Day 6 - Part 1- March 23rd, 2024

Today started with breakfast at our hotel in Castet, France and then our group hit the road to our first stop of the day: Donostia /San Sebastián, an oceanfront city on the Bay of Biscay. After a brief walking tour through the city center, we set out on our first experience for the day, a hike from the city center to the Monumento al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (San Sebastián de La Gomera) overlooking the Bay of Biscay. Unfortunately, it also happened to be the first day the weather wasn't working entirely in our favor, because it was in the low 50s and overcast. However, the hike up the mountain was worth it because the views of the city of Donostia / San Sebastián were amazing! As our group made our descent from the overlook of the city center, it was greeted by a bustling scene of cafes and restaurants serving the regional specialty: tapas.

We began exploring the streets of Donostia / San Sebastián during our free time and made every second count. We saw a large group of local musicians and singers singing and dancing in the streets, kids running around with what looked like balloons on sticks, but were more than likely inflated animal intestines, whacking people as they passed by and thoroughly enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city.

While exploring my small group decided to get lunch at what turned out to be one of the more popular spots for tapas: Gandarias. For the first time on the trip, I wasn't sure what I was going to be able to eat considering a majority of the offerings featured some variation of shellfish. However, just looking at the menu offerings was an experience all by itself! The food was delicious and everyone in the group left enjoyed it. 

After lunch we continued exploring and came upon the Basilica of Santa María del Coro and decided to take a quick self-guided tour of the basilica (admission 3€) and it was completely worth it because it was beautiful!

Next, my small group ventured on through the streets of Donostia / San Sebastián and popped into a variety of shops and then happened upon the main plaza in front of City Hall right on the bay just beyond the beach. The plaza at City Hall was gorgeous and featured palm trees, a huge park, and lots of people enjoying the absolutely perfect weather (the sun had decided to come out while we were exploring the historic district). More importantly, we stumbled upon another carousel and it was time to ride! Three students and I climbed onto the carousel where two of us mounted our majestic steeds, one decided to ride a mermaid, and one settled for a pack mule. While all of this was happening, three of our group Moms were thoroughly enjoying themselves watching the ridiculousness as it unfolded.

To Be Continued...