AP6380

I admittedly have not done much research on my own yet. I'm trying to come up with a framework of how a trip with the following parameters could work:

It would take place in June 2005. If this matters, I am female, and by then 29 years old. I want to spend 2 weeks in Spain, preferably including beautiful beaches as part of the itinerary. After this we (my father will join me for week 2 in Spain) we will go see my family in Southern Italy.

I definitely want to see Barcelona, and want to go to Majorca while my father is there. The question is, what is a good destination (or two) for the week that I would be alone? I would fly into Barcelona, and would have no problem renting a car. I would have to go back to Barcelona after the first week to meet my father at the airport. I'm not asking for anyone to "plan" my trip, just to give me ideas of what to research. It sounds like San Sebastian would be a nice Northern Spain destination?

OReilly

My new favorite place in the world is Nothern Spain and the Basque region (I hope to finish my trip report this week ; part of it is on the site)

I was there in July this year and the weather was perfect. I would split the week between a parador in Asturias/Cantabria (Cangas & Santillana del Mar) and the WONDERFUL, DIVINE town of San Sabastian, which will allow you to exlore both the Spanish & French Basque regions.

To start your planning, there are several recent trip reports here. Also, the Spanish tourist board provides wonderful booklets on the region with sights, driving tours etc. I also purchase the Cadogan guides for N. Spain & the Basque regions which I found both useful and interesting in my planning.

I am determined to get back to the region in 2005 and every year after - THAT's how much I loved the area.

Best of luck with your planning.

regards Ger

OReilly

http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/ingles/indexi.htm

http://www.in-spain.info/spain-regio...ls-fiestas.htm

http://www.pyreneesguide.com/subs.as...205&cID=17

http://www.santillana-del-mar.com/

http://www.hotelsspain.net/

http://www.hotelsspainonline.com/

http://www.okspain.org/

http://www.sispain.org/english/otherweb.html

http://www.paradores-spain.com/


AP - here are some links to help with your planning and don't forget about Maribel's guides: http://www.maribelsguides.com/

regards Ger

AP6380

Thanks Ger!

I now have a direction to go in with my planning. My only concern is that I briefly glanced at Maribel's guide to the area, and she mentioned that in June it's still quite rainy in San Sebastian.

Robert2533

The last couple of years have been a little drier in the Basque Country due to the changing weather patterns. I wouldn't worry too much about a little rain in Donostia-San Sebastian, that's what keeps the country green.

OReilly

It did rain a little while I was there that week, but it was a really "soft" rain that did not prevent me from doing anything. I'd say half the days were overcast for about half the day. Actually, the reason I chose the areas in the first place is because the weather is so temperate at that time of year ( I HATE the heat). The warmest I encountered was about 83 degrees at noon in Comillias but it was generally in the 70s.

Thomas

San Sebastian is a wonderful northern destination. You could fly from Barcelona or Madrid to San Sebastian where there is the beautiful beach La Concha. The best tapas bars are in San Sebastian. You could easily get to Bilbao by bus in one hour or rent a car.
Another easy trip to Santander with its incredibly beautiful beach. Could you plan to spend one night each in Bilbao and in Santander and two in San Sebastian? We flew into Santander and spent two nights then took the bus to Bilbao and spent one night, finally took the bus to San Sebastian and spent almost a week before flying back to Barcelona or Madred. However there is much more to see in Northern Spain if you are so inclined. Maybe it would be easier to fly north and then rent a car if you prefer. I'm not sure if the drive from Barcelona or Madred to San Sebastian is rugged. Now you have me all excited about going back north which I have done for six years. Ask Maribel.