Seeing the Basque Villages

Are you driving or taking public transportation? I assume you're driving, because getting to the small places without a car will be a challenge. I didn't have a car, so I skipped them.

I suggest using ViaMichelin com to get driving-time estimates and see whether you can simply stay in St.-Jean-de-Luz for the French territory. I'd want to avoid that additional hotel change if I could. Just looking at a map, it appears that SJdL is at least as well-positioned as Bayonne and Biarritz for visiting Ainhoa and Espelette. St-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a fairly substantial drive from any of the three.

I based in Bayonne and thought even the bus transit times to Biarritz and SJdL were reasonable, so I don't think you need to move to Bayonne or Biarritz unless you have a lot to planned in one or both of those places. I think for most tourists, one day-trip to each place would provide enough time.

I stayed in St. Sebastian and St Jean de Luz, and just loved that trip so much! I went to Biarittz as a day trip from the latter, I believe just a public bus. And also to Sare (Sara?) And walked down from the cog train. In St. Sebastian I hired a driver ( this was 10 years ago) and he preferred showing me his own favorites over those mentioned by RS. The geo-political aspect was of great personal interest, though, so it was seen through his political "lens". I went to Bayonne, the museum is a must for cultural context. And might have already mentioned taking the train from there to St Jean Pieds a Port, scorned by RS but a highlight for me.

hey hey john and doc
you have another post about the basque region. replied with a post on your other post.
aloha