Stopover in Tudela?
Aug 19th, 2006, 12:29 PM
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Stopover in Tudela?
My husband and I are finishing up the itinerary for our October trip to Spain. We're flying into and out of Barcelona and renting a car. At the end of our trip, we need to get from San Sebastian back to Barcelona, arriving on a Monday night (our flight leaves Tuesday morning). I know that drive is about 7 hours, so we're thinking of splitting it up... maybe spending Sunday night somewhere about halfway between the two cities. I've seen Tudela recommended... can anyone tell me more about it? Or does anyone have other recommendations?
Our plan is to spend a few days in Barcelona, then a few days around the Costa Brava/Girona region, then drive to San Sebastian (with perhaps an overnight somewhere along the way).
thanks!
Our plan is to spend a few days in Barcelona, then a few days around the Costa Brava/Girona region, then drive to San Sebastian (with perhaps an overnight somewhere along the way).
thanks!
Aug 19th, 2006, 01:16 PM
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Hi strass,
Tudela isn't quite halfway btwn San Sebastián and Bilbao.
Tudela is a very quick drive down the autoroute from Pamplona. We've stayed there on Good Friday to see the Holy Week processions and Burning of Judas spectacle on the square on Sat. We stayed at the wonderful AC Tudela, which has really stylish, peaceful rooms and exquisitely tiled baths, bu...t I would push further.
Tudela is a bit sleepy most of the time, but main square, la Plaza de los Fueros is atmospheric, and it does have an ancient Jewish quarter.
A better half way stop on the autoroute would be Zaragoza, where you should visit the enormous Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pilar , the Cathedral (Seu) and neighboring Lonja, or ancient Silk Exchange, (which now houses modern art/photography exhibits) all on the same gigantic square. This city is definitely worth an overnight, although the river walk is under complete reconstruction right now, as Zaragoza prepares to hold the Expo in '08.
We recently stayed in Zaragoza at the Hotel Palafox (low internet rates available) on our way (taking many nights) to San Sebastián.
It's a 5 star, although the bedrooms are more 4 star. It's in a quiet midtown location, which I prefer to the tourist clogged Pilar area. They have a spectacular restaurant, Aragonia Paradís, decorated by designer Pascua Ortega, very, very pretty, with Aragón's most impressive wine cellar. It would make a nice splurge on your way back. We just had the 38 euro menu.
The very pretty, classic NH Gran Hotel Zaragoza would be another very nice choice with fine restaurant too, the Ontina, supervised by Maher, one of Navarra's best chefs.
And some of the most stunning ceramics in blue and cream you'll find in all of Spain, from the village of Muel, can be purchased at the Artesanía de Muel shop on Calle del Coso, across from FNAC. But closed on Sun., wouldn't open Mon. a.m. until 10, but trust me, it would be well worth the wait!! (but I'm a collector of Muel ceramics).
Tudela isn't quite halfway btwn San Sebastián and Bilbao.
Tudela is a very quick drive down the autoroute from Pamplona. We've stayed there on Good Friday to see the Holy Week processions and Burning of Judas spectacle on the square on Sat. We stayed at the wonderful AC Tudela, which has really stylish, peaceful rooms and exquisitely tiled baths, bu...t I would push further.
Tudela is a bit sleepy most of the time, but main square, la Plaza de los Fueros is atmospheric, and it does have an ancient Jewish quarter.
A better half way stop on the autoroute would be Zaragoza, where you should visit the enormous Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pilar , the Cathedral (Seu) and neighboring Lonja, or ancient Silk Exchange, (which now houses modern art/photography exhibits) all on the same gigantic square. This city is definitely worth an overnight, although the river walk is under complete reconstruction right now, as Zaragoza prepares to hold the Expo in '08.
We recently stayed in Zaragoza at the Hotel Palafox (low internet rates available) on our way (taking many nights) to San Sebastián.
It's a 5 star, although the bedrooms are more 4 star. It's in a quiet midtown location, which I prefer to the tourist clogged Pilar area. They have a spectacular restaurant, Aragonia Paradís, decorated by designer Pascua Ortega, very, very pretty, with Aragón's most impressive wine cellar. It would make a nice splurge on your way back. We just had the 38 euro menu.
The very pretty, classic NH Gran Hotel Zaragoza would be another very nice choice with fine restaurant too, the Ontina, supervised by Maher, one of Navarra's best chefs.
And some of the most stunning ceramics in blue and cream you'll find in all of Spain, from the village of Muel, can be purchased at the Artesanía de Muel shop on Calle del Coso, across from FNAC. But closed on Sun., wouldn't open Mon. a.m. until 10, but trust me, it would be well worth the wait!! (but I'm a collector of Muel ceramics).
Aug 19th, 2006, 02:30 PM
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strass,
Muel ceramics shop in Zaragoza on Calle del Coso 44.
You could make a quick stop in Tudela on your way. If so, make sure to visit the cathedral-it's an unsung jewel with a stunning Gothic (Hispano-Flemish) altarpiece. It also has a museum and a pretty Romanesque cloister with the mudéjar remains of either an Arab mosque or Jewish synagoge. The three religions lived here in harmony for years. The old aljama (Jewish quarter) with its dark and narrow streets is quite atmospheric for a stroll.
A good place to sample the Ribera cuisine (artichokes and lettuce hearts, or "cogollos de Tudela" ) is the Choko on the Plaza de los Fueros.
Muel ceramics shop in Zaragoza on Calle del Coso 44.
You could make a quick stop in Tudela on your way. If so, make sure to visit the cathedral-it's an unsung jewel with a stunning Gothic (Hispano-Flemish) altarpiece. It also has a museum and a pretty Romanesque cloister with the mudéjar remains of either an Arab mosque or Jewish synagoge. The three religions lived here in harmony for years. The old aljama (Jewish quarter) with its dark and narrow streets is quite atmospheric for a stroll.
A good place to sample the Ribera cuisine (artichokes and lettuce hearts, or "cogollos de Tudela" ) is the Choko on the Plaza de los Fueros.
Jun 15th, 2011, 10:18 AM
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This is quite an old thread, but as we are traveling to Tudela this July, I thought I'd piggyback...
We are stopping between the Pyrenees and Madrid at Tudela, primarily to engage in the Fiestas de Tudela, which is a week-long celebration of the Feast of St. Ana? It seems to commence with the firing of a "loud bang" (a bottle rocket?) in the Plaza de los Fueros at noon on July 24. Every year.
Then a week-long party ensues, the centerpiece of which seems to be the bullfighting. We very much want to watch a bullfight in the ring, and we understand it to be gory, not at all sport, but instead a kind of theater. Even so, it is a cultural event, and we have been watching Facebook and websites from Tudela that are gearing up for this big annual party. Not precisely sure what is going to happen on July 25, the night we are there, but I think there will be a Corrida (bullfight) and perhaps some running of bulls down a street.
It looks like everyone has a good time.
Any information anyone has on Tudela, Navarra, Spain and the bullfighting is appreciated.
We are stopping between the Pyrenees and Madrid at Tudela, primarily to engage in the Fiestas de Tudela, which is a week-long celebration of the Feast of St. Ana? It seems to commence with the firing of a "loud bang" (a bottle rocket?) in the Plaza de los Fueros at noon on July 24. Every year.
Then a week-long party ensues, the centerpiece of which seems to be the bullfighting. We very much want to watch a bullfight in the ring, and we understand it to be gory, not at all sport, but instead a kind of theater. Even so, it is a cultural event, and we have been watching Facebook and websites from Tudela that are gearing up for this big annual party. Not precisely sure what is going to happen on July 25, the night we are there, but I think there will be a Corrida (bullfight) and perhaps some running of bulls down a street.
It looks like everyone has a good time.
Any information anyone has on Tudela, Navarra, Spain and the bullfighting is appreciated.
Jun 15th, 2011, 12:20 PM
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You should be able to find most of the information you're looking for at the following:
http://www.turismo.navarra.es/eng/or...606/Tudela.htm
www.tudela.es/cas/index.asp
www.riberanavarra.com/index_01.htm
http://www.turismo.navarra.es/eng/or...606/Tudela.htm
www.tudela.es/cas/index.asp
www.riberanavarra.com/index_01.htm
Jun 16th, 2011, 07:09 AM
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Yes, don't wish to run with the bulls in the streets. We DO wish to sit in the ring and watch the matador and picadors do their thing. I believe the spanish phrase for the actual in-the-ring bullfighting is "corridas". Si? I hope we can grab some tickets for this.
Aug 18th, 2011, 05:44 AM
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Just a follow-up.
Had the most fantastic 24 hours in Tudela during the Fiestas Santa Ana. Got in to the Hotel Bardenas (directly across from the main bullring) in the mid-afternoon. Everyone in Tudela decked out in white clothes and red neckerchiefs...many red berets. Young, old...everyone. Excited crowd at the Hotel, the matadors, picadors, all the bullfighters stay at the top floor here. The bar is overflowing with older afficianados. Outside on the streets, the youths are preparing garbage-pail buckets with homemade sangria...local wine+coke/fruitjuice. Tickets (30euros each?) to the bullfight easy to get. The woman at the box office suggested a particular section for us. Good thing. Inside the stadium, one half is clearly for affianados who meticulously study the movements of the matadores, while the other half of the stadium is ruled by the kids who have now dragged their huge buckets of sangria into the stands and are dousing each other in it while three bands each take turns accompanying the action in the ring. It is a nutty scene to be sure. You can read about bullfights elsewhere...suffice it to say we did not think it as awful to watch as perhaps written about. Clearly, it is a fascinating, traditional show, not a sport.
By the time the first of six bulls is put down, half the stadium (the younger half) is no longer decked out in white, but is now purple with soaked clothes. The "tinto de verona" is a lot less alcoholic than sangria, so everyone gets a good buzz on, but there are virtually no incidents of rowdiness or fisticuffs or bad behavior. Just a rollicking good time.
After the bullfights, the kids march out of the stadium, and follow the bands down the main street to the central square and everyone parties all night. We nearly died laughing when a madcap fellow strapped a metal container disguised as a bull to his back, and ran around the square shooting off fireworks from his backside..."the firey bull!...El Toro de Feu!"
We were excited to meet the matadors (in full glittery regalia) in our hotel and ride the elevators with them!
The next morning, the streets are cordoned off by wood beams which we sat atop. Anticipation builds for 45minutes, then a bunch of teen boys bolt past, chased by a half dozen bulls. Bulls, boys and spectators show up in the arena again at 8am and everyone watches bull-dodging and jumping as performed by the boys who seem to have been trained...members of youth bull dodging clubs? One or two even flipped over the bulls horns!
Tudela puts on a great show. We met a few kiwis, but no other Americans, so you do not feel at all like you are in a Tourism Zone (like Pamplona?) Everyone in Tudela is friendly. This party lasts all week, there are many events. Highly, highly recommend to anyone interested in the culture of Navarre.
Had the most fantastic 24 hours in Tudela during the Fiestas Santa Ana. Got in to the Hotel Bardenas (directly across from the main bullring) in the mid-afternoon. Everyone in Tudela decked out in white clothes and red neckerchiefs...many red berets. Young, old...everyone. Excited crowd at the Hotel, the matadors, picadors, all the bullfighters stay at the top floor here. The bar is overflowing with older afficianados. Outside on the streets, the youths are preparing garbage-pail buckets with homemade sangria...local wine+coke/fruitjuice. Tickets (30euros each?) to the bullfight easy to get. The woman at the box office suggested a particular section for us. Good thing. Inside the stadium, one half is clearly for affianados who meticulously study the movements of the matadores, while the other half of the stadium is ruled by the kids who have now dragged their huge buckets of sangria into the stands and are dousing each other in it while three bands each take turns accompanying the action in the ring. It is a nutty scene to be sure. You can read about bullfights elsewhere...suffice it to say we did not think it as awful to watch as perhaps written about. Clearly, it is a fascinating, traditional show, not a sport.
By the time the first of six bulls is put down, half the stadium (the younger half) is no longer decked out in white, but is now purple with soaked clothes. The "tinto de verona" is a lot less alcoholic than sangria, so everyone gets a good buzz on, but there are virtually no incidents of rowdiness or fisticuffs or bad behavior. Just a rollicking good time.
After the bullfights, the kids march out of the stadium, and follow the bands down the main street to the central square and everyone parties all night. We nearly died laughing when a madcap fellow strapped a metal container disguised as a bull to his back, and ran around the square shooting off fireworks from his backside..."the firey bull!...El Toro de Feu!"
We were excited to meet the matadors (in full glittery regalia) in our hotel and ride the elevators with them!
The next morning, the streets are cordoned off by wood beams which we sat atop. Anticipation builds for 45minutes, then a bunch of teen boys bolt past, chased by a half dozen bulls. Bulls, boys and spectators show up in the arena again at 8am and everyone watches bull-dodging and jumping as performed by the boys who seem to have been trained...members of youth bull dodging clubs? One or two even flipped over the bulls horns!
Tudela puts on a great show. We met a few kiwis, but no other Americans, so you do not feel at all like you are in a Tourism Zone (like Pamplona?) Everyone in Tudela is friendly. This party lasts all week, there are many events. Highly, highly recommend to anyone interested in the culture of Navarre.
Aug 18th, 2011, 10:34 AM
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Tudela does put on a good festival, but I wouldn't exactly call Pamplona's fiesta a "Tourism Zone" since more than 90% of those attending the fiesta are from Navarra (including Tudela), the Basque country (País Vasco and Pays Basque) and the rest of Spain.
Apr 26th, 2015, 07:16 PM
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joining on this thread- does anyone think thst the soria san juan festival starting round 23rd june ending sunday 28th june with bull fights on some of the nights and parades will be similar to the above mentioned festival in tudela? we had considered going decided not to but now reconsidering after reading the above?
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