Heading to Spain this August
Jul 23rd, 2010, 04:12 PM
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Heading to Spain this August
Hello,
My fiance and I are heading to Spain this August and need a little help planning! We will be there for two weeks and are flying in and out of Barcelona. We would like to head north form Barcelona to the Pyrenees, over to San Sebastian and then back to Barcelona. We would like to leave the last few days of the trip for traveling to Mallorca. A couple of questions:
1. What is the best way to travel through the Pyrenees and over to San Sebastian? It doesn't seem like the trains run that way. Maybe the bus? Or, car?
2. How long does it take to get from San Sebastian to Barcelona. Is there a good stop in the middle to break up the trip?
3. What location in the Pyrenees should we consider? We would love to go paragliding which I read they have in certain areas.
4. Any ideas of where to stay in Mallorca? We were considering Cala D'or since it seems like there are a lot of restaurants and things to do in town. We are open to suggestions though!
Any other information you can provide is greatly appreciated!
My fiance and I are heading to Spain this August and need a little help planning! We will be there for two weeks and are flying in and out of Barcelona. We would like to head north form Barcelona to the Pyrenees, over to San Sebastian and then back to Barcelona. We would like to leave the last few days of the trip for traveling to Mallorca. A couple of questions:
1. What is the best way to travel through the Pyrenees and over to San Sebastian? It doesn't seem like the trains run that way. Maybe the bus? Or, car?
2. How long does it take to get from San Sebastian to Barcelona. Is there a good stop in the middle to break up the trip?
3. What location in the Pyrenees should we consider? We would love to go paragliding which I read they have in certain areas.
4. Any ideas of where to stay in Mallorca? We were considering Cala D'or since it seems like there are a lot of restaurants and things to do in town. We are open to suggestions though!
Any other information you can provide is greatly appreciated!
Jul 23rd, 2010, 07:37 PM
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Of course you can squeeze it all in 2 weeks, but driving thru Pyrenees will take time. Most of the time you'll be on one lane very narrow and winding road. Could be dangerous for the driver not experienced in the area especially after sunset, unless driving really slow.
Last fall, after spending 5 days in Barcelona we rented a car, headed north to a small town Cadaques. The views along the coast (took local streets and not the highway) and once we got to the mountains were breathtaking. Not sure about paragliding as we were there after the season. I would highly recommend stopping overnight there. It's quaint picturesque fishermans village. Barcelonians go there for weekend getaways. Had a few nice restaurants /cafes on the bay, little bars with local guitar player, etc. Dali once had a house there. Not his house/meusium in Figuera. Crossing to San Sebastian might take you a few days. We were not impressed (besides the views of Pyrenees)with Central Catalunia. Coastal or northern towns/villages are much more interesting. Have not been to San Sebastian, but Hondarribia is right next door. Under an hour drive from San Sebastian. Beautiful place. If you google directions thru or into Pyrenees, allow yourself almost double driving time, and I usually shave some time off from google directions driving in US or other places in Europe. Can not suggest any places to break Barcelona-San Sebastian trip. Have fun!
Last fall, after spending 5 days in Barcelona we rented a car, headed north to a small town Cadaques. The views along the coast (took local streets and not the highway) and once we got to the mountains were breathtaking. Not sure about paragliding as we were there after the season. I would highly recommend stopping overnight there. It's quaint picturesque fishermans village. Barcelonians go there for weekend getaways. Had a few nice restaurants /cafes on the bay, little bars with local guitar player, etc. Dali once had a house there. Not his house/meusium in Figuera. Crossing to San Sebastian might take you a few days. We were not impressed (besides the views of Pyrenees)with Central Catalunia. Coastal or northern towns/villages are much more interesting. Have not been to San Sebastian, but Hondarribia is right next door. Under an hour drive from San Sebastian. Beautiful place. If you google directions thru or into Pyrenees, allow yourself almost double driving time, and I usually shave some time off from google directions driving in US or other places in Europe. Can not suggest any places to break Barcelona-San Sebastian trip. Have fun!
Jul 24th, 2010, 05:32 AM
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Trains and buses from Barcelona to wonderful San Sebastián, but the drive through the Pyrenees is an experience in itself. To break up the trip, I would suggest the nice village Torla, at the foot of Monte Perdido on the fringes of the Ordesa National Park. The former spa village Panticosa is also a special place and popular with skiers, serious hikers and climbers.
Torla: http://www.google.no/images?rlz=1T4A...ed=0CEQQsAQwAw
Panticosa: http://www.indigoguide.com/spain/panticosa.htm
Torla: http://www.google.no/images?rlz=1T4A...ed=0CEQQsAQwAw
Panticosa: http://www.indigoguide.com/spain/panticosa.htm
Jul 24th, 2010, 11:37 AM
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I'd suggest that you get a guidebook. In my youth I was very haphazard about planning, but now, as an experienced traveler, I always consult a guidebook as well as the internet.
An extra benefit is that you will daydream more as you plan your trip.
An extra benefit is that you will daydream more as you plan your trip.
