TRAVEL SPAIN

As the name suggests this is the old part of San Sebastian. It stands sandwiched between the foot of Mount Urgull and the city centre and opens out to the sea on both sides from the Plaza de Salamanca to the old Harbour area . The area was completely rebuilt after a devastating fire therefore you only a very few building s will predate 1813. This is not to say that the old Part lakes any of the charms you would expect from an old fishing village. Soak up the atmosphere whilst walking around the cobbled streets and narrow alleys discovering some of the best Pintxo ( tapas ) bars , Restaurants and speciality shops that San Sebastian has to offer.

To the north of the old part is Mount Urgull, a demanding climb to the top is well worth the effort as you will be treated to an exhilarating view over the city and the Castillo de la Mota ( The Mota Castle ). On the west side of the mount are located the Cementario de los Ingleses ( The English Cemetery ) the Museo Militar ( Military Museum the Aquarium which has a glass tunnel walkway where you enjoy a 360 degree view of the marine life, and the Navel Museum which is located slightly north of the Royal Nautical Club.

If you enjoy walking around local indoor food markets as I do then I would recommend a visit to the Mercado de la Bretxa situated just off the Avenida del Boulevard there you will find many colourful stalls full of all the fine produce the area has to offer.

Two of the cities oldest churches can be found in the old quarter, the Basilica de Santa Maria del Coro and the Convent of San Telmo which now acts as a Museum.

At the centre of the Parte Vieja is the beautiful Plaza de la Constitucion where the main cities festivities take place and is fondly known as " La Consti " by the locals. The plaza used to be the bull ring in the middle ages and is surrounded by buildings with large white painted balconies , which are numbered and where the spectators could easily view the fight.

Roaming around the Old Part you will undoubtedly soak up the oldy worldly charm and enjoy the unmistakable atmosphere of an area that is invariable steeped in history and has seen so much activity and festivities yet still manages to continue with its traditional local life.

Undoubtedly one of the great attractions and pleasures of visiting San Sebastian is its fine gastronomy .

The Basque region is well known and respected throughout Spain with arguably some of the best restaurants being found here. Basque cooking ( La Cocina Vasca ) is held in high respect by most Spanish with there best chefs receiving the same treatment as perhaps famous artists and are highly sought after in the countries top establishments.

Basque cuisine ( La Cocina Vasca ) is influenced by the abundance of produce from the sea on one side and the fertile ebro valley on the other. The mountainous nature of the basque counrty to a difference between coastal cuisine dominated by fish and seafood, and inland cuisine with fresh and cured meats, many vegetables and legumes, and freshwater fish and salt cod.

In the late 70s and early 80s the Basque chefs where influenced by Nouvelle Cuisine of France and created the nueva cocina Vasco , proudly original in its foundations but solidly Vasco in substance with the dished becoming lighter and more rustic. Juan Mari Arzak was probably the founding father of this culinary revolution and one of Spains first three star Michelin Restaurants. The Restaurant Arzak is Run by Jaun Mari and aided expertly by his daughter Helena, also a chef of much appraise in her own right. Through the old city , the beach and surrounding areas of San Sebastian you can enjoy dining out in the most exclusive and luxurious types of Restaurants to the smaller Pintxos bars ( Pintxos are small dishes like Tapas ) and from sandwich bars to Cider houses ( sidrerias ).