spatz31

After previous advice we are slowly narrowing our stopover choice. Choice between Ainsa or Torla?We will only have an afternoon and night there but would like beautiful surroundings and authentic small town, Also afterwards we would like to drive through scenic mountain roads to San sebastian not all highways.Do people have suggestions for a route??
Thanks
Lyn

Robert2533

The villages are on opposites sides of the Ordesa & Monte Perdido National Park, Toria being the smaller of the two. I would spend the night in Ainsa and visit Toria on the way up to France if you cross the Pyrenees at Formigal and drive through the Pays Basque on the way to San Sebastian-Donostia. Otherwise you can follow the N-240 to Pamplona and head up the N-121A to Irun and then to San Sebastian-Donostia.

There is another route that will take you past the villages of Ochagavía, Espinal, Zubiri, Elizondo and Lesaka before heading into San Sebastian-Donostia, if you have the time.

kimhe

Haven's been to Ainsa, but I love Torla:
https://www.google.no/search?q=Torla...w=1600&bih=783

Hotels in Torla with great reviews: http://www.booking.com/city/es/torla.en.html

After Torla, go through Jaca, up through wonderful little Isaba down in the valley, and up to Arette-la-Pierre-St-Martin and then towards Jean-Jean Pied de Port, and then down to San Sebastián. From Isaba this is a very scenic route. Have droven here in and out of - and occasionally above - the clouds with rainfall and sun shifting around almost every corner. My most spectacular drive ever.

spatz31

Sounds beautiful.I will try and get a more comprehensive map and have a look Thank you

spatz31

Robert thanks for the information I will look at more info on both towns.Torla define toy appeals scenery I wise but Ainsa seems to have a lot to do The second route you suggested through the villages...do you know the number route it would be,also how long would it be travelling to San Sebastián that way
many thanks

Robert2533

The route would take you past Jaca on the new A-21/N-240 and up to the village of Ochagavía on the NA-137 to the NA-140. You continue to follow the NA-140 to Espinal, where you pick up the N-135 to Zubiri. From Zubiri you head up the NA-138, turning onto the NA-1740 to Elizondo, where you can stop for lunch. From Elizondo, you head for the N-121A past Lesaka and onto the highway at Irun before heading into Donostia-San Sebastián. The drive from Jaca takes just under 5 hours without stops. The route takes you through the Atlantic Pyrenees and some beautiful countryside, including the Baztan Valley. It's a drive you shouldn't miss.

http://www.turismo.navarra.es/eng/or...acionado/3066/

There are a few restaurants serving traditional cuisine in Elizondo to choose from including Santxotena (www.santxotena.es), Casa Galarza and Kortarixar.

spatz31

Thankyou Robert for all the information.I will peruse the websites.The route above ...ois that after we have been through Torla?

phillyboy

Bookmarking

Robert2533

Yes, after Torla, you head for Jaca and continue west from there.

spatz31

Robert We have decided to stay in Ainsa for the night Torla looked amazing but we feel we need a lot more time to do justice to all the beautiful hikes so will do it next time!
Out of your two suggested routes which is the most spectacular visually.As we are from N.Z we are used to very gren rolling land so would really appreciate the more dramatic the better if that makes sense!!!

Robert2533

The second route, through the Navarran Pyrenees and the Baztan Valley. You'll even encounter some sheep along the way. The French side is more pastoral.

http://www.guiarepsol.com/es_en/turi..._navarros.aspx

There are several pictures of the Navarran Pyrenees, including some from the Roncal Valley in this group:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iberian...7617517126899/

spatz31

Robert,Thanyou The links were great!!Definetly going with that route.I have read Ainsa has a lovely old town but the surroundings not so great.Do you agree,if so is there a better choice on that route to stay overnight or shall we stick with Ainsa?
Thanks Lyn
P.S why is it that as soon as you say youre from N.Z people mention sheep LOL

Robert2533

If you've never been to the States, most of the lamb you find in the market is from N.Z.

As far as staying in Ainsa, the area is beautiful and rugged, and on the convergence of two rivers, the Ara and Cince. If you wanted to push on another hour, then you could spend the night Jaca, but I think you'll find spending a night in Ainsa's historic center more interesting.

You can check out the hotels Los Siete Reyes and Los Arcos.

spatz31

Booked just outside of Ainsa. It was a bit hard with the carparking in the town so we are about2 kms out and then will tiki tour to San SebastianHas anyone got any not to miss restuarants in San Sebasitian area.My husband is a chef and I just love food!!!!

kimhe

Food crazy San Sebastián is the culinary capital of Spain. The world's most famous chef the past decade, Ferran Adrià (of now closed El Bulli) has suggested that San Sebastián is the best place to eat in the world "in terms of what you can get at any place you happen to walk into".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...rink.shopping2

Four of the best restaurants in the world are in and around San Sebastián, three of them with three Michelin Stars: Arzak, Akelarre and Martín Berasategui. The fourth, Mugaritz with two stars, was voted no. 4 on the prestigious S. Pellegrino list for 2013: http://www.theworlds50best.com/list/1-50-winners/

16 Michelin stars in town.

You don't need to go to the Michelin star restaurants to get fantastic food. Lots of places with much more affordable prices but with the best and freshest produce and world class kitchen. San Sebastián classic Urola has been my favourite in town for more than two decades. Reopened its doors last August under the famous chef Pablo Loureiro after one year closing. Can't wait to go there again this fall.
http://www.casaurolajatetxea.es/es/portada/ http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...e_Country.html

And here is all about going for the world famous pintxos. On a pintxos crawl you can have affordable gourmet experiences (each pintxo is some 2-3€) and very much fun. You should know some of the bars and their specialities, but almost any place would be great, so you can also just relax and go where the night (or the lunch hours) take you. Myriads of pintxos will be on display at the bar, but remember to also ask for the warm house specialities which are prepared directly in the kitchen on order. http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

Mark_chin

Hi guys,
we are a family of 3 planning to go to Spain next year around May.
I'm also considering driving from Costa Brava to SS through the Pyrenees.
kimhe, may I ask: the route you recommended appears to be different from that by Robert. Can you give more details such as the number route to take as well as estimated travelling time say from Torla to San Sebastian?

kimhe

From Torla, N-260A, N-240, NA-137 towards and through Isaba up to Arrete/Pierre St-Martin. Then D-132, D-113 etc towards Saint-Jean-Pied de Port, and eventually down to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and finally to Donostia/San Sebastián. This is a slow route, and I would suggest you spend two days on the drive, with a stay-over in wonderful little Isaba down in the valley or in well-known Sain-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

Possible to do it much faster from Torla to San Sebastián via the highway and Pamplona.

Mark_chin

Thanks a lot kimhe.
May I also ask what's the condition of the roads on this route?
In terms of scenery is there any significant difference between your route and that of Robert's?
Finally any accommodation you can recommend in Isaba?
I'm from Singapore and we drive on the left side of the road,
so abit apprehensive driving on the opposite side.

kimhe

Robert knows what he's talking about, and I'm pretty sure the route he has suggested also is full of great scenery. The Pyrenees are dramatic and beautiful as well as rolling and green. The road conditions are fine, think Tour de France standard (the famous bike race usually have some stages in the area).

When it comes to accommodation, take a look at Metsola in Isaba: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/metsola-birding.html

I can recommend to be out in Isaba after dark, especially in moon-light. We spent a night camping by the little river at the Southern end of tiny Isaba. The moon-light, the surrounding mountains, the river, some good, local cheese and a nice bottle; pure magic!

Mark_chin

Wow! That sounds really magical. Am now torn between staying overnight either at Ainsa, Torla or Isaba. We'll likely be coming from Girona (few days around Costa Brava), to Isaba would be quite a long drive, no?
Plus we may want to visit Besalu along the way. Is that too ambitious?