"The 24-Hour Basque Drum Fest January 20. The favorite day of residents of San Sebastián . A day that nearly always portends cold, rain, and discomfort. It's the Day of San Sebastián, also known as the Tamborrada. Imagine an entire town turning up at the main square at midnight. The mayor sits above them all, flags are flying, bright spotlights are shining, and a group of middle-aged men are playing the drums. Then imagine that for the next 24 hours, the sound of drumming fills the streets of the entire city. Sleeping is done at random times throughout the day...but not during normal sleeping hours. It's the party no one wants to miss. And if you just so happen to be in town to catch it, allow yourself to be swept away."

"Culture by Day, Party by Night Victoria Eugenia is a double-edged sword. A beautiful, red-velvet-swathed theater occupies the aboveground section of this building. Offerings feature biggish names in music, Broadway adaptations, and classical performances. Meanwhile, after midnight, it's the basement that houses the action. The underground level is a dance club that's at its peak from 2am on. Expect house music and house remixes of Top 40, as well as a lively, twenty- and thirty-something crowd."

"San Sebastián, or Donostia in the Basque language, is a Belle Époque resort town built around the Bay of La Concha. Stroll the cobblestone Old Town streets in search of cozy shops, the city’s oldest church (San Vicente) and celebrated restaurants like Arzak and Akelarre. In the newer part of town, visit the Buen Pastor Cathedral and Spanish Queen Maria Cristina’s country home at Miramar Palace and Gardens, as well as a theater and luxury hotel named after her."

"The Culture Box San Sebastián's monument to modernity, the Kursaal, sits perched on the seashore, cutting boldly into the skyline. The Kursaal is the spot for the biggest get-togethers in town, from the Film Festival to Gastronomika. It also hosts concerts, plays, and more. In some cases, those under thirty can enter for 3 euros if seats remain right before the show. It's a great culture hub and a fabulous night option for those rainy winter nights, which is when the programming is at its peak."

"Luxury Spa Experience Overlooking La Concha What could make a spa with all the typical trappings of luxury even better? Wall-to-wall windows overlooking La Concha bay, that's what. La Perla does not disappoint, and it's a great way to spend those finicky winter days when visiting San Sebastián . They also offer massages, which I highly recommend."

"The Pre-Lunch Vermouth Tradition On a cold Sunday late morning, when the first pangs of hunger are starting to hit, nothing tastes better than a glass of vermouth. Straight up vermouth is an aperitif of choice, especially on weekends, in San Sebastián . Bar Etxebarria serves up their own special blend, only on the weekends, only before lunch. This is authenticity at its most delicious; the perfect way to start lunch."

"Txotx! Experience an Authentic Cider House December to May is cider season in the Basque Country. Basque cider is quite different (drier, more bitter) than its American and English counterparts. The real magic in Basque cider, however, happens when it is consumed. Groups of friends head in droves to cider houses, gather 'round wooden tables, and grab a glass. No orders are placed—cod omelettes and steak come to the table without question, while diners drink their fill of cider from the barrel. Zapiain is a top quality cider with an authentic ambience, open only during the season."

"Chestnuts Roasting. There's an Open Fire, Too. Let's be honest...how many of us have actually enjoyed chestnuts roasted by an open fire? The beginning of winter is marked by the arrival of chestnuts to the Plaza de Gipuzkoa. They're sold from a tiny hut in each corner of the square. What better garnish to a wintry, cold and cloudy afternoon than charred chestnuts in a newspaper cone? Taste of the season."

"Alcohol or Coffee...Why Not Both? Hello, Carajillo. Pokhara, located in the center of the city, has one of the best ambiences around. The quintessential European café, with a touch of Paris and a touch of Spain , it attracts a younger, hip crowd. Don't expect food beyond the obligatory croissants and tortilla española, but do try their carajillo. They put special care into this boozy alchoholic drink. First vodka or whisky (your choice—but choose whisky) is set aflame. Then a shot of espresso is pulled while the bartender whips body into cool, fresh cream. All of this goes into a glass to form the carajillo, one of the most delicious drinks known to man."