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BARDENAS REALES, Unesco site and national park in Navarra

BARDENAS REALES, Unesco site and national park in Navarra

Old Jan 17th, 2017, 03:29 PM
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BARDENAS REALES, Unesco site and national park in Navarra

I'm surprised that I've never read about this area before which, from photos, reminds me of Cappadocia which I visited on a hitchhiking trip during my college years. And not since then.

Just musing about my next visit to Spain and wondering about this park, and nearby Tudela. Looks as if both can be worked into a plan that might include Barcelona or Madrid, and part of the Basque region.

On the food front, which is always foremost in my mind, it sounds as if the vegetables are wonderful.

I became aware of the general area when I became infatuated with Photographer Edward Burtynsky who has created breathtaking images of the area, including these which were pictured in the NYTimes:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...ain-farms.html



We might be able to visit in October 2017, or in May of 2018. Just musing right now and wonder if anyone here has opinions on this region and what would constitute a great trip of about two weeks in length, from the east coast USA.....please forgive me leaning again and again on the same every-helpful posters here...

http://www.spain.info/en_US/que-quie...as_reales.html
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 04:07 PM
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I'm currently planning a northern Spain trip for July and Bardenas Reales is on my list. In fact, I was going to ask the same question so really hoping someone else will answer this.

The photos make it look amazing. I've found very little info on it. What I have read seems to say you can see a good bit of it in a few hours but also that it's dirt roads so I'm wondering about taking a rental car through it. I know from traveling in the US southwest that lots of roads through some of the parks are unpaved and technically you can't take rental vehicles through them (but many people do anyway, at least on some roads). I'd really love to hear from someone who has been there and could answer if it's sensible to drive through it in a two wheel drive rental and how long to allow.

We're staying a couple of days in Olite at the end of our trip. We're doing a driving loop from Burgos-Leon-Santiago-along the coast- down through LaGuardia-Olite - in slightly over two weeks. We're flying out of Madrid, according to Via Michelin it's about 4 hours from Bardenas Reales to Madrid.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 04:39 PM
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I'm visiting Northern Spain (Asturias and Basque country). But I decided to base 5 nights in San Sebastian rather than split it between San Sebastian and Pamplona.

But yeah, I found out about Barenas Reales too. About 2 hours from SS so it may or may not be in the cards for a day trip.

Easier day trips from San Sebastian to Pamplona and Biarritz.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 04:56 PM
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Ok but's not yet rule it out for day trips from any of those cities...let's try to find out how easy it would be to access with a "normal" car. Otherwise I would guess that the most helpful folks at IberianTraveler (or another agency) can arrange a driver if that is merited..


http://www.iberiantraveler.com/


This may be TMI but my first, and only, real work of "art" photography was a landscape by Burtynsky that depicts an aerial view of that area, or someplace close to it. I debated for almost a year before taking the plunge and have always been fascinated with seeing the real thing since coming upon the photos in the NYTimes.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 05:08 PM
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Thanks for bringing this area to our attention. Absolutely stunning photos!!

You may have already found this?

http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...eales-tourism/

http://www.spain.info/en_CA/reportaj...as_reales.html
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 05:45 PM
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oops didn't realize you already posted the spain.info link.
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Old Apr 7th, 2018, 03:39 PM
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Isabel did you end up visiting?
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Old Apr 7th, 2018, 05:32 PM
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Yes I did. It was quite interesting. Smaller than I expected. Have you been to the desert southwest of the US? Compared to that area it's sort of a 'mini' version. It was definitely worth it to us as we were essentially going right by it. I'm not sure I'd go way out of my way for it, but if going anywhere close I'd certainly say stop.

Here's my blog on that trip - Bardenas Reales is at the end. Zenfolio | Isabel's_View | Crisscrossing the Camino: 5 Weeks in Northern Spain Part 6 - La Rioja and Navarra

More photos here - Zenfolio | Isabel's_View | Navarra
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Old Apr 9th, 2018, 07:01 AM
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Oh, Isabel, your photos, and your entire blog, are divine! What a wealth of information!!
I have been to the SW USA, albeit decades ago, but I do agree that this does not look nearly as impressive. I've been musing about a future trip to Spain and having never been to Navarra, I was trying to come up with some sort of itinerary. But I've only spent shorts stretches in Galicia and wonder if that ought to take priority..so many choices, so little time!
Overall the scenery in Navarra does not look so spectacular, although the region is clearly an architectural and gastronomic treasure house. I've set aside the rest of the blog to study when I have more time....I imagine it will help me formulate a plan!! Thanks for all.
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Old Apr 9th, 2018, 10:41 AM
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The Bardenas

ekscrunchy, you'll want to stay somewhere comfortable if you go. The AC Ciudad de Tudela is comfortable enough and you'll get your Marriott points, but you can also look at staying at the Pago de Cirsus in Ablitas (Pago de Cirsus). Nothing like staying at a bodegas with a good restaurant and great wine.

Hotel Maher (Hotel Restaurante Maher Vive una experiencia gastronómica única.) in nearby Cintruénigo is also another good option.
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