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A travel agent from Waterbury, Vermont (New England-USA), offers a packaged tour to the Basque Country in its website. The advertisement includes a review on the region praising the charm, for instance, of the places the visitor can visit while making the Santiago''s way. The running of the bulls in Pamplona-Iruña and the Basque food are also protagonists.

As Country Walkers company says, "from Ibañeta pass, site of emperor Charlemagne''s defeat by the Basques, follow the Camino de Santiago, the medieval pilgrimage trail that leads to Santiago de Compostela. En route, share stories with pilgrims along the path, and learn of their spiritual quests."

The rest of the review goes as follows: "There''s a spirit here in the Basque region-perhaps originating with medieval pilgrimage routes or the ancient cultures-and a deep hospitality," says native guide Itziar Zorrilla. Walking along the borderlands between France and Spain you discover the truth in these words.

Starting in the French village of Sare, walk through the oak forest of Senpère into Spain, where hidden paths wind through lush valleys and ancient towns. Meet local farmers eager to share their colorful history-and then follow your guide to a former smuggler''s hideout.

Climb above the treeline in the Pyrenées to unobstructed views of the frontier. Visit the ancient monastery in Roncesvalles, Toloño Castle, the citadel of Hondarribia (overlooking the Bay of Biscay), and prehistoric tombs in the Artikutza forest.

Stroll along the cobblestoned streets of Pamplona, site of the Encierro (Running of the Bulls), before enjoying a wine tasting at a medieval bodega (wine cellar) in La Rioja, renowned for its ancient winemaking techniques and ultramodern architecture.

Authentic Basque cuisine, a unique fusion of French and Spanish traditions, includes Ernest Hemingway''s favorite, sopa de verdura and trucha a la navarra (vegetable soup and fresh trout stuffed with smoked ham)."

The website offers some testimonies of native Basques such as Josu Artetxe, Cristina Feijoo, Itziar Zorrilla, Leire Ituarte and Joseba Combarro as guides of the virtual tour.