Have you ever been to Basque region in Spain? In this week’s #ExperienceOfTheWeek series we talk to Angel, an owner of Basque Nomads and tour guide in one person. Continue reading and we bet that Angel will make you book your first “post-pandemic flight” right to San Sebastian where he offers unforgettable experiences combining nature tourism with delicious food and his local knowledge. Do you want to know more? Read the full interview with Angel below.
Q1: Hi Angel, how are you doing? How is life in San Sebastian these days?
In San Sebastian life has gotten back to a new normality. Everything feels like how it was before. You can go to the bars and try the delicious food and explore the beautiful sights around the city or even go to the beach. Yet we are all trying to take measures to contain any new outbreaks. Massive events are still not happening.
Q2: Tell us more about the history of Basque Nomads. How did it all start? Where does the name come from?
Basque Nomads started as a project to communicate the beautiful and interesting natural heritage of the Basque Coast. A heritage that seemed very underrated from my point of view and that I knew would attract visitors from all over the world that are seeking to experience a territory rather than a city; beyond eating at the restaurant or drinking at a bar.
Hence, the name comes from the idea that some people want to move and explore beyond the food and the beach. If you feel any connection with nature and enjoy exploring further beyond the touristy spots of a city then you will enjoy any of my tours.
Q3: San Sebastian is an amazing destination and I bet there are dozens of things to show to fellow travelers. How many guides do you have in your team? Are you all locals?
We are a team of three: me, myself, and I! A one-man band! I live in a little village near San Sebastian, Zumaia, but was born far away in Patagonia. Have lived in other locations in America and Europe but love brought me here of course, and that love is still there and growing.
I started this company only 3 years ago and because it is still a small local business I work by myself managing the booking, leading the tours, and following up with my clients. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to employ more people, yet the project started with the idea of becoming a reference in nature tourism in the Basque Country, which is a very small place. Personally I like the idea of being a small business that yet is connected to people all over the world.
Q4: Your selection of experiences is literally endless. What are the most popular tours among travelers who come to you?
Our first tour was the geological walk on UNESCO’s Basque Coast Geopark and soon it became very popular because even though there are plenty of natural areas around San Sebastian, this is the only UNESCO’s site nearby and it is very accessible and of course impressive.
To mention another one, our tour between Parks and Palaces of San Sebastian has been also very successful. This has been because it really shows a different perspective of the city of San Sebastian; not just from a natural point of view, but also from a local’s point of view. On this tour, we go through areas where the citizens spend their day to day life or go in search of peace, away from the crowds of the beach and the city center.
Q5: Today many people travel and plan their itineraries on their own. Why would you recommend booking one of your experiences to our travelers?
Absolutely! First, I would never cancel a tour for having just one person on board and also I’m always paying attention to details to make the experiences as personable as possible. I don’t go around on my tours wanting to teach people about something, but to make them realize how this is their heritage too and how nature and culture can be merged into one wherever you travel.
Q7: Travel industry is in uncharted waters right now but we all hope travel will rebound soon. What does the situation in San Sebastian look like right now? Are you expecting tourists to come back soon?
Even though things are going slowly, I am seeing an increase in local visitors from the rest of Spain and soon I’m expecting people from Europe, too. I think Europeans now are willing to explore their own continent too and come to visit us. I hope that this situation will make us realize how much we have so close to us and that sometimes we don’t even value it.
Q8: Last but not least, what is your favorite spot in your hometown that you’d take your friends to see or experience? Tips from a true local are always worth it 🙂
Definitely Itzurun beach in Zumaia. This place is part of the Basque Coast Geopark and beyond being a place famous for appearing on a TV series (I’ll let you research that).
Its rock formations can really turn this beautiful beach into a time-traveling experience. To give you an idea, in these rocks there are testimonies of what happened to dinosaurs around 65 million years ago and how after them life kept evolving through time. On top of that, sunsets are just wonderful. You can experience this place with one of my tours.
Book some of the most popular tours by Basque Nomads here:
Hiking the Way of Saint James and Winery Visit
Walking the Hidden Parks and Palaces of San Sebastian
Walking UNESCO’S Basque Coast Geopark in Zumaia