GoGogadget

I'm about to go on a solo trip to Spain and Greece for nearly a month, starting the last week of July. Short notice, I know. The structured activities I'm planning first will be a language school for a week and (most likely) a 10 day Busabout tour of Mykonos, Santorini and two other Greek Islands.

The big question now: Where do I do the Spanish language school for a week? My priorities are really the city's offerings. I'm looking for cultural activities, local flavor however you define it, a great beach close at hand (I'm not driving) and some variety of nightlife...though my mega-club days are mostly over. I'm in my early 30s. I do prefer sandy beaches over rocky.

So I'm torn between several cities
> Cadiz--the language school looks good here and heard lots about how charming the streets are, oldest city, etc. I know it's gonna be hot down south, which is why i'm not choosing Granada!
>Marbella--bigger with more to do?
>San Sebastian--heard so many great things about food and nature. I'm wondering about other cultural activities. I'm aware that this might be a strange choice for Spanish learning, but again, it's more about the environment and culture for me. Alternatively, I could make this a shorter side trip. Hmmmm. Are there organized tours leaving from Madrid or Barcelona?

Any other must-see coastal towns accessible to major transport? Baelaric Islands, maybe? Barcelona is a distant 4th for the purposes of this trip, but I'm willing to look again.

I land in Madrid and will spend a couple days there. Greece will either be the second or third week of the trip. It seems leaving from Barcelona is the cheapest flight to get to Athens, but I'll check again once I have Spanish cities priorities and my itinerary straight.
Thank you!!

Sassafrass

Cadiz will be just as hot as Granada. At least Granada is in the mountains.
San Sebastian will be cooler.
Even though Barcelona is your fourth, it has everything you are seeking and may be a little cooler in July than Cadiz or Granada. It has interesting culture and sightseeing, a beach and nightlife. Does it have a language school you would like?

kimhe

Every year the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) arranges top quality summer courses in San Sebastián in a wide range of topics, including language courses on all levels. Not a strange place to learn Spanish, everybody speaks Spanish in San Sebastián as in most of the Basque Country, and the pronunciation is clearer and easier for most foreigners up here.

The very popular courses attracts thousands of academics, professionals and students, mainly from Spain, every year. http://www.sc.ehu.es/scrwwwsu/

- Courses for foreigners include language courses for on all levels, courses in History and culture of both the Basque Country and Spain, Spanish Poetry, History of Art, Living Basque History, Spain Today etc. Lots of excursions also. More info about this on: http://udaikastaroak2.i2basque.es/po...rsosPdf/Q2.pdf
or Tel. + 34 943 01 53 52, E-mail: [email protected]

IMDonehere

For me, the worst Castilian is spoken in the south. Of course, not that will be the instructors but it will be the shopkeepers and others.

kimhe

... and San Sebastián has got some of the finest city beaches on the continent: http://www.sansebastian.co.uk/beaches/

From Aug 9 to 16, San Sebastián celebrates its Aste Nagusia/Semana Grande/Big Week: http://tourism.euskadi.net/en/agenda.../x65-12375/en/

And great and varied nightlife in San Sebastián. Many fine and great atmosphere music clubs/bars such as Be Bop and Etxekalte, and San Sebastián is a jazz city (the 49th edition of the famous Jazzaldia goes on in late July). When I turned about thirty, I started to go more and more to the many and excellent late night music bars in the area in and around C/Reyes Católicos just behind the cathedral. http://www.timeout.com/barcelona/tra...-san-sebastian
http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/en/to-do/nightlife

Bill_H

I've only been to Barcelona and San Sebastian on your list, but I'd definitely pick SS ... great food, great beaches, big enough but not TOO big, close to France, lots of culture things to do, several language schools, good transport system for day trips up/down the coast or to Bilbao.

GoGogadget

Thanks to all for the great advice!! I plan to visit Barcelona, but overall you've swayed me toward San Sebastian for the week-long trip--due to the reputation of the beaches, excellent cuisine, and how can I pass up the Semana Grande festival!! Also, I will surely put the nightlife tips to good use, kimhe!
I'm still in search of the right language school in San Seb: between Lacunza, Tandem and El aulaazul, all different in size. Waiting to hear back from each school on my inquiries. As a solo traveler, I do hope I can meet people within my age range (late 20s to 30s).

Here's my very tentative Itinerary so far:

Madrid July 24-27 (visiting a friend)
July 27 or 28 train to Barcelona
July 30 Barcelona flight to Athens. Hostel/B&B in Athens.
July 31 Thurs to Aug. 8 Fri Greek Isles
Aug. 9 Sat. Fly from Athens to Bilbao (Fri-Sat. overnight?)
Aug. 9 stay 1 night in Bilbao or take bus to San Seb??
Aug. 10 begin school residence/lodging in San Seb
Aug. 11-15 Language School (Aug. 15 holiday?) + culinary or water sports course?
Aug. 16 Check out of residence (or extend extra night?). Day options: Trip to Rioja wine region? Stay in San Seb area overnight?
Aug. 17-20 Location??? TBD
Aug. 20 Madrid
Aug. 21 Depart for NYC

*Any feedback on the above itinerary would be much appreciated*. I'm really starting to push my budget, so suggestions on ways to save on transport/lodging are welcome.

As you can see, I'm still undecided about the place to visit from Aug. 17-20, but a friend mentioned going south to a family vacation home in Marbella. Nothing solid. We'll find out if that actually pans out. Or I might be a lump of mush after 3 weeks in the sun and surf and just bake wherever I wind up. Not complainin', just sayin' = D

Cheers!

kimhe

Will be huge numbers of people your age group. Most younger people go to the rougher sea Zurriola beach, just across the city river Urumea. 5 mins walking from the center of town: http://www.sansebastian.co.uk/zurriola-beach/

Regarding budget, here are some tips for San Sebastián.

Pension Urkia is a good value basic hotel standard place in the center of San Sebastián, close to the La Concha beach. 50€ for a single room with private bath in the high season. http://www.pensionurkia.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Country.html

La Zurri, just inside from the Zurriola beach, serves excellent three course lunch Menú del día with wine included for 11€. Very popular with locals. http://www.restaurantelazurri.com/ http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...e_Country.html

You can also have bargain lunches or pintxos at the café/restaurant in the basement of the fabulous Miramar Palace just at the western end of La Concha beach. Think the three course menu del dia with wine is some 6-7€ now. The Basque University summer courses goes on here through all of August, and there are lots of people and bustling atmosphere here all day. http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palacio...Sebasti%C3%A1n)

I often have some fabulous value and delicious Chinese food at Restaurante Pekin in C/General Jauregui, 5 on the outskirts of the Parte vieja/Old town when I want a little pause from the gourmet pintxos etc. Mains around 5-6€, friendly people and always good food. http://www.reservarestaurantes.com/r...-san-sebastian

La Cueva del Pollo, 100 meters from Pekin, serves the most juicy take-away chicken with a delicious fresh salad for a few Euros. Also sit-down meals. Have had many fabulous La Cueva del Pollo based picnics up at Monte Urgull, 10 mins steep walking away. Fabulous views from up here. http://www.meetup.com/Donostia-Inter...nts/125087352/
La Cueva del Pollo: http://www.lacuevadelpollo.com/presentacion3/

Bill_H

<b>"I'm still in search of the right language school in San Seb: between Lacunza, Tandem and El aulaazul, all different in size."</b>

There are a couple of free Spanish videos from El Aula Azul here at https://spanish.yabla.com/ ... I was looking at the vids trying to improve my weak A2 level Spanish and remembered these. It will at least give you an idea of the instructors. One of them discusses the differences between SS and Barcelona.

<b>"Aug. 9 stay 1 night in Bilbao or take bus to San Seb??"</b>

We have really enjoyed our two brief trips to Bilbao for fine dining, with a couple of excellent museums and a lot of good areas for meandering near the river. IIRC the bus was about 12 euros to SS, maybe 75 minutes, and you can leave directly from the airport or take a bus into Bilbao (I think 1.4 euros) and then catch a bus to SS the next day from their station. I would personally spend at least a day in Bilbao though.

Have a great trip!