Bagoleko Borda I

We’ve stayed with Fermin and Amelia twice now, and both times have been a joy. The hosts are generous with their ponies, and we won’t forget how peaceful the place is. We also enjoyed the good conversations about the area and its fascinating history. The beds were comfortable, and the kitchen and bathroom are up to date. We cooked some lovely meals and sat by the fireplace watching the stars.

A really lovely place with very helpful owners. It’s a peaceful, idyllic spot surrounded by nature, 3km from the nearest village!

We spent a week with Amelia and Fermín, who were such warm and welcoming hosts. Fermin even helped us unload the car. The house is a beautiful old building, and its two apartments have been renovated with care. We stayed in apartment 2, which sleeps 6 and has a covered terrace with an amazing view. It was very clean, the shower was good, and there’s a dishwasher, washing machine, and perfect Wifi. Our kids are a bit nervous around dogs, but they quickly took to Lasai, Amelia and Fermín’s very sweet, friendly dog. The ponies in the field were gentle and happy to be petted, too. The house is tucked into the hills, away from the bustle of towns and cities. Etxalar is 15 mins by car, though it doesn’t have many amenities. The drive to the house takes about 15 mins on a mostly paved, single-lane road. You don’t often meet cars, since this is the only house on the road, but the last km or so is very steep. Our automatic car doesn’t use motor brakes, so we chose to leave it in a safe spot and walk the final 15 minutes uphill to save the brakes. Other guests drove up and down without trouble, and with a manual car it wouldn’t be an issue. We’d very much recommend it for a quiet, relaxing holiday, especially if you enjoy animals or are travelling with kids who do.

The farmhouse is a little paradise, and one we should all treat with respect. It’s a 19th-century building, with the original wooden floors still there and everything in perfect condition. Even the Wi-Fi coverage is good, which is surprising given how remote it is. We found exactly what we wanted: nature, peace, quiet, and the chance to bring our pet. A couple of things that might help future visitors: this is an isolated house, and the drive from Etxalar is about 6 km. That may sound short, but the narrow forest road is mostly paved and took us around 20 minutes. After hours on highways at high speeds, it can take a bit of getting used to, so take it slowly. Also, flies are common in summer because of the countryside and animals, so bring repellent if they bother you. And if you happen to meet Fermín, he’s like a walking encyclopedia, full of stories and information about the area.