Not what you asked but - happy with the car rental repatriation fees?

Right.. How much should I expect these to be?
I am still early enough to plan for a round trip.
4 days in, 4 days back,

forgot to add - This is all planed for late July 2013

It is a very long drive. www.viamichelin.com estimates it takes over 14 hours non stop i.e. without any break and not taking into account traffic conditions which won't be at their best in July. I would fly.

It will likely cost you at least $500 extra to pick up a car in Italy and drop it off in Spain. And it's a loooooonnngg drive. I'd fly too.

you could of course fly one way and drive back, but that leaves you with the drop-off fees.

it might be worth finding out what these are likely to be - we did a one-way hire once from Geneva to Amsterdam and paid only €100 extra, but that was a few years ago.

and where are you going after San Sebastian? do you need to go back to Padova?

I didn't know that there is no option to take a car and leave it elsewhere.
I have two set events:
26/7 - Padova
30/7 - San Sebastian.
I can practically do whatever I like (in the confines of a reasonable budget), the question is how do I optimize this trip? I have up to 8 days.

What are my options?
I would love to do the whole trip in a rental but if there is no other option I will consider renting in each location and flying from one to the other.

Is there a train option?\

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm reading.

You DO have the option of renting a car in Italy and leaving it in Spain - it's just a very expensive option!

Check www.whichbudget.com for flights. And www.trenitalia.com for trains (though I imagine that would involve a bunch of changes and be expensive).

you didn't say where you are going AFTER San Sebastian.

and as St Cirq says, [and as i said] you CAN drive a hire car from Italy to Spain but it may cost more than you think; before you dismiss it, why not find out? [you'll probably need to phone a few of the big car hire companies, rather than being able to do it on line]

you could make this a part fly, part drive trip -eg easyjet fly from venice to Toulouse - you could pick up your car there, then on the way back, drop the car at Nice and fly back to Venice from there. [easyjet again].

that way you would not incur cross border drop off charges and pick up and return would both be within France.

If you plan on seeing Mark Knopfler during the San Sebastian Jazz festival, you should look at booking your accommodations as early as possible. It will be busy again this year, and expect some rain.

As far as driving from Padova to Donostia in 4 days, it can be done, but traffic along the coast will be horrendous at best. To make any time, you should plan on heading inland to Toulouse and on to Donostia.

But quite frankly, I'd fly from Padova to Bilbao. Iberia has a one-stop R/ flight, for around €240 (through Madrid). Since you have up to 8 days, I'd use them to enjoy the Paîs Vasco.

There is Vueling flight from Venice (VCE) to Bilbao; very convenient. Will cost 50 euros or 65 with luggage

"There is Vueling flight from Venice (VCE) to Bilbao" Of course there is, but how long will it take?

"There is Vueling flight from Venice (VCE) to Bilbao" Of course there is, but how long will it take?>>

well, if it's direct it ought to be quicker than going via Madrid, and it looks cheaper too.

do you have a poor opinion of Vuelling, Robert? and if so, why?

No, we fly Vueling/Iberia quite often, but according to the flight schedules, there are no direct flights from Venice to Bilbao in July. The flight has a stop over in Barcelona of several hours. There is, however, a non stop flight from Bilbao to Valencia (2hr 10) they can use on their return.

Iberian flies this route through Madrid.

Non stop flights are on Wed & Sat starting at 50€ (Jul 25 & 27 to be exact)

Venecia (VCE): 17:05
Bilbao (BIO): 19:25

Where are you getting you information from? According to Vueling, the flights on the 25th of July connect through Barcelona and have only a limited number of flights.

Besides, Mark Knopfler will be performing in San Sebastian-Donostia on Tuesday, 30 July 2013. The Jazz festival ends on the 28th this year.

Robert, I see the nonstop on the Vueling website for July 25. Great to know about this nonstop - thanks hkto!

Amazing! Thanks for the help with the flights!
I'll give the big car rental companies a try, see how much they would charge for repatriation fees.

Yes,it does appear that Vueling has a nonstop Venice (VCE) - Bilbao (BIO) on Thursdays and Saturdays at 15:05. The flights would work if hesher doesn't mind spending at least 5 nights in San Sebastian as Mark Knopfler isn't performing until the 30th and the cheap nonstop back to Venice is on 1 Aug.

Make that 17:05...

hesher - if you can get the flights, I'd definitely consider it at least one way.

as Robert points out if you do it both ways, you'd have to "endure" 5 days in San Sebastian - hardly a punishment but you could always hire a car to explore the area while you're waiting for that concert.

Checked some of the hotels. Since it's after the Jazz Festival and before the International Film Festival, there are some bargains to be had.

Thanks Again Guys (Robert2533!)
Where do you recommend I check for hotel in San Sebastien?
Trip Advisor?

Nope www.booking.com.
You can book straight away plus if reviews are important to you they are written by proven guests.