The Basque Country is an extensive French and Spanish region where the culture, language (Euskara), produce and customers are not affected by the frontier. Its cuisine includes marmikato, merlu koskera, Bayonne and Serrano ham, as well as Pipérade and ardi gasna served in one of the area’s many exceptional restaurants. From a cultural standpoint, the pelote basque ball game, rugby, festivals and song are unanimous favourites. In this mountainous region, shepherds have taken their sheep up and down the mountain with the changes of seasons for centuries now and rural villages have a proven tradition of hospitality.