| Guided Tours and Cultural
Routes |
GUIDED TOURS AND CULTURAL ROUTES
Those who wish to learn more about the cultural and natural heritage of the Lea-Artibai region may go to one of the three tourist offices offering a series of theme visits and history-and-monuments city routes. The offer targets schools as well as the general public.
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Monographic programmes
The theme visits include a series of regional routes with monographic programmes on the big Santa María temples, secret chapels, the mansions of country aristocracy, noble towers and beautiful farmhouses. Nature and ecology routes with ascents and visits to Mounts Otoio, Lumentxa and Urregarai complete the offer.
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Ondarzabal Beach Boat
There are also other offers, such as a visit to Lekeitio in a typical Basque fishing boat, Ondarzabal Beach, an original way of learning about the fishing gear and seaman's life on board.
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Trinkete Etxea Hostel
The Trinkete Etxea Hostel is also to be found in Lekeitio. It specialises in learning programmes for schools, and includes a series of outdoor activities for people of all ages.
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Guided history-and-monuments city routes
The former medieval towns of Markina-Xemein, Ondarroa and Lekeitio offer a series of guided history-and-monuments city routes. In Ondarroa, the route is completed with a visit to the port facilities and canning factories.
http://www.leamultimedia.com/learjai/euskera/bidemonux.php |
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Collegiate Church of Santa María de Ziortza
In addition to these three guided city tours, there is another one in the town of Ziortza-Bolibar that takes you to the old Collegiate Church of Santa María de Ziortza (Cenarruza), one of the jewels of the Basque architectural-religious heritage. It is a must on the Cantabrian Jacobean Route. Currently, the monastery belongs to the Cistercian Order. The monks will usually oblige with a guided tour around the monastic complex, if asked.
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Simon Bolivarren Museum
Another interesting place to visit in Cenarruza is the Simon Bolivar Museum, installed in the Errementarikua farmhouse, a place linked to the ancestors of the hero of Latin-American independence. The museum captures the atmosphere of life in Biscay during the Middle Ages, as well as the personal and political life of Simon Bolivar "The Liberator".
http://www.simonbolivarmuseoa.com |
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Small routes
In addition to the routes mentioned, hiking and nature-lovers have the possibility of a posted series of small routes (PRs) that are approved by the Federación Vizcaina de Montaña (Biscay Mountaineering Federation).
http://www.leamultimedia.com/learjai/euskera/ibilbideak.php |
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GR-38
For those who prefer long routes, there is the GR-38, the old route from Ondarroa and Lekeitio that crossed the region southwards towards the high lands of Alava. Today, the route is known as the "Wine and Fish Route".
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Jacobean Way
Another interesting route follows the Jacobean Way that runs East-West.
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The Lea-Artibai region's three tourist offices provide a series of monographic publications with a detailed description of all of these routes for those who are interested.
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History and monuments route
