Villa Kaioa

To be seen : villa Kaioa in winter!

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:14:26 +0000

I am often asked what happens at Villa Kaioa in winter… insinuating that life must be somewhat boring. Ha ha! (peals of laughter!), well let’s see….

If you have come to relax, you will be able to take long walks along the beach. At low tide it is possible to walk from Bidart to Biarritz, to Ilbarritz beach and even Milady beach, or head south to Guéthary. The colours of winter, the deep blue of the sea and the transparent blue of the sky are there to be contemplated. Walkers are lullabied by the incessant and soothing back-and-forth whoosh of the waves.

Or you can go hiking in the mountains and be enchanted by the beauty of the winter landscapes. If it’s a rainy day, you can relax at the swimming pool or in the bubbling baths at the thalasso, sea-water spa. You can try out some yoga positions or have lunch while contemplating the sea through the window or in the garden, depending on the weather. When night falls, you can catch the latest films at cinemas in Biarritz or Saint-Jean-de-Luz, drink tea or hot chocolate or simply curl up with a good book by the fireplace at Villa Kaioa.

Sports lovers will have a whale of a time! The beach is there for your daily jogging session. You may possibly be tempted to surf the waves alongside local surfers. Golfers will be able to choose from the 12 courses in the near vicinity and easily find a tee-off time to suit them. Beginners to the game will have a wealth of golf lesson courses to choose from at Ilbarritz golf course. Why not have a day on the slopes skiing – the nearest ski resorts are just an hour’s drive away; they’re not crowded and access by car is a piece of cake. If your timing is right, you will be able to go to a rugby match and cheer the Biarritz Olympique or Aviron Bayonnais teams. In the evening, famished by all that fresh air and physical exercise, you will be able to finish the day with a delicious meal at one of the many excellent restaurants in the area.

If you are more interested in discovering the Basque Country, winter is a good time to visit as there are fewer tourists. Touring the countryside by car is easy and typical Basque Country villages are waiting to welcome you: Ascain, Sare, Ainoa, or why not head further south into Spain and visit the village of Urdax. Take the coast road and you will be able to visit Guéthary, Saint-Jean de Luz, and see the church where Louis 14^th married the Spanish Infanta before crossing the border at Hendaye and heading off to Fontarrabia and San Sébastien. One thing is sure – you will adore the marvellous land and seascapes.Timelapse Pays Basque par David Othondo sur youtube

Take a visit to Bayonne and learn about the Basque people at the Musée Basque, or see the works of art at the Musée Bonnat. You can meditate for a while in the cloisters of the Cathedral before wandering around the quaint narrow streets of old Bayonne. Winter is a busy time for local fairs: spend a day at the Pottok horse fair in Hélette or Espelette, go to the sledge-dog meeting in Iraty, participate in the activities organised on the Cave Day, or join the festivities that surround the annual fairs that celebrate the local produce: cider, Bayonne hams or Espelette pimento peppers. Or else, you might choose to see how the local craftsmen and women make Makilas, Gateau Basque and chocolate… Or even try your hand at cooking some local specialities such as Axoa, Garbure or any recipe that includes duck!Foie gras renversé d\’Alain Darroze

My advice for a marvellous week’s holiday is to try a little of everything and enjoy all that a stay at Villa Kaioa in winter has to offer!

Little secret : the villa Kaioa on Tripadvisor

admin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:27:39 +0000

Since last october, the villa Kaioa is on Tripadvisor.

A good thing for those who want to read some reviews…

http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalReview-g562702-d2117250-Villa_Kaioa-Bidart_Basque_Country_Pyrenees_Atlantiques_Aquitaine.html#reviews

Not to be missed : dinner at the cider house

admin — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 09:04:42 +0000

Rendezvous at 8pm on Friday in front of the church in Urrugne. We arrived punctually, although rather surprised by the time scheduled for a dinner in Spain. Then, having organised who was going in which car, we hit the road!

Exit Donostia- Saint Sébastien, direction Guernica, and just 45 minutes later we were in Astigarraga. We drove past the nearest cider houses, up a steep road and there we were…

The ribs of beef were already grilling on the barbecues, filling the air with tantalising smells that instantly made out mouths water with impatience.

“Sortzi gira… there are eight of us.”

As soon as we stepped inside, the giant barrels started spouting their cider. The idea is to stand at a certain distance from the barrel with the glass at the ready and everyone takes it in turns to catch the fountain of cider. The whole process was great fun and there was much jollity among the many people who had arrived before us even though we were there quite early.

At our table we pushed the benches away and ate standing up – a tradition dating back to the time when the cider houses where just cider production mills.

We went to get our first glass of cider. The opening is sealed up with beef fat. The landlord removed it and the cider gushed out. Each in turn, we placed our glasses in just the right place away from the barrel so that the cider has the chance to be aerated before ending its flight in our glass. We served ourselves to just a little at a time so that we could drink the cider at a fresh temperature.

One barrel at a time; then P. closed it up again and went to open another one.

In the meantime, the salt cod omelette had arrived at our table. No plates, just a serving dish, cutlery and bread. We served ourselves directly from the dish – delicious! From time to time, we went to get another glass of cider. It was all very friendly and there was the opportunity to chat with people from other tables who came, like us, to refill their glass. There were a lot of people speaking Basque as well as Spanish. It was easy to chat as everyone was standing up.

After the omelette, came the salt cod – cooked to perfection and with just enough garlic. And then, the ribs of beef that we had seen cooking on the barbecue. We cut small slices so that it was easy to eat, the only problem being that the meat went cold quite quickly.

To finish, we had cheese with membrillo (quince jelly) and walnuts…

After such a wonderful evening, we couldn’t go home empty-handed! We bought some bottles of cider so that at least our drivers could taste and enjoy once we were safely home…

In june, relax at villa Kaioa’s…

admin — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:05:49 +0000

From the 1st to 18th june, one massage a day for one person offered during your time at Villa Kaioa’s.

For a week or a week-end…

A week in june : 2400€ with 6 massages
“Summer half term” 31 may-4 june or 1-5 june : 1600€ with 3 massages
“Pentecote” : 9-13 june or 10-14 june : 1600€ with 3 massages

To book, write “RELAX” in your message http://www.biarritz-villa-kaioa.com/uk/reserve-to-villa-kaioa.php

The villa Kaioa is for 6 persons.

Summer 2011, a week is still available form 16th to 23rd july : 3200€

Friend’s chat at the villa Kaioa

admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 08:49:20 +0000

… a morning in may …

3 new bus routes for Bidart and the Villa Kaioa

admin — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:54:03 +0000

The Chronoplus bus network has, since the beginning of 2011, been providing Bidart with 3 main bus routes, 2 of which pass close to the Villa Kaioa.

Line A1, at the end of the lane, Corniche de la Falaise at the corner of the main road; it leaves from Uhabia and passes by the railway station at La Négresse, Biarritz before going through the centres of Biarritz, Anglet and Bayonne, stopping at Bayonne railway station, before terminating its service in the Bayonne Navarre neighbourhood. Buses run every 20 minutes.

Line 12 starts in the centre of Bidart and goes through several of the different neighbourhoods of Bidart, just like the summer shuttle service did. The route then goes on to the railway station at La Négresse, Biarritz, passing through the Izarbel Science and Technology Business Park. Buses run every 40 minutes in winter.

Another line, line C, leaves the Izarbel Science and Technology Business Park and goes to the centre of Bayonne along the RN 10 main road.

Bus route map and timetable: www.chronoplus.eu

Not to be missed : The magic of the Basque Coast in winter

admin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 07:10:42 +0000

There are moments like this on the Basque Coast, where everything comes together at the right moment to make us happy. Whole weeks of sunny and mild weather when we can soak up the energy and recharge our batteries. The sky is the purest of blues. I have never seen this blue anywhere else – it is so luminous and translucent. The deep blue colour of the sea is a stark contrast to the white of the foaming waves that crash onto the rocks. Further along, running over the sandy beach, the sea takes on hues of green and turquoise as it calls to the surfers to come and play…

The magic of long strolls along the coast, walks in the Pyrenees… everyone is smiling and relaxed. Paths cross, greetings are exchanged and everyone agrees that we are lucky to be here.

At Villa Kaioa it is possible to have lunch outside. There’s no reason to deprive ourselves…

I tell myself that those who can go on holiday in winter are really lucky…

Best wishes for the year 2011

admin — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 07:55:11 +0000

Walk along the ocean in winter… breath… cover the links of the Biarritz and Saint-Jean de Luz golfs, in spring… play … enjoy the villages fêtes…dance… have some yoga postures in front of the sea views … meditate … discover gastronomy and taste local food… feel good … swim in the waves in september… have fun… hike in the Pyrenees and climb up to the « Rhune », in automn… move… marvel at the landscape beauty… get back in touch with your inner self… have an evening in front of the cosy fire, in winter… get relaxed…

Whatever be the season, you’ll find peace at the villa Kaioa… best wishes for 2011…

Not to be missed, FIPA 2011 : all genres of international audiovisual creation

admin — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 13:46:16 +0000

The Fipa, International Festival of Audiovisual Programs, defined as six days of ideal television, is back in Biarritz. Six days, from juanuary 24th to 30th, 2011.
The FIPA was born, 24 years ago, avec l’objectif « to set up an observatory for the international community to find and compare the most sophisticated expressons this audiovisual language accross all genres thanks to a genuine and independant selection process » (édito Michel Mitrani- 1987). It has continued to put its faith in independence, quality, diversity et innovation.

The only festival that defends all genres of international audiovisual creation: fiction, series and soap operas, creative documentaries, reportages and current affairs, and music and live performance.

This year, the festival offers a panorama of new forms on the Web : a total of 12, from web-series to experimental formats, as well as interactive drama, web-reportage and web-documentary, innovative projects from around the world (Canada, USA, Netherlands, Germany, France…).

Program submission are closed but you can ask for accreditation up to juanuary 15th, 2011 : www.fipa.tm.fr/fr/fipa/accreditations.htm

This year again, the villa KAIOA, in Bidart, very close from Biarritz and the sites of the festival, changes its days of rental. For the festival, it will welcome the tenant on sunday 23rd in the afternoon, till sunday 30th or monday 31st morning.
Villa Kaioa is for 6 people – 3 bedrooms.
Villa Kaioa : www.biarritz-villa-kaioa.com

Little secret : Yo-Yoga, a new partner at Villa Kaioa

admin — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:34:19 +0000

Villa Kaioa has just entered into a partnership with the new Yoga studio in Biarritz, Yo-Yoga, in order to offer Wellbeing holidays.

Practising yoga, the level of which is adapted to the individual, aims to develop toned muscles and suppleness while naturally increasing feelings of relaxation. The work is based on a series of body movements, dynamic or static, that are synchronised with breathing exercises.

Yoga helps eliminate aches and pains, physical problems and stress associated with bad body posture in our daily lives.

Make your stay at Villa Kaioa the occasion to relax mentally and physically. Villa Kaioa and Yo-Yoga offers different formula to suit your rhythm:

- daily sessions – 5 times a week at Villa Kaioa, for maximum relaxation, whether you are a beginner or experienced in Yoga techniques.

- Sessions upon request, at Villa Kaioa.

These lessons are available to everybody staying that Villa Kaioa, regardless of their level of experience.