Errezil

Errezil, (Gipuzkoa - Basque Country) Spain

Errezil is a town of a few more than 600 people set in an idyllic valley in the middle of Guipúzcoa, one of the three provinces making up the Spanish Basque Country.  The houses that appear in the picture are typical baserri, in the Basque language, or caserío, in Spanish, and can be found throughout the Basque countryside.  They are very large half-timbered stone-built farmhouses normally built with three floors, a sloping roof and large balconies.  The ground floor typically has the stables on one side and the kitchen, washroom and sitting room on the other.  The floor above is for the bedrooms which are normally located above the stables minimizing the need for heating.  The top floor is an attic used for storing produce or an area for indoor activities requiring more space.  These self-sufficient farmhouses are passed on within the family for generations.

The house on the left was built 500 years ago and has been recently restored to be used as a Bed & Breakfast (B&B) today.  B&Bs are a popular choice among people in Spain for a weekend getaway.  I, for one, love staying in them when spending time away from home.  They're a great way to explore an area, talk with the locals and enjoy the nature around you.

B&B Etxeberri in Errezil is one of my favorites!