San sebastian del pepino: San Sebastian, Puerto Rico – St. Sebastián Del Pepino

LAS VEGAS DEL PEPINO WELL, SAN SEBASTIAN, PR

San Sebastian

San Sebastian

San Sebastin. .. San
Sebastin Del Pepino

Around
the year 1752 in Puerto Rico a new town was founded in a large beautiful  valley
protected by mountains.  The orginal name of this town was “San
Sebastian de las Vegas” and it was also called “El Pepino”,
within the years the name of the town was shorten a few times and changed.  In 1765 it
is documented as San Sabastian de Las Vegas y Pepino.  10 years later it is
documented as Las Vegas y Pepino.  Around the year 1783 it is documented as
Vegas and Pepino, the between the years 1893-1795 it was called Pepino. 
The name Pepino was used until 1869.   Today this town is known as San
Sebastian, but still some people call it San Sebastian del Pepino.  
San Sebastian is the patron saint of the town and the word Pepino comes from a
term used by the Spaniards to describe small mountain tops/hills that surrounded
the town’s valley.

The
town is located in the Island’s interior.  In general the terrain has lots
of small hills and mountains.   It also has a some rivers that pass through
it, Rio Grande de Aasco, Culebrinas, Guajataca and other steams.  It also
has Lake Guajataca, which is one of biggest water reserves/lakes in Puerto Rico
and is known for it’s beauty and good fishing.  

San Sebastian’s Flag:  The flag of San Sebastian is rectangular
and divided into three parts.  The red part signifies the Saint Patron of
the town San Sebastian Matir and the bloody battle of the Revolutionary revolt
of Lares in San Sebastian.  The white crooked line represents the river
Culebrinas.  The bottom green part represents the green mountains of San
Sebastian.   

The Crest of San Sebastian: The 3 arrows represent the
Patron Saint of the people, San Sebastian Martir which has been the official
name of the town since 1869.  According to history, Saint San Sebastian
Martir was killed by arrows, giving proof of his faith. The red color symbolizes
some else besides the Saint, it also symbolizes the first blood shed of the
liberation of Puerto Rico from Spain.  It was in the town of San Sebastian
that a small liberation army of  volunteers  from Lares in a attempt
to attack and occupy a Spanish base a battle arose, the Spanish Soldiers
commanded by Venancio Roman killed all the followers of the liberation movement
from Lares in that battle on the 24 of Sept. 1868.   The mountains
represent the character of the Pepinos of San Sebastain.  The crowned
castle wall shows the identification of the crest to be of a town, village or
city. The branches of coffee and sugar cane represent the main products produced
on the land.

Sectors of San Sebastian, P. R.

San Sebastian Restaurants — San Sebastián details

San Sebastian has a range of restaurants that can tempt even the real gourmet. They range from bars offering bocadillos , as the locals call a baguette sandwich, to restaurants with three stars Michelin .

We recommend:
Urepel
Paseo de Salamanca, 3
Zumeltzegi
Fermin Calbeton , 1

Dinners (menú del día) in San Sebastian

On weekdays, many restaurants offer menú del día – a full meal at a very nice price. Traditionally, it consists of two courses and a dessert (coffee is usually not included). The first and second are offered to choose from three or more homemade dishes prepared from seasonal products. Bread and drinks are usually included in the price. As an accompaniment to dinner, you can choose wine, beer, water, some establishments offer traditional Basque cider. These menus change every day. They are simple, but they allow you to satisfy your hunger, to fully immerse yourself in the local culture and lie down for an afternoon nap – a siesta. Some establishments also offer set menus in the evenings and weekends, but these tend to be more varied and, of course, more expensive. nine0008

We recommend:
Urepel
Paseo de Salamanca, 3

Seafood restaurants in San Sebastian

The proximity of the Basque makes the Cliza of the Basque with a unique region, the kitchen of which is rich in a variety of fish and seafood. Atlantic hake, cod, monkfish and turbot , cooked on charcoal or grilled, form the basis of restaurants’ fish dishes. Traditional recipes fish soup with shrimp and clams , as well as the famous cocochas fine texture ( hake cheeks ) are passed down in families from generation to generation. Any gourmet will be amazed by the choice of seafood dishes. What is only worth persebes , which looks like a dinosaur foot. Whatever names they give it in other languages: sea duck, sea acorn, sea truffle . A must-have item in any Basque restaurant will be cuttlefish in their own ink and small squids baked with caramelized onions. In the fish restaurants along the port of San Sebastian, as well as in the old town, you will find Atlantic hermit crabs changurro , giant bright red carabineros shrimp and traditional rice in clam broth almejas and berberechos .

We recommend:
Sebastián
Kaiko Pasealekua, 14

Basque restaurants in San Sebastian

It’s no secret that Basque Country attracts thousands of tourists thanks in large part to its gastronomy. Connoisseurs tend to visit not only numerous restaurants with Michelin stars, but also traditional establishments. They serve dishes whose recipes have not changed for decades. The menu may change depending on the season, but the recipes remain the same. What is the famous marmitaco 9 worth?0011 – thick stew with potatoes and Atlantic bonito tuna. In all establishments you will definitely find cod, perhaps with pil-pil sauce or a la koshkera with almejas clams . In the cold season, rich beans are usually served with spicy sausages chorizo ​​ , black pudding and smoked meats. Basque fish and meat are loved to be grilled. If you think that this is not authentic enough, then try the beef steak on the bone – chuletu . Choose a low rare and order a bottle of cider to go with it, just like the locals do. A trip to the cider house will make this experience quite unique, where you can pour sparkling apple cider directly from the barrel in unlimited quantities. nine0003

We recommend:
LA Cepa
Calle 31 De Agosto, 7-9

International cuisine in San Sebastian

Despite the fact that there are many traditional institutions in San Sebastian in San Sebastian who prefer local dishes, foreign cuisine also occupies an important place. The city has many restaurants of Italian, Chinese, Latin American cuisine. There are many places where you will be offered excellent burgers, pizza or sushi, including takeaway. nine0008

Michelin-starred restaurants in San Sebastian

Finally, a story about the gastronomy of San Sebastian would not be complete without mentioning the upscale avant-garde cuisine. Basque culture has a strong focus on food, so it’s no surprise that this region is where a gastronomic boom has begun, promoting the combination of traditional dishes with innovative technologies and ingredients. We assure you that dining in one of the Michelin-starred restaurants will be an unforgettable experience. World renowned chefs such as Juan Marie Arzak, Martin Berasategui, Pedro Subiyana, Andoni Luis Aduriz and many more will prepare an amazing tasting menu of ten courses and more for you! Exceptional service, exquisite surroundings and great food are guaranteed. At the same time, prices in Basque Michelin restaurants are much more affordable than in other countries. nine0008

Dreams Come True! Brazil – Argentina

Day 1. Rio de Janeiro. Arrival at Rio de Janeiro airport. A driver with a sign of the logo of our company and your names will be waiting for you. Transfer to the hotel. If you arrived before dark, then already on the way from the airport you will see green hills, rocky mountains, palm trees on both sides of the road and beautiful bays. At nightfall, the city is surrounded by a shimmering necklace – these are the lights of the favelas! And between palm trees, sand and waves of the ocean – serene rest! The famous Copacabana and Ipanema, lined with black and white tiles and with cozy cafes open until late at night, where you can quench your thirst with cold coconut water! All this is in front of you, because you are in Rio de Janeiro – one of the most beautiful and exotic cities in the world! Excursion to the factory of precious stones-H. Stern! One of the oldest factories in the world for processing precious and semi-precious stones. Here you can see the work of skilled jewelers and make bargains!
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Day 2. Rio de Janeiro (tour 4 hours). Breakfast at the hotel. A guide is waiting for you in the hotel lobby. Half day excursion to Sugar Loaf (Pao de Azucar Mountain). You are going to Praia Vermelha (Red Beach), from where you will take the funicular up Mount Urca. The first stop will be on Mount Urka, which has a wide observation deck. From here, the whole of Rio is at a glance! There are many restaurants and bars on this observation deck where you can have a bite to eat. There is a smaller platform on Sugar Loaf Mountain itself, but it offers a beautiful view not only of Rio, but also the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema. Lemme, Guanabara Bay, the famous Rio Niteroi bridge and Niteroi itself, whose architecture is associated with the name of the world-famous Nemeira, the statue of Christ the Savior on Mount Corcovado, the surrounding mountains, islands in the ocean. Then by car you will go to the central districts of old Rio, where you will admire the ancient churches, monasteries, as well as buildings built in the colonial style. You will see the main attractions of Rio, if time permits, the Sambadrome, where the annual Carnival is held, the Cathedral of San Sebastian, the Municipal Theater. Well-preserved monuments from the past, so the Church of Candelaria was built in 1775. Some of the best examples of the Baroque style are embodied in the monastery of San Bento. The arches of the famous Lapa were built in 1732 and are used as a water pipe to bring water from the Carioca River to the city center. The city theater was decorated by the best artists from Europe. On Piazza Novembru are some of the most important monuments of the city: the Imperial Palace, from the balcony of which slavery was abolished, the Tiradentes Palace, the cathedral, built in 1808 as a royal church, the Carmelite convent of the 16th century. On Piazza Boticario there are buildings with mosaics, old facades surrounded by centuries-old trees. Very impressive Cathedral with a capacity of 20,000 people. Along the way, you will admire churches, monasteries, the main Cathedral of the city, as well as buildings built in the colonial style.
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Day 3. Rio de Janeiro (tour 4 hours). After breakfast, your guide will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. You go to the statue of Christ the Savior through the historic center of the city. Arrive at the station, where an open, environmentally friendly train departs, heading through the jungle to the top of the Corcovado hill. At the top of the Corcovado hill, at an altitude of 700 m above sea level, rises the symbol of Rio – the statue of Christ the Savior (38 m), which was erected in 1931. From the top of Corcovado, a breathtaking panorama of the metropolis and its environs opens up: the Niteroi Bridge, Guanabara Bay, the Botanical Garden, the world’s largest Maracanã stadium, the Sugar Loaf.
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Day 4. Rio de Janeiro – Iguazu. Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport, flight to Iguazu. You will be met by a driver holding a sign with your names on it. Transfer to the selected hotel. The Foz de Iguaçu waterfalls are 275 huge water streams falling from a terrible height. Niagara seems like a stream in comparison with the Brazilian miracle. The name of the waterfalls in translation from the language of the Guarani Indians means “big water”. The Iguazu Falls are located on the Iguazu River, on the border between Brazil and Argentina. This is a magnificent, unique spectacle created by nature. Before you open the most beautiful landscapes and waterfalls, falling from a height of 72 m into the gorge, called the “Devil’s Throat”. The numerous paths and passages created by human hands are amazing, allowing you to observe this natural phenomenon from a very close distance and even stand at the “Devil’s Throat”, while billions of water sprays fall on you. The roar of the waterfalls can be heard for several kilometers. From specially equipped sites, you can watch the bewitching waterfalls from both the Brazilian and Argentine sides.
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Day 5. Iguazu. Breakfast at the hotel. You will find a rich excursion program to the Foz de Iguaçu waterfalls. After breakfast, you will head to the Brazilian side of the Foz do Iguaçu Falls, which border the Iguaçu River Canyon. To say that this is a magnificent sight does not express the emotions that you will be subject to. The waterfalls are located on the territory of the national park with unique flora and fauna. They arose as a result of a volcanic eruption and displacement of the earth’s layers. The name of the waterfalls in translation from Guarani means “big water”. 275 waterfalls, each of which has its own name, merging into one, rush down with a roar into the “Devil’s Throat” gorge. The spectacle of water splashes in the halo of the rainbow spectrum is simply mesmerizing. On the way to the most powerful waterfall called “Devil’s Throat” you will see many small waterfalls. Iridescent splashes of billions of drops of falling water and magnificent landscapes cause an incomparable delight.
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Day 6. Iguazu – Buenos Aires. Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to the Argentinean waterfalls. Through the Tancredo Neves Bridge, built across the Iguazu River, the National Park begins and after walking along it you will come close to the waterfalls and find yourself directly under them, feel the power of the falling water very close and you can enjoy the natural park around this magnificent beauty! You will see the birth of waterfalls and the most famous waterfall “Devil’s Throats”. The numerous paths and passages created by human hands are amazing, allowing you to observe this natural phenomenon from a very close distance. We will take a walk to the National Park and admire the waterfalls from special viewing platforms located high above them. Multi-ton jets of water form a huge number of waterfalls of various shapes and heights, over which colorful rainbows hang. The impressions of this spectacle will remain with you for a lifetime. Particularly impressive is the waterfall called Devil’s Throat, which is the largest of the waterfalls. The national park covers an area of ​​55,500 hectares, where diverse and unique flora and fauna, unique to this region, are preserved.
After the end of the tour, transfer to the airport and flight to Buenos Aires. Arrival at Buenos Aires airport. You will be met by a driver with a sign of your names. Transfer to the hotel.

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Day 7. Buenos Aires. Breakfast at the hotel. City tour with a guide (3 hours) with a Russian-speaking guide. You will see the unique capital of its kind and touch the legendary centuries-old culture of Argentina – a combination of history and art. Most of all Argentine attractions are concentrated in Buenos Aires. The sophistication of architecture is comparable only to Paris. But the city is unique in its beauty. Buenos Aires is well known for its many museums, and art lovers will find a wide variety of museums, galleries, theaters and monuments in this city. The main attractions of the city include the old district of La Boca, the historical area of ​​the San Telmo district, where you can find a large number of large and small bars, restaurants, as well as a real antiques market in Plaza Dorrego. The real heart of Buenos Aires is the central square of Plaza de Mayo – the largest shopping center in the world. Also, the main attractions of the city include the “Pink House” (the presidential palace of Cassa Rosada), which is associated with the name of Evita Peron and many other monuments. Among them, the symbol of the city is a 67-meter obelisk erected in honor of the declaration of independence of the state of Argentina, standing on the widest street in the world, Avenue 9July. You will also visit the elegant quarter of La Recoletta with the famous cemetery, the colonial-style El Pilar church and the nearby cultural and commercial center. The tour program also includes a visit to the modern districts of the city: Puerto Madero and the Lezama and February 3 parks. In the evening you will visit the Tango Show (with dinner). Tango is very popular all over the world. But Argentina has one indisputable advantage – this is where it appeared. The amazing world of tango… Dance on stage with its passion and virtuosity takes you to the world of love and graceful performance. This dance originated in the ports of the city among poor immigrants, shepherds, gauchos and other unsettled people. At first, the dance was performed by two men rather cheekily and got its name from the Latin “tangere” – to touch. Over time, Tango became slower and took on new tones of intimacy. Tango orchestras appeared. The dance was rapidly gaining popularity, and now the Tango is one of the most sensual dances on earth, it teaches sincerity, makes men remember gallantry, women about tenderness. In the restaurant, the interior creates a tango atmosphere, and a menu of several traditional dishes with excellent Argentinean wines will complete this romantic evening.
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Day 8. Buenos Aires. Breakfast at the hotel. Free day for independent walks around the city or additional excursions.

Day 9. Buenos Aires. Breakfast. Airport transfer.

Optional excursions

Rio at night!
In the evening you will be offered a show – mulattos. You will see not only samba, but also other dances of the peoples of Latin America. Your guide picks you up from the hotel and upon arrival you will see a stunningly beautiful spectacle filled with Brazilian dances – this is samba, capoeira and, of course, beautiful mulattos in amazing costumes. Exotic Night! After the end of the show, transfer back to the hotel. Duration 4 hours. nine0003

Boat trip – Guanabara Bay!
You sail from the port of Marina Gloria on a comfortable boat and enjoy the views of one of the largest and most beautiful bays in Brazil. The sea breeze, the blue of the ocean water and magnificent views are with you. During this tour you will see the most picturesque and panoramic beauties of Rio de Janeiro. You will sail past the famous areas of the city – Botafogo, Flamengo, and Urca. Even from a distance, the Sugar Loaf, the tropical islands, Fort São Joan, and the Rio Niteroi bridge, the Niemeyer-designed Museum of Modern Art, the 16th-century Santa Cruz fortress and the mountainside favelas are impressive. Duration 4 hours. nine0003

Secrets of old Rio
During this tour you will discover the secrets of old Rio de Janeiro. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you will drive to the historic center of the city, where you will learn the history of Rio de Janeiro, its colonial past, rituals and churches. and the origin of the name Rio de Janeiro, which was founded in 1565. On this walk through the historic center of the city, you will see many monuments from the past, such as the Church of Candelaria, built in 1775, and the monastery of San Bento, where the best examples of the Baroque style were embodied. Visit the Arches of the famous Lapa, which was built in 1732 and is used as an aqueduct to bring water from the Carioca River to the city center. The Municipal Theater has been decorated by the best artists from Europe and is reminiscent of a Parisian opera! Then go to Piazza Novembre, where there are several important monuments of the city: the Imperial Palace, from the balcony of which slavery was abolished, the Tiradentes Palace, the cathedral, built in 1808 as a royal church, the Carmelite monastery of the 16th century. On Piazza Boticario there are buildings with mosaics, old facades surrounded by centuries-old trees. Finally, visit the unique Rio Cathedral with a capacity of 20,000 people. At the end of the tour you will visit the historic cafeteria of Colombo, where the elite of Rio come out for afternoon tea and coffee. Try the cakes and you will remember this taste! Food and drinks are not included in Colombo. Duration 4 hours. nine0003

Helicopter flight!
You will fully enjoy the beautiful views. You will see the blue ocean, mountains overgrown with tropical greenery, snow-white beaches, yachts and the whole city. You have a choice between flights, the time of which varies from 6 to 13 minutes. Depending on the selected time interval, you can see: the heliport around the statue of Christ the Savior, the Botanical Garden, the lake – Rocin Shantytown, Niemeyera Avenue, the beaches of Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana, Sugar Loaf. nine0003

Botanical Garden!
The Botanical Garden was founded by Joao Barbosa Rodriguez in the early 19th century and is a lot of beautiful alleys intersecting in the center, unusual statues and monuments, small lakes and fountains, a huge variety of flora from all over the world and just an amazing place where you can relax and unwind. There are more than 7 thousand species of plants from different parts of the world, including wild orchids. On the “Pedro Gordillo Alley” grows the national symbol of Brazil – the Pau-brasil tree. Tall imperial palm trees are very impressive. On Lake Freya Leandro, named after the first director of the Botanical Garden, the most beautiful water lilies of Victoria Regia swim. nine0003

Favela tour! Favela Rocinha
Once upon a time, soldiers from Bahia fought with the royal detachment on a hill where a favela tree stood. After the war, the survivors came to Rio de Janeiro to demand payment. They settled on Providence Hill, and there they remained to live. In memory of their battle, they named it favela hill. Narrow dirty streets meander here, along which fetid ditches stretch. In total, there are 700 favelas in Rio. Not only thieves and drug dealers live in favelas. There are technicians and employees here, and you can also rent a room. You can get here with the permission of the local godfather. The police don’t look in here. There is a brisk street trade in the narrow streets. There is also a free market for food and handicrafts. Here reign their own internal laws. By jeep you will drive around the Rocinha districts and return to the hotel

Hang glider flight!
From the hotel you will arrive with a guide in the forest of Tijuca to Mount Pedra Bonita (Beautiful Stone). Pedra Bonita offers a complete view of Rio de Janeiro. Flying over the green slope of the mountain and the endless ocean gives a very big burst of adrenaline! And with calm soaring, you feel yourself, if not a bird, then very close to this state. A professional English-speaking instructor will give you all safety instructions and explain all the necessary techniques for the jump. You will be dressed in full ammunition and after several imitations of the jump, you, together with the instructor, run up and jump. After flying over the sea, you will arrive at Pepino beach. nine0003

Rafain show.
Rafain Grill Place is a huge 1200 seat air conditioned restaurant with car parking. The menu of the restaurant is very diverse and you can try many meat dishes prepared from the freshest beef and pork. The buffet is abundant with vegetables, fruits and a delicious dessert. Lunch is accompanied by a show of Latin American artists who present both folk chants and modern dances. Visiting the restaurant daily at 7:50 pm. Collection at the location of your hotel. nine0003

Over the waterfall by helicopter.
You will see the power and beauty of waterfalls from a bird’s eye view! This is an amazing and unforgettable sight!

Excursion to the Tigris and the northern provinces of Buenos Aires.
The city of Tigre is a mini Venice, a city on the water. It is located 40 km from downtown Buenos Aires. The Argentines themselves love to come and relax in this city. During the tour you will ride through the northern provinces of the city of Buenos Aires. Visit a city called San Isidro, which is considered the richest province and is very different from the capital. After that, your journey will continue in the city of Tigre. Here you will walk through the beautiful historical and take a boat that will take you along the rivers and canals that form the unique river delta of the Tigre. nine0003

Montevideo and Colonia Uruguay.
Today we invite you to visit the small but charming country of Uruguay. Transfer to the port. On the ferry, we sail to the coast of Uruguay, the colonial town of Colonia, where a bus with the Russian year is already waiting for us, which will take us to Montevideo. The capital of Uruguay – Montevideo – is the only big city in the country. A walk from Independence Square, the largest square in Montevideo, through the old city to the port will introduce you to the center of the capital. There is a commercial area near Independence Square. The square houses a marble statue of the national hero Mauseleio de Artigas and the 26-story Salvo Palace, the tallest building in the city. Other interesting attractions are the National Historical Museum, which houses many exhibits dedicated to history, and the Museo del Gaucho e de la Moneda, which tells about the past of Uruguay during the Gauchos (local cowboys). An interesting full day tour of Montevideo awaits you, during which you will discover one of the most beautiful cities in South America. During the tour you will visit: Port of Montevideo, Independence Square, City Center, Old Town, Cathedral. After the end of the tour you will be transferred to the hotel. Free time. After the end of the tour, transfer back to Colonia and take the ferry to Buenos Aires. Transfer to the hotel. nine0003

Fiesta Gaucho (all day)
The Fiesta Gaucho tour provides an opportunity to get acquainted with the life and folklore of Argentine gauchos at one of the ranches located 80 km from the city. Leading at first a nomadic lifestyle, the gauchos gradually settled down and took up farming and cattle breeding. The few modern gauchos left in the country are now demonstrating amazing horse skills to everyone.