visiting Spain for a month and a half.
Jan 19th, 2009, 10:34 AM
#1
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visiting Spain for a month and a half.
My wife,daughter(3yrs)and I are planing on visiting Spain for a month and a half. We are looking for suggestions on where to make our base camp. We do not want a large city like Madrid or Barcelona. We want to be able to travel to small towns,bullfights and great areas for wine and tapas. I do however want to go fly fishing on the River Irati. We are going at the end of March, which I think is a good time. We want to rent villas and no hotels if possible. I think outside of Spain, we may take a rail trip to Tuscany for a week. Any suggestions??
ELS
ELS
Jan 19th, 2009, 10:45 AM
#2
hi els,
well first of all, I envy you being able to take such a long time away - what a luxury.
In march, you could look at anywhere apart perhaps from the north which might be a bit wet and windy that time of year. I don't know where the River Irati is, but generally, i woudl think that March woudl be a good time to be in andalucia. have you looked at the very useful info in www.meribelsguides.com?
also, I don't quite get the Tuscany bit - a rail trip to say, Florence and back with a 3 year old would be quite interesting!! I looked it up on www.bahn.de and it takes about 24 hours!
if you want to combine the two, why not do open-jaw flights into Spain, and out of italy, with a flight in between? this is a time when cheap flgihts come into their own.
regards, ann
well first of all, I envy you being able to take such a long time away - what a luxury.
In march, you could look at anywhere apart perhaps from the north which might be a bit wet and windy that time of year. I don't know where the River Irati is, but generally, i woudl think that March woudl be a good time to be in andalucia. have you looked at the very useful info in www.meribelsguides.com?
also, I don't quite get the Tuscany bit - a rail trip to say, Florence and back with a 3 year old would be quite interesting!! I looked it up on www.bahn.de and it takes about 24 hours!
if you want to combine the two, why not do open-jaw flights into Spain, and out of italy, with a flight in between? this is a time when cheap flgihts come into their own.
regards, ann
Jan 19th, 2009, 10:48 AM
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If fly fishing in the Irati is a must, then you will probably stay in the North.
Whether March is a "good time" for that, I don't know. Depends on what you consider "good".
You can rent villas in almost every part of spain. Maybe you want to check VRBO for rentals in the vicinity of the Irati, if that is somewhat of the focal point of your trip.
It is hard to find regions in Spain that are NOT great for wine and tapas, but since you are probably leaning towards the North anyway, tapas/pintxos should not really be a problem.
I assume that you are somewhat familiar with the language when you want to stay in somewhat remote areas?
Rail trip to Tuscany is nuts. Take the plane and rent a car for the week (assuming that you want to explore the countryside in Tuscany).
Whether March is a "good time" for that, I don't know. Depends on what you consider "good".
You can rent villas in almost every part of spain. Maybe you want to check VRBO for rentals in the vicinity of the Irati, if that is somewhat of the focal point of your trip.
It is hard to find regions in Spain that are NOT great for wine and tapas, but since you are probably leaning towards the North anyway, tapas/pintxos should not really be a problem.
I assume that you are somewhat familiar with the language when you want to stay in somewhat remote areas?
Rail trip to Tuscany is nuts. Take the plane and rent a car for the week (assuming that you want to explore the countryside in Tuscany).
Jan 19th, 2009, 10:55 AM
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Can only agree that flying to Tuscany is the only ting that makes sense. More than 48 hours on a train with a 3 year old makes no sense whatsoever.
Don;t know where that river is - but would check the weather in the are - March may still be quite cold if in the north/mountains.
Finally, I hope you're figured out what to do with a 3 year old during the bull fights - since I can;t imagine you would subject a small child to such horror. (A movie of a bullfight would NEVER allow under 13's.)
Don;t know where that river is - but would check the weather in the are - March may still be quite cold if in the north/mountains.
Finally, I hope you're figured out what to do with a 3 year old during the bull fights - since I can;t imagine you would subject a small child to such horror. (A movie of a bullfight would NEVER allow under 13's.)
Jan 19th, 2009, 12:23 PM
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Yes, It is probably best to fly to Italy fromSpain for the week in Tuscany.
I will not allow my daughter to go to the bull fights...that would be horrible.
I have some friends I worked with in Seville and Barcelona and we are currently trying to get something together for when we visit. As far as the fishing, I think it is a focal point for me but not my family. As an avid fly fisher, the River Irati, was the focal point of fishing in Hemingways novel, The sun also Rises. For me, that is a must, if only for a couple of days.
Does anyone know where it is located....near Pamplona?
Anyone that has a decent map of spain, please send until I buy one, if possible.
As far as staying, we would want something outside of a bigger city. We have saved and want to do this trip right and want to avoid hotels. Also, is there a long term car rental? I am very familiar with Spanish and my wife is fluent as she is Costa Rican. Thanks, ELS
I will not allow my daughter to go to the bull fights...that would be horrible.
I have some friends I worked with in Seville and Barcelona and we are currently trying to get something together for when we visit. As far as the fishing, I think it is a focal point for me but not my family. As an avid fly fisher, the River Irati, was the focal point of fishing in Hemingways novel, The sun also Rises. For me, that is a must, if only for a couple of days.
Does anyone know where it is located....near Pamplona?
Anyone that has a decent map of spain, please send until I buy one, if possible.
As far as staying, we would want something outside of a bigger city. We have saved and want to do this trip right and want to avoid hotels. Also, is there a long term car rental? I am very familiar with Spanish and my wife is fluent as she is Costa Rican. Thanks, ELS
Jan 19th, 2009, 03:13 PM
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Elstv1,
I'm afraid that fly fishing for trout on the Irati will not be possible once again this season.
In '08 all trout fly fishing on Navarra rivers was banned because the number of trout was in serious danger of depopulation. And since it has yet to be sufficiently repopulated, particularly on the Irati, the government (office of Development and Environment) has decided to continue the ban for the '09 season, starting April 1.
I'm afraid that fly fishing for trout on the Irati will not be possible once again this season.
In '08 all trout fly fishing on Navarra rivers was banned because the number of trout was in serious danger of depopulation. And since it has yet to be sufficiently repopulated, particularly on the Irati, the government (office of Development and Environment) has decided to continue the ban for the '09 season, starting April 1.
Jan 19th, 2009, 06:14 PM
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Hi john,
Yes, not even "catch and release" this year. There were proponents of that option, but they didn't win out. The trout population has in general increased but not as much as they want, and especially not in the Irati.
Yes, not even "catch and release" this year. There were proponents of that option, but they didn't win out. The trout population has in general increased but not as much as they want, and especially not in the Irati.
Jan 19th, 2009, 06:52 PM
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I would rent a car and explore Northern Spain and the Bordeaux, Perigord, and Dordogne regions of France. There are wonderful for natural beauty, food, and culture.
An interest of mine is cave drawings and there both orginal drawings can be seen as well as the extraordinary reproductions at Lascaux and Altamira.
Tuscany is another trip.
An interest of mine is cave drawings and there both orginal drawings can be seen as well as the extraordinary reproductions at Lascaux and Altamira.
Tuscany is another trip.
Jan 19th, 2009, 06:56 PM
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The Irati, in the Irati Forest, is beautiful stretch of river, but regardless of "catch and release", or catch and dine, you will be unable to obtain a license to fish anywhere in Navarra. You can, however, head to the French side and get a one-day license.
Jan 19th, 2009, 08:27 PM
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Thanks to the OP for giving more input on their plans and motivation - esp. on that Irati fly fishing part ;-)
And yes, Pamplona would be the nearest city in Spain.
I can understand that for a Hemingway aficionado it is tempting to stay in that region (not only because of fly fishing) - but, as others have also pointed out, end of March does not necessarily mean fine weather in that part of Spain.
I would prepare for some days with rain and chilly temperatures around 12-15C - depending on location and elevation of your potential rental property.
Most would probably say that it is an excellent time of the year to explore Andalucia (very hot in summer), e.g. stay in/near one of the White Villages near the Costa de la Luz/ Sevilla region.
And thanks to zeppole for a reminder on the ferry between Barca and Genova. Must have been that bottle of Spanish vino tinto last night which made me forget it - especially since I plan to take it in May LOL.. BUT: You will have to check your rental car company's terms if they allow you to take the car to Italy. Many just include Portugal (for free), and France (for a small surcharge).
And yes, Pamplona would be the nearest city in Spain.
I can understand that for a Hemingway aficionado it is tempting to stay in that region (not only because of fly fishing) - but, as others have also pointed out, end of March does not necessarily mean fine weather in that part of Spain.
I would prepare for some days with rain and chilly temperatures around 12-15C - depending on location and elevation of your potential rental property.
Most would probably say that it is an excellent time of the year to explore Andalucia (very hot in summer), e.g. stay in/near one of the White Villages near the Costa de la Luz/ Sevilla region.
And thanks to zeppole for a reminder on the ferry between Barca and Genova. Must have been that bottle of Spanish vino tinto last night which made me forget it - especially since I plan to take it in May LOL.. BUT: You will have to check your rental car company's terms if they allow you to take the car to Italy. Many just include Portugal (for free), and France (for a small surcharge).
