larrya

My wife and I will arrive Madrid June 4, and plan to spend 3-4 night then go to Avila, Segovia and Salamanca then return to Madrid and take the train to San Sebastian for 3-4 nights. Next we will cross over to the French Basque country for 7-8 nights and head back to Madrid for 2-3 nights before we fly out. Should we stay in Salamanca or Segovia for 3 nights and day trip to Avila and Salamanca / Segovia? We've been to Madrid and southern Spain before and into San Sebastian for day trips but not overnight. Can stay over a few more nights if you see where I could ad a stop or two. Thanks!

dwdvagamundo

That's a lot of time in Madrid. Assume you've been to Toledo; if not, I'd stay a couple of nites there.

Why not stay in Avila? Located between Salamanca and Segovia, and per Trip Advisor, lodging looks inexpensive (a parador for around $100/nite at that time of year).

cruiseluv

I dont agree that 3-4 nights is "a lot of time in Madrid". I recommend staying in Salamanca for at least a couple of nights. I did Avila as a day trip from Madrid and frankly dont see the need to relocate there. You could also do it as a day trip from Salamanca. Segovia can also be done as a day trip, as well as Toledo. Another place which can be done as a day trip from Madrid would be Cuenca, just about an hour by fast train. I havent visited yet but have it in my plans for this summer.

kja

So, a total of about 6 nights in Madrid (3-4 at the start and 2-3 at the end)? If you enjoy art, you will probably want at least 4 days there. Whether you want more time (or less) depends on your interests; add time for any day trips you intend to take from Madrid. I wonder if you could put all of your time in Madrid at the end of your trip to allow one less change of hotels? I found it very easy to go straight from Madrid to Segovia, where I spent my first night in Spain.

FWIW, I thought Segovia deserved a night and day, although I can imagine enjoying Segovia as a day trip. I thought Salamanca deserved 2 full days (and 2 nights). I also spent a night and better part of a day in Avila, but unless you have some particular interest, I think it can be enjoyed as a day trip or stop en route.

I agree with the recommendation for Toledo. I was glad I spent 2 full days (and 2 nights) there and was very glad I had some time there after daytrippers left.

Hope that helps!

dwdvagamundo

Let me explain my recommendation of Avila, then. First, we did Segovia and Avila as two separate day trips from Madrid. The drive was long, mountainous and the same route most of the way. And of course we had to fight our way through the Madrid traffic. If I were to do it again, I'd relocate nearer these cities.

Second, let's go to the map: Avila is located on the main road between Segovia and Salamanca. Therefore, assuming you want to spend at least full day in each of the three, you'll have less backtracking.

Third, lodging rates look reasonable. So reasonable, in fact, that we are now thinking of Spain in the fall instead of France.

I've not been to Salamanca (have a friend who spent a summer there) and I'll grant you that it may have more to offer than either of the others. So that might tip the balance. However, we felt we saw what there was to be seen in Segovia and Avila on day trips, even given the long drive to get there and back from Madrid.

We spent three full days in Madrid not including our day trips. We are lovers of art and architecture, and felt that three full days were enough and we just didn't like it all that much. I'm biased because I hate both the Madrid soccer football clubs, but the OP says they've been there before, so. . .

BTW--Larrya-what's your itinerary for the French Basque country? If we go to Spain, we will probably spend part of it in southwestern France.

larrya

Thanks for the tips! Looks like we'll stay in Salamanca for 3 nights and do Segovia and Avila as day trips. We have been to Toledo but may do an overnight there as well. What do you think about going directly to Salamanca after we arrive or staying in Madrid first?

larrya

dwdvagamundo, I think Salamanca is where we'll stay because there will be more to do there, thank you. We may go there right after landing and leave Madrid for the end of the trip. We'll use bus/trains for this portion of the trip.

After we leave San Sebastian we are planning on staying on French Basque side. Looking at Biarritz/Bayonne for 3-4 nights then move to St Pied de Port for 3-4 nights, then may go to Bordeaux for a few nights. We will have a rental for the French part of the trip so will be doing day trips to the different towns. Nothing is that far apart.

Bought my air tickets today but haven't booked hotels yet so still flexable on days and towns.

dwdvagamundo

Thanks for the info on Basque country.

I concur in going directly to Salamanca. It's always better to have as few lodging changes as possible.

!Buen viaje!

Michael

For the French section you might interested in my trip report that covers Bordeaux and Aquitaine; click on my name to find it.

It might be more efficient to find a long distance bus service (http://www.independentrip.com/en/bus...astian-donosti) from Salamanca to San Sebastian rather than going back to Madrid.

larrya

Michael, great trip report, I picked up a couple of ideas. Now I'm looking at stay in Avila at the Parador and doing Salamanca as day trip then bus to one night in Segovia. I think the train goes from there to San Sebastian in the mornings.

If I drive into Bordeaux will I have trouble with parking or getting into and out of the city center? What route did you take heading south into the Basque region? Any suggestions?

Michael

The question is why Bordeaux? Its access is a pain. We parked there a couple of times, but I frankly do not remember the details. Paid parking is generally available but if staying at a hotel, I would ask them where to park.

CathyM

I'd stick with the original plan of heading immediately to Salamanca. There's even an Avanza bus that goes directly from Bajaras to Salamanca so you don't need to go into Madrid center. I've visited Segovia twice as overnight trips and enjoyed the city after the daytrippers left. Similarly I've done a daytrip and overnight in Avila. IMHO if time is limited then I'd do the daytrip to Avila and overnight in Salamanca and if time in Segovia. You could bus from Salamanca, daytrip in Avila storing your luggage, and then head to Segovia.

For the Basque Country portion of your trip have you spent much time in the Spanish side? If not you may consider a flight from Madrid to Bilbao and spend a couple of days in Bilbao before heading to San Sebastian.

larrya

Thanks Cathy, the bus schedule works for me. I was looking Avila just because of the Parador, do you have a suggestion for a central hotel in Salamanca? The day trip to Avila and on to Segovia also sounds good. I should spend the night in Segovia because of the early train.

I have been to Bilbao and the Spain Basque side several time, really like it. If I have any extra time after the French side I might head back to Madrid thru Pamplona down.

Would you do 2 or 3 nights in salamanca?

CathyM

It's been about 5 years since I last visited Salamanca so I don't feel good giving you a hotel recommendation. I'd check the TA and booking.com reviews (or perhaps someone here can help you).

Is Salamanca your first overnight after a transatlantic flight? If so then I'd stay 3 nights as your first day will be a bit of a blur and this would give you time to rest up. However, I did have a question. Would you spend one night in Segovia and have an early morning train? Then the day before you'd do a daytrip between Salamanca and Segovia in Avila? If so then you'd really have little time to visit Segovia. If this is the case then I'd consider 2 nights Salamanca and 2 in Segovia as this would really equate to a full day in each (+ a jetlagged day in Salamanca and a daytrip to Avila).

If you have time to stop in Pamplona definately take the time! It's a wonderful city often overlooked except during "the festival". Food is great, scenic old town, and some of friendliest locals I've encountered in Spain (or the Basque Country).

kja

Assuming you need to return to Madrid before heading on to San Sebastian, my recommendation would be: Go straight to Salamanca. Spend 3 nights. Next morning, go to Avila and visit for a few hours en route to Segovia. Spend the rest of that day, the night, and as much of the following day as you like in Segovia. Move on to Madrid and San Sebastian. Just an idea to consider.

larrya

Cathy, that makes sense. Yes we land about 10 A.M. ,Bus from Bajaras to Salamanca for 2 nights, onto Avila for day trip then on to Segovia for 2 nights. I'll check hotel sites next.

Spent 1 night in Pamplona 10,years ago and will try and schedule 2 nights there this trip.

Michael, I've got a few extra day so thought I'd do a couple of days in Bordeaux., we passed thru there 22 years ago with a backpack and eurorail pass. Think I'll turn in the car in the Basque Country and do a round trip on the train before heading back into Spain.

Kia, I'm going to take the train from Segovia to San Sebastián, it's an early train, so I won't go back to Madrid until the end of the trip.

Any idea's on hotels in Salamanca and Segovia?

Thanks to all.