Bradt:The Basque Country and Navarre : France . Spain

In this, the most complete guidebook to the Spanish and French Basque Country and Navarre, Murray Stewart covers the principal cities - rejuvenated Bilbao, beautiful San Sebastian, verdant Vitoria-Gasteiz, atmospheric Bayonne and lively Pamplona - and also delves deeper into the region's interior, capturing the quirkiness that makes it so special. With 35 maps, 16 walks and advice on where to cycle, horse-ride and surf, he guides travellers through an area whose profile is firmly on the up. Find the best pintxos (Basque tapas), the finest chuleton (beef chop) and the freshest fish. From elegant Biarritz via the French Basque Pyrenees and all the way to the Navarran 'badlands' of the Bardenas Reales, we take you to fascinating, less-visited places. Here are the best festivals, including Pamplona's famous bull-running San Fermin. Learn how the handing-over of three cows has kept the peace for centuries, or where you can see the annual 'Benediction of the Red Pepper'. Join the walkers on the caminos de Santiago, the pilgrim routes that still sustain the local economy 1,000 years after they began. Find information on unique Basque and Navarran wines, top birdwatching sites, history, music, sports and culture, and when makes the best time to visit.