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!

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…