San Sebastián, Spania

We live in San Sebastian, a cosmopolitan city about 186.00 inhabitants.
Its the capital of the Basque Country, a small country but with a strong identity. With a history stretching back over 5,000 years, it has a culture and language that is unique in the world. We speak Basque, of course. You can try it, too! :-)))
We live in a flat 5 minutes from the city centre.

OUR FLAT:
Is 85m2 with a little balcony. It is very sunny because its a 5th floor and it has an open wiew.
And consists of a bathroom with a bathtub, a living room with TV and DVD, a kitchen, two large bedrooms (beds for 4-5 people) a little study (for painting, computer) and a little storage room where you can use what you need, of course.
We have a garage and a 4 seated car, that could be part of the exchange.
Also 2 adult bikes with a child seat, and other bike for 3 years old and some adult inline skates.
We live with a cat Kimu. It usually stays at home during the exchange, but if it is any problem my mother take cares of it.

OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD:
It is called Egia and it is only 150 metres from the center of San Sebastian and the bus and train Station, so you can reach our home without car easily.
Just around the corner, there is all you need. (n a 5 minutes walking distance)
- A wonderfull park called Cristina Enea; little peace of nature inside the city; big trees, many birds, peacocks, ducks. It has almost 100,000m2.
- Different restaurants; basque gastronomy, pintxos, also vegan and vegetarian. mmmm!!
- Alternative bars with good music, concerts and micro theatre.
- Tabakalera cultural centre: alternative library, art expositions, and amazing sight of the city from the 4º floor.
- Indoor swimming pool with two water slides, and a little hotter pool to relax.
- Libraries, cultural centre, supermarkets, coffee shops...

SAN SEBASTIAN:
Is very comfortable because it is all in a walking distance. You can also use our bikes or use our excellent public transport.
For example two of our beaches are within walking distance. (1.5km)
We like our beaches; Concha beach is the best to swim, to relax... in front of Santa Clara island. To surf the best is Zurriola beach, when the waves are big its very savage!! And Ondarreta beach is great, too. You try swimming and reach the island easily. (15min) or you can go in the island special boat, all day long. There it is a bar, toilets and some tables to do picnic. There is a lighthouse at the top.
I love to take a beer in Sagues, while at dusk, the sun goes to sleep in the horizon.
There are some outdoor public swimming pools with garden, playground, it is another option. You have to pay about 6 euros.
The old part is perfect to go and eat a "pintxo" and a beer, for example. Or to see and explore little shops. It is small but very nice. And before doing this you can go up Urgull hill, very very beautiful, and visit the little castle of La Mota. Or go to have a walk to "paseo nuevo".
I like to go to Ulia hill from time to time.You reach the top easily in 40 minutes walking and there is a very beautiful sight of San Sebastian and the sea.
You can go to Igeldo hill (and small attraction park) and there is a good sight of all the city, too.
During winter, you can enjoy yourself in ice palace!!

OUR REGION: BASQUE COUNTRY
You can explore our region by public transport easily.
There are very beautiful little towns in the coast (Hondarribi, Getaria, San Juan, Zumaia...), and other rural towns; (Tolosa, Segura...)
And bigger ones; Bilbao, Gasteiz, Pamplona and the French part; Baiona, Donibane Garazi, Maule...
If you like trekking and climbing mountains, canoying...you will be happy here!! You will like our pyrinees!!!

As you can see, there are plenty things to do!!