Help with Northern Spain itinerary
 

Hi! My husband and I are going to Spain in late May/early June and are trying to work out our itinerary. The only thing we have set right now is our flight, which is into Madrid and out of Barcelona. We're in our early 30's and are mainly interested in food, the outdoors and hiking, nature/scenery, and photography. No so into nightlife, shopping, and too many museums/churches.

I know some people's advice will be that we aren't spending enough time in Madrid and Barcelona, however, we live in a large-ish city and find smaller cities and the outdoors more relaxing when on vacation. We are planning on renting a car when we leave Madrid and returning it when we arrive in Barcelona.

Day 1 - Weds PM 5/25 FLY - redeye flight from US
Day 2 - 5/26 Thurs - MADRID - Arrive in Madrid 6 PM
Day 3 - 5/27 Fri - MADRID or day trip to Salamanca (husband studied there in college and wants to try to go back...not sure if we can fit it in)
Day 4 - 5/28 - Sat POTES or CONGAS DE ONIS - Pick up car, drive from Madrid
Day 5 - 5/29 - Sun - POTES or CONGAS DE ONIS
Day 6 - Mon - 5/30 - SAN SEBASTIAN Drive to San Sebastian
Day 7 - Tues - 5/31 - SAN SEBASTIAN
Day 8 - Weds - 6/1 - ???
Day 9 - Thurs - 6/2 - ????
Day 10 - Fri - 6/3 - BARCELONA (drive to Barcelona)
Day 11 - Sat - 6/4 - BARCELONA
Day 12 - Sun - 6/5 - Fly home AM from Barcelona

Days 8 and 9 are where we're really determining what to do. We had wanted to include the Pyrenees but are not sure we have the time and are concerned that late May may still be a bit early. We would find flying to Barcelona to be too much of a hassle (hate airports and flying). We have these three ideas:
A - day 8 San Sebastian, day 9 drive or train directly to Barcelona.
B - day 8 drive to Cadaques (probably through France), spend day 9 in that area, maybe go to the Dali museum in Figueres
C - day 8 San Sebastian, day 9 drive to Torla and spend the night, continuing to Barcelona the next day. Or possibly spending two nights in Torla, although I like the idea of adding an extra day to San Sebastian

Any ideas for our mystery days, or overall comments? I do have some ideas of things we want to do on the days that are already planned, but clearly, this post is already getting pretty long. Thank you!

You might want to check my trip report from last May -- I also flew into Madrid, traveled through various parts of the North of Spain, and ended in Barcelona. But I had 4 weeks. You also might find some very helpful information in the planning threads for my trip -- there are links in the trip report.

Yes, I had seen your post when we first started planning. Lots of detail in your day by day, very helpful! If only we had 4 weeks as well :)

Madrid to Potes is not a drive I would do in one day. Some online mapping services will route you through the Parque Natural Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre, which can be a challenge at times.

Driving from Madrid, I would take the road to Torrelavega and then head for Potes, stopping somewhere for the night along the way.

I would suggest a slight change to save running back and forth.
Mardid. drive North.....
Salamanca.....
from here depends on if you go to Potes you head via Burgos
Head for Cangas de Onís fo via León.
This way you can fill your mystery days before you get to San Sebastian.
From San Sebastian fly to Barcelona.

What in particular is difficult about the drive, is it just a mountain road or is the condition bad? We live in the mountains so driving on mountain roads is not a concern by itself.

Would it be better to take the AVE to Leon and rent a car from there, staying in Congas de Onis instead?

As Ribeira said, don't backtrack. When you leave Madrid, go to Salamanca, spend the night, and then carry on to Potes or Congas. Your Day 2 in Madrid really isn't a day there. You'll only have time to check into your hotel, take a little walk to stretch your legs, have dinner, and then hit the hay. Spend Day 3 in Madrid and head for Salamanca on your Day 4.

Is it mainly option of going to Salamanca that is the trouble? That was only one idea - I have a feeling we'll probably spend that first full day just in Madrid to adjust to the time change, etc.

If you do not like so called mountain roads then please do not head for the Picos de Europa.
No main road are poorly maintained in Spain.
If you rent a car from León then the choice of companies will be reduced. the stock of cars held is also reduced. If a certain type of car is important ie a small car or an automatic then renting from say Madrid will be the better option. Sometimes longer rental reduce the coast per day. So car rental is horses for courses.
If you hire a car do not forget you need purchase an IDP for each driver or if you use the train you have to navigate your way around the RENFE website.
http://www.seat61.com/Spain-trains.htm

Yes, spend your first full day in Madrid and rent a car from there. Look at AutoEurope for the rental. Then go to Salamanca which is wonderful and to please your husband. From there continue north. Do not return to Madrid for the night.