The room in Maria’s 5th floor apartment looks out onto an enormous and mostly deserted inner courtyard with a children’s playground etc. The french windows open out onto a small terrace. The beds are very comfortable and the bathroom is for the sole use of the guest/s occupying the room. The apartment is unbelievably clean, quiet and peaceful. Maria, or her sister, prepare a simple breakfast consisting of coffee, croissant or pastry and fruit in the kitchen between 8–9 am. The Amara district is approximately 2 kms from the beaches and old town which can be reached by bus or by a 30 minute walk along one of the many charming and atmospheric routes available. I brought my Brompton folding bike and loved cycling along the magnificent cycle lanes that are provided throughout San Sebastián. There are many nice cafes and bars close to the apartment and I also recommend a visit to the ARCCO shopping mall on Plaza de Irún nearby. Built about 20 years ago on a human scale with many attractive architectural touches, it has for me an appeal I find hard to put in words.