9 days in Basque Country/Pyrenees/Southwest France

HI Kevin,
in general, for the Navarra part, the Kingdom of Navarra is a good place to start.

If you decide to go to Baztan, I would highly recommend the book The Invisible Guardian. Besides being a good read, I've been told by people from Baztan that it is very true depiction of the life and customs (mmm txantxigorri). And don't forget about Zugarramurdi and the other caves in the area.

If you go to Aragon, I would recommend Jaca, San Juan de la Peña, and the Castle of Loarre (seen in Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven).

I used the RS Basque region tour itinerary as the foundation of my week in the area. I spent 3 nights each in San Sebastian and St.-Jean-de-Luz as bases for day trips, which were very easy by bus and train. An overnight in St. Jean Pied de Port was a personal highlight despite the RS review that it was filled with tacky pilgrims. Rather, riding the train up from Bayonne (the museum there was a highlight, too) and being in among the wide range of pilgrims was awesome. I stayed at an incredible B&B right at the start of the trail and hiked a few (paved) miles...Biarritz was a fun day trip and so was the mountain reviewed in the book. Travel is so personal, but for me being immersed in the Basque culture for a week was fantastic. I also hired a private guide/driver to see some of the coast south of San Sebastian. I think you could easily spend a week!

A few random thoughts . . . Guernica can be seen as a day trip from other places nearby. No need to stay over. Why waste time in Andorra, known mostly for outlet shopping? There are some terrific b & b's and small hotels in the area around Saint-Pee-sur-Nivelle and Ainhoa, some with very good restaurants. You should consider that as one of your bases. Bayonne and Biarritz are close enough for day trips. Here's another endorsement for Bayonne's Musee Basque.

dlindstrom, karen, Rosalyn -- thanks for the tips! Yes, I had assumed that a small country in the mountains would be nice. But then I saw Rick's articles, and realized that Andorra was definitely one to skip!

As another poster stated,St Jean De Luz and San Sebastian are great bases,each gives you good day trip opportunities.St Jean Pied de Port is a nice day trip from St Jean De Luz.Espelette is worth a stop as well as the Basque Culture Museum in Bayonne.If you are a foodie San Sebastian is the culinary capital of Europe.
Mike

If there is any way you can work them into your already full itinerary, both Pamplona and Zaragoza are well worth a couple of days each,