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Santa Clara Island and Monte Urgull at dusk, seen from the Paseo Nuevo in San Sebastián.

The Experience

A summer in San Sebastián

Between the workshops, the programme opens onto one of Europe's most celebrated coastal cities — its bay, its old town and its food culture.

Photos: Vista – Paseo Nuevo – San Sebastian 10 by Javier Pérez Montes, CC BY-SA 4.0 · All photo credits

San Sebastián · Donostia

Where rigorous science meets the Bay of Biscay

Mornings belong to focused academic work. Afternoons and evenings open onto La Concha Bay, the old town and the Basque coast — time to think, talk and build lasting connections.

La Concha Bay in San Sebastián seen from Monte Igueldo in warm light, with Santa Clara island, Monte Urgull and the city curving around the beach.
La Concha Bay, San Sebastián
  • Pintxos laid out on a bar counter in San Sebastián’s old town.

    Day 01 Registration & Pintxos

  • The green headland of Monte Ulía dropping into the Bay of Biscay, seen from the coastal trail east of San Sebastián.

    Day 02 Yoga & Hiking

  • Day 03 Summer Dinner

  • Plaza de la Constitución in San Sebastián's old town: the former town hall with its clock, framed by arcades and balconied façades.

    Day 04 City & Relax

Photos: San Sebastián Bay Panorama by Phillip Maiwald (Nikopol), CC BY-SA 3.0 · Barra de pintxos Donosti 01 by Basotxerri, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ulia 8 by André Schrei, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Plaza de la Constitución, San Sebastián by José Luis Filpo Cabana, CC BY 3.0 · All photo credits

Kanpandegi, a narrow street of stone façades in San Sebastián’s old town.

The city

San Sebastián · Donostia

San Sebastián sits on the Bay of Biscay in the Basque Country, a short distance from the French border. Its centre curves around La Concha Bay, framed by Monte Igueldo and Monte Urgull, with the island of Santa Clara in between.

The city is known worldwide for its food culture — from pintxos in the old town to its long tradition of fine dining — and for a coastline that invites walking, swimming and simply looking out to sea.

Photos: Kanpandegi kalea by Hpholke, CC BY-SA 4.0 · All photo credits

The Summer Experience

San Sebastián, between the sessions

Around a third of the week is dedicated to the place and the people. Shared experiences turn a cohort of strangers into an international network.

  • A counter laden with pintxos in a bar in San Sebastián’s old town.
    Pintxos An introduction to the old town's celebrated bar-counter cuisine on the first afternoon.
  • Yoga Morning yoga to begin the second day with energy and focus.
  • A sun-dappled woodland path on the Monte Ulía coastal trail near San Sebastián.
    Coastal hiking A hike along the coast, with wide views over the bay.
  • Summer dinner A gala dinner on the third evening — the social highlight of the week.
  • A stately street leading to the apse of the Buen Pastor Cathedral in San Sebastián.
    City discovery City views and a farewell on the final afternoon.

Photos: Pintxos Donostia 2014 5 by M. Pfeiffer (Gordito1869), CC BY 3.0 · Ulia 5 by André Schrei, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Catedral del Buen Pastor (San Sebastián). Ábside by José Luis Filpo Cabana, CC BY 3.0 · All photo credits

The rhythm of the week

Workshops take place mostly in the mornings, when concentration is highest. Afternoons and evenings alternate between shared experiences and free time — enough structure to bring the group together, enough freedom to explore.

See the day-by-day programme

Sunrise between Monte Urgull and Santa Clara Island in San Sebastián, reflected on calm water.

Serious Science. Unforgettable Summer.

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Photos: Sunrise between Mount Urgull and Santa Clara Island – San Sebastian 02 by Javier Pérez Montes, CC BY-SA 4.0 · All photo credits