Honeymoon in Spain
 

Hi,
My fiance and I will be going to Spain for our Honeymoon in mid September for 2 weeks. We definetly want to spend time in San Sebastian, Barcelona and on the island of Mallorca. We want to spend some time exploring and also a lot of time at the beach. We want to eat a bunch of good food and we love wine. Can anyone help with our itinerary? Im not sure if it makes sense to fly into Barcelona first or Bilbao. Also what is the best way to get around once we are there.
Thanks in advance for the help!

It looks like a lot of movement in only two weeks. Hardly enough time to enjoy three great, but distinct areas. I would stick with Barcelona and Mallorca or Barcelona and San Sebastian-Donostia, but not all three.

It would be easy to get around by public transportation in Barcelona and San Sebastian, but you'll need a car on Mallorca in order to explore the island.

The roads are very good in Spain, so driving would be easy--outside of towns, of course.

San Sebastian at the end. You really need 6 days for each location which includes a day of traveling each jump.

For something quite out of the ordinary in San Sebastián, stay in romantic Villa Soro or majestic Hotel María Cristina:
Villa Soro (some 10-15 mins walk to the Parte vieja/Old town and the city center, but very close to Arzak, one of the world's ten best restaurants for the past 20+ years, and the local feel Gros area): http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/villasoro.en.html
María Cristina: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/mari...westin.en.html

These are also great hotels in the absolute best location, but not that pricey:
Londres: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/lond...aterra.en.html
Niza: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/niza.en.html

All about going for the world famous pintxos in food crazy San Sebastián. Any place serving less than great food is out of business in no time, but here are some suggested routes: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

If you plan to visit during the film festival towards the end of the month, you'll have to book hotel way ahead: http://www.sansebastianfestival.com/in/

kimhe - I agree on Arzak. I'd eaten at 3 star Michelin restaurants before, but nothing compares with the Catalan-Basque cuisine.

Elena Arzak is the 3rd generation chef. Her father, Juan-Marie is semi retired now. Menu is not as expensive as other 3 star restaurants, and yet you are actually fed enough food to be full at the end of the meal.

Both father and daughter take the time to visit with the patrons. They are very gracious hosts.

The horseshoe shaped beach at Donostia (SS)is beautiful. All in all, a magical town.

I had a great time chaperoning 3 teenagers on a school trip last year to Spain. We did visit Barcelona and were on a budget, so if you are, too I can recommend Hotel Jardi in the Ramblas. It's a quiet hotel tucked away in a square. We loved the free walking tours that commenced just down the Rambla and breakfast from the Boqueria - which we brought back to our balcony. If you want a nicer, romantic dinner with lots of atmosphere, we enjoyed Los Caracoles, also in the Rambla, but I hear it's been discovered by tourists - but who cares, that's what we are!

Is Maria Christina open yet??..In Oct., it was closed for renovation..Lovely choice if available. SS is an absolute must. BCN, althought wonderful is busy, busy, busy..k;both are wonderful.
congrats!!!

I believe the Maria Christina is scheduled to open in June. I'd agree with sticking with just 2 locations for your honeymoon as a base. Barcelona and San Sebastian would be excellent.

Thanks for all the great feedback! So it sounds like San Sebastian and Barcelona are the way to go, over Mallorca? Kimhe- I noticed that the film festival is happening while we will be in SS. Will it be overcrowded during that time, or will it be great to be visiting then?

The Maria Cristina looks great...just a little more then we wanted to spend. We are hoping to spend about $200-250 usd for the hotels. We are also hoping to be on the water (if possible in that price range). If anyone has any suggestions, that would be helpful!
Thanks so much!
Steph

Hi r,

>I noticed that the film festival is happening while we will be in SS.<
SS is going to be mobbed.

Can you put off your honeymoon for a week?

Barcelona will be holding the La Merce Festival from Sept 21 to 25
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...-la-merce.html

You could then rent a car and drive up to to Donostia (San Sebastian) and visit both the Spanish and French Basque Country. (Or you could take the train or plane)

I've used www.booking.com for making reservations in both cities.

((I))

Much as I adore Majorca, there is lots to see around Barcelona and the Costa Brava - have you your mind set on going to Majorca? For a start there is Calella Palafrugell and Cadaques which I would put above getting to Majorca, but of course this depends on whether you like beach.

San Sebastián will be crowded and many hotels will be more expensive during the festival, but it might also be a very nice time to experience the city at its most vibrant and one of the oldest (since 1953) and most important film festivals in Europe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Seb..._Film_Festival

A clip from last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVVXka4hMks

I think María Cristina would be priced over the top during the festival, but if you want to be at the seafront and in the absolute best location, you should try Londres or Niza (see above).

Alemana, 50 meters from the beach and just behind both Londres and Niza, is a great value alternative: http://www.hostalalemana.com/ingles/index.html

My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon. We are thinking about going to Spain and possibly Portugal for two weeks. What was your itinerary?

If you wish to spend a lot of time on the beach and swimming
SS in the second half of Sept. might not be the best place .