phillyboy

After a few months of wrangling, we've finally nailed down the general outline of our September vacation. We start with a full week in the Dordogne, based at this hotel in Sarlat.

http://sarlatmanoir.com/

Then 4 nights in the Basque Region here:

http://www.chateaudurtubie.fr/en/

We really were looking to be in Spanish Basque, but there is a film festival going on in San Sebastian during our time in the area, and hotel rooms are in greater demand than usual. Those that are available seem to have jacked-up their prices. We found many more options in our comfort zone over the border, and I think this place is close enough to get to anywhere we need to in Spanish or French Basque Country.

Our final 4 nights are in the Pays de la Loire Region, at this Chateau.

http://www.chateau-moreilles.com/

We will be close to La Rochelle and Ile de Re. We have a fairly full slate of things to see and places to go during our first two stops, but we need to fill in some detail for the last area. Any suggestions on some great towns, markets, and historical sights to visit, nice drives, and great places to eat, not only in this area but all 3, would be greatly appreciated.

Robert2533

You might want to consider staying in St -Jean-de-Luz instead of being outside. It's far more interesting. You can then take the bus into Donostia for the day.

phillyboy

Hi Robert,

The Chateau is only about 2 - 3 km outside the town of St Jean de Luz.

Robert2533

I like the chateau, but it's not walkable to Saint-Jean-de-Luz. It's located close to the highway.

kimhe

Take a look at Hondarribia/Fuenterrabia, on the Spanish side, closer to San Sebastián (I've walked here in five hours), several guest houses and a great little town in itself with a much livelier food scene than on the French side. Excellent food in the French Basque country also of course, but it's something very special that comes with the pintxos atmosphere:

16 places to stay in Hondarribia: http://www.booking.com/city/es/hondarribia.en.html

"A Dining Explosion in a Tiny Basque Town", about Hondarribia in New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/tr...anted=all&_r=0

phillyboy

Thanks kimhe. We have already booked the hotels listed. I'm looking more for suggestions of activities while there. Hondarribia is definitely on the list of places to visit.

kimhe

Have a nice trip!

phillyboy

Anyone have any input, especially suggestions for the area around Moreilles? La Rochelle?

Maybe I need to start a new thread with more specific questions ...

StCirq

Well, I certainly wouldn't miss going to La Rochelle and Ile de Ré while you're that close (I wrote about them in my last trip report). It's not terribly far to Nantes, either, which is a feast of historical import. And the beaches around La Rochelle are very nice, too.

phillyboy

Thanks SC. We had already planned on La Rochelle and Ile de Re. (How do you make that accent over the e in the word Re? I googled it, and none of the suggested answers seem to work for me.)

And since I've been reviewing guide books, Nantes is on the radar too.

Any others?

StCirq

phillyboy, I set my keyboard to United States International. When I want to do a é, I hit the 'key followed immediately by the key for e, then hit the space bar. You can use that system for all accents, ñ, ü, à, ç, etc.

phillyboy

Thanks StCirq.