marquis of Cubas built it as a hobby and in order to create a work that would be attractive to the eye. So much so, that living in the castle is extremely uncomfortable, since many of the rooms are connected through outdoor walkways.
Currently, Butrón Castle is closed to the public and for sale. But we can visit its surroundings and contemplate its nobility.
Zumaia:
Hermitage of San Telmo: Located on the beach of Itzurun and on the cliff formed by the Flysch, the place is known for its appearance in the film "8 Basque surnames" This hermitage is dedicated to the patron saint of sailors. From this station you can reach the rock formations that have more than 60 million years of history.
Itzurun beach: for lovers of "Game of Thrones" this is the most interesting place because they filmed some scenes here. It is said that the sand and water of this beach have beneficial properties for health.
Cliff of Itzurun and Flysch: at low tide a peculiar phenomenon called Flysch occurs. It is a surface of abrasion originated as a result of the erosion of the sea, formed by different sheets of limestone and sandstone rocks, in the form of milly.
Historical center of Zumaia: Church of San Pedro. The impressive tower of the Church of San Pedro is the most outstanding element of the urban area of Zumaia. Plaza San Juan Iturri. You will recognize the Plaza if you have seen the movie "8 Basque surnames", since some scenes have been recorded here.
San Sebastian:
We will visit the city with a local guide. In addition to the visit with the guide through the main monuments and buildings of the city, there will be plenty of free time to stroll along the famous La Concha beach and its beautiful viewpoints with views of Santa Clara Island.
San Sebastián is the city and the administrative centre of the Guipuzoca province and in Basque it's called Donostia. The city was founded in the XII century and for a long time it was a small fishing village near the port that handled the wine and oil trade with France and England.
It's called the 'Pearl of the Cantabrica coast' and gained its fame as one of the most elegant and luxurious resorts in Spain. Its heyday came in the First World War in which Spain did not participate. During this period, San Sebastien became the most fashionable place for holidays during the reign of Alfonso XII and Franco.
You cannot talk about the city without mentioning the coast because it's completely unforgettable! San Sebastien is located in a beautiful bay surrounded bt mountains on both sides. On one side is the La Mota Castle where there is a statue of Jesus Christ, and on the other side of the park there is a cable car and a walk, and the views are stunning.
