We highly recommend travelling during pandemics, travelling inside your mind

The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is spreading quickly around the world, and as more and more countries go into lockdown, going outside – an essential part of travelling  – is becoming increasingly difficult, if not impossible. For still, and probably temporarily, outside of quarantined areas flights are cancelled as airlines cut routes, or are shutting down, countries are closing their borders, and even if you can get into a country, monuments, bars, restaurants – basically everything – are off limits until further notice. Travel as we know it is being put on hold for the time being.

But not dreaming about travel. Because while we’re in lockdown, while we’re sitting staring wistfully out the window, there’s never been a better time to fantasize about where you want to go, to make fanciful plans, and to start booking trips in so that when the virus fog clears and the travel restrictions are lifted, you’ll be primed and ready to hit the world running with some epic trips booked in the post coronavirus (PCV) world. Here’s what you have to do. 

Keep on booking trips because Now is the best time with €1 deposits on all destinations

Why? Because travel companies want/need you to. Please, book trips. Across the industry we’re feeling the pinch, and there isn’t a company big or small that’s not hurting and worrying about the future. Many of our trips are being cancelled due to government recommendations and people are pulling out of those that aren’t due to uncertainty (please don’t cancel, just reschedule, or take the credit). This stings travel companies like Stoke Travel hard because we’re not huge money making corporations (we’re basically a not-for-profit), and we have highly valued staff who we don’t want to let go. We’re sure that this pandemic will pass, and when it does we want to have all the best hands on deck for the bounce back.

We know that this thing will clear and before we know it we’ll all be travelling again. The current lockdown across Europe is set for 30 days, and while it might go longer there aren’t many predictions seeing it last until summer. So it’s wise that you plan to be travelling this summer, but we don’t want you to be out of pocket if coronavirus sticks around for longer than we anticipate and trips stay on hold.

That’s why Stoke Travel are only asking for a €1 deposit during this period, until we’re sure of the future situation. This means you can book and plan until your heart’s content, and if you have to change your plans you won’t be out of pocket. 

Also, airlines have relaxed their flight changing terms due to coronavirus

Like, really relaxed them. One of the main reasons why this is a particularly terrible time to travel is because airlines are being forced to drastically cut back services because there’s nobody flying. The industry is set to take a huge, perhaps in many cases fatal, blow and they’re doing whatever they can to keep people booking, a strategy they may have borrowed from your old pals here at Stoke Travel. So most, if not all, airlines will offer you super flexible deals with free flight changes for up to a year or even more.

So this means you can book your flights to Europe, or around Europe, and book in your Stoke Travel trips, and change it all around as new developments arise with the coronavirus situation, and we think that this is a great idea because…

Booking trips can help you shake the coronavirus quarantine funk

It offers a little bit of a distraction from doing nothing, because daydreaming up our dream trips can really help pass the time. We’re in quarantine here in Spain and what we’re finding is that a solid routine, broken up by doing things that make you feel human again, is really the only way to get through this with your sanity mostly intact. There’s no better way to see the light at the end of the quarantine then to defy COVID-19 and book all the travel that it’s trying to deny us. Do some research, make up a wish list of destinations and events, and then start locking it in so you have something to look forward to during the long, dark days ahead. 

And once COVID-19 quarantines clear, the world is going to go into one hell of a party

We’re certain that when our trips run later on this year they are going to be wild. Before this virus locked us down, all of our winter trips had sold out – literally all of them – and our numbers for everything else were way up on previous years. We were looking at the biggest and best year ever for Stoke Travel events, which naturally means the wildest parties anyone’s ever been to. We are still confident that come summer we’ll be back, everyone will be travelling again, you’ll be with us, and Coronavirus will just be a memory. So dream big and book some travel, because when this thing is done we’re going HAM!

Where do you want to go with €1 deposits? Oktoberfest? The San Sebastian Surf Camp? Our Barcelona Boat Parties? Or any of our other amazing trips?   

 

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Who said culture had to be boring? 

Get the dates right 

San Sebastian’s La Semana Grande, or, The Big Week for us English speakers, is a week-long fiesta throughout the city, starting on the 8th of August 2020, to the 15th. Yes, you read that right. From official kick-off at 8pm, marked by a cannon firing in the Alderdi Eder gardens, this absolutely textbook Spanish party goes on all-day and all-night for an entire week. Now I’m not saying that going to San Sebastian at any other time wouldn’t be fantastic. Its stunning coastline, world-class food, and totally skits nightlife makes it a must-stop destination for any traveller taking on Spain. However, if you can time your trip to land around August, you’ll see the city in all of its fiesta-infused glory. 

Sort your accommodation out early

You’re not the first person to hear about La Semana Grande. The fiesta brings in thousands and thousands of people all trying to get a slice of that party pie. On one hand, that’s an incredible vibe, but on the other hand, where the hell is everyone going to sleep? It’s important to book your accommodation early, as everything, especially budget options, are going to sell out fast. It seems that you’ve got two options. One, you book yourself a fancy hotel for an extortionate price, maybe afford one night, and then be forced to go home early with your six-month backpacking trip limited to one expensive (but probably brilliant) night in San Sebastian. Then of course there’s option two. Staying at Stoke’s San Sebastian Surf House. With unlimited beer constantly flowing out of the in-house bar’s taps, new mates constantly arriving, and the classic Stoke vibe we’ve made a business out of, you’re guaranteed a big fucking week – and it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg. Book ASAP, to avoid missing out. We’ve only got so many beds. 

Check out the sports

Whether you’re a sports fan or not, trust me, you’re going to want to see what’s getting played during La Semana Grande. Swap out soccer with high-intensity wood chopping, and football with a sixteen-kilometre open sea swimming race. You’re about to see athleticism at its finest. You’ll be surprised at how, having never even heard of the sport in the first place, you’ll find yourself desperately supporting your favourite athlete as they lift, drag, chop and throw shit all around the city. It’s like the Olympics, but with more drinking. 

Make sure you catch the fireworks

Fireworks have always been, and always will be cool. It’s a fact of life. Ever since the lads down in China put fire and bamboo together, the magnificent scenes in the sky have become a symbol of international fiesta. That’s why, like any big week, La Semana Grande puts on a display every night from pyrotechnics all across the world. These are some high-quality fireworks we’re talking about here. International artists come to San Sebastian to show off what they’ve got – resulting in some of the best displays in the world. It’s hard to miss the show, but I would recommend heading down to the beach to watch it in all its glory. Bottle of rum in hand of course. 

Boogie. Hard. 

As two plus two equals four, parties plus dancing equals fun. It’s just simple maths. Live music will be played all throughout the city, and there’s something magical about boogieing on the streets. Every Spanish fiesta involves music, and at La Semana Grande, every night a major act will play on the main stage at Plaza Tomás Alba. Whatever happens, don’t miss it. The plaza attracts thousands of party-goers ready to dance until the sun comes up, and fresh off seeing the fireworks display, I trust you’ll be in the mood to join them. 

San Sebastian is always great, it’s just that it’s a little greater during Semana Grande. Whenever you can get out there, make sure you come and visit us at our San Sebastian Surf House, it’s really a little slice of paradise tucked in the hills behind Zarautz, the number one surf beach in the area, and a short hop from downtown San Sebastian, and all of its bars, pintxos, drinks and babes. 

 

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You don’t need to look hard to find something to get you going. 

Coffee

Who said Pablo Escobar needed to be involved to get you high? South America’s second favourite export is coffee, and this drug is readily available on almost every street corner in the city of Barcelona. Dubbed ‘The Poor Man’s Red Bull,’ coffee is always going to help get you over the line at four in the morning when you’re feeling the heat of a good old-fashioned alcohol-infused blowout in Barca. It may not have the same effect as the white stuff, but when the going gets tough, you’ll be happy it’s there to help. 

Alcohol

Speaking of alcohol-infused blowouts, you’re going to need some booze to get you there in the first place. The drug of Kings, alcohol has been creating love, causing fights and drowning sorrows since 7000 BC. Like a good suit, it never goes out of fashion. Barca’s bar and club scene is second to none, and you can be sure that some of the best quality drinks in the world can be found within the city limits. Of course, the team here at Stoke Travel are well aware of this, which is why we’ve called Barcelona home for over ten years. What’s more, we know exactly how to show off this knowledge with our Barcelona City Break packages. 

Green Tea

I know, I know, it’s not what you’re expecting, but it might be better to hear this from me rather than have a very disappointing night. The charming lads down at La Rambla are trained in the art of picking out a tourist from a mile away, which is why, despite your best efforts at fitting in, you’re likely to be asked if you smoke weed the second they lay eyes on you. Now here’s the real tragic part, that ‘weed’ has about a 5% chance of actually getting you high. Instead, you’re likely to be looking at €10 bag of very healthy Jasmine Green. Go home, crack the kettle on, get your mates around and enjoy a game of Monopoly with a hearty cup of tea. You got done. 

Paracetamol 

I know, it’s not the little pill you’re looking for at eleven at night, but trust me, it’s going to be the one you need the next morning. Paracetamol has been keeping the Stoke team ticking along for years now, and after some heavy days on our Barcelona Boat Parties, it’s almost been better than that other little pill. Almost. 

Cigarettes

Now we will never condone cigarettes. They’re bad for your lungs, ruin your teeth, and weaken your immune system… but when you’re two pints deep and they’re only €5 a pack, you won’t be the first or the last person to reach for one of those little white soldiers. Immune to the heightened taxes found in other parts of the developed world, ciggies are still affordable for the common Catalan, meaning that they are one drug that is very easy to find, and very easy to enjoy – especially when you’re pretty much always going to be at least two pints deep. And I really mean at least. 

The Real Shit

The stuff you’ve been thinking about the whole time. Pills, powder, and grass. The holy trinity of any unforgettable evening here in the big city – shit, I mean, we don’t do drugs. The real shit is a bit harder to find than my previous few examples, but it’s also the stuff that’ll be worth the search. There’s no definitive answer to knowing exactly where to go for this, but you have to be careful when you look. A lot of people are going to try and rip you off with an inflated price or a shit product, and you’ve got to make sure that you don’t get punked. The team here at Stoke are not affiliated with anyone in this subsection of society, but we might know a guy that knows a guy that might be able to point you in the right direction. That’s what friends are for right?

 

You don’t need substances, illicit or otherwise, to have a great time in Barcelona – but they don’t hurt! Until they hurt, and then they really hurt. How about you just come on down to Barcelona, we can have a few shandies together and see where the morning takes us? For all things Stoke Travel in Barcelona, why don’t you slide yourself over here.

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Honestly, we have no idea. 

As this novel virus makes its way around the world, it’s almost impossible to make a fair assessment of how everything is going to look when September rolls around. What we can say however, is that there is a lot of time between now and then, and you better believe that the world’s top officials are doing everything they can to stop this thing. 

As far as it stands now, the Munich authorities have not cancelled Oktoberfest, nor the upcoming Springfest. We like to think of ourselves as the experts of these beautiful festivals, but the reality is the guys that reaaally know what they’re talking about wear suits and work for the government, and they have deemed both safe enough to continue business as usual, both in the beer halls and for our Stoketoberfest campsites and campsite parties – and we’re not planning on changing any plans until the authorities advise us to do so. It’s still very much game on. 

Is the Coronavirus in Germany?

Yeah. 

It’s also in America, Britain, Australia, Spain, France and Italy too. In fact, it’s everywhere. 

At this point though, Germany poses no more danger than anywhere else (at the time of writing 0.00020% of Germans had contracted coronavirus), and considering its status as Europe’s strongest economy, it’s likely the best place to be if shit hits the fan. The other thing is this – it’s not often that Stoke Travel and viruses can agree on anything, but this time there is – we both believe in no borders. Just like Stoke, the coronavirus doesn’t care for lines drawn up by old dudes hundreds of years ago and is more than happy to cross those lines in order to keep the party going. The thing is, this virus is global, and it doesn’t matter where you are, if it’s going to find you it’s going to find you. It’s going to find you travelling, it’s going to find you at home. In saying that though, as of time of writing, Munich has not confirmed a single case. Good news for beer lovers. 

Is the Coronavirus Dangerous?

Well long story short… it can be. 

Just like catching the common cold, getting in your car, swimming in the ocean, walking down stairs, and every other unavoidable thing you’ve got to do to live your life, it can be dangerous. However, assuming that you’re reading this as an adventurous traveller under the age of 40 (rock on if not though!), you’ll be happy to hear that you’re ridiculously unlikely to find this thing fatal, like, 0.2% chance unlikely. Go buy yourself a lottery ticket if you back those odds. Now that we’re on the subject of statistics though, try this one on for size: 80% of ALL cases experience mild symptoms, ranging from asymptomatic (no symptoms at all) to common cold level. If you’re booking Oktoberfest with Stoke Travel, the coronavirus will be a walk in the park compared to the gnarly hangovers you’re guaranteed to experience. 

Can I Get Health Care at Oktoberfest?

Absolutely! 

At Stoke we will always encourage our fellow travellers to organise health insurance before their trips. We of course will do everything we can to make our fun safe, but the reality is when unlimited beer and sangria is involved, unexpected consequences are almost guaranteed at some point. That’s why we always have security and public safety professionals stationed at all of our festivals, with the medical services on speed dial should we need their assistance. Regardless, Germany itself prides itself on having some of the world’s best doctors and nurses, and with comprehensive health insurance, you better believe that you will have access to them. 

Yeah it’s business as usual for Stoke Travel. By the time Oktoberfest, or Springfest, or anything we do, rolls around the coronavirus scare will have mostly evaporated and the media would have found something else to obsess over. Don’t let it change your life, keep travelling, keep exploring and never stop filling your young, travelling life with all the experiences available to you. If you want to read our full statement on coronavirus and travelling, jump over here, and to book your Oktoberfest trip with Stoke Travel, light this up.

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Sure, we’re worried about coronavirus. We’re in the travel business, and for the most part people travelling is what’s edging the world toward pandemic status. And this affects us, because while we don’t have events in any of the affected regions, when the shit hits the fan like this people’s plans can change, and they can find themselves feeling less confident about moving around the world, seeing the sights, meeting new people, enjoying themselves, and learning. 

As coronavirus spreads through Europe we’re noticing that some travellers are reconsidering their plans to party with us. We think that you should reconsider reconsidering.

Epidemics aren’t new. We started this company just as SARS was petering off, and operated without incident during swine flu. What is different this time around is the rate by which coronavirus is spreading, and the media saturation that the crisis is causing. 

People are being led into a panic, and seem to be expatriating themselves to bunker down at home. Rice and hand sanitiser are impossible to find in supermarkets in areas barely affected by the virus, if at all. The more conspiracy minded amongst us are bracing for the apocalypse, while hypochondriacs avoid all human contact for fear of death. The rest of us are more worried about running out of Netflix shows to watch if we’re forced into a two week quarantine. 

As a tour operator and travel agent, for Stoke Travel it’s business as usual. We rely on advice from experts and health professionals and government agencies at a local and international level. Based on their recommendations at writing none of our upcoming events, tours or trips will need to cancelled, or even modified, nor does it look likely that they will be. 

As far as the Stoke Travel calendar is concerned, our upcoming trips to Munich’s Springfest, Ibiza Spring Break, Andorra Ski, and the various Barcelona Boat Parties are all going ahead, and will be until local or national government advice recommends the contrary. 

At the time of writing this, the coronavirus has affected zero people in Munich, and 0.00015% of Germans across the country, with no deaths. Similarly in Ibiza and Andorra, there are no confirmed cases, and in Spain 0.0002% of the population have been infected. 

The coronavirus concerns us, but we most certainly aren’t freaking out. 

Furthermore, the vast majority of Stoke Travel guests are well outside of the danger zone for this particular influenza strain, with people between 18-40 years of age having a 0.2% chance of dying in the off chance they contract coronavirus, as opposed to a 15% chance for people over 80. While we do advise being prudent with your virus prevention so that we can better safeguard more “at risk” members of our community, at this stage we don’t see this being a great threat to the average Stoke traveller. 

Coronavirus is popping up in new countries and regions every day. It can find you wherever you are, and as the disease moves around the world being at home will be just as risky as travelling. We don’t see the point in denying ourselves the endless delights of pursuing pleasure around the world and living a travelling life full of new experiences as long as the coronavirus doesn’t present a real and tangible threat to our wellbeing. 

Stoke Travel operated without incident through the H1N1 epidemic (swine flu), and in the wake of other events that created concern among travellers, such as terrorist attacks in Germany, France and here in our home in Barcelona. We always weigh up the risks, but do so knowing  that we can’t let unrealistic fears and media panics negatively affect our overwhelming need to live a life full of experiences and meeting new people. 

This will pass, so we strongly advise that you continue living your life as you were before you even heard of the coronavirus, but always be prudent with the advice of local governments and international authorities on health, like the World Health Organisation. We will not be cancelling our events unless we’re advised to do so, and our terms and conditions regarding cancellations and refunds will remain as is throughout this developing situation. 

Stay safe, but don’t do so at the expense of living your best travelling lives. Wash your hands, cough into your elbow, don’t kiss strangers with high fevers, and keep travelling the world, going out at night, partying, attending concerts and enjoying yourself. As warmer weather approaches and governments and health professionals work to contain the outbreak, soon the coronavirus will be relegated to history and we’ll wonder why we were so worried at all. 

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Surf y yoga en uno de los parajes más bonitos y exóticos de Asia, ¿tentador?

Si llevas tiempo haciendo surf seguro que alguna vez te has planteado hacer un surftrip por el país de Sri Lanka.

Como buen aventurero seguro que estás siempre buscando nuevos destinos, nuevas olas y nuevos compañeros de viaje.

En esta ocasión te presento la oportunidad de tener todo esto, y además disfrutar de profesores titulados de yoga que adecuarán su práctica a surfistas como tu.

Una semana de surf y yoga en Weligama, Sri Lanka

Las chicas de Surf Soul Collective organizan un año más un retiro de surf y yoga en la preciosa localidad de Weligama, al sur de la isla.

Por qué Sri Lanka es una de las mecas del surf

En los últimos año Sri Lanka ha aumentado su popularidad, pero el carácter amistoso de su gente, sus kilómetros y kilómetros de playa, y lo económico que puede salir surfear allí ha hecho que este precioso país pase a estar en el top 10 de destinos surferos de muchos aficionados al surf.

A estas razones hay que sumarle la posibilidad de surfear en aguas cálidas y el clima tropical que tiene.

Otro de los motivos por los que desplazarse a Sri Lanka es la variedad de olas que tiene, desde olas para empezar con este deporte hasta olas para los surfistas más expertos.

Todo esto sin olvidar la parte cultural e histórica del país, así como la deliciosa comida que puedes disfrutar en todo el territorio.

4 motivos para surfear en Weligama

Ambiente surfero

Es uno de los pueblos con más ambiente surfero e internacional de la isla. Gente de todas las partes del mundo se juntan con los locales en esta localidad, donde los problemas desaparecen y solo hay lugar para el surf, el yoga y el relax.

Es una localidad para viajar con un presupuesto ajustado

Como el resto del país es un destino económico para ir de viaje. Aquí tus días de vacaciones podrán estirarse un poco más

Surf todo el año

Aunque oficialmente la temporada alta es de octubre a marzo, en Weligama encontrarás olas todo el año. Una de las ventajas de ir en abril es que todavía sigue habiendo buenas olas, el tiempo es bueno y encontrarás menos gente en el agua.

La combinación perfecta de surf y yoga

Nada mejor que comenzar el día con una buena sesión de yoga antes de meterse en el agua. Estirar, relajarse y fortalecer, en una práctica hecha por surfistas para surfistas.

Retiro de surf y yoga de SeaSoulCollective

Si después de este post estás listo para pillar la maleta y largarte a Sri Lanka a hacer yoga y a surfear, te presento el retiro de surf y yoga de SeaSoulCollective.

Cuándo: 4th – 11th  | April 2020
Qué: Una semana donde el yoga, el surf y el buen ambiente son los protagonistas.
Info: Retiro surf y yoga SeaSoulCollective

Programa

Cada mañana comenzará con una práctica de yoga de 90 minutos de Vinyasa Flow. Esta práctica está diseñada para ayudarte a desarrollar una mejor conexión con tu cuerpo y la habilidad de poder relajar la mente. Después de la práctica, el equipo de Island Sisters te dará la bienvenida con un delicioso desayuno vegano / vegetariano lleno de productos frescos y de origen local.

¡Desde aquí, tienes el día para disfrutar a voluntad! Aquellos que deseen surfear, pueden alquilar una tabla y explorar los múltiples spots delante del alojamiento. Si todavía no sabes surfear, ¡no te preocupes! Puedes reservar una clase de surf con ellos.

Si no te apetece surfear puedes pillar un tuk-tuk y disfrutar de los muchos lugares a lo largo de la costa sur de Sri Lanka. Nuestro equipo recomendará las mejores opciones para ti.

Los días que te apetezca relajarte podrás comprarte un coco fresco y caminar descalzo por las playas bordeadas de palmeras, o pasear en bicicleta por los pueblos locales que rodean Weligama. Tienes opciones ilimitadas para disfrutar de la zona. Suena bien, ¿no?

A medida que el día llega a su fin, podrás unirte a Sunset Sessions en la azotea, donde descubrirás una variedad de prácticas de autocuración. Desde saludos de Yin yoga, Hatha y luna, hasta una variedad de sesiones de sanación sonora con cuencos tibetanos, gongs u otros instrumentos.

Cuando llegue la hora de la cena, será hora de reunirse para disfrutar de deliciosas comidas en una de las muchas opciones gastronómicas del vecindario.

Qué incluye

• 7 noches de alojamiento en alojamiento privado o compartido.
• 7 desayunos saludables veganos / vegetarianos.
•  3 cenas grupales.
• Práctica diaria de Sunrise Vinyasa Flow (90 minutos) que incluye pranayama, asana, meditación y mantras.
• Sesiones especiales al atardecer en nuestra terraza.
• 2 sesiones especiales de profesores invitados.
• 1 visita en bicicleta al templo budista en Weligama.
• Servicio de conserjería de nuestro equipo para organizar traslados, clases de surf, recorridos locales por las áreas circundantes, visitas a spas y excursiones de un día adicionales.
• Recuerdos de toda la vida y amistades.

Personalmente me parece todo un planazo para disfrutar del surf, conocer un nuevo país, nuevas olas, y sobre todo para compartir la experiencia con gente divertida y auténtica.

Conozco a Ale, una de las organizadoras del retiro, he estado con ella en Australia, y varias veces en su B&B de San Sebastián, y es una de las mejores anfitrionas que he tenido, así que si tenéis dudas sobre este viaje, no dudéis en escribirme y os contestaré honestamente sobre todo lo que pueda

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Of course the perfect surf camp for us is our San Sebastian Surf House, with the best waves in Europe easily accessed from our converted Basque farmhouse in the mountains. Plus we’ve got the whole surf-play balance thing worked out, so your evenings can be spent trading stories in our bar/leisure room, or on the town with your new crew of best buds and fellow shred dawgs. 

It’s that time of year again. Your six pack has melted into a keg, your liver disintegrated into a useless ball of lard and all you have left to comfort you is the knowledge that you won’t have to see your extended family for another entire circumvention of the sun. Your flatmate is still trying to make you participate in dry January (“You can still start on the 7th”) and Denise from accounts won’t stop going on about how she’s gone on a run every day this year.

Nobody likes January. So in an effort to forget that the month exists, why not look forward to the summer to come? You’ve got a whole five months to get that rig back in shape and to give your liver at least one weekend’s rest, so fret not on the past, but look ahead to where you really want to be – getting out into the ocean in that sweet, sweet surf.

As with all kinds of travel, there’s a ton of variables you should be looking out for when you’re scouting out where to go. Here’s a few to get you thinking before you turn those winter daydreams into concrete summer plans:

How the hell do I get to there?

‘Where the hell is my dream surf camp?’, you may find yourself asking. Whilst this question is completely subjective, your ideal surf camp should be pretty easy to get to. One of the only bonuses of January, is the January sales. Sites such as Ryanair and Vueling are chucking up flights on the cheap like they’re Donald Trump spewing out abuse on Twitter. Make sure to hit up sites like Kayak or Skyscanner first to get the best deals, but, fuck, who am I talking to, you already know that, right?

Is this place full of groms or shredders?

‘Who’s gonna be at this surf camp?’, you may be thinking. You’re stressing, because you’re a seasoned shredder but your new boyfriend has never so much as touched a boogie board. But when it comes to finding a decent surf school, every surf instructor worth their (sea)salt should be able to cater to all abilities. Whether that means teaching your fella how to pop up on the beach for half an hour, or heading out the back to show you the best waves, this should be a non-issue.

Waves? Tell me about the waves!

‘Are we hunting monsters? Pipeline, Mavericks, Nazare???’ While these waves make for great watching on the WSL tour, unless you have a death wish (or can seriously rip) you’ll be looking for something a little smaller. If you’re just starting out, you’ll want to be practising in the white wash, taking advantage of the smaller waves, and getting to grips with the beach. Beach breaks are perfect for this, such as Playa Zarautz or Biarritz (both in the Basque Country), and these two will also definitely please the more experienced crowds, with waves reaching up to three metres, even in summer.

What the hell else can I do around here?

Surfing can be a pretty tiring sport. Like really tiring. Sure, you might wanna get out in the water like it’s your 9-5, but hey, you’re on holiday – you gotta relaaaaax man. Most surf camps will offer plenty of other things to do around the area, from beach sports and paddleboarding to yoga and meditation. 

Where can I get a goddamn beer?

So maybe yoga and meditation isn’t really on the cards; maybe a three-day bender is more your style. Make sure to check out the local scene before you head to your destination. Sleepy surf towns can be a nice break, but you can’t beat a surf city with nightlife right next to the sea. Every good surf hostel should be within a stones throw of a decent bar – or better still should have it’s own. Or at least, that’s what we think here at Stoke Travel….

So now you know what to look for in an ideal surf camp, surely all signs must be pointing towards:

SAN SEBASTIAN SURF CAMP

If you’re looking for somewhere to while away your summer days, look no further. Getting to the Basque Country is a proverbial piece of piss – flights are going for as little as €60 return from the UK. Our surf instructors are happy to cater to all abilities, and Playa Zarautz offers clean, fun waves for beginners and shredders alike. 

Clubs are aplenty, fiestas every other day, and there’s always a chance you might find the guapo o guapa of your dreams. Our all-inclusive surf house provides plenty of activities, with daily yoga lessons for those keeping things mellow, and for the party animals, opportunities to let loose every day of the week. With an open bar onsite of all-you-can-drink beer and sangria, things tend to lean towards the latter, rather than the former – but you’d like that wouldn’t you? Ya filthy animal.

So quit daydreaming, and get involved now! Check out the surf house here and book using promo code SPARKLES to get free and unlimited beer, cider and sangria.

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