sfkimmy

I will be spending 2 weeks in Spain driving from Barcelona to San Sebastian and back. I want to do the French side one way and Spanish the other. This is a food pilgramage for me so I am looking for towns to stop in that I can meet cheese makers, foie gras, wine, and other artisan products. Really interested in perhaps a stop at a thermal bath. I think we want to do a nice leisurely drive and stay overnight somewhere in both directions. I am taking my mom and aunt (69 and 75) who travel all the time but usually on guided tours and I want to do more off the beaten path things. This is my 1st time to Spain so any non touristy tips will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

SFKimmy

Robert2533

There is an 2008 article from the New York Times, "Nibbling Through Spain’s Cheese Country", you might find interesting, but you will not have the time to drive all the way to Asturias, “The Land of Cheese", and hunt down one of the artisans making the fabulous Cabrales cheese, for which the area is famous. Or you can follow the Route of the Cheese (Ossau-Iraty) in the Pays Basque. In Navarra you will find a few artisan cheese makers in the Roncal Valley.

If you really want to stop for a thermal bath on the way to San Sebatián-Donostia, then you can head for the Midi-Pyrénées, where you will find spas in Bagnères-de-Bigorre and Ax-les-Thermes, or Saint Lary and the Louron Valley (Hautes-Pyrénées).

On the Spanish side of the Pyrenees you'll find Baños de Benasque Spa Resort in Benasque (Aragón) and Panticosa Spa Resort in the Tena Valley near Formigal.

heart2travel

Hi, I'm sorry to high jack your thread but I have a question. I am in the beginning phase of planning a similar trip. Is that a day journey? Seems too far to do in one day......
Thanks,

kja

I've been looking into this region for other reasons, and just came upon some info about a thermal spa in the Vall de Boi, the Caldes de Boi. (I don't know anything about it.)

Robert2533

heart2travel, try starting a new post!

Robert2533

The Vall de Boí is east of the regions mentioned and not that big on spas, but there are some to consider. It's an area better known for its Romanesque Churches (http://www.pinterest.com/sanfermines...l-de-bo%C3%AD/)

kja

@ Robert -- thanks for clarifying! As you might suspect, I came upon the reference to the spa while researching the Romanesque churches.

Rubicund

Just a quick heads up on the car rental. If you're renting in Barcelona and intending to drive through France too, make sure that your rental company is aware of the fact. You don't want to have the insurance invalidated because of that.

kja

I'm trying to plan a driving route on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees from San Sebastian / Donostia to Eril la Vall. I know it will be a LONG drive, but if the weather isn't bad, and if I can stop to stretch my legs every 2 hours or so, I think that could work for me. My trip will be in mid-May, so if I leave San Sebastian / Donostia early enough, I think I should be able to reach Eril la Vall before sunset, even if I take several breaks.

So, IF the weather is good -- and ONLY if so -- would it make sense for me to drive from San Sebastian to Isaba (for a brief break) and then to Torla (for a brief break) before driving to Eril la Vall?

(If the weather, at any point, turns too bad to drive, I will find the next possible place to wait it out.)

Are there other, better, options?

Once again, thanks so much!