Luhimari

"I kind of have my heart set on Lekeieto and the Hotel Zubieta. I know it won't be as easy with transport but I think I will be OK."

Was the hotel what you expected? I'm planning on staying in the area next year and would like any help you can give me. We will have a car. Thank you.

Robert2533

Luhimari,
You shouldn't have any problem getting around if you have a car. Just have a good map and learn how to read the local roadsigns.

A good reference would be Maribel's Guide to the Basque Country.

pennylane

Is the last week of December a bad time to make a trip to this region of Spain? We have been to Andalusia and I wanted to head north after our arrival in Madrid on 12/25. We have a week.

Riffic

CathyM,

I hope you had a wonderful time in Spain!

Your itinerary caught my eye, as this is on our short list for Summer 2006. My wife and I are thinking about spending 2-3 weeks in northern Spain, taking a nice long drive from Munich and stopping in the Loire Valley on the return.

If you have any detailed travel notes you would care to share I would appreciate it. I'll try not to forget to return to this thread in the near future... like you, I used to post a lot on this wonderful forum, but my work has gotten the best of me over the past few months

CathyM

Riffic (and all):

I had an incredible time in Spain but came back to a mess at work! I'm on vacation visiting relatives next week and planned on posting a recap of the hotels, transportation, restaurants, etc.. I used a combination of advice from this board, Maribel's guides and guidebooks. There were so many highlights I don't even think I could narrow it down to 5! I loved every single minute of this trip. This was my ninth trip and my seventh traveling solo and relying on public transportation. I will say it was the most challenging trip using public transportation particularly in the smaller cities/villages that I like to visit....but I'd do it all over again the same way.

I did visit the sanctuary of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. The scenery was unlike anything I've ever seen - absolutely breathtaking. The bad news is I have a major phobia of heights. I attempted to climb to the top but halfway up I made the mistake of looking back (down) and then I was a goner. It was worth it just for the view. Special thanks to cova for helping me with directions and encouraging me to make this visit.

As I was traveling I read the book, "The Basque History or the World". I'd say this is required reading for anyone planning on an in depth trip to the Basque country. It really gave me a better understanding of the culture and history of these people - much better than any guidebook.

I'll post more in depth next week. Sorry for not catching you all up sooner.

Cathy

cova

Hi Cathy,
so, I guess inviting you to a wedding at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a no-no

I am glad that you managed to get there, anyway.

Bye, Cova

weber6560

CathyM are you about? I am thinking of a couple of days in Lekeitio at the Hotel Zubieto. How was it? I arrive two days early for a school in San Sebastian and am probably going to use bus from Bilbao [airport?] to Lekeitio and then from Lekeitio to San Sebastian. Thoughts anyone? Thanks

mikelg

Hotel Zubieta is a great hotel at a very good rate, at the back of town, but as it is a small villages there are not distances.

Take the bus from Bilbao airport and then, at Termibus (last stop) station take the bus to Lekeitio (1 hour trip). From Lekeitio there are several daily buses to San Sebastian.

Try also Hostal de la Emperatriz, facing the beach, right on the centre of town.

I love Lekeitio, spent there 12 summers in my teens...