On our last day in Bilbao we drove north to Bermeo, then east along the coast, visited Gernika, and toured a txakoli winery where we enjoyed lunch and a wine tasting.
The Basque country in Spain: Bilbao, Bermeo, and Gernika are all located in the province of Biscay (Bizkaia on this map)
The Basque country in Spain: Bilbao, Bermeo, and Gernika are all located in the province of Biscay (Bizkaia on this map)
Detail of the province of Biscay, which we toured on a day outing from Bilbao.
Detail of the province of Biscay, which we toured on a day outing from Bilbao.
A drive-by photograph along the Biscay coast near the city of Bermeo
A drive-by photograph along the Biscay coast near the city of Bermeo
A drive-by photograph of a sculpture along the drive
A drive-by photograph of a sculpture along the drive
On the coast of Biscay, in the municipality of Bermeo, sits the islet of Gaztelugatxe.
On the coast of Biscay, in the municipality of Bermeo, sits the islet of Gaztelugatxe.
The hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe sits atop the islet that is now connected to the mainland via a man-made bridge.
The hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe sits atop the islet that is now connected to the mainland via a man-made bridge.
Just off the islet is the Marine Sanctuary of Our Lady of Begoña, in which a statue of Our Lady is enthroned 36 feet below the water's surface.
Just off the islet is the Marine Sanctuary of Our Lady of Begoña, in which a statue of Our Lady is enthroned 36 feet below the water's surface.
The history of the enthronement
The history of the enthronement
A drive-by photograph in the city of Bermeo on the Biscay coast
A drive-by photograph in the city of Bermeo on the Biscay coast
The path to the Oak Tree site in Gernika
The path to the Oak Tree site in Gernika
The site of the Tree of Gernika, under which a council representing towns in Biscay met to make local laws beginning in the Middle Ages.
The site of the Tree of Gernika, under which a council representing towns in Biscay met to make local laws beginning in the Middle Ages.
The trunk of the 'Old Tree' is located in this enclosure.
The trunk of the 'Old Tree' is located in this enclosure.
The Assembly House of Biscay, located next to the site of the Gernika Oak
The Assembly House of Biscay, located next to the site of the Gernika Oak
Inside the Assembly meeting chamber
Inside the Assembly meeting chamber
The portraits are of twenty-six former Lords of Bizkaia.
The portraits are of twenty-six former Lords of Bizkaia.
The Tree of Gernika is depicted in the stained glass ceiling of the Cultural Center, located in the Assembly building.
The Tree of Gernika is depicted in the stained glass ceiling of the Cultural Center, located in the Assembly building.
Overlooking Gernika from the Assembly House
Overlooking Gernika from the Assembly House
Convento de Santa Clara Clarisas in Gernika
Convento de Santa Clara Clarisas in Gernika
The Gernika City Hall. Note the presence of the European Union and Basque flags, in addition to the Spanish flag (second from left).
The Gernika City Hall. Note the presence of the European Union and Basque flags, in addition to the Spanish flag (second from left).
Statue of Don Tello
Statue of Don Tello
The marketplace in Gernika
The marketplace in Gernika
Our pintxo lunch - we selected the pintxo on the right: bread, cheese, and quince
Our pintxo lunch - we selected the pintxo on the right: bread, cheese, and quince
Our last stop during our day of touring the Biscay Basque country was the Bodega Berroja. This winery makes txakoli (pronounced chaco' li), a local slightly sparkling white wine, that despite the pronunciation, has nothing to do with chocolate. A drive-by photo.
Our last stop during our day of touring the Biscay Basque country was the Bodega Berroja. This winery makes txakoli (pronounced chaco' li), a local slightly sparkling white wine, that despite the pronunciation, has nothing to do with chocolate. A drive-by photo.
A drive-by photo.
A drive-by photo.
Jose Angel, owner of Bodega Berroja, was our host
Jose Angel, owner of Bodega Berroja, was our host
The winery tasting room
The winery tasting room
A view from the tasting room
A view from the tasting room
We lunched on these delicious pintxos and ...
We lunched on these delicious pintxos and ...
... enjoyed this delicious wine.
... enjoyed this delicious wine.
Bizkaiko Txakolina is the Appelation of Origin
Bizkaiko Txakolina is the Appelation of Origin
This traditional Basque clothing was on display in the dining room.
This traditional Basque clothing was on display in the dining room.
