Basque country trip
 

Can anyone suggest an interesting tour for 2 people to take for 2 weeks on their own? Would November be too chilly in this area? Also, are there any tour companies which you would recommend which travel through this area. It is very hard to find anyone. We like to stay in casual, unusual places and visit artistic areas. We have never been to Bilboa, so we would include a stay in that area.Thanks so much for any type of recommendations and if anyone has done this trip and what you recommend about it?

You could begin by consulting:


http://iberiantraveler.com/

I don't think you would need a tour company really. The area is quite small from the Bayonne-Biarritz area in France to Bilbao in Spain is only about two and a half hours by car. Biarrtiz and the world-famous surfing beaches is worth a look as is eating at the old "port des pecheurs". The old town in San Sebastian is great where you can try the huge variety of Pintxos (little tapas on top of a piece of bread) and the local wine Txakoli. I would recommend then travelling along the northern coast road through traditional Basque towns like Andarroa and Lequitio. Bilbao is a large industrial city and practically the only thing of merit is the Guggenheim. Hope this helps.

drfapa writes: "... are there any tour companies which you would recommend which travel through this area. It ... We like to stay in casual, unusual places and visit artistic areas. We have never been to Bilboa, so we would include a stay in that area.Thanks so much for any type of recommendations and if anyone has done this trip and what you recommend about it? "

I like Bilbao: the Cuisine, the Mercado Central, etc., but I am not 'into' Modern Art. Frank Gehry's Titanium masterpiece is nice, but I prefer areas further west along Spain's North coast, like Santander, Santillana del mar, Comillas (where Gaudi's Caprichos houses an upscale Oriental restaurant) and los Picos de Europa.

Unfortunately, most bus tours are not available in November so, if you're not driving, you're not going to see much.

Weather may always be a factor in November: rainy from Galicia possibly as far east as Bilbao. Bilbao is in a 'bowl' and temperature inversions sometimes trap air in the bowl for many days.

"Bilbao is a large industrial city and practically the only thing of merit is the Guggenheim". There has been a world of changes since the Guggenheim first went up. The city has flowered. Although some of the industrial waste remains, the city is transforming itself at a rapid pace and in some cases the transformation has been dramatic and well done. And as far as cuisine goes, Bilbao has some of the best in the Basque country, which makes it some of the best in the world.

As already mentioned, it can be a little rainy in November, that's why it's referred to as Green Spain, but it can also be very beautiful.

Thanks to all the responses on May 10th to my questions about the Basque country in Spain. YUou all were extremely helpful and informative with suggestions as to which places to visit. We have wanted to visit there for so long, hope this year we will make [email protected]