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 Wood with painted trees |
De Gernika Bilbao 48300 Spain |
In Kortezubi, only 37km from Bilbao and on the outskirts of Gernika, is the Enchanted Wood of Oma. The paradisiacal Oma valley is the area chosen by Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola to create this singular wood where a perfect symbiosis of human and natural creation is realized. Several hundred pine tree form the natural support for colored geometrical figures that shape a landscape in which the visitor exercises each of his senses. The various compositions of the pictures Ibarrola draws on the trunks use the tree's rings to explore human perspective and astound the spectator with astonishing art. This is a journey, through 3kms of an inhabited track, that allows the walker to participate in this creative experience of composing and de-composing the figures. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Girados |
 Photo: Carlos S. Grima |
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Old Quarter of left-wing municipality |
Puente Colgante Bilbao 48920 Spain |
Portugalete is one of the most important municipalities of the so-called Left Side of the estuary, a traditionally industrial and mining area to which Sestao, Barakaldo and Santurtzi also pertain. The town of Portugalete is currently an important industrial and commercial centre that is linked to the Right Side by this impressive piece of iron that is the Colgante bridge (Hanging Bridge). Portugalte's old quarter still retains its medieval flavour and among its most noteworthy features is, for example, Santa Maria church, in the Gothic-Renaissance style, which is situated very near the medieval Tower of Salazar, rebuilt in 1958 after a fire years before and dating back to 1379. The town hall, built in 1884, also stands out with its rectangluar form circled by arch-shaped porticos and wrought iron balconies. The visitor is advised to walk along the quay (El Muelle) until coming to what the locals call "The Point" (La Punta), the work of Evaristo de Churruca and opened in 1887 by Queen Maria Cristina and Alfons XIII. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Flexible schedule & affordable |
Goikosolua Bilbao, Vizcaya 48903 Spain +34 656 74 1852 |
"The Baracaldo Equestrian Club is in the El Regato neighbourhood in the town of Barakaldo, only 5 kilometers from Bilbao. The club offers everything both the novice and expert might need. They have riding classes for lower intermediate levels and those who want to perfect their techniques. You can go horse-riding for 1 or 2 hours at either for a modest price. Beginners can also buy a similar ticket good for 10 classes of 2 classes per week. They have a set schedule although you should call to confirm times." Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Horse-riding made easy |
Carretera Magdalena, s/n Bilbao, Vizcaya 48950 Spain +34 94 467 4567 |
The Goiherri Riding Club is in Goiherri de Erandio, a town next to Bilbao and only 5 minutes from Sondika airport. The purpose of this club is to help prepare young riders for horse-jumping competitions. They also aim to make horse-riding and horse-jumping competitions affordable and within everyone's reach. You can hire ponies and horses, or sign up for a beginner's class in jumping and riding. The club has much experience in this field and has even won several prestigious competitions such as the Pony Championship in Spain. Prices range from 1500 pesetas per hour-long class, or you can get a ticket good for 10 classes at 13000 pesetas. Their timetable is rather flexible, so it's always a good idea to call first. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A quality prestigious club |
Barrio de Mendiondo Bilbao, Vizcaya 48111 Spain +34 94 615 1380 |
The Laukiniz Riding Club is 12 kilometers from downtown Bilbao and only 5 minutes from Sondika airport. It's located in perhaps one of the swankiest areas in the region and is the ideal place to practice this sport. The facilities include two covered 70x30m riding schools and 80 stable pens for horses. After a day's riding, relax at the bar or dine at the restaurant. You can even go for a sauna, this option restricted only to members. You can sign up for a class, but you must first get the I.D. card from the Horse-riding Federation. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Recently opened |
Muelle de Arriluce, 1 Bilbao 48990 Spain |
Situated in the residential municipality of Getxo and very close to the Puerto Viejo de Algorta, is the recently constructed Puerto Deportivo El Abra-Getxo (marina). These nautical sports installations mean to become the first marina in the Basque country and the best on the Cantabrian coast, attracting many people to its two very different areas. It has a shopping and recreational area with a multicinema complex that can seat up to 2,000 people, and a walkway with restaurants, cafeterias and bars; then there is an area where boats are maintained and repaired, and all kinds of nautical equipment can be bought. All in all it's an area that, along with its parking facilities, makes for one of the most attractive locations in the Getxo area. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: wcities |
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Certified Professionals |
Barrio de Ergoien, 33 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48112 Spain +34 94 674 3587 |
"The Maruri Riding school can be found between the towns of Plentzia and Mungia, some 20 kilometers from Bilbao. Jorge Saz, who is French certified, has been running the school for several years and is assisted by two qualified teachers in charge of the riding classes. The school specialises in cross-jumping and has 3 open-air courses, one of which includes a lawn and cross obstacles. It has 41 pens for horses and ponies, for Anglo-Arabic, French or Spanish breeds, etc." Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Horse-riding in the country |
Barrio Ibarra, 7 (Monitora) Apdo. 103 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48340 Spain +34 94 673 4182 |
The Kati-Bi Riding School is in Amorebieta, only ten minutes from Bilbao and in between three nature reserves: Urdaibai (Gernika), Urkiola and Gorbea. The school's facilities include 10 hectares of fields, several horses and ponies, a covered track, a trotting circuit, pens for the animals, a social club and a "pottoka" club (dedicated to a local breed of horse). The school offers beginner's and advanced classes for children or adults and can help you prepare for competitions or federation exams. Kati-Bi also organises horse-riding excursions lasting half a day, a full day or the entire weekend, with or without lodging. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A nature spot in Abadiño |
Autovia Urkiola Bilbao 48220 Spain |
Some 33 kilometres from Bilbao along the Bilbao-Irún motorway, the Duranguesado region is an impressive natural landscape of valleys and fascinating mountains, set in the Urquiola Natural Park. This beautiful landscape situated in the Vizcayan municipality of Abadiño has all the charms of a natural paradise and captivates all those who visit it. The Urkiola Park is a wonderful area of 5800 hectares that was declared a Natural Park in 1989. It is a vast area of land with 300 species of vegetation, among which the beeches and oaks that surround the summit of Puerto de Urkiola are plentiful. Alongside, there is a medieval roadway that joins the plateau with the Bermeo port, where the Santos Antonios Shrine is found. This is the place to which many people in search of a husband or wife come. Opposite the church there is a large stone which, it is said, you must walk around three times to ask for a spouse. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Piet De Somere |
 Golf near spectacular cliffs |
Carretera La Galea Bilbao, Vizcaya 48990 Spain +34 94 491 0200 |
"La Galea Golf Club is in the town of Getxo, just 20 kilometers from Bilbao. The 18-hole golf course could not be in a prettier spot. You'll have spectacular views of the Cantabrian Sea (Bay of Biscayne) from the grounds atop the La Galea cliffs. It's a 72 par course, but it has additional facilities as well, such as a paddle-tennis court, child-care services, a restaurant and cafeteria. Even though it is a private club, non-members are permitted use of the golf course if not done on a regular basis. " Review © 2007, Wcities |
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