Beautiful Biarritz...

Sunday, July 14 was a day of extremes...I was happy to leave the drunken crowds and filthy, smelly streets of Pamplona behind for a bit of glitz and glamour in Biarritz, France. Our original plan had us heading to San Sebastián, Spain following our time in Pamplona, but as K worked on the logistics of getting us to our next destination in the French Alps, it became more apparent that we were going to have to sacrifice time in San Sebastián for the convenience of a French airport that could facilitate the next transfer. So, Biarritz, here we come! 

Within minutes of arriving via bus from Pamplona, I knew I was okay with the decision. In fact, once we arrived at our hotel, which was only steps from the beautiful beach (and beautiful people), I declared myself happy to K and asked that we stay here rather than making the day trip to San Sebastián the following day that we had tentatively planned. He reluctantly agreed. How can you argue with a view like this...

After a nice dinner overlooking the beach, we headed back to the hotel for an evening nap (5:30am wake-up in Pamplona, remember?). We woke up in time to stroll out to the beach below for fireworks at 11pm to celebrate Bastille Day. We have been lucky enough to spend one other Bastille Day in France - that time in Paris with fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. So, I knew it was pretty special to celebrate another at the beach.

Monday, July 15 was all about fun in the sun. We enjoyed a leisurely afternoon at the beach (La Grande Plage) soaking up the rays, people watching, and all around relaxing (which was a nice change of pace following the frenzy of San Fermin).

We headed out to the Rocher de la Vierge shortly before sunset to catch some views of the beach from a different perspective and to have dinner.

We woke up to cloudy skies with a chance of rain on Tuesday, July 16, so we had to forgo our planned beach time. Instead, we walked along the beach promenades, as well as the narrow streets in the city center that are filled with shops, shops, and more shops for the wealthy to spend their money. The famous landmarks in Biarritz include the Hotel du Palais, which was the former villa for the empress of France, and various churches: the Eglise Orthodox Russe, a Byzantine-style church built by the Russian community; Eglise Sainte-Eugenie, located off the promenade; and La Chapelle Imperiale, which was built by the Empress.

And, with that, it was time to catch a flight to Lyon that evening so that we could start making our way to the next party - Le Tour!