The days are getting shorter, the jumpers are on and the burnt colours of Autumn are setting in. This means one thing, It's Sweet Chestnut time, a total nutty treat!
Strolling the city, late afternoon at dusk in there it is WHAM BAM! That absolutely gorgeous wintery smell of chestnuts roasting. The same city spots and the same sellers, wrapped up warm, sat in front of the roaster, cheeks flushed phrooarrrr I love this time of the year.
For a 3€ you have a cone of buttery, soft, freshly, roasted chestnuts to warm those fingers and those tummys and the cosiness of winter comes flooding back..
It's a simple pleasure that encapsulates the total essence of autumn in San Sebastian.
Now for a little history into the humble castaña..
Sweet chestnuts have a long history in San Sebastian and the Basque Country. The sweet chestnut tree, native to this stunning region, has been a source of sustenance for centuries. Historically, chestnuts served as a crucial staple during times of scarcity. They were roasted, boiled, or ground into flour for a variety of dishes, making them a very important food for locals.
San Sebastian's renowned chefs also embrace the sweet chestnut, incorporating it into their innovative dishes. From chestnut-infused, delicious puddings to hearty stews, this little nut finds its way into the city's culinary scene, adding a nutty twist to traditional Basque flavours.
So, the next time you find yourself in San Sebastian during the Autumn, be sure to savor the nutty delight of sweet chestnuts, a true taste of the season in this coastal gem of a city.
Our latest bespoke tour was three days we won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
We kicked off with a pintxo tour of the old part, all our favourites on the menu and definitely off the beaten path from the usual hot spots, topped off with goblets of gin and tonic and a cheesecake surprise.
The next day we had a mellow start by hopping aboard the incredible Lucretia, a beautiful ninety seven year old, sixty foot, wooden hull yacht. There was a light breeze making the perfect conditions to cruise down the coast, we stopped off at Getaria for a superb lunch, wandered the streets of the lovely old fishing port where we spotted the old tradition of fixing the nets, before heading back to San Sebastian.
The final outing started with a trip East to Txakoli territory, with a full tour of the grounds and vineyard, we took a breather on the patio surrounded by vines we had a taster and tapas session.
We didnt want to get too full as next on the list is the cooking class in one of the top seafood restaurants in the area and of course we got to eat our hard afternoons work. Overlooking the sea we relaxed, filled our bellies and sipped the areas finest vino.
We provide San Sebastian day tours all year round. If you would like more details please get in touch https://www.experiencesansebastian.com/contact-us/
The beautiful yacht Lucretia
Fine tuning as we head down the coast.
Cooking class starts with pescado
Onto to the art of slicing the ham
