Help! We can't decide between basing ourselves in San Sebastion or Girona for 4 days. We'll be coming from Barcelona. We love charming towns, great food, exploring . . . love the description of both Girona and San Sebastion. Has anyone been to both areas? How long is the drive from Barc to each? Please advise. Thanks.

Girona is, obviously, nearer from Barcelona. And it's really beautiful but I would choose San Sebastian without doubt. I love it , I got in love on my first visit , no other reason

cokie: If you choose San Sebastian and Basque country region, may I suggest not to miss the Painted Forest (El Bosque Pintado de Oma )..truly one of the best kept secrets of that area. Basque artist Augustin Ubarrolla found this remote forest just north of Gernika and painted about 500 trees in myriad designs and colors...mind-blowing sight to see. On a visit to the Guggy in Bilbao a few years ago, we found an obscure note on this phenomenon in an art magazine, and hunted it up..photos are amazing. Also suggest taking a short ride up to a most unique, lunarscape stretch of beach in Bidart (3 kms south of Biarritz)...
http://aula.el-mundo.es/aula/noticia...023382969.html

Stu T.

Well, by car Girona is about an hour from BCN. Sanse is probably more like 8 or 9. So, it depends on how much traveling you want to do.

Girona is a really beautiful area. I have spent a lot of time in villages there (studying Catalán), so the images I have are pretty rural. However, Girona itself has a beautiful old quarter, lots of students during the year, and is wonderful for strolling.

Sanse is also a beautiful city with great food and vibrant nightlife. The beaches there are very aesthetic, almost wild in some parts.

If I did not care how much travel was going on, I would do Barcelona and Sanse. Good contrast, lots of variety, and a really great drive.

Claire

From Girona, you can also visit Figueras (Dali Museum) or Rosas, which is on the coast.

Four days at Girona alone is kind of long.

Blackduff

Use either www.viamichelin.com or
www.mappy.com for your maps and driving itineraries and time.

Thanks guys. If we drive to San Sebastion, is there a good stopping point for a night? Also, if we do Girona - La Gavina was recommended. Is that a good base for exploring the region - or are we better off staying in the town of Girona. Does anyone know how far La Gavina is from the other cities? Thanks again.

stayed at Gavina several years ago. Seem to remember about a 45 minute drive to Girona. It is a spectacular resort

Cokie,
A logical stop on the way to the Basque Country, notably San Sebastian-Donostia, would by somewhere in the Rioja, Alta or Alavesa, via Zaragoza. There are several decent places in Logroño and Laguardia to choose from.

Regarding the Painted Forest, I'll send you some pictures from a couple of years ago, but, as of our last trip, you can see that they haven't been keeping it up and it's gotten a little overgrown.

Both areas are great, but there is something very special about San Sebastian.
With only 4 days, the drive is a bit long from Barcelona, perhaps a good use of your time would be to fly one way to / from Bilbao and drive and see the rest of the Basque Country. Vueling (www.vueling.com) is a low cost carrier and has some great fares Barcelona - Bilbao and vice-a-versa.

Good luck and buen viaje!