Basque Country: Planning
Dec 24th, 2012, 03:54 PM
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Basque Country: Planning
I'm thinking trip planning for Basque country, and would welcome any suggestions about itinerary. Looking at 3 weeks; renting a car where necessary; any time of the year (in the next 14 months); budget would be up to EUR 200/night accommodation. DH's great-great-great was Basque, so this is kind of special. Not really into hiking (though "The Way" was compelling) or skiing; definitely interested in museums, history, and food. More aligned to the ocean than the mountains, but mountains are splendid. I speak French, but not Spanish. Basque? Er, No.
I'll certainly be reviewing posted reports, but it's Christmas Eve, and I was just considering what I would really like to find, under the tree: the next trip; clean slate!
I'll certainly be reviewing posted reports, but it's Christmas Eve, and I was just considering what I would really like to find, under the tree: the next trip; clean slate!
Dec 24th, 2012, 04:39 PM
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You might want to take a look at my trip report for June 2011 starting in Bordeaux; click on my name to find it. Except for a walk over the border in Hendaye, our time in the Basque country was on the French side.
Dec 24th, 2012, 07:36 PM
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Dec 26th, 2012, 08:15 PM
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Eskerrik asko, for the Maribel reminder ... all 88 pages of it!
I thought about starting in Bordeaux and renting a car, but don't want to return a French auto in Spain. After skimming Maribel and a couple of trip reports (thanks, Michael, great!), it appears that I should concentrate on Pais Vasco, and take a side trip to Biarritz and Bayonne.
Couple of interesting possibilities to add to my work-in-progress (Bilboa, Guernica, Hondarribia, San Sebastian) will be the Sanctuary of Loyola, and the Paleolithic cave art.
Late September / early October look good. Don't you just love the planning stage of a trip!
I thought about starting in Bordeaux and renting a car, but don't want to return a French auto in Spain. After skimming Maribel and a couple of trip reports (thanks, Michael, great!), it appears that I should concentrate on Pais Vasco, and take a side trip to Biarritz and Bayonne.
Couple of interesting possibilities to add to my work-in-progress (Bilboa, Guernica, Hondarribia, San Sebastian) will be the Sanctuary of Loyola, and the Paleolithic cave art.
Late September / early October look good. Don't you just love the planning stage of a trip!
Dec 27th, 2012, 02:27 AM
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Be aware that the 61th edition of the San Sebastián film festival takes place September 20-28 2013. Hotel prices sky-rockets and you'll have to book early.
Fantastic city, the food capital of Spain, a rich culture that people take great pride in, beautiful landscapes, the finest city beaches on the continent and European capital of culture 2016.
Take a look at these very informative sites from Mikel from neighbouring Bilbao:
http://www.blogseitb.us/basquetourism/
http://mugalari.wordpress.com/
Fantastic city, the food capital of Spain, a rich culture that people take great pride in, beautiful landscapes, the finest city beaches on the continent and European capital of culture 2016.
Take a look at these very informative sites from Mikel from neighbouring Bilbao:
http://www.blogseitb.us/basquetourism/
http://mugalari.wordpress.com/
Dec 27th, 2012, 02:32 AM
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I think the Spanish side of the Basque Country is much more interesting than the French side, although the scenery there is beautiful. The towns of the French side are much more dolled up for tourism, and filled with tour buses. In France, I think nosing around the foothills of the French Pyrenees is more interesting than the French towns of the coast, but since you say you prefer the coast to the mountains, the scenery of the coast is really very lovely, you might find it rewarding.
For the Spanish coast, this is very useful:
http://www.spain.info/en/reportajes/...as_del_pv.html
If you have your choice of months you might look at June or September as brining hopes of more dry weather than rain, but fewer fellow tourists. If tourist crowds don't bother you, then I would definitely suggest going during July or early August.
Were it me going for 3 weeks, I couldn't resist adding time in the Picos, but I am more oriented to out of the way places. Rioja wine is one of my very favorites, and although I've no interest in visiting wineries, I would want to head into that area for meals and small town exploration and learning more history.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/10/21...anted=all&_r=0
I think this is a useful website
http://www.spainisculture.com/en/des...a_cogolla.html
and this is exhaustive for the rioja
http://www.euroresidentes.com/eurore...e-to-rioja.htm
To answer your last question: Not really, but glad you are having a good time already.
For the Spanish coast, this is very useful:
http://www.spain.info/en/reportajes/...as_del_pv.html
If you have your choice of months you might look at June or September as brining hopes of more dry weather than rain, but fewer fellow tourists. If tourist crowds don't bother you, then I would definitely suggest going during July or early August.
Were it me going for 3 weeks, I couldn't resist adding time in the Picos, but I am more oriented to out of the way places. Rioja wine is one of my very favorites, and although I've no interest in visiting wineries, I would want to head into that area for meals and small town exploration and learning more history.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/10/21...anted=all&_r=0
I think this is a useful website
http://www.spainisculture.com/en/des...a_cogolla.html
and this is exhaustive for the rioja
http://www.euroresidentes.com/eurore...e-to-rioja.htm
To answer your last question: Not really, but glad you are having a good time already.
Dec 27th, 2012, 05:17 AM
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Several small villages well worth visiting along the beautiful coastline between San Sebastián and Bilbao such as Getaria, Zumaya, Mutriku, Lekeitio etc. Fabulous restaurants all along the way.
When it comes to museums, the spectacular Guggenheim in Bilbao is of course a must, at least for the architecture: http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao
The close by Fine Arts museum is one of the absolute best in all of Spain: http://www.museobilbao.com/in/
Gernika/Guernica is close to Bilbao. Destroyed by German bombers on the 26th of April 1937 during the Spanish Civil War (Picasso's painting). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_(painting)
Picasso and Guernica: http://www.pbs.org/treasuresofthewor...n_guerfrm.html
Gernika Peace Museum: http://www.museodelapaz.org/en/index_en.php
Perhaps go a bit inland to the old university town Oñati and the Arantzazu Monastery?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O%C3%B1ati
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuary_of_Arantzazu
The newly renovated Museo de San Telmo on the edge of the Parte vieja/Old town in San Sebastián is a fine museum dedicated to Basque history and culture. http://www.santelmomuseoa.com/index.php?lang=en
Here you'll find lots of updated info about the Basque Country: http://tourism.euskadi.net/en/
When it comes to museums, the spectacular Guggenheim in Bilbao is of course a must, at least for the architecture: http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao
The close by Fine Arts museum is one of the absolute best in all of Spain: http://www.museobilbao.com/in/
Gernika/Guernica is close to Bilbao. Destroyed by German bombers on the 26th of April 1937 during the Spanish Civil War (Picasso's painting). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_(painting)
Picasso and Guernica: http://www.pbs.org/treasuresofthewor...n_guerfrm.html
Gernika Peace Museum: http://www.museodelapaz.org/en/index_en.php
Perhaps go a bit inland to the old university town Oñati and the Arantzazu Monastery?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O%C3%B1ati
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuary_of_Arantzazu
The newly renovated Museo de San Telmo on the edge of the Parte vieja/Old town in San Sebastián is a fine museum dedicated to Basque history and culture. http://www.santelmomuseoa.com/index.php?lang=en
Here you'll find lots of updated info about the Basque Country: http://tourism.euskadi.net/en/
