Gorgeous landscapes, sumptuous food and unique cultural heritage are but just a few of the reasons to trek up north. I spent two glorious weeks in September traveling through the Basque country. Here are a few highlights.

San Sebastian’s harbor

Donostia/San Sebastian

The stunning seaside town of San Sebastian is a true gem that deserves every praise it gets. The city of 180,000 radiates from the conch-shaped bay filled with crystal-clear water. Delightful green squares dot the narrow streets and pedestrian zones.

Getting around is a breeze, as the city has a good public bicycle rental program and extensive paths. When you’re ready to take a break, take the funicular to the top of Monte Igueldo, from where you’ll have a breathtaking vista of the sea, city and surrounding landscape.

Bilbao

What used to be a gritty industrial town is undergoing a cultural, economic and culinary renaissance. The famed Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, is a must-see, but so is Bilbao’s lovely city center.

Cod croquettes or shrimp brochettes go perfectly with a drink of txakoli, the region’s sparkling wine.

Even if you’re not a public transportation geek like me, it’s worth taking a ride on its one-line tram that traces the waterfront from the bus station, past the Guggenheim and to the historic old town. You’ll see how marvelously the futuristic experiments interact with Bilbao’s traditional cityscape.

Coastal villages

There are so many reasons to brave the jagged roads and drive along the region’s sapphire coast. The delightful port city of Lekeitio boasts a fairytale center and a postcard-perfect beach. Zarautz, once an exclusive playground, is now an affordable surfing destination.

Guernica, infamous for the brutal air raids by Hitler and Franco, is immortalized by Picasso’s painting (installed at the Reina Sofia in Madrid) and the town continues to draw visitors.

An annual festival in Mutriku

Plenty of other towns like Bermeo, Mutriku and Zumaia are also great places to spend an afternoon eating good pintxos and enjoying the sound of Euskara (Basque), Europe’s only language isolate.

St. Jean de Luz

If you want a break from Spain, hop on a train from San Sebastian. An hour later, you’ll find yourself in the lovely French town of St. Jean de Luz.

A traditional fishing port, it is also hailed as the capital of French Basque cuisine. Don’t forget to try gateau basque, a buttery cake filled with cherries or cream. Though it has its share of tourists (mainly from France and Spain), there’s plenty of space on the calm beach. It’s also a great place to shop for foodstuffs to take home as souvenirs.

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Glass pass

A trip to Murano is easy, but here’s a quick primer: First, we recommend wandering the streets of Venice proper. Get lost (it’s easy to do!) and browse the windows of the trendy glass shops. Chances are you’ll fall in love with a delicate lamp, or maybe a colorful ashtray, or just a pretty set of wine glasses.

Then, instead of paying retail, hop on a vaporetto and head to Murano. Take in a free glass blowing demonstration. If you’re not visiting one of the bigger factories, there’s no need to make an appointment. Simply stop in and start watching. Most artisans will let you walk right into their warehouses while they’re working. If you’re really lucky, you’ll meet and talk to one of the traditionally trained glass blowers or artists.

Next, ask for a sample (this really only applies to those smaller shops, not factories). Sometimes, they’ll hand you a remnant of colored glass free of charge. Most often, you can buy their unique glass art at a discounted cost.

Or, if you’ve got €5.50 (€3 reduced) to spare, take a tour of the Museo Vetrario (The Glass House). For information including restoration projects and opening and closing times, go here (click on the subheads on the left).

Fun fact: The most well known glass blowers in town are Pauly & C (Compagnia Veneto). Visit their web site (in Italian only) for information about the artists that work there.

Mura-no-no

Ok, so it’s true that people in glass houses (or factories) shouldn’t throw stones. But, just a quick and diplomatic tourist trap note: We’ve heard tales that the Vecchia Murano Glass Factory can be pricey once you’re through the front door. As usual, we suggest sticking with the Ma and Pop glass shops and those single artisan stores.

For more on visiting Murano, go here.

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