Road tripping from Spain’s Basque Country in the north to its sunbaked southern shores is a journey through vibrant cultures, fantastic gastronomy and diverse architecture. To slice through Spain from Bilbao to San Sebastian, then to Seville, Jerez and finally to the port town of Tarifa is to appreciate why movements for independence remain alive and well in this country. Spain is a half dozen distinct cultures that happen to occupy the same land mass. And it’s more than tapas: it’s cowboys, flamenco, gorgeous beaches, art, passionate politics, each subset with its own vibe and charm.

OTTA CITIZEN

At a San Sebastian cooking class, the basics of Basque cuisine were delicious